Land Rover Archives

Land Rover is giving the 2013 Range Rover Sport a few updates for the new model year, but you probably won't really notice them. The 2013 Range Rover Sport gets new five-spoke alloy wheels, new body colors and new interior trim combinations.

Buyers can choose between five new body colors: Barolo, Barossa, Causeway, Havana and Mariana. On the inside there are two new interior trim combinations that allow buyers to choose a dark upper cabin with lighter colored seats or the opposite way around. There's also a new carbon veneer pack for the interior. The Range Rover Sport Supercharged model also gets new Red Brembo brake calipers.

Auto Express is reporting that a faster and sportier version of the Range Rover Evoque is currently in the works. Auto Express recently uncovered the plans in an interview with design director Gerry McGovern at last month's Beijing Motor Show.

"You can go too far with the Evoque, but what's so right about the car is it has what I call killer proportions," McGovern said. "For the moment, we're looking at the cabriolet and special editions - we could do a more overtly sporty one, for example."

Land Rover's design team and Victoria Beckham have collaborated on a special edition version of the Range Rover Evoque.

Gerry McGovern, Director of Design, Land Rover explains: "The design of Evoque has truly captured the hearts of customers worldwide. Working with Victoria the intention was not to change the fundamental architecture and award winning design of the Range Rover Evoque. We wanted to create a Special Edition that extends its character in a new direction through understated, restrained colour and detail changes.

Land Rover has given the world a preview of what a convertible version of the new Range Rover Evoque would look like with the Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept.

Land Rover calls the concept a design study that builds on the Evoque's success and reflects the automaker's expertise at identifying and leading new market segments. The concept features a fully retractable soft-top, a drop down tailgate and room for four passengers.

Land Rover hasn't announced if the concept will be produced, but positive feedback could always help.

Land Rover Design Director, Gerry McGovern, said: "We believe that the Evoque lends itself beautifully to the idea of a convertible. From a pure design perspective, we have used Evoque's dramatic shape to create a distinctive and highly desirable proposition."

Land Rover has unveiled a new concept version of the Range Rover Evoque, the Range Rover Evoque Convertible concept. The Evoque Convertible concept is going to be unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show early next month. Land Rover is using the concept to gauge public interest in a convertible version of the Evoque.

The Range Rover Evoque Convertible is based on the three-door version of the Evoque. The concept features a power soft-top with a glass rear window. According to Land Rover the Evoque convertible could be offered with two or four wheel drive and either gasoline or diesel engines, if it does get the green light for production.

Contrary to the recent accolades that the all-new Range Rover Evoque has received, Consumer Reports recently placed the compact SUV near the bottom of its class.

Consumer Reports recently brought the BMW X3 and Range Rover Evoque together for a head-to-head matchup. The BMW X3 came out on top with a score of 80, while the Evoque only received a score of 60. CR applauded the X3 for being sportier on the road than most SUVs and its 22 mpg overall rating that was made possible by its new eight-speed automatic. CR gave the Evoque negative marks for its cramped cabin, stiff ride and artificial-feeling steering.

CR tested the BMW X3 xDrive28i with its 240-hp 3.0L six-cylinder engine. CR stated that the X3 rides firmly and provides decent isolation from bumps and road imperfections. Noise levels in the cabin are hushed overall. With limited body lean and quick, responsive steering, the X3 is aggressive in the corners. The X3 beat out eight previously tested compact luxury SUVs with only the Audi Q5 3.2 beating it.

CR tested the Range Rover Evoque Pure with its 240-hp 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine and liked the styling, acceleration and braking of the Evoque. Unfortunately its ride was choppy and the cabin was too noisy and cramped. The Evoque tackles corners well but its steering feels artificially weighted, impairing feedback. When pushed to its handling limits on CR's track, the tail slid out and the vehicle repeatedly lifted a wheel during an avoidance maneuver.

There have been reports that Land Rover is planning a bigger Evoque to fill the gap between the Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Sport models. Autocar is reporting that the success of the smaller Evoque and the growth of the brand is going to lead to the introduction of a bigger Evoque.

The success of BMW and Audi's SUV lineup has prompted Land Rover to broaden its Range Rover lineup, which includes a new model that will sit between the Evoque and Range Rover Sport. The next-generation Range Rover Sport is expected to move even further upmarket, so a new "Grand Evoque" is definitely needed.

The Grand Evoque will be based on the same platform as the current Evoque, but will be stretched about 12 inches. The extra length will provide more room for rear seat passengers and more cargo room. A third-row seat is also a possibility, but could be hard if designers are trying to maintain the Evoque's coupe-like roofline.

Autocar reports that the Grand Evoque will likely be powered by a new range of four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines. It's expected to launch by 2015.

Land Rover is hard at work on a replacement for the Defender. Land Rover gave us a preview of what the next-generation Defender could be like at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show with the DC100 and DC100 Sport concepts. Now Land Rover is bringing updated versions of the two concepts to the LA Auto Show this week to gauge public reaction and to explore the possibility of bringing the Defender back to the US market.

John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director said, "Our intention is to introduce the all new Defender in the middle of the decade - there's a lot of work to do to meet these dates and our concepts are just the start of the journey. We are here in LA to showcase our DC100 and DC100 Sport concepts and start to actively explore the possibility of bringing the future Defender to North America."

Although Land Rover claims that the concepts have been updated, it is difficult to notice the changes. The concepts now ride on 20-inch alloy wheels and the DC100 concept gets expedition accessories with a raised air-intake 'snorkel' for wading and a roof rack.

Land Rover unveiled the DC100 and DC100 Sport concepts in Frankfurt two months ago. The concepts were a preview of a possible design direction for the next Defender. It's being reported that Land Rover is going to bring an updated version of the DC100 concept to the LA Auto Show that kicks off in two weeks.

The updated DC100 concept will gauge U.S. public reaction, which hopefully means that Land Rover is thinking about bringing the next Defender to the U.S.

The next Defender is still a ways off, since Land Rover plans to release it by 2015.

Motor Trend has announced this year's winner of the SUV of the Year award, the 2012 Range Rover Evoque.

According to Motor Trend, the "Evoque transcends conventional perceptions of a sport/utility vehicle; seamlessly combining sporty styling and agility, with off-road prowess and utility."

This year the publication tested 10 SUV's, which on off-road capability and ruggedness on a three-mile course of highly-challenging terrain, a 35-mile loop filled with twisting back roads, open highways and low speed in-town driving.

"The Evoque quickly emerged as the stand-out vehicle of this year's field during our testing," said Angus MacKenzie, Editor-in-Chief of Motor Trend. "Its performance against the award criteria was very strong. With its dramatic styling, refined on-road manners, and impressive off-road ability, the Evoque sets the benchmark for the fast-growing compact luxury SUV class. Land Rover has a worldwide hit on its hands with the Range Rover Evoque."

Range Rover is reportedly mulling the idea of a more powerful version of its recently introduced Evoque. According to Autocar the high-performance version of the Evoque is powered by the same Ford-derived 2.0L as the standard Evoque, but it packs a higher pressure turbo to give it 300 horsepower, up from the current 237.

Evoque program director David Mitchell has been driving around in an Evoque prototype with the upgraded engine and he states that the chassis can handle the extra power.

The only big dilemma is how to badge a high-performance version of the Evoque, since Range Rover does not currently have a performance sub-brand.

The original Land Rover Defender debuted in 1948 and after selling two-million units Land Rover remains committed to replacing the iconic Land Rover Defender by 2015.

John Edwards, Global Brand Director, Land Rover stated, "The entire Land Rover team is excited about the opportunity, and the responsibility, of creating the replacement for the iconic Land Rover Defender. Loved the world over for its simple, honest and distinctive design, we are determined that the new Defender will be true to its heritage while meeting the requirements of a changing global market. We plan to engage with existing and potential customers to help us finalize the details of the new vehicle. One thing's for sure, it's going to be an exciting journey, and we can't wait to get going."

The DC100 and DC100 Sport concepts are being revealed at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and represent a possible direction for the next Defender. Both concepts are described as modern interpretations of the Defender.

Both concepts are powered by 2.0L four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines with hybrid and plug-in capabilities. The concepts bring the Defender into the 21st century with new technology like the Terrain-i scanning device that warns the driver of obstacles when off-roading and can suggest alternative routes. "Wade Aid" uses sonar technology to assess water depth and advise the driver of optimum speed for water fording. The paint even has self-cleaning and healing capabilities.

After 63 years its finally time for Land Rover to replace the Defender. Land Rover is committed to replacing the Defender by 2015. To gauge public opinion on where the automaker should take the next Defender, Land Rover is unveiling the DC100 concept in Frankfurt.

The DC100 concept isn't going to debut until next month, but in the meantime Land Rover has released this preview.

Gerry McGovern, Director of Design, Land Rover stated, "Replacing the iconic Defender is one of the biggest challenges in the automotive design world; it is a car that inspires people worldwide. This isn't a production-ready concept but the beginning of a four-year journey to design a relevant Defender for the 21st century."

John Edwards, Global Brand Director, Land Rover added: "Loved the world over for its simple, honest and distinctive design, we are determined that the new Defender will be true to its heritage, while meeting the requirements of a changing global market.

We plan to engage with existing and potential customers to help us finalize the details of the new vehicle. One thing's for sure, it's going to be an exciting journey, and we can't wait to get going."

Land Rover is committed to finding a replacement for the 63-year old Defender and is expected to reveal a new Defender concept at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show. Land Rover is going to show off the new concept to show that it is serious about keeping the Defender alive and get feedback on the all-new model.

Since the 63-year old Defender basically established the Land Rover brand, it's not going to be easy to design a new one that will continue to appeal to the Defender's buyers. Land Rover's brand director John Edwards has stated that the next Defender has to be configured in such a way that it has advantages over its competitors in order to justify its higher price. The new Defender also needs to be designed for the militaries that use it.

The next Defender is expected to be released in 2015. Land Rover hopes to sell between 60,000-80,000 units annually.

Currently Land Rover and Jaguar are using engines from its former parent, Ford. But future models could get engines developed by the brands' new parent Tata.

Tata is considering jointly developing engines with Jaguar and Land Rover according to its chairman Ratan Tata. He stated that the goal is to "optimize the synergetic strengths between JLR and Tata Motors in India". If the program is approved engines could be produced in the U.K. and India.

By developing engines in-house with Jaguar and Land Rover, Tata would be able to cut costs, which would help make the vehicles cheaper for price sensitive markets like India.

Tata is also looking at producing cars in China.

Land Rover has given the Euro-spec 2012 Range Rover Sport a few upgrades in the form of a more powerful 3.0L V6 turbodiesel and a new ZF eight-speed automatic transmission.

The 3.0L V6 turbodiesel gets horsepower bump from 241-hp to 252-hp and is now more fuel efficient thanks to the new 8-speed gearbox.

The 5.0L Supercharged Range Rover Sport remains unchanged. The Autobiography Sport and Limited Edition versions get revised interiors and a new power tailgate has also been added.

"The enhancements to the 2012 Range Rover Sport will ensure this car retains its position as one of the most economical and dynamic high performance SUVs on the market today. With greater levels of diesel engine efficiency, lower fuel emissions and exciting new features, the Range Rover Sport continues to live up to its reputation for power and refinement," said John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director.

Land Rover has officially started production of the 2012 Range Rover Evoque. The first Range Rover Evoque to roll off the production line at Land Rover's Halewood plant was a white five-door model, which will be to the British Motor Industry Heritage trust.

Land Rover has already received 18,000 orders for the Evoque and LR has doubled its workforce to over 3,000 employees to help meet the demand for the new model.

"The Evoque is an incredibly exciting vehicle that joins a product range which across both of our brands is the strongest we have ever had - and it fits in perfectly." commented Dr Ralf Speth, Jaguar Land Rover Chief Executive Officer."

Land Rover has announced the pricing for the 2012 Range Rover Evoque, which starts st $43,995 for the five-door and $44,995 for the coupe version.

According to Land Rover, the 2012 Range Rover Evoque is the lightest and most fuel efficient Range Rover ever. The Evoque gets 28 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city.

Land Rover states, "Weight saving was a primary objective in the development of the
Range Rover Evoque, and engineers have applied a range of advanced lightweight materials to make this the lightest Range Rover model ever, with the five-door starting at just 3,680lbs (1,680 kg)***. Weight-saving technologies can be found throughout the bodyshell and chassis of the Range Rover Evoque, including a steel body structure with over 18%*** Boron/high strength steels in key load-bearing areas. Additional features include polymer and composite front fenders and tailgate, an aluminum hood, roof panels, front lower control arms and front/rear suspension knuckles, and a magnesium cross car beam."

The 2012 Range Rover Evoque is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged engine that's been borrowed from Ford. It puts out 240 horsepower mated to a six-speed transmission. The Coupe and Five-Door models are available in Pure, Prestige and Dynamic trim levels.

Land Rover is currently deciding whether it needs to add a fourth model to the Range Rover lineup. Land Rover is trying to decide if a new vehicle is needed to bridge the gap between the Range Rover Evoque and the Range Rover Sport.

According to insiders a new model, dubbed the "Grand Evoque" is being considered, which would take the Evoque's sporty design and apply to a more family friendly SUV. The new model would keep the Evoque's coupe-like styling, but would be closer in size to the BMW X6. The "Grand Evoque" would be based on the same LR-MS platform as the Evoque, but would be stretched by as much as 12 inches to increase rear legroom and storage space in the back. A third-row seat is unlikely, since designers are keen on keeping the coupe-like roofline from the Evoque.

The fourth Range Rover would also be offered in both front and all-wheel-drive versions with a choice of four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines.

There is also word that this platform could be used for the basis of a new Jaguar crossover.

Land Rover unveiled the Electric Range_e concept in Geneva last month. The concept was a diesel plug-in hybrid, based on the Range Rover Sport. It features a 3.0L TDV6 diesel that was mated to an electric motor and an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox. It could travel up to 20 miles in full electric mode and travel just under 700 miles on a single tank. The concept was obviously a preview of things to come.

Land Rover's Global Brand Director, John Edwards recently spoke to Inside Line in which he confirmed that a series of new hybrids over the next few years. Land Rover "will introduce a top-down strategy," focusing on the larger models "where the greatest consumption gains are to be made."

The first model to be released with a hybrid will be the new 2012 Range Rover, that will get a hybrid version in 2013. A plug-in hybrid version will debut in 2014. The initial hybrid models will be Land Rover's higher end models. Since Land Rover is employing a top-down strategy it is unlikely that a hybrid version of the new Evoque will be released.

Jaguar is also expected to use the new technology as well.

The Range Rover Evoque is easily going to become the best looking model in the Range Rover lineup when it is released later this year. While we wait patiently for the small Range Rover, German Tuner Arden has unveiled a new upgrade kit for the crossover.

The package officially turns the Evoque into the Arden AR8 City-Roader and comes with a body kit, which includes a new front apron, side skirts and a new rear apron. It also gets a new stainless-steel exhaust system and Dakar II rims. Under the hood there is also a small power upgrade for the turbocharged 2.0L 4-cyl, which bumps up the final horsepower number to 270 from 240 in the standard Evoque.

If your in Europe and for some reason you don't think the current Range Rover Sport has enough "luxury", Land Rover has the model for you. Land Rover is releasing a new Luxury edition of the Range Rover Sport in Europe.

The Luxury edition fits in between the HSE and Autobiography editions of the Range Rover Sport. It comes with a sunroof, heated steering wheel, contrast-stitching leather trim and a Harman/Kardon audio system. It's powered exclusively by the 245 horsepower 3.0L turbodiesel V6 in Europe. The starting price is €110,000.

The 2011 Geneva Motor Show is almost here. Land Rover has announced plans to bring four models to the show the: Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition, Discovery 4 'Landmark' Limited Editions and the Electric 'Range_e', that you see here.

The Electric 'Range_e' diesel hybrid plug-in prototype is based on the Range Rover Sport and is powered by a 3.0L TDV6 diesel and electric motor that is mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. The driving range of the Range_e is almost 700 miles and the SUV can drive up to 20 miles on electricity alone.

The 2012 Range Rover Evoque isn't scheduled to go on sale until the end of next year, but tuners like Azfal Kahn and his team are already hard at work.

Besides this single image all that we know is that the Kahn Range Rover Evoque will be powered by Cosworth.

The three-door Range Rover Evoque was officially unveiled in September at the Paris Motor Show and now we have our first look at the five-door version that is going to be unveiled in LA next week.

The five-door version of the Evoque remains true to the original LRX concept and will be powered by the same 237-hp 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder as the three-door. The five-door also has a slightly taller roof than the three-door.

The 2012 Range Rover Evoque will be available in fall 2011.

Range Rover has unveiled its smallest model yet, the upcoming 2012 Evoque. The Evoque is 17 inches shorter and 7 inches lower than the Range Rover Sport. It is powered by a 2.0L Ford EcoBoost engine, that of course isn't called EcoBoost. Instead it is called the Si4 and puts out 240-hp. It's mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. In Europe the Evoque will be also be available with a 2.2L turbodiesel.

Phil Popham, managing director of Land Rover said, "The groundbreaking all-new Range Rover Evoque takes the brand into exciting new territory. Highly relevant and contemporary, the Range Rover Evoque will appeal to a whole new group of customers who may not have considered a Range Rover before."

Sales of the 2012 Evoque will start in Fall 2011 and it will be available in 160 countries worldwide.

It's rumored that Range Rover's upcoming Evoque is going to be offered with Ford's new 200-hp 2.0L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. According to Autocar prototypes of the baby Range Rover are currently being tested on Nürburgring with the Ford engine. Of course land Rover will not confirm the rumors.

The 2.0L EcoBoost is the same engine that is also going to be offered in the 2011 Ford Explorer, but with 240-hp instead of 200-hp.

The Range Rover Evoque will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show

Land Rover has unveiled the new 2011 LR2/ Freelander 2, which is now available in a more fuel efficient front-wheel-drive version. The new front wheel drive model will be the most fuel efficient Land Rover ever produced in large part due to the fact that it is also mated to a 2.2L turbocharged diesel engine. As of right now Land Rover has no plans to bring the front-wheel-drive version to the US or even a diesel version of its smallest model.

"The new Freelander 2 eD4 moves Land Rover into the hugely popular and fiercely contested two wheel-drive SUV market," said Land Rover managing director Phil Popham. "The European market for two-wheel drive SUVs represents 23 percent of the segment and we intend to compete strongly here.

"A 2WD option is just one way in which we are developing our vehicles' efficiency whilst adding to the Land Rover range and expanding our appeal to a broader group of customers. We will continue to make the 'world's finest all-terrain vehicles' for those customers who require 4WD but will also now offer an alternative."

When Land Rover launches the production version of the LRX this fall it will it will launch with a front-wheel-drive variant. Land Rover initially ruled out creating a front-wheel-drive LRX, but due to the growth of the front-wheel-drive segment, Land Rover was forced to.

The front-wheel-drive version will not be available at launch, instead it will follow "shortly after" the four-wheel-drive version is launched.

Land Rover has yet to announce what the official name for the "coupe SUV" will be.

If you live in the UK and like the Land Rover Freelander, Land Rover has just unveiled the 2010 Freelander 2 Sport.

The "sport" version of the Freelander features an exterior that comes in either Santorini Black or Lago Grey with color keyed trim, a rear spoiler and 19-inch alloy wheels. Inside there is a two-tone interior trim in contrasting Ebony and Storm. You can choose between a full leather interior or a cloth/leather setup.

The Freelander 2 Sport is powered by a 2.2L TD4 diesel power unit. It goes on sale in January 2010 with a starting price of £26,695.

Land Rover has officially confirmed the production of the LRX concept, which is not really much of a surprise to anyone. The production version of the concept will join Land Rover's lineup in 2011.

According to Land Rover the new Range Rover will be the smallest, lightest and most efficient vehicle ever produced by the automaker.

Phil Popham, managing director of Land Rover said: "The production of a small Range Rover model is excellent news for our employees, dealers and customers. It is a demonstration of our commitment to investing for the future, to continue to deliver relevant vehicles for our customers, with the outstanding breadth of capability for which we are world-renowned."

Final details have not been released, but the official photo rendering of the production version shows that its styling will remain close to the concept.

Land Rover showed off the LRX concept at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year. The two-door concept was based on the same platform as the current Freelander/ LR2. It's expected that this coming June Land Rover is going to unveil the production version to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original unveiling of the first Land Rover. The actual date is June 17th and the LRX could be positioned as the new more environmentally friendly face of Range Rover.

Sources are claiming that the small SUV will enter production in 2011 as a 2012 model. Production would take place at at Land Rover's Halewood facility in the UK, which currently produces the LR2. In addition to gasoline and diesel powered models, a hybrid may also be in the works.

Land Rover has announced that the automaker has officially sold 500,000 vehicles in the U.S.

Although gas prices and the economy have hurt Land Rover's sales recently, Land Rover sold 100,000 vehicles since July 2006. In contrast it took Land Rover 10 years to sell its first 100,000 vehicles.

Land Rover first entered the U.S. in 1987 and is also celebrating its 60th anniversary.

According to AutoCar, Land Rover is working on a new 7-Seater SUV that will be released by 2012.

Ford has finally announced the agreement for Tata Motors to officially take ownership of Land Rover and Jaguar.

Land Rover unveiled the LRX Concept in Detroit and although the vehicle is labeled as only a concept, the automaker is going to bring a black and silver LRX to the Geneva Auto Show. The black and silver LRX Concept will be shown alongside the original white LRX.

We now have the official photos and info about the upcoming Land Rover LRX concept.

This past September Land Rover released a single teaser image of its upcoming concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Now one of the first official photos of the concept has been leaked.

Land Rover didn't have anything new to show at this year's Frankfurt Auto Show, but the automaker did tease us with an image of an upcoming baby Land Rover.

The new Land Rover LR2 has only been on our shores since this spring, but this November there will be a new version of the LR2, the LR2 HSE.