BLFarrar wrote:

The time frequency at 5 years I agree with, "New" vehicle I do not

The change ought to be one of evolution not revolution...to me at least "if it aint broke it doesn't need fixing", it doesn't have to "change for changes" sake. it could however evolve into something just as capable & look different "stylish"

The example is use is the FFRR - in the last 15 years its been all about making it better, plusher, more sophisticated without altering the basic theme...it still is the same size (- ish), still has a split tailgate, five seats & four with unbelievable comfort.

size & capability is a fact - it is either the same size or it isn't. I dont go along with the guff that the load area is "more litres" - it all about width height & overall length & importantly the width & height is consistent along the length having a roof line that is swept down because of some aesthetic family theme is rubbish when you are carrying people, goods & stuff that D3's & D4's carry naturally. .....essentially you dont have to use a roof rack or go hire a van

what it looks like is a matter of style - that is purely an opinion based thing that can & does alter....alters as time passes, people see something else & compare. or maybe another set of factors...what I think looks good / bad is solely my opinion

However what it looks like may make people buy a New D5 or maybe not - it depends on the needs, values & criterion being used. My needs are my needs. Some will buy new just because its new.... maybe its an ego "look at me" thing, boosts "ones newer than yours" esteem thing or satisfies some other need...actually Im not really bothered.
Im bothered about having a logical step to re new my D3 in that Im not sold short or my use of the vehicle compromised...I have moved from D1 to D2 to D3..but not D4 as it didn't represent a logical step to spend for the need for spending

How it does its job is also factual & not based on style, my "jobs" are my jobs & maybe the same as other peoples or maybe not....lengths of wood that are too long to get into the whole length you have right now...easy fix just partially close the upper tailgate. Job done. Thats why I would prefer the split tailgate is retained (as it has been on the FFRR)..I'm not interested about others who dont use it so dont like it.

Im with you on the split tailgate its something i love and would really like to continue on the D5 but its looking unlikely which is a shame. My D4 is constantly full we have the roof box almost permentanly on and tow a trailer almost constantly too.

The Litres of space is unimportant like you say its the workable dimensions that make it, I had a FFRR on order but had to cancel it changing to my current D4 as the rear roofline compromised the boot space so much for the dogs, the dealer let my try our great dane in the boot you should have seen his face he just looked at me and said "well thats not going to work shall be go and look at figures for another D4?" . The current FFRR is ruined from a practicality point of view compared to the previous which had a decent load space and a proper seat for the 5th person. I'm just praying the D5's obviously receding roofline isn't quite as bad as the FFRRs. Im also hoping the wheels still allow for some decent tyre choices as i have all terrain tyres to get the water bowser and trailers across fields weekly.

I think to keep up with Safety and environmental standards new platforms will be needed regulary aluminium is the current trend but it may be Carbon Fibre next and I would love to see JLR at the forefront of such innovation in passenger vehicles.

The Dundonian wrote:

The market dictates the product.

Apart from a few people on this site or others like it, who tend to be enthusiasts, then the vast majority of owners couldn't care less if the car can carry X, Y or Z, wether there's a split tailgate etc, has air suspension, stadium seating etc.

They want style, something that looks up to date and pointless gizmos, something that starts in the mornings, certainly not a D3/4 shape with out of date technology, quirks and breakdowns. I mean come on you could walk where ever your going quicker than wait for the Satnav to fire up.

crews control wrote:

Chasing sales is not the same as building a brand !
What happens when fashion moves on to something else?

An exceptionally capable Defender replacement is going to get very urgent if LR want sales to continue to rise. We can't be the only ones to notice a huge hole in their range once the D4 is gone.

Building the brand is exactly what they are doing. None of the timescales should be a shock to anyone as they have been set out for some time ....hole or not ...they have a plan and they are sticking to it.

The Dundonian wrote:

like I said, this is an enthusiasts site, so traditionally dinosaurs, resistant to change.

A lot of people buy LR for the badge, what used to be called snob value.

Feedback show LR to be one of the more unreliable vehicle. Your lucky if you've had yours 10 years without footing a massive bill somewhere along the way or spent £1k per annum on a warranty.

As for the Satnav, youre perhaps the first to speak out in favour of it. TBH, the D4 one was appalling. Maybe the D3 one was better, but things are meant to get better with time, not worse.

As for patience, the older I get, the less I have. I make no excuses or apologies for that. :thumbs: