Defender Wolf II

Steve Beres and Ike Goss discuss a pickup-truck-heavy news week, including reports that Land Rover may pursue a U.S.-market pickup despite earlier claims the monocoque Defender platform couldn’t support one, potentially via partnering with a manufacturer with U.S. production. They review a UK Ministry of Defense light mobility vehicle competition to replace the aging Defender Wolf fleet, highlighting Land Rover’s new Defender-based military variants (including a tray-back pickup and tube-buggy-style patrol vehicle) alongside entries from INEOS, Toyota/Babcock, Ford/General Dynamics (including a 6x6 Ranger Super Duty), Mercedes/Rheinmetall, GM/Team Lionstrike, and others, plus observations about serviceability, interiors, and surprisingly street-oriented tires. They also cover a Freelander hybrid altitude Guinness record, Kim Basinger’s 1997 NAS Defender auction, a Ted Lasso Series IIA cameo, and tease next week’s Destination Defender Rebelle presentation.00:00 Show Intro and Hosts01:09 Defender Pickup Rumors02:36 US Tariffs and Partnerships04:40 Military RFP Reveals Pickup05:56 Competitors INEOS and Toyota08:08 Ford Ranger Super Duty09:55 Defender Trayback Design Talk11:36 Other Entries Mercedes and GM14:17 Tires and US Military Contrast14:58 AM General and Oshkosh Updates16:07 Final Contender Tease16:17 Hybrid Tube Buggy17:57 NATO Contract Stakes18:44 Military Tech Serviceability21:03 Freelander Altitude Record22:41 Celebrity Defender Auction26:27 Ted Lasso Land Rover28:19 Destination Defender Recap29:58 Wrap Up Credits