Search Car Reviews



See all makes

Land Rover DC100 Concept

We get behind the wheel of the Land Rover DC100 concepts ahead of their US debut at the LA show

Land Rover DC100 Concept front

By Steve Fowler

November 2011

This week’s Los Angeles Auto Show sees the US debut of the Land Rover Defender concepts, DC100 and DC100 Sport. While the Sport hasn’t changed from the car we saw at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the DC100 has had a makeover for LA to appear more farmer friendly.

There’s a traditional Land Rover paint job with blue bodywork and a white roof, while a roof rack, ‘expedition accessories’ and a snorkel air intake for wading answer any criticisms that Land Rover had gone soft.

Video: We ask the people of LA their thoughts on the DC100

 

However, it’s the speedster-style Sport with its low wraparound screen, fairings, big wheels, body kit and bright yellow paintwork that has drawn most attention – not least around LA where Auto Express had exclusive access to the car.

We took the concept to downtown Hollywood to gauge the reaction of LA locals and also had a drive of the car on nearby Santa Monica beach.

The DC100 Sport sits on a shortened Range Rover Sport chassis – with a wheelbase of 104 inches, it’s a little longer than the traditional Defender Ninety’s 90-inch wheelbase. According to Land Rover designer Richard Wooley, that allows for modern packaging – or better rear legroom. Not that you’ll worry about rear legroom in the DC100 Sport – it’s a strict two-seater.

How much of the DC100 Sport makes it onto the new 2015 Defender is up for debate, but Land Rover is quick to point out that the DC100 will evolve, in bodystyle as well as design. So expect many more motor show DC100 concepts.

What we will see is a more aerodynamic front end like that on the Sport, and very short overhangs at the front and back of the car to aid serious off-roading.

The new Defender will also be the most technologically-advanced Land Rover ever, featuring an advanced Terrain Response system that will automatically analyse the surfaces you’re driving on and adjust the suspension accordingly. There’s also a ‘Wade Aid’ in the pipeline, using sonar to measure water depth and obstacles under the water line, then automatically alter the car’s settings.

The Sport Concept’s interior is more spacious than the current Defender (there’s more elbow room and a more natural driving position for starters), but its minimalist look and hose-out floor is a nod to the past. Land Rovers still have to work for a living.

Under the pedestrian-friendly bonnet of the concept is a V8 petrol engine. Push the starter button and the V8 lets out a brief growl, then settles into a gentle burble – not unlike the meaty motors in the pickups that sit in the nearby parking lot.

Grab the gear lever to select Drive and gently press the oversized, over-styled accelerator pedal to move off, trying not to get bogged down on the sand.

Concepts are never easy to drive – they’re hand made for motor show stands, not beach runs – yet the DC100 Sport feels remarkably well put together and driveable. Our drive was limited to a few runs across the beach with lifeguards looking on, and traction was limited due to the hand cut tyres on 20 inch wheels.

We bounced a little across the sand, careful not too put too much lock on and scrape those tyres on the bodywork, but the engine felt strong and the ride surprisingly composed.

Although we were sitting low in snug bucket seats, there was still excellent visibility with a glorious view out down that beautifully-shaped, bright yellow bonnet and a typically commanding Land Rover-style driving position.

The DC100 Sport may be unlike anything Land Rover has ever done before, but it still feels very much like a modern Land Rover. Which is exactly what this concept was built to find out.

Land Rover couldn’t make a business case for replacing the Defender based on current sales of 20,000 a year, so it has to look at different versions, from this Sport to the more usual utilitarian models.

We might not be able to make any dynamic judgements based on our drive, but the reaction to the concepts shows that Land Rover’s thinking on how to replace its iconic Defender is just about spot on.

What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous   Next >

Sponsored Results

16 Comments

Que?

Interesting that Range Rover should start the ball rolling with a beach buggy rather than something you could toss a couple of sheep in the back of. I'm not sure what that says about their marketing department.

By fleabane on 15 November, 2011, 5:14pm

Options

DC100 concept is brilliant.. that design is like a Swiss army knife ..No doubt a working mans concept DC100 will be along soon enough but obviously land Rover are trying to make the new concept look fun and desirable and it is ...it's like a big boys ultimate Tonka toy and will I reckon put the brand back to where it belongs

By liverpool on 15 November, 2011, 7:13pm

Farmers' friend?

I agree with fleabone that the DC100 would have had a better reception if they'd shown a more utilitarian version. From the report above it appears there might be one at LA but AE haven't bothered to photograph it, I'm not sure what it says about either the marketing department or AE.

By jeremy100 on 17 November, 2011, 8:25am

swiss army knife

I think liverpool's commentsums it up- swiss army knife- and if you have ever actually tried to do any proper work or use one to do a real job you discover how crap they are...my fear is the utilitarian landrover will become a lifestyle vehicle not a proper working tool.

By marko9910 on 18 November, 2011, 12:35pm

look forward mate

anyone with a ounce of engineering ability can see that the new concept Landrover is well thought out! OK it's still work in progress but it looks great..modern, fresh and fun
As for the old defender it's design has hardly changed since it was first built of course compared to modern designed from scratch 4x4's it's going to be difficult in some ways but no way is the old Defender crap despite it's old age it's still one of the best off road and tuff where it counts... s hit on road but it was never designed for tarmac!

By liverpool on 18 November, 2011, 5:49pm

great modular platform to work on

Landrover is spot on!

By liverpool on 18 November, 2011, 5:55pm

Why?

We've already been shown this concept on AE and I cannot see any reason why you would need to drive it. This is a concept and clearly is a pointless vehicle for the UK. Why on earth would we be interested in how it drives - more to the point - you havent even bother to tell us how it drives? Must be a "no news" week...

By JamesRiley on 22 November, 2011, 9:19am

hmmm

The front of that 'thing' looks suspiciously like it has plastic in it. Plastic cracks and breaks and makes your local service department very wealthy. I recognise the need to modernise the Defender and fulfil obligations to modern impact protection legislation, but a 4x4 that cant cope with the odd scrape against a tree/ground/the car in front is no use at all. Land Rover should recognise the iconic status of the Defender as something far more valuable than its production output and stick to the original formula: modular, no nonsense, very tough and, above all, no hideously complex electrics (you aren't kidding anyone, they will break like they do in all Land Rovers). This current effort has been thought up by someone who uses the word lifestyle statement like a drunk does an expletive. I promise you, no one who currently lives with a Defender is interested in lifestyle statements, because if they were they would be irritating you in the drop off queue outside their local prep school in a Range Rover sport.

By webury1 on 22 November, 2011, 9:42am

Is this the Stuff for Farmers and Soldiers of this World?

The present very rugged Landrovers are seen more or less everywhere - at markets, on farms or in marinas or horseshows and in the news with the various miltary users/customers etc.

Somehow I cannot see this DC100 taking its place - maybe this is where people like TRAVEC then come in with their rugged practical TECDRAH - do not know it? Then check out:

http://www.travec.de/

Certainly a very practical vehicle!

By vandenplas4litre on 22 November, 2011, 5:51pm

As a concept they've done an eye popping great job knowing that much of what you see won't make it to the final build sad to say . Don't worry QUE one of the final results will let a farmer throw a couple sheep in the back and let him ???? ; but I do hope they keep a Tonka Toy version for those yuppy boulevard cruisers in LA and Monaco who "Just have to Have One Of the Darlings" and the only sand is in the parking lot, . Land Rover will sell thousands and thousands , upping the total number to respectability .

By blinkster on 25 November, 2011, 4:55pm

Land Rover is Defendcer

...Defender is Land Rover! They should go back to just calling it LAND ROVER!
DC100 concept will make or break Land Rover.. They have to get it right.. Defender has a very limited market Land Rover is trying to broaden it.. Why show it in Tonka toy yellow? personally I reckon the farmers will love it, most big farm owners just need a 4x4 to get them from A to B on the farm they have staff .. maybe a big yellow JCB ? But whats to stop Land Rover making a more useful long wheel base version, even if it's not going to be so good off road because of the long wheel base!?

By liverpool on 26 November, 2011, 1:45pm

fleabane is right

Land Rover have got the marketing wrong. The whole image of Land Rover / Range Rover was built on the utilitarian off road ability of the vehicle. The rest comes later. That is why Defender was still important at 20k units. It defines the image of the brand. You don't start with a yellow beach buggy. You start with a vehicle that does the job, then you add the frills.

By teuchter2004b on 26 November, 2011, 11:51pm

What's the problem?

I for one love it. Looks meaty yet fashionable at the same time, the proportions are just perfect and if there were another badge on this, I don't think anyone would have a negative word?.

It must also be said, I don't believe most of the world's population are farmers and in order to bring LR into the 'modern' (i.e. electronic/plastic) world most of us live in something had to be done to attract the (guessing numbers here) 90% or so of us that don't need to cart sheep around.

I think that as far as mordern interpretations of a classic icon goes, LR have done a pretty good job considering the compromise they've had to make between utilitarian and just plain old 'good' for most.

They may not appease the diehards among us, but I believe they will attract a whole new generation to the brand which will help it to survive...and surely that's good for all of us?

By jon_abbate on 27 November, 2011, 10:04pm

How many drive any 4WD yet alone a Landie?

Of all who have commented here I'm wondering how many own a Landie or even any 4WD.

By bikerj12 on 28 November, 2011, 12:15pm

I do...

I've had a few and currently drive the Ford Escape...ok, it's not a die-hard Landie but it suits my needs just fine here in NZ...

By jon_abbate on 18 December, 2011, 6:24am

at long last...

congratulations LR, at last someone is designing fashionable, stylish, usable vehicles [ citroen also ], the Koreans are hot on their heels as well. Breaking the bland, boring, mundane mainstream mould that has ruined the car industry. DC100 or crap Q3, Q5, X1 X3 X5??? I know which one I'd take.

By brendan on 24 March, 2012, 4:03pm

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.



Sponsored Results

- Advertisement -

Pictures

Land Rover DC100 Concept front
Land Rover DC100 Concept front tracking
Land Rover DC100 Concept driving
Land Rover DC100 Concept front tracking

Sponsored Results

- Advertisement -