Coming less than a month after the Indian owned British automaker also confirmed the axing of the ultra-luxurious Range Rover SV Coupe, Autocar reports that the decision to no longer offer the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine found in the concept rated as the main motivator to halt the SVX, although an unnamed spokesperson has revealed that the designation, revived by its Special Vehicle Operations (SVO), will be used on future models.
Meanwhile, outrage has erupted after a single interior image of the highly awaited all-new Defender appeared on social media, promting an angered response from the automaker’s PR and Communications Director, Richard Agnew.
In a tweet to British car picture sharing sight, AutoPap, Richard Charles, an alleged jewellery designer focusing on the automotive sector, posted the image depicting a Range Rover sourced steering wheel with prominent Defender insignia, an all-digital instrument cluster, stubby gear lever for the automatic gearbox also taken from Range Rover, and a glass-faced infotainment display.
Judging by the bare nature of the steering wheel though and use of black plastic around the air-conditioning dials with no symbols present, it would appear as if the image represents that of a lower-spec model instead of a more premium offering.
Its authenticity as that of the production Defender has seemingly been confirmed after Agnew angrily responded a few hours later, “How about you now remove this image that you’ve publicly stated you shouldn’t post. Legal team are on the way”. This, along with the image itself as well as Charles’ account, has subsequently been deleted.
Already seen testing in short-wheelbase 90 and long wheelbase 110 configuration, the Defender is anticipated to make its long awaited unveiling towards the end of the year and aside from making use of a new platform called MLA, will reportedly have an independent rear suspension and choice of axles to improve on on-and off-road-comfort. Expect power to come from a selection of four-and-six-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, with a plug-in hybrid also possible.
