A preview of Land Rover’s television commercial for the new Defender has been released online. And from what we’ve seen of it, boy, does it show the new off-roader as having something of a rough side to its character (as least on the film set). The commercial, due to air in the UK from 20 March (previewed below), features an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at what to expect from the new Defender in the latest James Bond film No Time To Die.
The rehearsal footage featured in the advert shows the new Defender launching into the air and being put to further extreme tests as the vehicle is driven at high speed through swamps and rivers. The chase sequence in the No Time To Die was led by stunt coordinator, Lee Morrison, working alongside Oscar winner and special effects, action vehicles supervisor, Chris Corbould.
Lee Morrison says: ‘We pushed the Defender further than we believed possible to generate the maximum excitement, and to give fans an insight into the uncompromising challenge of producing an incredible chase sequence which you can look forward to seeing in No Time To Die.’
Putting these vehicles through their paces was Jessica Hawkins – handpicked by Morrison after he spotted her potential racing a Regional Formula 3 car in the W Series, he has wasted no time in giving her the opportunity to feature in No Time To Die, her first ever motion picture. Jessica adds: ‘It doesn’t get any more exhilarating than being a stunt driver in a James Bond movie and it’s an honour to be a part of this incredible movie driving the new Defender.’
- AROnline will be one of the first websites to drive the new Defender. Stay tuned to see what we think
Is the Editor of the Parkers website and price guide, formerly editor of Classic Car Weekly, and launch editor/creator of Modern Classics magazine. Has contributed to various motoring titles including Octane, Practical Classics, Evo, Honest John, CAR magazine, Autocar, Pistonheads, Diesel Car, Practical Performance Car, Performance French Car, Car Mechanics, Jaguar World Monthly, MG Enthusiast, Modern MINI, Practical Classics, Fifth Gear Website, Radio 4, and the the Motoring Independent...
Likes 'conditionally challenged' motors and taking them on unfeasible adventures all across Europe.
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Please explain the purpose behind this stupid driving. If I had driven the UNDP Land Rovers or the CRA (Conzinc Rio Tinto of Australia) 4 x 4s off-road in this way, I’d have been sacked immediately. Clarkson has a lot to answer for. The first time I read of a “new Defender” being involved in an accident on the road in the UK (and possibly someone killed), I’ll think of this silly commercial.
Because this has nothing to do with reality and is purely a combination of entertainment and product placement. It follows a long tradition of James Bond films wrecking vehicles in new and ridiculous ways. It will raise awareness of the new car and put bums on seats at the cinema.
It may be good in other departments, but the headlights and their over-fussy, twee design look ridiculously out of place.
Oh for goodness sake…
I think the ad is a belter. Catches the eye, and displays a lot of traditional Defender characteristics. I hope it sells, and I’d bet that it will
An utterly irresponsible advertisement . Let’s face it, if you’re thick enough to buy one of these in the first place, you’re thick enough to try and emulate some of the ridiculous driving seen here , and as Eric above has pointed out, then someone is likely to be hurt or worse . And, if I’m brutally truthful, the vehicle doesn’t look all that stable to me in the first place
Why do you think people would emulate this? You imagine that someone spending north of £40k will copy this advert? Typical nanny state response…… I have an X-trail, one advert shows it hurtling down scree in Iceland(?) did I book a flight to follow suit? NOT…. obviously
Looks like a Shogun, drives like a Sherpa. Great stuff.
Really?
This is how I drive my Golf to work every day! Well it’s how I’d like to anyway! 🙂
Forget F1, this is real driving! If it can genuinely be landed like it show at ten seconds, wow what a machine!
I just don’t get this product. Look at those low profile tyres. I think they’d struggle to make it out of Sheen Gate in Richmond park on a rainy day.
Mmmm. Nope. It’s not wanting me to rush out and buy one.
But it has at least got people talking about it. I’m never sure why anything relating to JLR seems to bring out the negative comments on here? It can’t be that the Defender is not made in the U.K. anymore (that hasn’t affected SIAC/MG) and even the XE will get a good kicking by those that then go out and buy a 3 Series or an Aldi (so it can’t be that they’re all too expensive to relate to).
Could it be that it’s seen as a new owner wrecking what the marque stands for by no longer building the exact automotive antiques that they were once famed for? But, making inexpensive Asian crossovers and badging them with a defunct British sports car brand hasn’t earned howls of derision for SAIC either.
Can anyone tell me what JLR is doing wrong to bring this kind of negativity out?
Red Merle, you should read the assorted BMW and Audi salesmen who pitch up on the Autocar forums on a regular basis to slag off JLR. It’s pure comedy gold…
I’d not give the XE a kicking, it’s a worthy effort, just a bit underwhelming against the 3 series. Interior is bland there’s a lack of variants and the power train is nothing special. But most of all it kind of misses the point of the marque – Jags are sports cars. A niche-y 4 door coupe would have been a better shot for jaguar in this category.