Chicken Drumstick

Does the auto mode still kill the throttle? I'll admit I didn't use it when I tested the Defender. I selected Mud & Ruts as that was the terrain I was on, but like in that vid, I too got stopped by it killing the throttle. When I went on the LR Experience Day, they also told us to use Mud & Ruts. But it was quite unpleasant to drive due to it killing the throttle (it was very slippery on that day). So I switched to the Sand mode and it drove way better.

I sort of agree. But it isn’t that straight cut. Personally I just wouldn’t expect Mud & Ruts to kill the power at any point. I don’t believe the Sand mode does. And the TR doesn’t make it obvious that you need to fiddle with other controls also. You’d kind of expect TR to control it all.

You kind of have to know about the DSC. It isn’t that obvious. On face value you’d expect selecting Low Range and Mud & Ruts should be enough. My Jimny disables the DSC as soon as you select Low by comparison.

Thanks. I think the biggest take from this is that the Terrain Response is unintuitive and difficult to use. And if you aren't an expert on how to set it up, you will get stuck. Conceptually Terrain Response is brilliant, but I thought the idea for it was to make it easier for people off road. It now seems to be the complete opposite and adds a huge layer of complexity. As for the 90's off road prowess, there were some slippery bits in this video. But I'm pretty sure my old Impreza Turbo on the right tyres could have driven on it no probs. Not much in the way of testing things like the suspension flex or clearances. Not knocking the vid, it was still good.

Just seen my first new 90. Looked pretty good in the flesh.

Standard/OEM should be fine. Might be worth replacing with new and checking the linkage is all running smooth and no slop.

Apologies if you have already mentioned this. Are you using the stock mounting locations? Do the new shocks collapse short enough not to bottom out?

A lot of guys still run 205's, although there does seem to be a growing trend to go with bigger wheels. The 205's might limit you with clearance at times or if there are deep ruts. But smaller tyres might turn better. Over the years I've found I like narrow tyres over fat ones for trialling in the UK. So I tend to go for more of a 7.00 x 16, 7.50 x 16 or maybe a 235/85R16 I also understand the Simex copies (Insa Turbo!!!) are popular. Although personally I'm not really a fan of them. I'd go for a good set of diamonds. I think a few people are switching to diamonds these days too. Got a few mates who are running these in 235/85 on their 80" CCV motors: https://www.fedimatyres.com/en/4x4/4x4/maxi-grip Diamonds in a 7.50 size seem hard to get currently. I had some blackstars which worked well: https://black-star.fr/en/produit/venezuela-4/ But I can't find any for sale at the mo.

What are they going on? What will they be used for? And on what sort of terrain?

Was the 50th really "High Performance"? Personally I have no issues with this V8 one. I like the RRS and SVR models. And it arguably suits where LR are pitching this new model. There is also a huge market and trend for high performance SUVs, something that didn't really exist in the 1990s. But is pretty much expected in 2021. It might not be 'traditional Defender', but then neither is this new vehicle on other levels either.

Yeah meant RRS, I'll amend my post.

Once out of lockdown I'm seriously considering upgrading my 4.6 p38 to a newer Range Rover. I'm really fancying the idea of a supercharged 5.0 V8 one. As it won't use any more fuel than my p38 does, but still largely offer all of the same ability as well as be stonkingly fast too. I've not owned any LR's this new however. So I'm curious on which platform people think would be the better buy? I really like the visuals of the L320 but I'd only be interested in the late facelift version with the 5.0 litre engine. Which I think was 2010. But these seem thin on the ground and I haven't liked the colours of nearly all of them I've seen for sale (I don't want grey, silver, black, white or any variation of). The L494 is dynamically superior, but quite a bit more money. I know both platforms are arguably more complex than the p38. But I'm hoping being newer they would perhaps be somewhat less tiresome in things stopping working.... Do you have a preference on which platform you like best? Is the L494 worth the extra (might cost nearly double, there seems a big jump in price to get to the newer model). Thanks.

My Uncle & brother have had a 3.9 EFI from an RRC fitted to their factory 3.5 twin Stromberg 90. Fairly simple swap and just utilised the RRC EFI setup. But they are having issues with the battery going flat. I noticed the fitter has run a wire from the ECU to the 12v positive terminal and labelled ECU perm live. Is this needed? Could it be routed to an ignition live? I'm not sure what would require a permanent live and I wonder if it could be causing the flat battery issue (it isn't the battery itself or the alternator). And nothing else on the vehicle has changed and it never used to suffer this problem. It'll go flat in 5-7 days and be unable to start. Thanks.

No. The FJ went two front wheels down a bit quickly and lacked control (easy to be an armchair critic on this ). Basically it was on a different line, dropping both wheels at the same time while sliding. The Defender was driven much slower and more controlled but on a different line and angle it dropped the left front wheel down first. This is when it lifted the rear right. I think had the FJ done the same with the front wheel, it wouldn’t have lifted a wheel.

Thanks. I came across it ages back, but wasn't sure if it was a Land rover running portals or a lot more modified. Is it also using the C303 chassis/engine?

Departure angle is very good. But once again we see the new Defender doing a tricycle impression

Don't know how good this is off road, although clearly not a huge amount of "Land Rover" left in the driveline, if any!

0.4s sounds too big a difference between a 90 and 110. Do we know the weight difference? I'm guessing not huge. And sadly 0-60mph doesn't really mean much these days. The difference in performance will be the 0-100mph and the 20-100mph times or 30-120mph. You can see how this difference pans out in this vid. 4.2 s/c RRS vs 5.0 s/c RRS. On paper the 0-60mph times are probably pretty close. But real world the difference is huge. Also worthy of note. The 4.2 s/c./ is still substantially quicker than a 4.4 TDV8 L322 and the new V8 Defender is quicker than the 5.0 s/c L320. I don't know about the P400. I would image it is nearer the 4.2 s/c

I believe there are several ways of modding the driveline. Depends if you want the full 6wd or just a 6x4. For road use, such as a transporter the latter would be fine. But if you plan to go off road you'll likely want the fully 6x6 experience. Certainly worth spending some time searching the forum and Google for what has been done prior. I believe someone has even used electric drive for one of the axles. Do you have a particular intended use for the vehicle?

Marginally, more like significantly. Just as the Supercharged L322 is also a lot quicker than the TDV8. I'm not knocking the diesel, it is a fab engine. Parkers say 8.6 sec 0-60 for the 3.6 and 7.5 sec 0-60mph for the 4.4 TDV8. parkers.co.uk/land-rover/range-rover/estate-2002/specs/ If the Defender is under 5 sec 0-60mph that is a HUGE difference.

Just watched the insights video above. He says "a little under forty thousand pounds commercial" and "mid forties retail". £37-38k + VAT would make approx £44-45k inc VAT. Certainly LC/Wildtrack ballpark figures. And no mention of how many models or specs yet. I assume if it sells well during the first 12 months, they may introduce a lower base spec model and maybe a higher spec one too. So maybe pricing in the region of £33-48k?? I'm guessing. But being hopeful

Not sure tbh I didn't check, I'd assume with. Although I'd say the Grenadier appears to be of higher spec and capability than the LC. Which might be enough to demand a premium. Taking a look at the Ranger Wildtrack, with an automatic and rear load box (to match the Grenadier in basic spec). Prices are in the £40k bracket. I honestly have no idea what prices Ineos will announce. I guess they need to make profit and will depend on how many/easy they think they will sell. And I guess how many utility use vs lifestyle. As the latter (lifestyle) can normally be sold for more. I'd be surprised if they are pitching against the new Defender or G-Wagen. As that isn't the market the old Defender targeted. And everything so far has been about replacing the traditional Defender. That said, I guess they may also offer more basic models in due course too. Just not at launch, this might even be intentional, knowing there will be some very eager people happy to pay a premium to get one of these first.

Don't get me wrong. It is priced outside my means too! But I'm just looking at what else is on the market that I suspect the Grenadier will be pitched against.

But we don’t know it will be £50k. Where are you getting the price from? On a similar note. What can you buy today for £29k that would be either comparable to a Defender or a Grenadier? Remember the Grenadier is coming with a punchy motor. Not some wheezy Transit engine. And is looking to me much higher spec than a Defender ever was too. If you go on the Toyota website and price up a Land Cruiser Commercial I think you might be surprised at the price. Or likewise something like a Wildtrack Ford Ranger.

Thanks for the vid link. Re: Smarts, I think that was true of earlier models. I've also had a Smart Roadster. But the current 453 gen doesn't suffer leaks that I'm aware of. At least nothing on the forums about it when I was on them and mine lived out 24/7.