Land Rover's secret TT SUV uncovered

[Pebb]

Source: AutoCar

Land Rover is planning an affordable, fun-to-drive off-road coupe as part of a plan to broaden the brand’s appeal to a new generation of buyers – and you can read all about it in Autocar’s Christmas double issue, on sale today.

The low roof, high ground clearance three-door will be the ‘image’ car in the range of sub-Freelander models that Land Rover has in the pipeline for launch around 2013. It will add high-image gloss to the family of affordable, light-duty 4x4s that the company has been hinting at over the past few years, and that could also include the more traditional, rugged but affordable 'Landie' that has been mooted for so long (right).

“This would be Land Rover’s TT,” one insider told Autocar, “an image car that adds excitement to the Land Rover brand going forward and that can score with younger buyers.”

The coupe-like three-door, shown here in sketches exclusive to Autocar and based on official images, could be as little as three years from being given the go-ahead for production; a concept hinting at the theme may well be seen in as little as 18 months, to prepare the ground for what many will see as a challenging new future for Land Rover.

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The 2nd picture looks like a Land Rover Defender, which has been let loose are transforming into a mutant.

 

[TheCracker]

You can drop the idea of a 'coupe' 👎

But i like the idea of a rugged little Defender type Landie 👍

 

[ExigeEvan]

So it'll be a 'mini' Range Rover Sport? Doesn't sound too bad an idea.

Just went untill the environmentalists get onto it.

 

[Jim Prower]

First...fits the current land rover portfolio
Second...Looks like a Wrangler. I suppose that's not TOO bad. there are worse vehicles to emulate...

 

[Poverty]

oh boy I can hear the people on benefits/chavs rejoicing already.

 

[YSSMAN]

So Land Rover wants to build a Wrangler, eh? Too bad that GM is doing the same with the Hummer H4... Well, I suppose it will be interesting to see how Land Rover will take-on the Wrangler, arguably the best 4X4 vehicle money can buy (at a reasonable price).

 

[Pebb]

So it'll be a 'mini' Range Rover Sport? Doesn't sound too bad an idea.

Just went untill the environmentalists get onto it.

There is no need for another Range Rover Sport, because there are too many Cud’s around. But if it goes back to the off road 4x4 route, like the old Land Rover or the Defender then that’s good, however Land Rovers should move away from Cud’s and go back to 4x4's.

Since there is too many SUV's (CUV's) messing up the Cities and well its un-cool to be driving SUV’s in the city, but then again it’s up to Ford and Land Rover, for the type of route they take.

 

[ExigeEvan]

oh boy I can hear the people on benefits/chavs rejoicing already.

You're joking right?

Even the farmer spec Defender 90s hold their value well.

No need for another Range Rover Sport, because there are too many CUV's around. But if it goes back to the off roader 4x4 route like the old Land Rover or the Defender then thats good, however Land Rovers should move away from CUV's and go back to 4x4's.

Since there is too many SUV's (CUV's) messing up the Cities and well its un cool to be driving SUV’s in the city.

So what is it?

If it's below the freelander then it's above the Defender. Is it going to be like a Defender that is abit more civil? But then it would have to lose some of it offroad prowess if it was to distance itself from the Defender.

 

[Pebb]

You're joking right?

Even the farmer spec Defender 90s hold their value well.


So what is it?

If it's below the freelander then it's above the Defender. Is it going to be like a Defender that is abit more civil? But then it would have to lose some of it offroad prowess if it was to distance itself from the Defender.

Defenders are not for Chav's, because Chav's would be saying things like:

"Where can I put my multi colour cream checked design hat from Max Power Magazine?"

And: "Where can I put all my cheap rings from the Red Cross shop 1p selling bin"

But a Defender is for someone who does have a sense of life and does not wear bad rings or even someone who knows what a good car looks like, without ruining it.

So Land Rover wants to build a Wrangler, eh? Too bad that GM is doing the same with the Hummer H4... Well, I suppose it will be interesting to see how Land Rover will take-on the Wrangler, arguably the best 4X4 vehicle money can buy (at a reasonable price).

Land Rover built better off road cars before Jeep even came into the picture, plus Land Rovers have been used by so many sources, including the third world, the army and the Red Cross.

But if you want the best 4x4 now these days buy an old Defender, just like the 110, even these Land Rovers are better at being off road cars then the modem day 4x4's:

1963 Land Rover Series IIA
1966 Land Rover Series IIa Station Wagon.
Series III Defender

However I would say either the 1963 Land Rover Series IIA has to be the best off road car Land Rover ever.

 

[Jim Prower]

Land Rover built better off road cars before Jeep even came into the picture, plus Land Rovers have been used by so many sources, including the third world, the army and the Red Cross.

The first Land Rover, in fact, used military Willys Jeep components.

 

[Poverty]

You're joking right?

Even the farmer spec Defender 90s hold their value well.

BMW's hold their value well too and that hasnt stopped the deviant characters from aquiring them. never mind banks are cutting back on their lendings and loads of people are predicted to go bankrupt in the next couple years.

 

[Tornado]

Land Rover built better off road cars before Jeep even came into the picture, plus Land Rovers have been used by so many sources, including the third world, the army and the Red Cross.

Which seems odd, as the first CJ-2 hit the world 4 years before the first Series 1 did.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Defenders are not for Chav's, because Chav's would be saying things like:

"Where can I put my multi colour cream checked design hat from Max Power Magazine?"

And: "Where can I put all my cheap rings from the Red Cross shop 1p selling bin"

But a Defender is for someone who does have a sense of life and does not wear bad rings or even someone who knows what a good car looks like, without ruining it.

You need to leave the big city and come see the country side boy! Rural-ricers love their Defenders. Aluminium diamond plate, safari snorkels, chrome side runners and 6 inch raises are some of the modifications that I see regularly. And not a speck of mud on them!

Land Rover built better off road cars before Jeep even came into the picture, plus Land Rovers have been used by so many sources, including the third world, the army and the Red Cross.

Landrovers were built on the basis of the Willis Jeep. Which is the grand daddy of the Wrangler.

But yes, there's is some crazy stat that states that the first car X% of the world's population see will be a Landrover because they are so common in Africa and Asia.

BMW's hold their value well too and that hasnt stopped the deviant characters from aquiring them. never mind banks are cutting back on their lendings and loads of people are predicted to go bankrupt in the next couple years.

But considering BMWs are usually loaded with goodies, and that an some Defenders have tape decks as options it is IMO, quite an achievement.

 

[bennyrrr]

I can see a comparo between this, a Wrangler, a H4, and an FJ Cruiser. I like the FJ more than the Wrangler,the FJ is no doubt a better vehicle IMO.

 

[Tornado]

the FJ is no doubt a better vehicle IMO.

Only from a refinement point of view. Otherwise the Wrangler is the better of the two.

 

[slidesquad#1]

Damn it. I was hoping to see some form of mad twin turbo Cayenne beater. Bah.

 

[JCE]

Looks pretty cool. If affordably priced (as in affordably priced for a Range Rover) it might be a pretty cool car.

I give it an approval rating of 85%.

 

[YSSMAN]

Only from a refinement point of view. Otherwise the Wrangler is the better of the two.

Agreed. Unless GM really has something tricky up it's sleeve with the H4, the Wrangler will remain the best 4X4 money can buy (reasonably), no questions there.

 

[Pebb]

You need to leave the big city and come see the country side boy! Rural-ricers love their Defenders. Aluminium diamond plate, safari snorkels, chrome side runners and 6 inch raises are some of the modifications that I see regularly. And not a speck of mud on them!


Landrovers were built on the basis of the Willis Jeep. Which is the grand daddy of the Wrangler.

But yes, there's is some crazy stat that states that the first car X% of the world's population see will be a Landrover because they are so common in Africa and Asia.


But considering BMWs are usually loaded with goodies, and that an some Defenders have tape decks as options it is IMO, quite an achievement.

Talking about those rural ricers is the reason why there are some of those, which is why there is a magazine called:

Classic Tractor

But I can't believe Chavs and Ricers infected the Country Side, where the people have big white beards and talk about Green Jaguars all day. Anyway I bet, when they put this next Land Rover into Production, Top Gear will be the first people to review it on TV.

 

[Jim Prower]

You need to leave the big city and come see the country side boy! Rural-ricers love their Defenders. Aluminium diamond plate, safari snorkels, chrome side runners and 6 inch raises are some of the modifications that I see regularly. And not a speck of mud on them!

Sounds like the 1/2, 3/4, and 1-ton 4x4s that the farm kids drive out here in Central IL. Well, perhaps not safari snorkels, we can replace those with through-the-bed exhaust stacks...

 

[stumpydino]

bottom one looks kinda neat, shame land rover is getting a bit clean and luxury these days ah well at least the old ones still own

 

[95GTIVR6]

bottom one looks kinda neat, shame land rover is getting a bit clean and luxury these days ah well at least the old ones still own

The new ones still own as well. As TopGear proved with a new Discovery, they are still very capable of going off-road despite their weight problem.

 

[Cole]

Cool!

 

[Jondot]

You're joking right?

Even the farmer spec Defender 90s hold their value well.


So what is it?

If it's below the freelander then it's above the Defender. Is it going to be like a Defender that is abit more civil? But then it would have to lose some of it offroad prowess if it was to distance itself from the Defender.

The freelanders hold their value like soot.

I really don't know where it's supposed to fit in. I guess it's a RR Sport for those who used to have a Porsche 911.

Defenders are not for Chav's, because Chav's would be saying things like:

"Where can I put my multi colour cream checked design hat from Max Power Magazine?"

And: "Where can I put all my cheap rings from the Red Cross shop 1p selling bin"

But a Defender is for someone who does have a sense of life and does not wear bad rings or even someone who knows what a good car looks like, without ruining it.

Land Rover built better off road cars before Jeep even came into the picture, plus Land Rovers have been used by so many sources, including the third world, the army and the Red Cross.

But if you want the best 4x4 now these days buy an old Defender, just like the 110, even these Land Rovers are better at being off road cars then the modem day 4x4's:

1963 Land Rover Series IIA
1966 Land Rover Series IIa Station Wagon.
Series III Defender

However I would say either the 1963 Land Rover Series IIA has to be the best off road car Land Rover ever.

Firstly, yes, I'm sure that's exactly how chavs talk.

Secondly, I agree with you. Nobody but farmers or old owners who refuse to buy a "new fangled monocoque" 4x4 own Defenders. No chav in their right mind would own any Land Rover, or any 4x4 come to that, besides maybe a grey imported Pajero when they settle down and need something to carry Baz & Chaz jr. around in.

Thirdly, to my knowledge, the original LRs were made copying Jeeps.

Lastly, mmmno. Defenders and the predeacessors are good off-roaders, but I personally think you can't beat the newer cars. They may be behemoths, but there's something electronics can do that rusty bits of metal clapping together can't. I don't doubt that the Defender is a good offroader, but I know I'd much rather flick 2 switches and let the car work it out than try and force the differential to lock with all my might. Still, there's some places where the Defender is better. Meh...

 

[YSSMAN]

Most of the viewpoints on what is good and what isn't off-road is going to come down to how you view the auto-industry as a whole. Purists are going to push for the Defender (and the like) on the au-natural feelings, etc while others would rather have the computer do things for them that they probably never could accomplish.

Me? I'm not all that interested in off-roading beyond maybe a light excursion off the beaten path. IMO, a $27K Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is still the best option there, no matter how great the Defender may be...

 

[Jondot]

I guess it depends on your country: Most people over here, including Clarkson, class the Wrangler as a word that rhymes with grit. Still, Europeans tend to dislike most American cars.

 

[Poverty]

A mechanical off roader is better than a electronic one for several reasons as someone once lecturered me on.

 

[Flame-returns]

The best off-road car is the Defender 90, always has been, always will be (until Land Rover up the ante again). I recently got the chance to drive a new Defender 90, owned by the Royal Logistics, over one of the most horrible stretches of mud and hills I have ever faced. The exceptional handling and amazing off-road ability were nothing new to me (during my three year stint in the Royal Green Jackets I had used quite a few of these impressive machines) but what was impressive was the fact that it had a CD player.

The CD player turned out to be utterly useless and completely inaudible over the growl of the engine and the clink of loose rounds in the back, but being able to race over hills and through mud at 40 mph while firing a light support weapon and listening to a CD is what driving should be about.

Poverty, the guy who lectured you was right. An electronic four wheel drive system is completely retarded from a military point of view but it is also illogical from a civilian point of view. The one time when you absolutely need to use an off-roader's capabilities is when you are off road. You won’t be able to find many skilled mechanics in the wilderness so ideally you want a car you can fix with a screwdriver and an allen key. Both the Defender 90 and the Jeep Wrangler are suitable, the BMWs and Porches are not.

I am looking forward to reading more about this new budget Land Rover and some time in the future this may well be my car.

 

[YSSMAN]

Well, budget or not, Land Rover would have a lot to prove against the Wrangler in any situation. Considering that it is still THE 4X4 of choice in America, and given the presumable price increase that the Land Rover would offer, I really can't see it being that great of an option.

Capability wise, Land Rover is great at making things that probably should go off-road do it quite well (Range Rover Sport comes to mind). But considering that the Jeep is by-far the one to do it first, and the one that has always arguably done it the best, I really don't see any kind of threat comming from Land Rover.

...I mean, companies love to say that their new products are going to be as good as the Wrangler, and often times it does not turn out that way. The Toyota FJ Cruiser comes to mind, as does the Hummer H3. Sure, they are both pretty good at what they do, but when you have the Wrangler walking all over both of them both on and off road, that is a bit of a disappointment.

But who knows, Ford could do something special with the next Land Rover, and if the rumors are true, GM could have something up their sleeve with the H4. It appears that the small, "affordable," off-road segment is going to get crowded quickly... But, the Wrangler will probably always take top-honors.

 

[harrytuttle]

Well, budget or not, Land Rover would have a lot to prove against the Wrangler in any situation. Considering that it is still THE 4X4 of choice in America, and given the presumable price increase that the Land Rover would offer, I really can't see it being that great of an option.

In my observations, the Wrangler is the first & last choice for rock-climbing, or any truly non-flat off-roading. It may be cheap, but it quickly converts itself to almost nothing on wheels: no doors, no roof, no windows, and then can jack up the suspension 2 feet. Instant rock crawler.

In desert or jungle situations, where conditions are rough but don't require walking pace, Defenders seem to be king. They're everwhere in Africa (although that may be a safari money thing). The few people I know from Africa (and SE Asia) say the real backbone car is the Land Cruiser...diesel. They just never die.