New defender?! Ayo?!

 

Been watching the Harry’s Garage Defender video and noticed something odd. (Side note: I want to BE Harry when I get older -- highly recommend this video )

The rear recovery decals point under the bumper rather than to the standard visible recovery points in the bumper itself we all have (if optioned).

What’s actually being used for rear towing or recovery down there? Frame-mounted eyes? Something else? I don’t know what on the frame would work.

Anyone have photos of what’s under the rear bumper? I’d love to have one of these up on a lift and spend an hour under it.

Also the built in jacking points are INSANE.

 

I'm not the best at math here, but if Stage 11 is 882km (548 miles) and they completed it in 3 hours and 28 minutes - that would mean they were traveling over 150mph for 3.5 hours?? Could this be true - I've only had 1 coffee, could this really be true - what am I missing?

 

Recovery point


@nashvegas

 

That will buff out, no problem.

 

Apparently the editorial team from The Drive followed / was invited to follow (for press purposes) the Dakar JLR team. The press corps had other Defenders, including it looks like a couple of Octas.

They’re coming out with an article about it soon BUT it sounds like some good antics on the follow team. Like this. Found these pics on FB.

How do I get on this list? haha

 

So cool to see how well the did. I don’t seen an Octa in those pics (maybe 1 in the background?) but does look like fun.

 

I don't know what it is about the internet that makes people so incredibly stupid - but I've been seeing celebratory posts on Instagram for the JLR Dakar victory - and comment after comment is nothing but "there's nothing OEM about that Defender".... "Listen to that engine, its not OEM".... "Nothing Defender about that Defender"...

Sigh.

 

Toyota people just being jealous, righteous, self-centered Toyota people. This is HUGE for JLR. The last time a Land Rover won Dakar was in 1983 with a Range Rover. In fact, the Range Rover won the first ever Paris-Dakar Rally.

As you know, literally everything is stock. Body, engine, transmission, transfer case, diff housings, and more. The only real differences are the coilover suspension (all mounting points and control arms are identical to the stock car), the diff internals, cooling system, the roll cage, and the big *** fuel tank in the back.

Hell, even the engine is detuned down to 390 horsepower from 626, and it has smaller brakes than the stock car.

 

I have also seen the claim all over that there was no competition in that class. I think the factory-backed Toyota Landcruisers might be surprised to read that. Also, the Nissan Patrols shown in the standings. If Ford or Jeep or whoever else want to compete, they are perfectly free to sign up.