2012 Range Rover Evoque

The Evoque is a big step forward for Land Rover. Not only because it is the smallest and most fuel efficient model in the British firm's range, but also because its styling will influence the design of the new 2012 Range Rover (spied here testing with heavy camouflage), according to the company’s head of design Gerry McGovern.
“There are aspects of the design that will be key. Range Rovers usually have a level window line and the body’s side and glass areas are equal. We’ve got rid of both on the Evoque, but we’ve still got the signature floating roof” said McGovern in an interview with Autocar magazine.
In addition, both the windscreen and the rear window will have a steeper angle, contributing to the sportier feel of the new Range Rover, while the interior will bear some resemblance to the Evoque. Land Rover says it will try to improve interior space, especially for rear passengers.
Reducing fuel consumption is also priority, not only with the use of more modern engines but also by constructing the Range Rover from alloy panels which is said to help shave about 450kg (992 pounds) reducing the weight to around 2,200kg (4,850 pounds).

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Land Rover Rumored to Reveal New Defender Concept

Designing a new car from scratch is a relatively easy task for an automaker –provided it has the resources. Replacing an icon, however, is much more difficult.
Especially if said icon has a long and distinguished history and has made its manufacturer synonymous to hardcore 4x4 capabilities. The Defender is one such example.
However, that’s what Land Rover intends to do, and the first step will reportedly be the unveiling of a new Defender concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Land Rover director John Edwards told Autocar magazine that he “can’t imagine not producing a successor” to the four-wheel drive that established the brand. However the market is now much more competitive and Land Rover's owner Tata Motors must find a way to make the new Defender a credible rival that can command higher prices without losing its legendary character.
Edwards admits that for the project, which is scheduled to begin production in 2015, to be viable, annual sales must be in the 60-80,000 units region.
In comparison, only 18,000 Defenders were sold worldwide last year. Edwards says that, like the 4x4 it intends to replace, it must be versatile and reliable enough to adapt to army use.
Currently Land Rover is considering all options for the new Defender’s underpinnings, from using a modified Discovery chassis to designing something completely new.
Whatever the British company decides, one thing is for sure: they need to satisfy the loyalists and at the same time attract a much larger clientele.

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Evoque “Victoria Beckham Special Edition” Delayed by Daughter’s Birth

Apparently, Land Rover views the Range Rover Evoque not only as its smallest, more frugal and most affordable model that will bring new customers to the brand, but also as a lifestyle statement.

That’s why, according to company insiders, Land Rover is ready for the launch of a “Victoria Beckham Special Edition” named after the former pop star and the company’s new creative design director.

Said insiders told British magazine Autocar that the design of the special edition Evoque has been finalized. However the launch is being delayed until the former Spice Girl is ready to work again after giving birth to her and Los Angeles Galaxy football player’s David Beckham, daughter.

Land Rover has not yet revealed any information regarding the launch date or the specifications of the car. Given Victoria’s style, we expect a “posh” interior and, probably, a matching price tag for the privilege of owning one.

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UK Insurer Parts the Most Unreliable and Costly Car

In an article on a BMW-faced Honda Accord we found for sale on Craigslist back in 2008, we wrote that in a perfect world, our ultimate car would be “designed by Italians, engineered by Germans, built by Japanese and marketed by Americans”.So, what’s the worst car one could imagine? Well, if we played around with the above statements, we’d say one designed by Japanese, engineered by Americans, built by Italians and marketed by Germans.
But UK insurance firm Warranty Direct had something a little bit different in mind. Instead of playing the origin card, the company decided to check out its database of 50,000 live policies on cars aged five years on average to part the UK’s most unreliable vehicle that would break down every other month and cost an average of £2,050 (equal to US$3,270 - €2,330) to fix each year.
By studying its Reliability Index tool that measures car reliability by considering average cost of repair, frequency of failure, age and mileage, the UK firm came up with an owner’s nightmare, which it calls the Monster Mk1.
The most unreliable car would be powered by an MG TF engine, ride on the suspension of a BMW M3, and have the electric workings of the Renault Megane, the air-conditioning system of a Seat Alhambra, the heating system of a Seat Toledo, the ignition of a Mercedes V-Class, the steering system of a Volvo C70, the gearbox of a Land Rover Freelander and the brakes of an Audi A8.
Commenting on the results, Warranty Direct managing director, Duncan McClure Fisher, said: “The Monster Mk1 represents the worst-performing vehicles in every sector, from suspension to electrics, on our roads today. The wide range of cars included in our special blend highlights how mostly reliable cars can be dragged down by one problem part.”
According to the British company, nearly 40 percent of BMW M3s require repairs to axle and suspension components alone each year, while the same percentage of Renault Meganes report an electrical fault on an basis.
Furthermore, one in five Land Rover Freelanders suffer transmission glitches each year and the same number of Audi A8s will need repairs to their brakes.
The company also found that almost a fourth of MG’s TF sports car owners will experience engine troubles, while more than one in eight SEAT Alhambra MPVs will need their air-con fixed during a typical year.

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Land Rover Updates Discovery 4 / LR4 for 2012MY, With New 8-Speed Auto Transmission

The Land Rover Discovery 4, also known as the LR4 in North America, is entering the 2012 model year with some minor refinements, the most important of which is the introduction of a new ZF 8HP70, 8-speed automatic transmission on the 3.0-liter SDV6 diesel engine which also benefits from a power boost.

First fitted to the Range Rover TDV8 for 2011, the 8-speed auto helps improve fuel consumption to 8.8lt/100km (26.7mpg US or 32.1mpg UK) in the combined cycle and bring down CO2 emissions from 244g/km to 230g/km.

Along with the new auto box, the updated Discovery 4 also comes equipped with the 'Drive Select' rotary gear shift and steering wheel-mounted paddle shift as standard.

The refined for the 2012MY 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel now delivers 256-horses, up from 245HP, while peak torque stands at 600Nm (443 lb-ft).

In addition to the powertrain improvements, the 2012MY Discovery 4 gains two new alloy wheel designs, three new optional packages including the Vission Assist Pack with Xenon Adaptive Front Headlamps including Cornering Lamps, Automatic Headlamps with High Beam Assist and the Surround Camera System with Approach Lamps, Tow Assist / Hitch Assist, plus improved audio and navigation systems throughout the range.

"Improved performance, lower CO₂ emissions and enhanced design and equipment levels, consolidate the Discovery 4's position as the most capable and versatile all-purpose vehicle on and off the road today. The Discovery 4 is quite simply in a class of its own," said Colin Green, Land Rover UK Managing Director.

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Project Kahn’s New Range Rover Sport

The tuners over at Project Kahn have unleashed a new customized version of the Range Rover Sport called the Miyagi edition. According to the design house, the new special edition was created with “a view to aiding the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan”. And by that, Project Kahn means to raise awareness and have customers donate to the people of Japan through the company’s website.

The founder of Project Kahn, Afzal Kahn says the Miyagi edition is the last Land Rover to feature the company’s special Bali Blue hue. “With regards to the “Miyagi” edition, Land Rover’s decision to no longer offer the Bali Blue color affords A. Kahn Design an opportunity to build a bespoke vehicle that will hopefully be remembered for all the right reasons,” said Kahn.

Besides the Bali Blue color, the Miyagi edition sports a flat black finish for the roof, the central part of the hood and the exterior trim details such as the side air vents.

A ten piece Kahn body kit that includes a restyled front bumper with fog lamp surrounds in billet steel finish, a rear bumper replacement with exhaust diffuser, side skirts, side vents with double mesh, and rear quad stainless steel exhaust system by Cosworth along with the bespoke 22-inch RS Cosworth wheels complete the exterior modifications.

On the inside, the Miyagi editions features bespoke quilted leather upholsteries along with a new speedometer, rev counter and clock, plus contrasting silver stitching for the steering wheel and gear shift knob.

Project Kahn said the Range Rover Sport Miyagi Edition is available for order now with prices starting from £69,000 for the diesel model and £89,000 for the petrol version.

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Land Rover Begins Production of Range Rover Evoque Series

Series production of the long-anticipated Range Rover Evoque began on Monday, July 4, at Land Rover’s Halewood plant. The “baby Range” has already raked in 18,000 advance orders from customers in more than 170 countries worldwide, and is expected to contribute to the UK economy with a £ 2 billion annual export value, along with another £ 2 billion spent on UK suppliers.
"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.
In order to build the Evoque, the company had to more than double Halewood’s workers, to over 3,000 employees, with 75% of its production destined for export.
The Evoque is just the first in a (quite ambitious) program of 40 new products that parent company, Jaguar Land Rover, plans to implement in the next five years. To achieve its goals, the automaker plans to invest £ 1.5 billion annually in developing new models, engines and technologies.

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Land Rover Announces U.S. Prices for the 2012 Evoque

Land Rover’s Evoque, the smallest model in the Range Rover lineup, will go on sale in the USA this fall, however, the company has already released pricing information, with the 3-door model starting at $44,995, and the 5-door at $43,995, including destination.
The Indian-owned British company also announced preliminary fuel consumption figures with the Evoque rated at 28mpg on the highway and 19mpg in the city.
The U.S.-specification Range Rover Evoque is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and is designed to be a direct rival to premium compact SUVs like the BMW X1 and the recently launched Audi Q3.
Like its rivals, the Evoque’s orientation is more towards on-road performance and refinement, as well as cabin luxury.

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The Biggie-size Land Rover Evoque

Autοcar is reporting that Land Rοver may be looking intο super-sizing its new Evoque mini-crοssover. Wοrd has apparently cοme down from shadowy sοurces inside the cοmpany that indicates executives are looking tο add a fourth model tο the Land Rοver line.

If yοu believe what you read οn the internet, that vehicle will slοt between the Evoque and the Range Rover Sport in terms οf size and price (what this wοuld mean for the LR2/Freelander, we are nοt sure), but will likely be built οn the bones οf the smaller Rover.

The creatiοn even has a name; "Grand Evoque," which sοunds mοre than a little like a character pulled out οf George Lucas', um, mind.

Autocar indicates that the mοοted Grand Evoque will even wear similar styling tο its smaller forebearer. That includes making use οf a traditional five-door design tο allow fοr easy ingress and egress with coupe-like aesthetics.

Autοcar says that the motivatiοn behind crafting a mid-sized CUV for the Land Rover line cοmes from the fact that American buyers are pumping cash intο the segment at a blistering pace and that the Chinese market is similarly ripe fοr an explοsiοn.

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