Feedback

Straightline

Land Rover

June 15, 2009

Inside Line Technology Review: 2009 Land Rover LR2 HSE

lr2_hse_17_c7e4.jpg

The Land Rover LR2 is sort of like the McMansion of SUVs: It's bigger and has more room than most of the people who own the vehicle need, and it's not quite as prestigious as more upscale models. But for weekend warriors and urban explorers of a certain means, it still makes a statement. Such as, "I have enough money to buy one of these, but someday hope to have Range Rover Sport." Or "I bet I can bike/run/swim/kayak faster than you."

But going for the lower-cost Rover gets you almost as many of the the tech toys as paying more than $60k for the fully outfitted top-of-the-line Sport. In fact, some of the electronics in our 2009 Land Rover LR2 test vehicle (sticker price $40,875) are actually the same if not better than in the 2009 Range Rover Sport HSE we recently tested -- although not on par with the tech in other vehicles in the segment.

Continue reading...

June 9, 2009

Looking for Track Time? Find It Here

merc-nurburgring-950.jpg


If you have never driven on a race track, you should. If your skills are weak, track time will make them better. And if you think you're an undiscovered Tony Stewart, well then, get out there and prove it. The list that follows after the jump gives some ideas where you might try your luck both on the road and in the dirt.

 

Continue reading...

April 29, 2009

Inside Line Technology Review: 2009 Range Rover Sport HSE

Range_6e6a.jpg

Long before the landscape was crawling with Escalades, Cayennes and all manner of alphabetized and numbered blinged-out boats from Mercedes, Audi and others, the Range Rover was the original luxury SUV. Even now, with vehicles in the category about as popular as mortgage-backed securities and McMansions, the legendary British marque is still equal parts regal and raffish, a combination that especially appeals to affluent soccer moms and weekend warriors. And, lest we forget, serious off-roaders.

But you're more likely to find a Ford Ranger than a Range Rover mud-bogging with a bunch of good ol' boys. The 2009 Range Rover Sport HSE we recently tested (sticker price $62,725) is a vehicle more suited for showing up at an apres-bike-ride Sunday brunch or at the tennis club for a set of mixed doubles. And while some of the vehicle's coolest gadgets are geared to its 4x4 underpinnings, it has plenty of tech to keep the Type As that typically drive this vehicle connected, entertained, and suitably pampered.

Continue reading...

April 13, 2009

Getting Olde Schooled at Land Rover's "Spiritual Home"

landie at eastnor.jpg

In advance of the New York Auto Show, Land Rover had invited the press to its U.K. headquarters in Gaydon for extensive technical briefs on its 2010 Range Rover, Range Rover Sport,and LR4 models. Arriving in London early on the first morning, Land Rover shuttled us to its spiritual home at Eastnor Castle for a rare drive of some of the most interesting models from the Land Rover Heritage Fleet.

Continue reading...

April 9, 2009

2009 New York Auto Show: 2010 Land Rover Range Rover

lr-rr-f34-950.jpg


#NYIAS Can you tell this is the 2010 Land Rover Range Rover? If so, congratulations. You know way too much about Land Rovers.

Most of the changes are underneath the hood, as this refreshed Rover gets the same 5.0-liter V8 first shown in Jaguar's XF sedan and XK coupe. It's a modest upgrade for a vehicle that didn't really need it.

The interior gets a new digital gauge cluster, along with even more optional leather trim. For full details on this year's refresh of Land Rover's flagship, see our full story on the 2010 Land Rover Range Rover. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor

Full Story: 2010 Land Rover Range Rover

lr-rr-int-950.jpg

April 7, 2009

2009 New York Auto Show: 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

2010-rangeroversport-prf-landrover-09_ny_as-950-2.jpg


#NYIAS For a vehicle that many thought was completely unnecessary, the Range Rover Sport has done quite well for Land Rover. And there's no reason that success won't continue with the 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport as it gets a new set of engines and enough minor upgrades to keep it fresh against new competition. Most importantly, Land Rover didn't fuss with the Sport's distinctive styling. For more details, see our full story on this hot rod Range Rover.


Full Story: 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

2009 New York Auto Show: 2010 Land Rover LR4

2010-lr4-f34-landrover-09_ny_as-950-1.jpg


#NYIAS The name change says "all-new," but this is really a heavily revised version of the current LR3. An all-new 5.0-liter V8 is the big news for the 2010 Land Rover LR4. First introduced in Jaguar's latest sedans, the new V8 produces 375 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque. A revised suspension, new brakes and minor styling upgrades are also part of the 2010 LR4. For a more detailed description, see our full story.

Full Story: 2010 Land Rover LR4

2009 New York Auto Show: 2010 Land Rover Range Rover

2010-rangerover-f34-landrover-09_ny_as-950-1.jpg


#NYIAS Don't feel left out if you don't notice the changes to the 2010 Land Rover Range Rover. Like the Range Rover itself, the upgrades are subtle. In fact, the biggest news is under the hood, so even Land Rover purists would have a tough time spotting the differences.

Like the rest of Land Rover's 2010 lineup, this new Range Rover gets the same 5.0-liter V8s first introduced in the latest Jaguar coupes and sedans. Available in both standard and supercharged versions, the newly modernized eight-cylinder provides Land Rover's top-range model with the kind of horsepower and refinement you expect for the big money it commands. See our full story for the rest of the details.

Full Story: 2010 Land Rover Range Rover

March 11, 2009

Land Rover Gets a Step Closer to Building LRX Concept


lr-lrx-f34-950.jpg

Land Rover hasn't come out and said it just yet, but a recent press release all but confirms a production version of the LRX concept shown in Detroit last year. The release was issued on account of the British government offering up help in the way of a roughly $32M grant for production of a new vehicle.

"We welcome the Government's support for this project, which would form a key part of our future product plans and which we very much want to put into production," said Phil Popham, Managing Director of Land Rover.

Don't have to read between the lines on that one very hard. The only confusion left now is how the vehicle will be positioned in the lineup. "It would be the smallest, lightest and most efficient Range Rover that we've ever built," Phil added. "The compact size, lighter weight and sustainability-focused technologies of the LRX Concept showed how Land Rover is planning to respond to the needs of a changing world."

Not sure what "smallest Range Rover" means, hopefully more than just a really expensive LR2.
 

December 24, 2008

Tata may have to invest $1billion in Land Rover and Jaguar

tata_jaguar_land_rover_logo_main_555.jpg

It looks like the Land Rover/Jaguar acquisition is going to cost Tata a pretty penny; make that $100 billion pennies (or $1 billion dollars). That's what the latest reports are suggesting--and that's after buying the two brands for $2.3 billion.

Ouch.

Full story here.

December 22, 2008

No more Land Rover G4 Challenge

logo_landrover_200x110.gif

Mark this as just one more victim of the worldwide financial crisis, as Land Rover has announced the cancellation of their G4 Challenge. Instead, Land Rover plans to focus more on new product launches.

"Given the severity of the global economic downturn and trading conditions, we need to make some tough decisions and that means prioritizing our budgets on new product launches. We are disappointed for the competitors who have shown so much commitment and put tremendous effort into succeeding as representatives of their nation. We have and will continue to take swift and decisive actions for the benefit of the business; unfortunately that means the Land Rover G4 Challenge has to come to an early close," said Phil Popham, Managing Director Land Rover.

Full story here.

November 26, 2008

Chinese automakers gain stature at Detroit auto show

00_brillianceb4wagonbeijing_opt.jpg

With Porsche, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Ferrari, Land Rover and Rolls-Royce, Nissan and Infiniti being no-shows at the NAIAS, that gives the Chinese automakers a better chance to display their products. Formally these vehicles have been delegated to pretty much second-class floor space in the basement of Cobo Hall, better known as Michigan Hall.

Not anymore, as there is now some prime real estate now available up on the main floor. Two Chinese brands moving up to the "show" are BYD Auto and Brilliance.

Full story here.

Related stories here and here.

November 14, 2008

Tough economic times take their toll at auto shows

auto shows 555.jpg

We mentioned that GM had canceled any and all announcements at the LA auto show. Porsche has passed on the Detroit show, as will Suzuki. Now word is out that Ferrari, Land Rover and Rolls-Royce have backed out of the Detroit show. Wow...

Full story here.

July 7, 2008

Bell Aurens Longnose Land Rover "off-roadster"

bell-aurens-land-rover-photo-555.jpg

Gotta love those wacky Brits! Oh wait... this wacky off-roadster wasn't created by wacky Brits, but rather by two wacky Germans who love classic wacky British vehicles!

48Jeepster 260.jpg

The idea behind the Bell Aurens Longnose Land Rover "off-roadster" was to combine two icons of the British auto industry, that being the classic Land Rover, with that of the powerful, long-hooded sports cars (think Jag XK120, Aston Martin, etc.) into one vehicle. What a wacky idea! ...And oh so British, even if it was done by Germans. Have to wonder though if these guys aren't really just closet Jeepster fans?

What you see here is a computer-generated image, but this sucker is scheduled for production! Pricing is expected to be over €100,000 with each vehicle custom built to order. Suppliers so far include Land Rover tuning company JE Engineering who will supply 4.6 and 5.0 Liter Rover V8 engines, which includes stage 3 tuning and a special SU carburator set up. And Delta4x4, the German wheel manufacturer will supply a special set of Loder wheels. There will also be a V12 option, hence the ultra-long hood. More details are to come later.

Full story here.


July 1, 2008

Is a Volvo sale next?

Now that the Land Rover/Jaguar sale to Tata is complete, might Ford be considering selling Volvo?

Ford has long denied that Volvo would be sold, however, Just-Auto.com is now reporting that just such a sale may indeed be in the works; if not in the works, at least is being comtemplated. If it happens, it would be much more difficult considering so that many Ford products are tied to Volvo platforms and vice-versa.

Full story here...

Continue reading...

June 2, 2008

Jaguar/Land Rover/Tata transfer a done deal



It's a done deal. Tata now owns Jaguar and Land Rover, as official word of the sale was just announced. The deal nets Ford, the former owner, $1.7-billion, which is roughly one third of what they paid for the two luxury brands.

"This is a momentous time for all of us at Tata Motors," Tata Chairman Ratan N...

Continue reading...

April 29, 2008

Tata buying spree rumors



Fresh off nailing down the Jaguar/Land Rover deal; there are rumors that Tata is interested in getting a stake in both MV Agusta, the hyper-performance Italian motorcycle maker; and Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina.

It's interesting to note that both VW (VW and Ducati?) and now Tata, are interested in getting an exotic motorcycle brand under their large umbrellas.

As for Pininfarina, Tata is aiming to take a minority holding in the firm, partnering up with the French industrial group, Bollore, with up to a 100-million euro capital increase. It's expected that Tata and Bollare will cut down the Pininfarina family's share from 55-percent to 30-percent...

Continue reading...

April 1, 2008

The Ford-Jaguar-Land Rover saga



Now that Tata has taken on the burden of reviving Jaguar and Land Rover, we can look back on this ill-fated Ford-Jaguar-Land Rover saga. That's exactly what AutoObserver has done; what went right (not a whole lot), and what went wrong (a whole lot).

The Jaguar/Land Rover Sale: It’s Best Not to Add Up How Much Ford Wasted

March 31, 2008

Land Rover Freelander 2 Commercial



We're so used to Land Rover as being a luxury brand that we sometimes forget that its roots are strictly utilitarian. Remember the anvil-like Land Rover Defender? While certainly "premium, it's hardly "luxurious."

So now we have this Land Rover Freelander 2 Commercial, which is aimed at "commercial" customers. Think of our LR2, but without a rear seat and minus all of the luxury items...

Continue reading...

March 26, 2008

Done Deal! Tata buys Jaguar and Land Rover



After months of will-they or won't-they, of when and for how much, Tata and Ford have finally inked a deal that will transfer ownership of the iconic British brands to the Indian Tata Motors. The price is reportedly close to $2.3 billion. In addition Ford will contribute $600 million to Jaguar Land Rover pension plans.

Full story here...

Continue reading...

February 20, 2008

Off-road hybrids in the cards



It sounds like we may be seeing some off-road-ready vehicles using hybrid power sometime in the future. At the recent NAIAS Jeep showed a hybrid Renegade (above) and Land Rover displayed their urban cruiser LR-X, both using hybrid power. In addition, the U.S. Army is developing a new diesel-electric ‘Alternative Mobility Vehicle’...

Continue reading...

February 8, 2008

Driving the Land Rover LRX Concept

Driving the Land Rover LRX Concept

Hey, Insiders,

IL spent a day driving the one-and-only million dollar Land Rover LRX Concept vehicle in New York City.

It has a diesel-hybrid powertrain and will purportedly get 50 mpg. Its visually futuristic design looks as if it is caught in a wind tunnel.

What do you think?..

Continue reading...

January 13, 2008

2008 Detroit Auto Show: Land Rover LRX Concept

According to Land Rover (and former Lincoln) head designer Gerry McGovern, the company's small, two-door concept, the LRX, has quite a lot of premiumness. Now you might be asking, "Is premiumness really a word?" And we would answer, "No. No, it is not."

Still, McGovern is convinced that this bulky little number "oozes premiumness." We're not sure we noticed that but the LRX is a sort of inevitable vehicle for Land Rover. The times have changed...

Continue reading...

January 8, 2008

Clouds on the horizon for Jaguar, Land Rover and Tata?



What appeared to be a done deal just a couple of weeks ago, the sale of Jaguar and Land Rover by Ford to Tata, is still under discussion by all parties. And to throw a possible wrench into works, Moody's Investor Services is casting some doubt as to whether this is even a good idea.

"Should (Tata Motors) proceed with the transaction and acquire these two businesses, it will face considerable execution and integration challenges," Moody’s said. The rating service noted that though Tata has a strong position in the low-to-medium segments in India, the acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover would expose the company to the luxury product segment in wider global markets, which would increase the material risk to the automaker...

Continue reading...

December 24, 2007

India's Tata top bidder for Jaguar and Land Rover



Long rumored, the sale by Ford of Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata of Mumbai, India appears to be close to being a done deal. Tata is part of the Tata Group, which is a large Indian conglomerate that has holdings in hotels, trucks  tea and more. In addition Tata makes some bottom-feeder cars, which should make for an interesting juxtaposition (and a marketing challenge!) by adding these two luxury car brands.

Here's AutoObserver's take: The Sun Rises on an Indian Auto Empire: Tata Buys Jag, Rover


December 14, 2007

Land Rover Coupe concept images leaked



Images of the Land Rover Coupe concept images have found their way onto the Net. Obviously this stylish 2-door is yet another attempt to blur (or expand) the definition of what an SUV is.

Leaked: Land Rover Concept


December 3, 2007

Land Rover and Range Rover to tighten up "design language"



Even though Land Rover/Range Rover is up for sale, word is out that they plan on trying to unify the design language of these vehicles.

Really? Why? I think the design language is already pretty unified...

Continue reading...

July 27, 2007

Two Indian companies on the Jaguar/Land Rover short list of bidders

Forbes is reporting that Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra, two Indian automakers, are on the short list of Jaguar and Land Rover bidders.

“Since Tata Motors now has a fairly strong bottom line, they wouldn't have an issue with using internal accruals or raising more money from the markets,” said Mohit Arora, senior director at the consultancy group J.D. Power Asia Pacific, told Forbes.com from Singapore.

Mahindra & Mahindra is the world’s fourth-largest tractor maker and has more of a global presence...

Continue reading...

June 11, 2007

Ford still shopping premier brands?

According to CNNMoney.com, and the Financial Times, Ford has hired Goldman Sachs Group and Morgan Stanley to sell the Ford Premier Group (Jaguar, Land Rover & Volvo).

Apparently Fiat had expressed some interest in both Land Rover and Jaguar, as they seem to think that a link with those brands might help their launch back into the USA in 2009. Not sure what, if any, interest they might have in Volvo.

Ford has declined to comment and Fiat reportedly broke off discussions fearing an adverse effect on its improving credit rating...

Continue reading...

May 2, 2007

Land Rover to stop sending vehicles to Sudan

Ford has agreed to stop sending Land Rovers to Sudan, as the U.S. has a strict embargo against that country. The only items that can be sent there are for humanitarian purposes. Unfortunately many of the Land Rovers were being equipped with machine guns, and were being used against the people there...

Continue reading...

April 10, 2007

Range Rovers under scrutiny by the NHTSA

Range Rover, is being probed by the NHTSA. There is concern that a faulty front axle and/or drive shaft that could cause the vehicle to stop. The vehicles involved were models made from 2002 through 2004.

This is sure to confirm in the minds of many that this brand does indeed deserve to be at the bottom of CR's list of reliable vehicles...

Continue reading...

March 20, 2007

Land Rover Defender gets upgraded



Now there's a crew cab pickup that I could really dig!

The iconic Land Rover Defender gets some long overdue upgrades ranging from a new 2.4L common-rail diesel, 6-speed manual tranny, new seating and improved heating/air conditioning. I would love to see LR once again offer the Defender here—especially that crew cab model!

Full story here. More here at Land Rover's UK site.

February 12, 2007

Land Rover Discovery 3 Commercial Version

This is interesting. Land Rover is offering commercial version of their Discovery 3 (LR3) to customer in the UK.

From the press release:

Since launch in 2004, the Discovery 3 has demonstrated a class-leading breadth of capability and accrued awards from all over the world. Now, it has been engineered with approval from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to gain N1 Light Commercial 4x4 Vehicle status...

Continue reading...

December 26, 2006

Mystery car = Honda Crossroad







According to The Hollywood Extra the mystery car (Mystery car spotted in LA) is not a Honda HR-V, but rather the new Honda Crossroad. Not sure if it's to replace the HR-V (or Element), or as to whether it's strictly a JDM-model. In any event, it appears the mystery is solved.

In a related story, this is not the first time Honda has used the "Crossroad" name...

Continue reading...

November 30, 2006

L.A. Auto Show: 2008 Land Rover LR2


We already drove the 2008 Land Rover LR2 and it's a pretty impressive compact SUV. It got a much needed boost in power, a more upscale, functional interior and slick styling. Today at the L.A. auto show, Land Rover announced a base price of $34,700...

Continue reading...

November 29, 2006

2008 Land Rover LR2

Unfortunately, there was little news following the dramatic (re)unveiling of the 2008 LR2 in a trendy L.A. club/restaurant. The announcement that Geoff Upex, design director of Land Rover, would be leaving the company was news in August. The MSRP of the Freelander replacement will be announced tomorrow, Nov...

Continue reading...

October 17, 2006

Alloy monocoque Range Rovers?

According to this link, the next Range Rover may have an alloy monocoque body. As of now no decision has been made, but if this were to come to pass, expect to see it around 2010. Similar Land Rover LR3s could follow. An alloy monocoque body would allow for about a 15% savings in weight, which is rather significant...

October 8, 2006

FV Report: Automotive News weekly update

This week's issue of Automotive News was packed with plenty of stories related to future vehicles, so we'll get right to it. Mitsubishi plans to pick up where GM left off by introducing an electric based on its Concept-CT MIEV shown in Detroit earlier this year. It will use lithium ion batteries and a unique drive system which puts a motor at each wheel. No cost or timing specifics were announced, but don't expect to see it for at least another two or three years.

Continue reading...

September 19, 2006

Ford will exercise right to buy the Rover brand name

This is interesting. With all the rumors of Ford selling brands, or dropping brands, Ford is going to buy the Rover name.

In 2000 Ford bought Land Rover from BMW for $2.7 billion and along with that came the rights to buy the Rover brand name. BMW last month said that it had agreed to sell the name to an unspecified partner, and it looks like Ford was that partner...

Continue reading...

August 23, 2006

2007 Land Rover Defender







Land Rover has just announced the new 2007 Defender. As you can see, it doesn't stray too far from the original, both visually and mechanically. It does get a new 6-speed tranny, a new 2.4L CRD diesel, and a much improved interior.

Unlike the "styled" FJ Cruiser, I see this as being about as honest, to-the-point design, as you can get...

Continue reading...

August 9, 2006

Lincoln's future



As news of a possible sale of Jaguar and Land Rover broke the other day, this Lincoln news story becomes even more timely.

The aging Lincoln Town car will be replaced by the all-new Lincoln MKS. This vehicle will have a 4.4L, 315 hp V8, hooked up to a 6-speed automatic and AWD. Those specs sound good to me...

Continue reading...

August 8, 2006

Ford considering selling Jaguar and Land Rover

This has been bandied about before, but rumors are getting stronger that Ford may indeed be thinking about selling their Jaguar and Land Rover divisions, in an effort to restore profitability to the corporation.

Snippet: is understood that Ford’s senior management, led by chairman and chief executive Bill Ford Jr, is considering packaging the two marques together and selling a majority stake to a financial investor.

Ford would retain a minority holding, and continue its technical and supply links with the two British carmakers. The Land Rover sale is one option being studied after the appointment last week of Kenneth Leet, a former Goldman Sachs and Bank of America banker, as special adviser to Bill Ford...

Continue reading...

August 2, 2006

Forbes' list of least reliable luxury vehicles

<Sigh> Two of my favorite SUVs made this list: The Land Rover LR3 and the VW Touareg... Oh well, I was never meant to own either of those anyway...

In any event, Forbes magazine have just released their list of the "Least Reliable Luxury Cars 2006." Besides the VW and Land Rover, the others are: Range Rover, Lincoln Navigator and Saab 9-3. I kinda doubt this news will make Bill Ford sleep any better, as three of the five listed fall under the Ford corporate umbrella...

Continue reading...

July 5, 2006

Ford F-150 diesel news

It's long been rumored that Ford has been working on a diesel for the 1/2-ton F-150 lineup. Originally it was thought to have been the Super Duty Powerstroke minus two cylinders, thus making a 4.5L V6 turbo diesel. In fact that engine does exist, and it powers the commercial-oriented Ford Class IV-V cab-over-engine chassis cab city trucks. Well, that engine will not be in the F-150...

Continue reading...

June 23, 2006

All-new Land Rover LR2



Land Rover has just introduced the all-new LR2. The LR2 is the replacement for the Freelander. Among the improvements are a larger 3.2L V6; a 6-speed automatic, which offers a manual shift mode; and Land Rover's unique Terrain Response permanent AWD.

Snippet: "LR2 combines the advantages of a premium sedan -- such as polished ride, accomplished performance, an attractive cabin and ease-of-use -- with the attributes of a robust SUV, including go-anywhere ability, toughness, stadium seating, cabin versatility and spaciousness," says Phil Popham, Land Rover's managing director...

Continue reading...

June 12, 2006

Land Rover speaks to J.D. Power IQS rankings

Land Rover came in dead last in the recent J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS) rankings. Their explanation (justification?) is they have had an "unparalleled" number of new product launches recently, and all with many complex software calibrations.

Snippet: “This has involved the introduction of complex new technologies and the application of new software architectures,” the auto maker says in a statement, adding a number of unexpected software and calibration issues cropped up at the start of the ’06 model year but were addressed rapidly...

Continue reading...

May 30, 2006

Range Rover to offer a turbodiesel V8

Range Rover will offer an all-new turbodiesel V8 engine option. The engine will be a UK-built unit, and will put out 272 PS. It will replace the 6-cylinder BMW diesel unit currently used, and is 54% more powerful, delivers 64% more torque, and gets the same fuel economy.

No word yet as to whether it will be exported to the USA...

Continue reading...

April 12, 2006

2007 Land Rover - Name change

Land Rover says its compact SUV previously known as the Freelander will be dubbed the LR2 when the redesigned 2007 model makes it debut.

March 15, 2006

New Land Rover Freelander

Pixs and info on the next-generation Land Rover Freelander are now appearing on the Net. Styling cues from the new LR3 are clearly evident. Early reports say that it is still based on a stretched version of the C1 car platform, which the Ford Focus and Mazda 3 use, among others. As with the current Freelander, it will probably be the best off-road car-based SUV out there...

Continue reading...

December 9, 2005

Ford pulls Jaguar and Land Rover ads from gay publications

So is Ford getting pressure from conservative and/or religious groups here? Ford says it was a "business decision" to stop placing Jaguar and Land Rover ads in gay publications, and not political pressure. Yeah, as in they were losing business...

Interesting that Volvo will continue advertising in gay publications, however...

Continue reading...

Subscribe

Advertisment

Advertisment

Archives

BROWSE ARCHIVES: