1. The traditional motors were petrol. Land Rover diesels didn't come on the scene until 1957 (nearly 10 years into Series production) and they were pathetic and unpopular for decades to come. It wasn't until 1989 that Land Rovers were produced with a respectable diesel engine, which was introduced with the Discovery.

2. The "Defender" name was introduced once "Land Rover" became ambiguous because the Discovery was introduced. Before that, the same model vehicles were known by their wheelbase: 90 and 110. These vehicles were distinguished from the Series Land Rovers in that they used the axles and suspension from the Range Rover that was introduced in 1970, although the 90 and 110 did not get this upgrade until 1983. In essence, the "Defender" borrowed the Range Rover (and subsequently Discovery) chassis and powertrain, while retaining the Series body style.

3. Defenders have ineffective, nearly useless door seals. The body inherited from the Series is simply too crude to effectively seal. The interior will be inundated with dust driving offroad.

4. Defenders have very poor rear seat visibility. Passengers in the rear have to bend their neck to see out the window. If you're on a photographic safari, you might want to ask for a seat on the roof rack, or a ride in a Range Rover or Discovery instead.

5. Defenders have poor heating and air conditioning. There are no vents in the sides of the dash, but only in the center. So your inside will be hot or cold, while the outside will be the opposite. Range Rover and Discovery have had side vents since 1970 and 1989 respectively.

6. Nothing says, "Anglo-American Imperial Occupier" better than a Humvee, or a Defender. The only slightly different Series Land Rovers have a completely different image. Some ignorant people confuse the two, talking about Defenders, but having the image of a Series in their mind, or on their post. Because of the unfortunate appeal of the Range Rover to snobs, the Discovery is the true heir of the Series' image.

7. Since the Defender shares essentially the same suspension, chassis, and powertrain as the Range Rover and Discovery, it doesn't have any greater capability.

8. Since Defenders don't actually have anything better than a Discovery, they're not worth much if any more except where their prices are inflated like that of cocaine, due to limited supply as a result of oppressive legislation. In other words, they're massively overpriced only because of an arbitrary rule.

9. Not everyone wants to emulate the people who make such arbitrary rules, or the Queen or the Pope.

 

Noted and appreciated..... but a Defender will always be a Defender , in the UK it may just be that , ........but will always turn heads....in the rest of the world ...