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"Land Rover cancelled plans to turn the new Defender into a pickup truck, but the manufacturer may be softening its position and planning a new open-back variant.
Before the Defender was launched last year, Land Rover was working on plans to create a pickup variant. However, while the Defender arrived as an SUV in short and medium wheelbase versions, the pickup option was quietly dropped.
Traditionally, pickups are constructed in a body-on-frame method, sitting the cabin and load bed on a strong ladder chassis. However, the Defender is a monocoque design, where the chassis and body become a single structural unit, which introduces complications when altering the shape of the body.
According to Autocar reports, Jaguar Land Rover’s executive director of vehicle programmes, Nick Collins, has confirmed that “there were no structural limitations” to building a Defender pickup, and that “you can make a pick-up from a monocoque.”
Not only is the project technically feasible, but Collins confirmed that “there is customer demand” for a pickup model."
Would you buy one ?
Before the Defender was launched last year, Land Rover was working on plans to create a pickup variant. However, while the Defender arrived as an SUV in short and medium wheelbase versions, the pickup option was quietly dropped.
Traditionally, pickups are constructed in a body-on-frame method, sitting the cabin and load bed on a strong ladder chassis. However, the Defender is a monocoque design, where the chassis and body become a single structural unit, which introduces complications when altering the shape of the body.
According to Autocar reports, Jaguar Land Rover’s executive director of vehicle programmes, Nick Collins, has confirmed that “there were no structural limitations” to building a Defender pickup, and that “you can make a pick-up from a monocoque.”
Not only is the project technically feasible, but Collins confirmed that “there is customer demand” for a pickup model."
Land Rover Hints at Defender Pickup Truck • Professional Pickup
Land Rover cancelled plans to turn the new Defender into a pickup truck, but it may be softening its position and planning a new open-back model.
pickupand4x4.co.uk
Would you buy one ?