2025 Model year Defenders
Mudding
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 177
Likes: 148
Well, I'm guilty of ordering Tasman + white roof mostly because it harken's back to my OG Defender (Arles / white), despite the fact that the two have virtually nothing else in common but the name. The white steelies are a nice bonus.
The Country pack plays to the same sort of nostalgia that sucked me in. I don't blame them, but I definitely would not want the stripe, which is a way too 80's for my taste, or the alloy "steelies," which are obviously too tall and awkward looking ... and, of course, fake! There's only so much "manufactured authenticity" that can be tolerated before it comes off as stale lameness (but if you love the look, don't listen to my opinions, go for it!).
LR is definitely pushing the P400 over the S, and people love their mega-big wheels these days. I suspect they just wanted to reduce the number of slower-selling parts that are bespoke to the S. Perhaps they are also standardizing the brakes across the P300 and P400's, which would preclude the steelies. Still, not a fun change!
I do grumble about LR's decisions, too. Mostly, I'm super annoyed that the V8 is only available completely murdered out, like it's targeted at Russian mafia or something. I'd have enjoyed that engine.
The Country pack plays to the same sort of nostalgia that sucked me in. I don't blame them, but I definitely would not want the stripe, which is a way too 80's for my taste, or the alloy "steelies," which are obviously too tall and awkward looking ... and, of course, fake! There's only so much "manufactured authenticity" that can be tolerated before it comes off as stale lameness (but if you love the look, don't listen to my opinions, go for it!).
LR is definitely pushing the P400 over the S, and people love their mega-big wheels these days. I suspect they just wanted to reduce the number of slower-selling parts that are bespoke to the S. Perhaps they are also standardizing the brakes across the P300 and P400's, which would preclude the steelies. Still, not a fun change!
I do grumble about LR's decisions, too. Mostly, I'm super annoyed that the V8 is only available completely murdered out, like it's targeted at Russian mafia or something. I'd have enjoyed that engine.
Last edited by Zondar; May 12, 2024 at 04:13 PM.
TReK
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,563
Likes: 3,628
From: Kirkland WA
Well, I'm guilty of ordering Tasman + white roof mostly because it harken's back to my OG Defender (Arles / white), despite the fact that the two have virtually nothing else in common but the name. The white steelies are a nice bonus.
The Country pack plays to the same sort of nostalgia that sucked me in. I don't blame them, but I definitely would not want the stripe, which is a way too 80's for my taste, or the alloy "steelies," which are obviously too tall and awkward looking ... and, of course, fake! There's only so much "manufactured authenticity" that can be tolerated before it comes off as stale lameness (but if you love the look, don't listen to my opinions, go for it!).
LR is definitely pushing the P400 over the S, and people love their mega-big wheels these days. I suspect they just wanted to reduce the number of slower-selling parts that are bespoke to the S. Perhaps they are also standardizing the brakes across the P300 and P400's, which would preclude the steelies. Still, not a fun change!
I do grumble about LR's decisions, too. Mostly, I'm super annoyed that the V8 is only available completely murdered out, like it's targeted at Russian mafia or something. I'd have enjoyed that engine.
The Country pack plays to the same sort of nostalgia that sucked me in. I don't blame them, but I definitely would not want the stripe, which is a way too 80's for my taste, or the alloy "steelies," which are obviously too tall and awkward looking ... and, of course, fake! There's only so much "manufactured authenticity" that can be tolerated before it comes off as stale lameness (but if you love the look, don't listen to my opinions, go for it!).
LR is definitely pushing the P400 over the S, and people love their mega-big wheels these days. I suspect they just wanted to reduce the number of slower-selling parts that are bespoke to the S. Perhaps they are also standardizing the brakes across the P300 and P400's, which would preclude the steelies. Still, not a fun change!
I do grumble about LR's decisions, too. Mostly, I'm super annoyed that the V8 is only available completely murdered out, like it's targeted at Russian mafia or something. I'd have enjoyed that engine.
With the faux-steel alloy it's horrendous.
Rock Crawling
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 390
Likes: 186
They say no Tasman Blue as of April 21? Maybe just North America?
Thread Starter
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Rock Crawling
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 251
Likes: 95
From: USA
Oh no! what a shame?! IMO the steel looked great as 18s. There is still a 19" on the S trim. With the 18"s you had a 7 inch sidewall, and if you go to 19" it drops to 6.5". This is roughly what the older LCs had for sidewalls, but also things like a Suburban. The LC tire was wider, so it's not a direct comp. But the 19s still allow a good sized sidewall. It's only when you go full on silly slicker with 20s, your sidewall now drops to 6 inches. This may sound like alot, but Defender is heavy and that's not alot of padding for the weight & height of the drive (if you wanted to maximize comfort). I suspect JLR is trying to figure out how to pair the leading engine (the 6 cylinder) with those steel rims at 18. Eventually they will figure it out.
Alcantara is the brand name, where JLR uses their own suedecloth, which is the equivalent of Alcantara. Its the same thing for Porsche, who use their own Race-Tex instead of genuine Alcantara.
I'm hoping the lack of 18" wheel options is just an error on the configurator. They are still available in pretty much every other market. And seeing how screwed up the configurator is right now, I wouldn't be surprised if the 18" wheels will be back on the configurator soon.