Land Rover's iconic Defender SUV is set to be brought back from the dead .

[csv8]

"Land Rover's iconic Defender SUV is set to be brought back from the dead after a British billionaire industrialist announced he was preparing to invest £600 million ($A1 billion) of his*personal wealth to*bring back the much-loved off-roader.
Plans*for "Projekt Grenadier” were revealed*at*the London pub which gave the rugged SUV project its name, and*the "son of Land Rover Defender" is the brainchild of Jim Ratcliffe, a wealthy financier, industrialist and founder of chemicals giant, Ineos.
Mr Ratcliffe, said to be worth more than*£3.2 billion ($A5.4 billion), announced*he hoped to make 25,000 SUVs*per year when production starts in 2020. The vehicle will be a direct replacement for the Defender.
Currently the legendary*off-roader's design is not*trademarked in the UK and Ratcliffe wants his creation to stay faithful to the 68-year-old original.
Despite no sign of a confirmed replacement, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) stopped making its Defender in 2016,*but the company says a new version will arrive by the "end of this decade".
Responding to the media coverage of Ratcliffe's*plans,*JLR announced to several British news outlets that the Defender’s design had been registered in many other countries.
The Tata-owned British car-maker also confirmed it is*in the process of making a trademark application for the UK.
Ratcliffe, meanwhile, is confident his SUV will be priced from £35,000 ($A60,000) when production begins in 2020.
Fuelling his enthusiasm*there will be a market for an uncompromising SUV like the original Defender, Ratcliffe has been quoted in interviews*referencing unconfirmed reports that Land Rover itself is working on a Defender replacement which*will sacrifice toughness in pursuit of lifestyle buyers.
According to the self-made billionaire, his chemical company Ineos is already in discussions with the British government to source further state-funding for a UK-based factory, although similar pre-existing plants in Germany are also being considered.
As well as factories, it's been reported that Ineos has out-sourced the design for a possible SUV if rights to use the Defender aren't secured.
A 3.0-litre diesel, 4.0-litre petrol and even a hybrid powertrain are already in consideration to power the future SUV, while Ineos claims it has employed a team of 200 engineers to work exclusively on the SUV.
Once production is confirmed, Ineos says it will employ a further 800 staff.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Ratcliffe dismissed concerns that he and Ineos have*no experience of the challenges involved in car-making, telling the British newspaper: "We would not be doing this if*we were not serious about it and thought we could make a profit."
Ratcliffe added: “We think we know a fair bit about manufacturing from the chemicals side of the business: putting in £600m is a lot of money and we have got to balance the books.”
https://carsales.mobi/editorial/details/ED-ITM-109059/

[FalconXV]

With all the wealth in this country, why does nobody want to make that kind of investment in something like that here? Smh.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by FalconXV

With all the wealth in this country, why does nobody want to make that kind of investment in something like that here? Smh.

Quote:
"We would not be doing this if*we were not serious about it and thought we could make a profit."

He intends on making 25,000 vehicles a year, lets see how he goes, as they'll need to sell for a premium.

What Vehicle would you suggest could be made here at a profit?

[Spammy]

Originally Posted by FalconXV

With all the wealth in this country, why does nobody want to make that kind of investment in something like that here? Smh.

Because most wealthy people want to hang onto their wealth.

[Sioso]

Originally Posted by FalconXV

With all the wealth in this country, why does nobody want to make that kind of investment in something like that here? Smh.

Due to the cost of employing people in this country and our over complicated tax system.

[lra]

Originally Posted by FalconXV

With all the wealth in this country, why does nobody want to make that kind of investment in something like that here? Smh.

Because it is easier to build a casino, and take others money with very little effort after the initial outlay.

[dunga]

Originally Posted by lra

Because it is easier to build a casino, and take others money with very little effort after the initial outlay.

They don't take peoples money people give it to them as with poker machines

[Sprintey]

> Vision and commitment of a self made billionaire - industrialist at that.
> Opinion on the forums that it simply can't be done

Here fellas, have a Swan on me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCx2YxUDJOY

[chevypower]

With the JL Wrangler Sahara and Rubicon well on its way, I just don't see the point of an overpriced Defender.

[DJR-351]

Originally Posted by chevypower

With the JL Wrangler Sahara and Rubicon well on its way, I just don't see the point of an overpriced Defender.

All I can suggest then is you have never come across a true Landrover fanatic, the few I have would grasp ritual dissembowelment before considering buying a Jeep

[cheap]

Despite their shortcomings there have always been three major problems with Defenders (1) there are still so many old Defenders going that the demand for new ones is limited to the hard core loyalist (2) Defenders kept to their basic function with very little new technology this meant newer generations of buyers overlooked them and (3) potentially the biggest issue is that Defenders have never been registerable in the USA.

Unless the new Defender addresses these issues, then I think it will be a still-born.

[solarite_guy]

What were the model Land Rovers used in The Gods Must Be Crazy?

[DJR-351]

Originally Posted by solarite_guy

What were the model Land Rovers used in The Gods Must Be Crazy?

86in Series 1 or an 88in lol

http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_8169-La...es-I-1954.html

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by DJR-351

All I can suggest then is you have never come across a true Landrover fanatic, the few I have would grasp ritual dissembowelment before considering buying a Jeep

They are a special breed, but that applies to any brand fanatic I suppose. 😂

[solarite_guy]

Originally Posted by DJR-351

86in Series 1 or an 88in lol

http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_8169-La...es-I-1954.html

Thank you. That is one of the funniest movie scenes.

When I was a young teen, my aunt had just moved to a rural area in Connecticut, leaving NY City behind.

She got one of those. It was brand new at the time.

[Vesper Martini]

Classic movie watched it as a kid too

some funny scenes with the landy.
reverse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxCJL6GGsdE
stuck in a tree
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RXV-p_Ec6Q
stuck in mud
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP7w1eU3Ku8

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by FalconXV

With all the wealth in this country, why does nobody want to make that kind of investment in something like that here? Smh.

Silos also said "Due to the cost of employing people in this country and our over complicated tax system."

Don't forget our expensive "renewable energy targets". Does anybody find it strange that we a huge abundance of natural resources, yet the most expensive electric & gas supplies in the world.

Also worth a mention is our stupid system of 3 levels of Government (Federal, State & Local), all wanting to gouge any business trying to make a go of it.

Dr Terry

[b0son]

Originally Posted by chevypower

With the JL Wrangler Sahara and Rubicon well on its way, I just don't see the point of an overpriced Defender.

The Defender might actually do what it says without breaking?

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by b0son

The Defender might actually do what it says without breaking?

lol because Land Rovers have a reputation for reliability. 😂 Anyway, if you wheel anything hard enough, you will break stuff. It's a matter of when, not "if."