SCOOP: Land Rover Spotted Testing the 2013 Range Rover

Although roughly less than two years away from launch, Land Rover continues to use engineering mules to test the next generation of its Range Rover model. And by mules, we mean that the British firm is utilizing a modified body of the current luxury SUV with a different front end and beefier wheel arches hiding the wider tracks of the new platform architecture.

And while the 2013 Range Rover’s looks remain a mystery for now, we do know that it will adopt a new lightweight aluminium chassis using know-how from the group’s Jaguar brand. Furthermore, the new model will feature an alloy body shell while certain components will be made of composite materials.

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Land Rover Discovery 4 gets a Light Styling Makeover from Project Kahn

Azfal Kahn and his crew have put their Range Rover tunes on the side to concentrate on another Land Rover model, the latest Discovery 4 dubbed LR4 in North America. The A. Kahn Design Discovery from Project Kahn is a purely cosmetics package with upgrades for the exterior and available options for the interior. Read more »

Project Kahn-Tuned Range Rover Sport 3.0TD V6 Davis Mark II Limited Edition

The Davis Mark II limited edition tribute is the latest addition to Project Kahn’s long line of tuned Range Rovers. We are not sure who the vehicle is named after, but for educational purposes [sic…] we found several people with the name Mark Davis on Wikipedia ranging from a British adult film actor to a cricketer, so feel free to take your pick. Back to the tune, Project Kahn’s newest creation is based on the 2011 Range Rover Sport powered by a 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel and comes with both styling and performance modifications. Read more »

Ad Watch: Land Rover Defender Passport

The clever minds over at RKCR/Y&R, a UK-based advertising agency, have created this new print campaign called ‘Passport’ for Land Rover’s rugged Defender 4x4. The ad shows an open passport with the airport stamps outlining the shape of the short-wheelbase Defender. Without using any words, the ad clearly conveys the message that the original Land Rover model is a vehicle aimed at adventurous travelers. Very clever indeed. Read more »

Jaguar-Land Rover Opens Assembly Plant in India, Rolls Out its First Model [with Video]

Gone are the times when you knew where cars were made just by looking at the brand, and when luxury carmakers made the manufacturing of their vehicles in their home country one of their top selling points. Nowadays, you have BMWs built in China, India, South Africa and the USA, Mercedes-Benz cars made in Russia, Thailand and Egypt and so on.

The latest premium automaker to go global is the Jaguar-Land Rover group, which inaugurated its first Indian factory on Friday. A Land Rover Freelander 2 SUV was the first vehicle to roll out of the assembly plant, which is located just outside Pune in the Maharashtra region of India. We’ll remind you that Ford Motor Co. sold Jaguar and Land Rover to India’s Tata Motors in 2008 after losing some US$15 billion in two years.

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One More Ranger Rover Tune for Project Kahn

While Project Kahn has ventured into several different projects over the years, the British tuner is mostly known for its work on Land Rover models. The company’s most recent creation is called the ‘Black Vogue’ and it is based on the Land Rover Range Rover Vogue. Read more »

Land Rover Ad Suggests you can get Away with Anything Inside an LR4

Land Rover vehicles are known for offering a high level of security to their occupants, but does that apply only to traffic accidents? Well, if we are to believe a new U.S. campaign for the LR4/Discovery SUV, the feeling of safety inspired by a Land Rover vehicle goes well beyond road accidents. Read more »

Electric Defender on safari

Land Rover may already be working on a diesel-electric hybrid powertrain, but the company’s South African subsidiary has gone one step further by producing an all-electric Defender in collaboration with lithium-ion battery pack specialists Axeon and Baker Performance Products.



Based on a 110 High Capacity Pick Up, the Electric Defender Game Viewer Concept Vehicle is designed for use in game parks where the ability to run quietly has obvious benefits.

The custom-made 300 volt 27 kW/hr battery pack fits entirely within the engine bay, so that ground clearance is unaffected and the electrical systems are kept dry when the Defender is wading. It powers an air-cooled AC induction motor that produces 79 bhp (59 kW / 80 PS), with a regenerative capacity of 13 bhp (10 kW / 14 PS), and 330 Nm (243 lb/ft) of torque.



It’s said that three typical game drives can be completed on a single charge, which equates to a range of around 50 miles (80 km) plus 12 miles (20 km) in reserve. Recharging is via the mains or a solar adapter.



For the moment the Electric Defender is just a one-off, although there could be other applications where the technology proves to be useful.



Related post:

Land Rover Range_e

Mad Vandals Fill Airbrushed Range Rover with…Insulating Foam

The owner of this airbrushed Land Rover Range Rover was in for an unexpected and definitely unwanted surprise when his parked luxurious SUV became the victim of vandalism committed by unknown individuals. The incident presumably took place somewhere in Russia.

The artsy troublemakers not only spray painted the Range Rover and broke several components such as the bumpers and lights, but –get this- they also filled all visible openings including the doors, hood and the rear hatch as well as the alloy wheels with insulating foam!

The only piece of evident, if you can call it that, is an odd message on the rear hatch window that reads “Thelema 666 is make me sick. Is a star. What a f***?” Follow the jump for more photos of the SUV before and after the attack.

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Land Rover Range_e

It looks like this year’s Geneva International Motor Show is going to be crammed full of electric cars and hybrids. The latest manufacturer to announce that its stand will include such a vehicle is Land Rover.



The Range_e, which is based on the Range Rover Sport, is still at the prototype stage but promises much. It uses the existing 3.0 litre TDV6 diesel engine alongside a plug-in hybrid system, with drive going to all four wheels via an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

Although only a few technical details have been released, Land Rover estimates that the Range_e will have CO2 emissions of just 89 g/km. That’ll mean no UK road tax and a 100% discount on the London Congestion Charge.



What’s more, the range when in electric vehicle mode is said to be 20 miles (about 30 kilometres). To put that into context, the Toyota Prius - which produces the same amount of CO2 as the Range_e - will only manage 1.2 miles (2 kilometres) using battery power alone.



Will the Range_e make it into production? Well, it’s unlikely that Land Rover would bother showing it unless there was a strong possibility and, if the prototype’s figures are anything to go by, frankly it’d be crazy not to.



There’s probably a vast number of potential SUV drivers who don’t yet own one because of extortionate fuel costs and the desire not to be labelled a planet-destroying pariah. For them, the Range_e could be a very welcome solution.



Related post:

2WD Freelander revealed

Ultimate Range Rover

Land Rover’s stand at this year’s Geneva International Motor Show will include the not very succinctly named Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition.

Promoted as being ‘the most luxurious Range Rover ever’, the specification suggests that it’s aimed at those who prefer to be driven, rather than drive themselves.



In the back, the usual bench is ditched in favour of two individual electric seats, between which is a centre console featuring a machined aluminium laptop table and drinks chiller. Land Rover even throws in a couple of Apple iPads as standard.



Naturally, the seats are covered in leather, as are the door casings and the dashboard top. The opulent effect is completed by Kalahari wood veneers. Not even the luggage compartment escapes the luxury treatment, with its floor getting a yacht-inspired teak covering.

On the outside, two unique paint colours - Roussillon Red and Otago Stone - are available, and exclusive 20” multi-spoke alloy wheels are fitted. The side vents and radiator grille have a dark atlas finish, but that still fails to mask their overly fussy design - a glitch shared with the rest of the current Land Rover line-up, Defender excepted.



Engine choice is either the 308 bhp (230 kW / 313 PS) 4.4 litre LR-TDV8 diesel, which boasts 700 Nm (516 lb/ft) of torque and is coupled to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, or the 503 bhp (375 kW / 510 PS) LR-V8 5.0 Supercharged petrol unit. Both come equipped with Land Rover’s Terrain Response system.



Buyers of the Autobiography Ultimate Edition certainly won’t have to worry about exclusivity, as only 500 examples are going to be built for sale in over twenty markets worldwide.



Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but in the UK it could break well into six figures.



If so, that’s quite a premium over the ‘normal’ £83,145 Range Rover Autobiography, and it’ll pitch the Ultimate Edition against competitors such as the Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG, BMW 760Li and Audi Q7 V12.

2011 What Car? Awards

UK publication What Car? has announced its 2011 Car of the Year winners.



During a ceremony held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, prizes were awarded across seventeen vehicle categories, with one model going on to be declared overall champion.



Supermini



Shortlist

Best buy less than £9,000: Hyundai i10 1.2 Comfort

Best buy £9,000 - £13,000: Ford Fiesta 1.25 82 Zetec 5dr

Best buy more than £13,000: Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport



Winner

Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport





Small family car



Shortlist

Best buy less than £15,000: Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSI SE

Best buy £15,000 - £20,000: Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 122 Match 5dr

Best buy more than £20,000: Toyota Prius 1.8 VVT-i T3



Winner

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 122 Match 5dr





Family car



Shortlist

Best buy less than £18,000: Skoda Superb 1.4 TSI S

Best buy £18,000 - £21,000: Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec

Best buy more than £21,000: Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI 140 SE



Winner

Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec





Estate car



Shortlist

Best buy less than £16,500: Skoda Octavia Estate 1.4 TSI SE

Best buy £16,000 - £22,000: Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec

Best buy more than £22,000: BMW 5 Series Touring 520d SE



Winner

Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec





MPV



Shortlist

Best buy less than £16,000: Citroën C3 Picasso 1.6 VTi VTR+

Best buy £16,000 - £22,000: Peugeot 5008 1.6 HDi 112 Sport

Best buy more than £22,000: Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDI 140 Ecomotive S



Winner

Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDI 140 Ecomotive S





Hot hatch



Shortlist

Best buy less than £15,000: Renault Twingo Renaultsport 133 Cup

Best buy £15,000 - £20,000: Renault Clio Renaultsport 200 Cup

Best buy more than £20,000: Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250 Cup



Winner

Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250 Cup





Coupé



Shortlist

Best buy less than £25,000: Volkswagen Scirocco 1.4 TSI 160

Best buy £25,000 - £40,000: Audi TT 2.0 TFSI 211 Sport

Best buy more than £40,000: Jaguar XKR



Winner

Audi TT 2.0 TFSI 211 Sport





Open-top



Shortlist

Best buy less than £25,000: Mazda MX-5 1.8i SE AC

Best buy £25,000 - £35,000: BMW Z4 sDrive23i

Best buy more than £35,000: Mercedes-Benz E350 CDI Cab Blue Efficiency SE



Winner

BMW Z4 sDrive23i





Performance car



Shortlist

Best buy less than £60,000: Lotus Evora 3.5 V6

Best buy £60,000 - £120,000: Audi R8 Spyder V10

Best buy more than £120,000: Ferrari 458 Italia



Winner

Ferrari 458 Italia





Crossover



Shortlist

Best buy less than £15,000: Nissan Juke 1.6 Visia

Best buy £15,000 - £20,000: Peugeot 3008 1.6 THP 156 Sport

Best buy more than £20,000: Volvo XC60 2.0 D3 DRIVe SE



Winner

Peugeot 3008 1.6 THP 156 Sport





4x4



Shortlist

Best buy less than £30,000: Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi Style 7 seats

Best buy £30,000 - £40,000: BMW X3 xDrive20d SE

Best buy more than £40,000: Land Rover Discovery 3.0 SDV6 XS



Winner

Land Rover Discovery 3.0 SDV6 XS





Compact executive



Shortlist

Best buy less than £25,000: BMW 3 Series 316d ES

Best buy £25,000 - £30,000: BMW 3 Series 320d ES

Best buy more than £30,000: BMW 3 Series 330d SE



Winner

BMW 3 Series 320d ES





Executive car



Shortlist

Best buy less than £30,000: BMW 5 Series 520d SE

Best buy £30,000 - £40,000: Jaguar XF 3.0D V6 Luxury

Best buy more than £40,000: Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI 245 quattro SE



Winner

Jaguar XF 3.0D V6 Luxury





Luxury car



Shortlist

Best buy less than £65,000: Mercedes-Benz S-Class S350 CDI BluTEC

Best buy £65,000 - £100,000: Range Rover 4.4 TDV8 Vogue 

Best buy more than £100,000: Rolls-Royce Phantom



Winner

Mercedes-Benz S-Class S350 CDI BluTEC





Ultra-low carbon car



Winner

Nissan Leaf





Safety Award



Winner

Volvo for Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake





Security Award



Winner

Volkswagen





What Car? Car of the Year 2011



Winner

Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport

Special edition Defender

Land Rover has launched the Defender X-Tech Limited Edition.



Based on the 90 Hard Top, the bodywork is painted Zermatt Silver with the roof and wheel arches finished in Santorini Black. To complete the look, the Defender X-Tech gets unique gloss black 16” Saw Tooth alloy wheels. The interior comes in Ebony and, for a little bit of luxury, the seats have leather side bolsters.

As with all new UK civilian-spec Defenders, power comes from a 2.4 litre, four-cylinder diesel engine. Developing 120 bhp (90 kW / 122 PS), it’s the maximum torque of 360 Nm (265 lb/ft) that really impresses.



Consequently performance isn’t too bad, with the Defender 90 hitting 60 mph (96 km/h) from rest in 14.7 seconds. And although it might not be the greenest choice available - CO2 emissions are 266 g/km - fuel economy is surprisingly good given the Defender’s weight and aerodynamics. On the combined cycle, for example, it achieves 28.3 mpg (10.0 l/100km).



The Defender X-Tech will be available from March 2011, with prices starting at £24,995. That’s a considerable premium over the standard 90 Hard Top, which costs £20,995 on the road, and the colour scheme might not be to everyone’s taste. However, there can be absolutely no doubt about the vehicle’s underlying abilities.

Discovery 4 Armoured

Land Rover has unveiled the Discovery 4 Armoured. Visually, there’s not much to give away the different specification, but there are extensive modifications to help safeguard the vehicle’s occupants.



Ballistic steel armour is fitted which provides protection to European standard BS EN1522 level FB6. Similarly, the replacement glass complies with BS EN 1063 level BR6. The Discovery 4 Armoured is capable of withstanding the blast from 15kg of TNT (or equivalent explosive) when detonated close to the vehicle, while under-floor protection is sufficient to defend against two DM51 hand grenades. Consequently, the entire vehicle has been independently certified to B6 standards.

Unsurprisingly, the trade-off is a weight penalty. Whereas the standard car tips the scales at 2,583 kg, the Armoured version is a decidedly bulky 3,550 kg.



To compensate, the usual 3.0 litre diesel is ditched in favour of a 5.0 litre V8 direct injection petrol engine. Connected to a six-speed automatic transmission, its 369 bhp (276 kW / 375 PS) and 510 Nm (376 lb/ft) of torque are sufficient to propel the Land Rover from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in a brisk 10.6 seconds. No fuel consumption figures have been released, but they’re unlikely to be great.



The chassis has been beefed up, too. Modifications include heavy duty wheels with run-flat tyres, uprated air springs, retuned dampers and larger diameter anti-roll bars. To help the Discovery 4 Armoured to stop, 378 mm Alcon disc brakes are fitted front and rear, and they feature aluminium callipers.



Available options include a flag pole mount, covert blue light and siren system, LED headlight flash, intercom, anti-tamper exhaust and an under bonnet fire suppression.



Land Rover will discuss pricing on application, although it is saying that the Discovery 4 Armoured will come with a three-year, 80,000km factory warranty on both the base vehicle and its armour.

Tiguan has best residuals

Glass’s, publisher of the eponymous used car values guide, has revealed which three-year old models have best held their values in the UK market.



The study looked at ‘57’ plate cars (i.e. first registered between 1 September 2007 and 29 February 2008), which had covered 37,000 miles (59,545 kilometres). The results were ranked by residual value as a percentage of original list price, although low volume models and exotica were excluded.



Given the tough economic climate, it might be expected that used buyers would be flocking towards cheaper, more economical vehicles, so driving up their residual value percentages. Surprisingly, though, seven of the top ten are 4x4s or SUVs, with top spot taken by the Volkswagen Tiguan SE 4Motion.

Glass’s Top Ten Residuals 2010
Position	Model	Residual %	Average Yearly Depreciation
1	Volkswagen Tiguan (168 bhp) SE 4Motion	68.0%	£2,394
2	MINI 1.6 Cooper Hatch	65.9%	£1,462
3	Honda CR-V 2.2 CTDi (138 bhp) SE	64.3%	£2,356
4=	Land Rover Freelander 2 GS Td4 auto	63.8%	£2,965
4=	Audi Q7 3.0TDI (237 bhp) Quattro S Line tiptronic	63.8%	£4,962
6	Land Rover Discovery 3 2.7TD (190 bhp)	63.7%	£3,720
7	Audi TT Coupé 2.0T FSI (197 bhp)	63.6%	£3,123
8	Nissan Qashqai 1.6 (113 bhp) 2WD Visia	63.3%	£1,628
9	Land Rover Range Rover Sport 2.7TD (187 bhp) S auto	62.5%	£4,425
10	Audi A5 2.7TDI (187 bhp) Sport Coupé S tronic	62.2%	£4,123

Five-door Evoque revealed

The three-door Range Rover Evoque was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show as intended, but Land Rover’s plan to keep the five-door version tightly under wraps until November’s Los Angeles International Auto Show seems to have been scuppered.



That’s because someone at a pre-show dealer event in Paris took a sneaky photo of the car. Of course, it then quickly found its way onto the internet, which prompted Land Rover to release this official image:

It shows the Evoque wearing a colour scheme that is more Mini Cooper than traditional Range Rover. The contrasting paint will apparently be a no cost option, with a full glass panoramic roof also available for an extra charge.



The engine line-up is expected to be as per the three-door Evoque, which means a choice of three four-cylinder units, all turbocharged.



In Europe, the 2.2 litre diesels will undoubtedly be the popular preference. Available in either 147 bhp (110 kW / 150 PS) TD4 or 187 bhp (139 kW / 190 PS) SD4 guises, both were first seen in the recently updated Freelander 2. To help save fuel, a stop-start system will feature as standard when the manual gearbox is specified.



Across the Atlantic, though, the 236 bhp (176 kW / 240PS) 2.0 litre Si4 petrol engine should account for most North American sales. Land Rover claims it will provide the economy of a four-cylinder with the performance and refinement of a six.



Like the Freelander 2, the Evoque will also be offered with front-wheel drive only. Whether this actually matters to anyone remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt that it brings economy and emissions benefits. According to Land Rover, buyers of TD4-powered cars who forgo all-wheel drive will enjoy a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 58 mpg (4.9 l/100km) and CO2 emissions that are below 130 g/km.

2WD Freelander revealed

Land Rover has updated the Freelander 2, giving it more efficient engines and some minor styling tweaks.

However, the big news is that for the first time a two-wheel drive version is also going to be offered. Now that may get some Land Rover purists a bit worked up, and others may say it’ll damage the brand. But, as Land Rover points out, two-wheel drive SUVs account for 23 percent of the segment in Europe. If it was being less tactful, the company could have also said that a lot of Freelander drivers won’t come even close to using the off-road capabilities of their cars, so it’s unlikely they are going to miss four-wheel drive.



And it’s not as if Land Rover has never produced a two-wheel drive vehicle before. In the past it supplied some 4x2 Series models to the British and Belgian military, as this Land Rover Monthly editorial explains.



Probably the main reason for introducing the two-wheel drive model - dubbed eD4 - is to reduce the average emissions of the range. Going by the numbers, it should certainly help achieve that. Using a 147 bhp (110 kW / 150 PS) 2.2 litre diesel, six-speed manual gearbox and a stop/start system, it achieves 47.2 mpg (6.0 l/100km) on the combined cycle while producing 158 g/km of CO2.



The first of the 4WD variants is the TD4, which has the same engine as the eD4. Perhaps the biggest surprise is that its green credentials aren’t that much worse because, with the standard manual transmission, the TD4 now manages 45.6 mpg (6.2 l/100km) and 165 g/km. As expected, those figures go downhill if the optional automatic gearbox is specified, partly because it doesn’t get the stop/start system.



Heading the Freelander line-up is the 187 bhp (139 kW / 190 PS) SD4. It too features a 2.2 litre diesel, but oddly it comes as an automatic only. Performance is fairly respectable, with 0-60 mph (96 km/h) taking 8.7 seconds and a top speed of 118 mph (190 km/h), yet it’ll still do 40.4 mpg (7.0 l/100km). CO2 emissions do suffer, although with a figure of 185 g/km the SD4 just makes it into Band I for UK road tax purposes (which means an annual charge of £200).



Visually, the 2011 Freelander is primarily identified by a revised front bumper assembly. This incorporates new fog light bezels and a new finish for what stylistically remains the bane of most of the Land Rover range - an overly fussy front grille. There are also improved front and rear light designs, new alloy wheels and some new colours. On the inside, changes are restricted to redesigned instrument dials and new seat styles.



The 2WD eD4 goes on sale in January 2011, with prices to be confirmed later this year. Meanwhile, the 4WD TD4 and SD4 will be available from the end of September 2010. UK prices start at £21,695 for the TD4 S, rising to £35,510 for the SD4 HSE.

2010 Land Rover LR4 Full Tech SPecs

The D3s 6-speed manual transmission is no longer available . An improved version of the ZF 6-speed automatic/sequential gearbox is now fitted which includes taller gearing to take advantage of the new engines' greater torque output and an updated lock-up system to further reduce fuel consumption. Other technical changes include the fitting of the more powerful brakes from the Range Rover Sport

2010 Land Rover LR4 Full Tech SPecs

The D3s 6-speed manual transmission is no longer available . An improved version of the ZF 6-speed automatic/sequential gearbox is now fitted which includes taller gearing to take advantage of the new engines' greater torque output and an updated lock-up system to further reduce fuel consumption. Other technical changes include the fitting of the more powerful brakes from the Range Rover Sport

Land Rover LR4 2010 The exterior

he exterior design of the Land Rover Discovery 4 has been updated, with smoother and simpler surfaces at the front, including a new, more aerodynamic bumper. Aerodynamic changes to the front end, with the revised front lower chin spoiler and new front wheel deflectors, help to reduce drag by increasing underfloor airflow. The new lights include LED technology front and rear.Land Rover LR4 2010