An Ineos built replica of the Land Rover Defender would most likely retain a diesel powertrain in order to be reliable and tough enough for customers in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The model, which would be be built and badged as an all-new car, but bear strong resemblance in both look and character to the Defender, is currently being considered for production by chemical giant Ineos.
The firm is due to carry out a feasibility study to see if the model is econonically viable for production this year, with the results due in December. If the results are positive, Ineos's director has told Autocar the model is likely to feature a powertrain and underpinnings borrowed from another automotive brand.
"Fundamentally we're not in the industry so we'd want to partner with an experienced brand," explained Tom Crotty. "We think there is an ongoing market for the vehicle if you can make it reliable and conform to [safety and emissions] regulations. We've done a lot of stuff in Africa and they love [the Defender] out there, but they don't love its reliability."
New Land Rover Defender due in 2019
Crotty suggested that sticking with a proven powertrain would be most appropriate, given that it would have to be reliable in extreme climates and conditions. "[An] electric [drivetrain] is too advanced - this car needs to work to work in Sub-Saharan desert," he added, before confirming that the old Defender's Ford Transit-derived diesel engine would definitely not be used.
Crotty cited the US and Africa as key markets to be considered for the new model, adding that the US was a largely untapped market for the original Defender. "It's the world's biggest buyer of SUVs and a market of more than 300 million people," he said.
Join the debate
androo
All talk
Bullfinch
Would be helpful if the writer
androo
Bullfinch wrote:
They might get away with copying the 1948 version, but I bet LR have copyright on every tiny change they've made to it over the years and there will have been thousands even quite recently.
JohnInSpain
Land Rover Defender
Bullfinch
The point is to sell new ones, surely.
Folks_Wagen
Good luck to him
Harry P
Better to wait for the new Defender?
koyaanisqatsi
If....
devil's advocate
Let us all keep...
Cynical? Moi?
Chris C
Ineos
No point importing a Santana - production stopped years ago and they didn't sell well in the UK despite having a Japanese engine.
I know Ineos as a salt manufacturer - at least they would be able to ensure there were no corrosion problems.
Anyone saying the budget isn't big enough to produce a vehicle should check out the Foers range. There are also a load of military vehicles being touted around clearly based on Defender styling/hard points.
A JV with Suzuki to produce a larger Jimny might be another option.
Pages
Add your comment