I read deeper than the linked article last night, out of curiosity. It’s interesting to note that a vehicle initially pitched as the nadir of “Britishness” by a Brexit cheerleader (its founder) has resorted out of necessity to making use of
many European assets.
My impression is that it’s going to be largely resident in the domain of up-spec’d soft roaders. Seems that diff locks, for example, are an option. I’d envisaged something that even in its most basic (cheapest) form could drag itself up to several hundred kilometres on two broken axles, with a torn brake hose and punctured radiator.
Another article (that didn’t get a test drive) reckoned the rear seats were significantly less spacious for grownups, than the linked one did. I’m surprised there is no basic cab-chassis version, it would come closer to meeting the 79 Series head-on.
The lack of a petrol V-engined “sporty” model to compete for aspirational AMG types, is probably a matter of budget right now but if Ineos muck around too long the aftermarket may resolve this, complete with R&P steering…