Land Rover to Premiere Range E Diesel-Electric Plug-in Hybrid at Geneva Show

The new Land Rover Range_e diesel-electric plug-in prototype that was first teased back in May, 2010, will make its motor show debut at next month's Geneva Salon. The Range_e is said to be one of several working prototypes currently being developed at Land Rover's design and engineering centre in the UK. It is based on the Range Rover Sport model and features a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel engine with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission mated to an, as-of-yet unspecified, electric motor and battery pack.

The British automaker said the all-wheel drive prototype can run purely on electricity for up to a distance of 20 miles or approximately 32 kilometers and emits as low as 89g/km of CO2. The Range_e also has a top speed of 120 mph or 193 km/h and a combined driving range of 690 miles or 1,110 kilometers.

The Range_e will be joined at Land Rover's Geneva Motor Show stand by two new Limited Editions, the Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate and the 2011 Discovery 4 'Landmark' with Black and White themes.

Land Rover added that it will also be announcing full European pricing (excluding UK) for the new Range Rover Evoque in both 3- and 5-door forms, and will also showing a comprehensive range of accessories and options for the vehicle.

Gerry McGovern, Land Rover design director said: "Customers like to make their own unique statement with a vehicle and we have provided individuals with lots of opportunity to personalise their new Range Rover Evoque, whilst maintaining the essence of the design."

Super-Lux Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition heads to Geneva Motor Show

At next month's Geneva Salon, Land Rover will display the new Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition, which is claimed be the firm’s most luxurious model ever.

The highlight of the limited edition model are the two stand-alone rear seats, which are clad in specially selected natural leather and separated by an additional console incorporating an aluminum laptop table and refrigerator. Two Apple iPads, strapped to the front seat headrests, provide the high-tech touch.

The opulence continues in the boot where designers used a teak floor with metal and leather accents. The rest of the interior is dressed in different, but equally exquisite materials, such as the Oxford leather found on the door panels, dashboard and steering wheel, complemented by Kalahari wood veneers.

Available in two unique colors, Roussillon Red and Otago Stone, the Autobiography Ultimate Edition model comes with body-colored door handles, dark atlas radiator grille and side vents. Optional side steps and 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels round up the exterior appointments. Clients from selected markets will be able to specify their cars with the classic Santorini Black paintjob as well.

Power comes from either a 4.4-liter LR-TDV8 diesel or a 5.0-liter LR-V8 supercharged gasoline engine. The oil-burner churns out 313HP and an asphalt-shredding 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. It can propel the heavyweight SUV from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.5 seconds while consuming 9.39 lt/100 km (25.1 US mph) on the combined cycle.

The gasoline engine is capable of 510HP and 625 Nm (461 lb-ft), allowing the Range Rover to complete the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint in just 5.9 seconds.

Both engines are coupled to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels via Range Rover’s sophisticated Terrain Response system, complete with Hill Start Assist and Gradient Acceleration Control.

A total of 500 Ultimate Edition models will be built, with prices to be announced individually for the 20+ markets that will receive the exclusive Range Rover later this year.

2010 Range Rover to Hit U.S. Roads from $79,275

Land Rover has released U.S. pricing for its updated 2010 Range Rover that made its world debut alongside the facelifted Range Rover Sport and Discovery 4 (LR4) at the New York motorshow in April. The base Range Rover HSE that is equipped with a new 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 producing 375HP starts from $79,275 while the 510HP Supercharged model will set you back by a hefty $95,125. Both prices include a $850 destination and delivery charge but not tax, title and registration fees. For detailed information and a high-res gallery of the 2010MY Range Rover, click here.

Land Rover Releases UK Pricing for 2010 Range Rover Sport and Discovery 4

The revised 2010 Range Rover Sport and 2010 Discovery 4 will go on sale in the UK from the beginning of September priced from £44,895 and £31,995 respectively. The entry-level version of the Range Rover Sport is moved by a 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel while the base Discovery 4 by a 2.-7-liter V6 turbo diesel. Both models features new engines, subtle cosmetic enhancements on the outside and redesigned interiors. Hit the jump for the detailed price list.

Land Rover, Freelander 2 Claynation Campaign "Anywhere Is Possible"

Always a big fan of claymation in advertising, this TV advert from the UK is a visual stunning work of art. The TV commercial features characters and settings morphing into each other as the Land Rover rolls along, resulting in some impressive effects. It took over 44 Model Makers, Designers and Animators to complete the spot, and even a fully animatable Freelander 2 was built.


Credits:
Advertising Agency: RKCR/Y&R/Wunderman,UK
Production Company: Hornet
Post Production: Tag
Executive Creative Director for Land Rover: Graham Lang
Writer: Mark Waldron
Art Director: Dave Godfree
Digi CD: Mike Watson
Digi Writer: Sophie Clark
Digi Art Director: Fiona Clark

NEW 2010 Land Rover Range Rover 4X4

For 2010, the Range Rover gets a variety of upgrades aimed at improving the driving experience: both available engines have an extra dose of horsepower, the interior is even more luxurious, and the level of technology, both inside the cabin and under the skin, is more impressive than ever.

The Look

We'll forgive you if your eyes can't detect the slight changes in appearance from a distance. In addition to a revised grille, LEDs around the headlamps and taillamps, and slightly different side gills with LEDs that function as turn indicators, the fog lights move from the front bumper down to the sides of the air intake. The current Range Rover has aged quite well, so only minor changes seem appropriate.

The Power

For 2010, all Land Rover models get the new direct-injection 5.0-liter V-8. Horsepower is up 75, to 375 hp, and torque is at 375 lb-ft -- both figures represent big upgrades over the aging 4.2-liter V-8, which sometimes struggled to move vehicles as big and heavy as a Land Rover. Supercharged models share the 5.0-liter block but also get an intercooled sixth-generation Eaton blower that pushes power to 510 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. The whole supercharger/intercooler assembly fits nicely in the valley of the engine, the revised air intake is more efficient, and supercharger whine has been reduced by more than 50%.


Both engines are mated to a ZF six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The increase in power from the 5.0-liter engines allows the torque converter to lock up earlier, which increases fuel efficiency. An adaptive sport mode provides more aggressive shift points and "learns" an individual driver's style to provide more appropriate responses to throttle inputs.

Off-Road

Half the reason to consider purchasing a Land Rover is its proven off-road prowess. For 2010, the Range Rover receives some significant improvements in this area. Land Rover's Terrain Response system now includes a launch control program for starting the SUV in sand. In this mode, wheel spin is limited, based on the vehicle's speed, to turn power into forward motion rather than digging a trench. Revisions to rock crawling mode and hill descent control also promise an easier time on the trail. Gradient release control is another new feature that prevents the vehicle from gathering speed too quickly once the brakes are released on a steep slope.

On-Road

To improve the on-road ride of the Range Rover, adaptive dampers are now used. Pressure at each damper is monitored 500 times per second to allow for instantaneous adjustment of the individual damper's firmness. Like the transmission, the damper system "learns" the driver's style, so responses will be more appropriate for a given situation.

Brake upgrades are also part of the 2010 refresh. Non-supercharged models now have 14.2-inch vented discs with four-piston floating calipers in the front and 13.8-inch vented discs with single-piston aluminum floating calipers in the rear. Supercharged models see 15.0-inch vented discs with six-piston monoblock calipers up front and 14.3-inch vented rotors with single-piston floating calipers out back.

Upgrades to the stability control system allow brakes to be applied to individual wheels if the system determines that the vehicle is taking a corner too quickly. A new rollover prevention system uses a similar strategy to rapidly brake individual wheels in an effort to widen the turning radius and keep the SUV on all four tires. The stability control improvements also offer a trailer sway control system: if the vehicle senses dangerous trailer sway, individual wheels are slowed to bring the rig back in line.

Inside

The Range Rover has been at the top of the luxury SUV mountain for a long time, and this year's interior upgrades promise to keep it there for the foreseeable future. If you have any doubt, just look at the optional full-leather interior package and the upgraded "waterfall" interior lighting system.

Drivers will notice an all-new electronic instrument panel with a twelve-inch TFT display. The display can be customized to show specific information between the speedometer and tachometer via a five-way controller mounted on the steering wheel. Everything from outside temperature to wheel articulation can be displayed there.

An upgraded infotainment interface promises more intuitive operations, with many functions able to be controlled by voice commands, and a hard-drive-based navigation system now offers faster route calculation along with better map coverage.

Technology

Land Rovers have always been full of technology, and the new Range Rover does not disappoint. The most useful technologies are the available blind spot monitoring system and the 360-degree view cameras, similar to those in the considerably smaller Infiniti EX35. In towing assist mode, the camera system even provides guidelines to help determine where the trailer will be while backing up based on several user-entered data points such type of trailer, width, and number of axles.

Other notable electronic assistance systems are adaptive cruise control, emergency brake assistance, and automatic high beam headlamps. The adaptive cruise control system has four settings for following distance that range from 1 to 2.2 seconds of open road between you and the vehicle ahead. The system defaults to 1.8 seconds, which equals about 164 feet at 62 mph. Emergency brake assist uses the same radar as the ACC system and can automatically apply the brakes if a collision is imminent. High beam assist will switch on the brights when the vehicle detects low light levels and then switch back to low beams when traffic approaches.


Perhaps the most important part of all these electrical gadgets is the all-new electrical architecture. The combination of Controller Area Network and Media Oriented Transit System should share data across the vehicle's systems and save weight, with a side benefit of improved reliability, according to Land Rover. We suppose it will take a while to support the claim of a more reliable electrical system, but we hope it's not hyperbole.

The Drive

Once you slip behind the wheel, the 2010 Range Rover's increased power is most impressive. Normally aspirated vehicles are nearly as fast as the outgoing supercharged models and the new supercharged engine is almost frighteningly quick. We've been told to expect 0-to-60-mph sprints in 5.9 seconds and that time doesn't feel optimistic. The shift time has been cut in half when compared with the outgoing six-speed automatic, which also helps with acceleration. When sport mode is dialed in, the shifts are nearly perfect and passing is effortless, even on normally aspirated SUVs.

The predictive dampers were especially impressive during a bout of spirited driving -- the Range Rover is far from a sports car, but it offers remarkably flat cornering and very predictable handling when hustling through back roads that would better suit a Jaguar XF. Throttle tip-in is a bit stiff, but that's more of a characteristic than a problem. We found the variable ratio steering to be quite predictable and it feels surprisingly natural.

In addition to being able to travel the autobahn at speeds up to 140 mph, the Range Rover is quite happy chugging along off-road. The trails we tackled outside Barcelona were quite impressive and the overall experience was rather relaxing and confidence inspiring. If you let the vehicle's Terrain Response System do its job, rather spectacular obstacles can be traversed while you sip a latte or discuss your most recent investments.

When Can I Get One?

The 2010 Land Rover Range Rover will go on sale by the end of July in the U.S. If you're looking to drive one home, be prepared to shell out $79,275 for the normally aspirated HSE model and $95,125 for the Supercharged flavor. Both prices include destination charges, but no options. Land Rover representatives expect sticker prices to range from $80,000 up to nearly $110,000 for a fully loaded Supercharged model with the Autobiography package. Autobiography is the ultimate in luxury and adds features like a full-leather interior and unique 20-inch wheels as part of the $14,500 package.

PricingBase Price, HSE: $79,275Base Price, Supercharged: $95,125

Overview

Body Style: 5-door SUV
Accommodation: 5-passenger
Construction: Steel unibody

Powertrain

Engine: Naturally aspirated or supercharged 32-valve V-8
Displacement: 5.0 liters
Power: 375 hp / 510 hp (supercharged)
Torque: 375 lb-ft / 461 lb-ft (supercharged)
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Drive: Four-wheel

Chassis

Steering: Power-assisted rack-and-pinion
Turns lock-to-lock: 3.5
Turning Circle: 39.4 ft
Suspension, Front: MacPherson strut
Suspension, Rear: Double wishbone
Brakes F/R: Power-assisted ventilated disc; ABS
Wheels: 19-inch aluminum/ 20-inch aluminum (supercharged)
Tire Size: 255/55R19, 255/50R20 (supercharged)

MeasurementsHeadroom F/R: 39.3/38.3 in
Legroom F/R: 38.9/35.5 in
Shoulder Room F/R: 61.4/60 in
Wheelbase: 113.3 in
Track F/R: 64.1/64.0 in
L x W x H: 195.8 x 80.1 x 73.4 in

Cargo Capacity (max): 74.2 cu. ft.
Weight: 5697 lb/ 5891 (supercharged)
Fuel Capacity: 27.6 gal
Towing Capacity: 7716 lbs