Jump to content
  • William Maley
    William Maley

    By William Maley •

    Rumorpile: A New Modular Platform To Debut with Defender

      This might explain the delay

    The next-generation Land Rover Defender has had quite the lengthy development with various changes taking place. We have reported that the new Defender will not look like the DC 100 concepts shown earlier this decade. There is another change afoot.

    According to Autocar, Land Rover has decided to make the new Defender to debut the Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA). Previously, the Defender was expected to use the Premium Lightweight Architecture (PLA) - what underpins the Discovery and a number of Range Rover models. But MLA will be replacing PLA as it will be lighter and offer more flexibility to be used in more models. Using the Defender makes sense as its being redone from the ground up, and may explain the lengthy delay in development.

    One other interesting tidbit is the Defender will be built in Slovakia, not Great Britain like the previous model. Autocar says the Defender will begin production in 2020.

    There are some other tidbits concerning other Land Rover and Jaguar models in Autocar's report

    • The next-generation Range Rover Evoque is said to be debuting later this year at the LA Auto Show, with sales beginning in the new year. It will use a heavily reworked version of its current platform that will be known as Premium Transverse Architecture (PTA). This will allow a new plug-in hybrid model that will use a new three-cylinder Ingenium diesel engine - don't expect to see it here.
    • Jaguar's large crossover, known as J-Pace will go into production in 2020. It is understood it will use MLA.
    • Another rumor about the Ingenium straight-six. Reportedly, JLR will use a high-performance version with electric turbochargers to replace their V8 engines.

    Source: Autocar

    Go to articles

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    dfelt

    plug-in hybrid model that will use a new three-cylinder Ingenium diesel engine 

    That is their smartest move to date for a plug-in hybrid with generator.

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    riviera74

    New modular platforms are always a good idea, especially if you sell relatively few vehicles at high(ish) prices.

    • Like 1

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

    ×



  • Similar Content

    • William Maley
      Mazda News: Rumorpile: 2021 Mazda3 Gets Some New Engine Options
      By William Maley
      2021 is going to be a very interesting year for the Mazda3 as two more engines become available.
      According to separate reports from Jalopnik and Hagerty, Mazda will be dropping in the turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder found in the 6, CX-5, and CX-9. The engine produces 227 horsepower on regular or 250 on premium. Like other Mazda models with this engine, the 3 will have it paired only with a six-speed automatic. Both reports say the engine will have AWD as standard. According to Hagerty's source, the engine will be available on a new trim called Premium Plus - likely taking the top spot in the 3's trim lineup. The source also confirmed this engine will not mean the return of the Mazdaspeed name for a hot variant. 
      The other engine is a 2.0L four-cylinder that Jalopnik reports is only for the sedan. Hagerty believes this engine is the SkyActiv-G used in the previous-generation 3, not the SkyActiv-X with its compression-ignition system.
      Not surprisingly, Mazda said they "“have not announced any details for the 2021 Mazda3," when asked about this.
      Source: Hagerty, Jalopnik

      View full article
    • William Maley
      Rumorpile: 2021 Mazda3 Gets Some New Engine Options
      By William Maley
      2021 is going to be a very interesting year for the Mazda3 as two more engines become available.
      According to separate reports from Jalopnik and Hagerty, Mazda will be dropping in the turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder found in the 6, CX-5, and CX-9. The engine produces 227 horsepower on regular or 250 on premium. Like other Mazda models with this engine, the 3 will have it paired only with a six-speed automatic. Both reports say the engine will have AWD as standard. According to Hagerty's source, the engine will be available on a new trim called Premium Plus - likely taking the top spot in the 3's trim lineup. The source also confirmed this engine will not mean the return of the Mazdaspeed name for a hot variant. 
      The other engine is a 2.0L four-cylinder that Jalopnik reports is only for the sedan. Hagerty believes this engine is the SkyActiv-G used in the previous-generation 3, not the SkyActiv-X with its compression-ignition system.
      Not surprisingly, Mazda said they "“have not announced any details for the 2021 Mazda3," when asked about this.
      Source: Hagerty, Jalopnik
    • William Maley
      Nissan News: Rumorpile: Nissan Giving Up On Vans
      By William Maley
      Nearly a decade ago, Nissan launched an ambitious assault on the U.S. commercial van market with the launch of their NV vans. It started with the Titan-dervived, body-on-frame NV1500/2500/3500 vans. This was followed by the unibody NV200 van, which was for a time the "Taxi of Tommorow" in New York City. But Nissan is reportedly throwing in the towel.
      Automotive News has learned from a source that it will end production of their commercial vans. No time frame was given.
      "We don't want to go more in the business of vans in the U.S. We will exit," said the source.
      Nissan spokesman Brian Brockman declined to comment about the future of the commercial vans, only saying in a statement that the automaker " is considering a number of opportunities to streamline the product portfolio and drive efficiencies within our manufacturing operations."
      When the NV lineup was launched in 2009, Nissan was hoping to steal away sales from the Detroit Three. At the time, Ford and GM had 97 percent of the large van segment. The NV was positioned as being a more modern option compared to the Ford E-Series and Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana. It was more comfortable with adjustable seats, taller ceiling for easier access to the cargo area, and pre-drilled holes in the body to allow owners to add interior racks easily. But Nissan wasn't able to make decent inroads into this market, only achieving around an eight percent share in the marketplace.
      What was the NV's downfall?
      Brand Loyalty to the American brands Using a modified Titan platform for the larger vans comprised them in urban areas with their extended front nose, and cargo capacity. "A third of the vehicle is dedicated to the engine and passenger compartment instead of cargo. The van takes up more real estate for the same amount of cargo space," explained Sam Fiorani, vice president at AutoForecast Solutions. NV200 Taxis were dinged by taxi companies poor ride quality, difficulty entering/exiting the van for elderly passengers, and increasing maintenance costs. Proved to a be a difficult sale to fleet buyers due to the automaker lacking the numerous combinations of light-trucks that the Detroit three can offer. Trucks and vans work hand in hand to attract sales in the commercial market. "Chevrolet and Ford can be everything to everybody," said Tyler Slade, operating partner at Tim Dahle Nissan Southtowne in Salt Lake City. "When we went to some of these fleet companies, it didn't make sense for them to have trucks from Ford and vans from Nissan." Add in $2.8 billion in cuts that the company is planning to stay afloat and COVID-19, and the death knell was coming sooner than later for the NV family.
      If Nissan does go forward with dropping the NV family, this will be a major blow to about a forth of Nissan dealers in the U.S. They made various investments such as installing heavy-duty lifts capable of lifting fully-loaded vans and having a dedicated sales staff to handle specific fleet issues.
      "Dealers now have serious concerns about their investments in commercial vehicles," said Slade.
      There is also the question as to whether Nissan may try again. Automotive News notes that in the new business strategy outlined last month, Nissan is wanting more global cooperation with its alliance partner Renault. The French automaker already has a number of vans in its lineup and is quite successful in various markets. Nissan already sells a version of the Renault Traffic, called the NV300 in Europe.
      But getting a Renault van into the U.S. as a Nissan will be difficult and costly in terms of homologation. Also, Nissan would still need to figure out how to appeal to larger fleet buyers that go with Ford or GM.
      Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), The Drive
      Pic Credit: William Maley for Cheers & Gears

      View full article

  • Posts

    • Robert Hall
      Ford News: Ford Hints at Bronco with SEMA Prototype

      By Robert Hall · Posted

      Yeah, but OJ was bigger than those two. 
    • Robert Hall
      Toyota News: Toyota Yaris Bids Farewell To U.S. After 2020

      By Robert Hall · Posted

      Chevy really needs a good crossover coupe--I think they need to be bold and do a Corvette crossover coupe....a rugged mid-engined 2 seat SUV--that would be bold.  Something that would make the Lambo Urus look weak.
    • Robert Hall
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By Robert Hall · Posted

      'twas but a typoe.. Hadn't heard of Turkey Hill, have had Blue Bunny somewhere before. My favorite home ice cream around here is from one of my local grocery chains, Heinen's.. Their ice cream is delicious.  
    • NewsFeeder
      Cheers and Gears Automotive News Updates Newsletter

      By NewsFeeder · Posted

      Latest News 2021 Mazda3 Adds Some Turbo Also, a new base engine option for those who can't quite afford the turbo ---> Read More Pickup Trucks Are the Bright Spot In Second Quarter Sales The Trucks Are Alright, Everyone Else TBD ---> Read More Afterthoughts: A Car In Troubled Times Driving To Provide Some Space To What Is Going On In the World ---> Read More 2021 Ford F-150 Features New Tech, Hybrid Power But You'll Need To Look Inside and Under the Skin To See Them ---> Read More Toyota Yaris Bids Farewell To U.S. After 2020 We hardly knew you Yaris and Yaris Hatchback ---> Read More 2021 Volkswagen Arteon Decides To Freshen Up Subtitle Changes Outside, Major Changes Inside  ---> Read More Spying: The Hyundai Santa Cruz Pickup Exists! Hyundai's Upcoming Pickup Begins To Come Into Focus ---> Read More Latest Reviews Quick Drive: 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT A mixed bag in plug-in hybrid form ---> Read More Review: 2020 Hyundai Kona Ultimate AWD The crossover from Planet Nine ---> Read More Review: 2020 Acura RDX A-Spec Acura starts to find itself again ---> Read More Review: 2020 Volvo S60 and V60 Cross Country A Tale of Two 60s ---> Read More Quick Drive: 2020 Toyota Camry XLE V6 Do V6 engines still have a place in midsize sedans? ---> Read More Click here to view our privacy policy CheersandGears.com - Established 2001  P.O. Box 17974, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 You can manage your subscription settings at the following link https://www.cheersandgears.com/settings/?area=newsletters
    • ocnblu
      Toyota News: Toyota Yaris Bids Farewell To U.S. After 2020

      By ocnblu · Posted

      GUYS... even smk is capable of sarcasm.  He looked through his three-pointed gunsight and shot a bullseye!

  • Social Stream

  • Today's Birthdays

    1. CursingOldGuy
      CursingOldGuy
      (50 years old)
    2. nvmayi
      nvmayi
      (33 years old)
    3. SS427
      SS427
      (50 years old)
    4. Stephen C.
      Stephen C.
      (35 years old)

  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • My Clubs

About us

CheersandGears.com - Founded 2001

We ♥ Cars

Get in touch

Follow us

Recent tweets

facebook

Support and Policies

Support

Meet the Staff

Advertising

Terms of Service

Privacy Policy

User Submitted Content

×
×
  • Create New...