Jaguar Land Rover to bulid $700 million engine plant

September 23rd, 2011 by Car and SUV

Jaguar Land Rover is to build a US$700 million new, state-of-the-art advanced engine facility at Staffordshire, near Wolverhampton in the English Midlands. It will manufacture a family of all-new advanced technology low emission 4-cylinder JLR petrol and diesel engines.

Following a successful Frankfurt International Motor Show and recent discussions between Jaguar Land Rover and UK Government ministers, JLR has confirmed a US$700 million investment in a new facility to manufacture all-new,low-emissions engines in the UK.

The new advanced engine facility will be built at i54 South Staffordshire, a business park near Wolverhampton in the UK’s Midlands.

“As part of our long-term strategy for the JLR business, we will design, engineer and manufacture a new family of advanced engines. This is a major commitment for our company and we will produce these advanced, highly-efficient engines for future Jaguar and Land Rover models at a new facility in the UK” said Dr Ralf Speth, the chief executive officer of JLR. Read the rest of this entry »

Land Rover shows two Defender concepts at Frankfurt

September 15th, 2011 by Car and SUV

For sixty two years old the Defender has been put through a variety of duties around the world and now Land Rover is getting busy developing its replacement. To show fans its progress Land Rover has just revealed two dashing new concepts for the iconic Defender at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Named DC100 and DC100 Sport, the two concepts showcase the direction and thinking behind the ongoing development of the new Land Rover Defender, intended for production in 2015.

Defender purists have always respected the off-road machines rugged ability and simplicity, that’s why almost 2 million units have been sold over the years. Land Rover Director, John Edwards, was quick to reassure fans that the Defender’s core character will remain unchanged.

“The Defender was loved the world over for its simple, honest and distinctive design,” says Edwards. “We are determined that the new Defender will be true to its heritage while meeting the requirements of a changing global market.” Read the rest of this entry »

NZ-bound Range Rover Evoque previewed in Auckland

September 2nd, 2011 by Car and SUV

The new Range Rover Evoque isn’t due to go on sale in NZ till November but was given a sneak preview at an Auckland event last night. Land Rover customers and interested parties checked out the striking design of the new SUV at Archibald and Shorter Roverland in Greenlane.

When the compact luxury off-roader arrives in NZ it will be available with a choice of three engines, two body styles, three design themes and a range of options and accessories. The body shapes are a five-door and 2-door coupe with the design themes being Pure, Dynamic and Prestige. Standard features will include push button start, electric park brake, rear parking aid, colour TFT information screen, 6/4 way adjustable electric seats. Optional equipment include three contrasting roof treatments, seven alloy wheel designs, 16 contrasting interiors and a full sized, fixed, panoramic glass roof. Read the rest of this entry »

Land Rover previews next Defender with DC100 concept

September 1st, 2011 by Car and SUV

The Land Rover Defender is an automotive icon and one of the most recognisable cars in the world so replacing it is no easy feat. But Land Rover is busy making plans to do exactly that and has just revealed its first concept – the DC100.

Scheduled for its first public showing at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, the DC100 concept gives a glimpse of the styling which may feature on the Defender replacement in 2015.

Commenting on the DC100 concept car, Land Rover’s design boss, Gerry McGovern, said, “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.” Read the rest of this entry »

Land Rover hands over fleet of Rugby World Cup vehicles

August 22nd, 2011 by Car and SUV

Last Friday, Land Rover handed over a special fleet of vehicles to Rugby World Cup Ltd (RWCL) in a ceremony outside Eden Park Stadium. As Official Vehicle of the Rugby World Cup, Land Rover has provided 30 vehicles to tournament organisers and officials. This special fleet is made up of Range Rover Sports and Land Rover Discoverys.

The vehicles have been specially customised with RWC branding, number plates and commemorative badging to celebrate the association throughout New Zealand.

Kit McConnell, Tournament Director of RWCL, was presented with the fleet by Land Rover at Eden Park, which will host the first game on Friday 9th September. “The provision of the Official Vehicles by Land Rover is key to the successful running of the Rugby World Cup and will be put to good use to ensure that the Tournament is run smoothly over the next couple of months,” said Mr McConnell.

In addition to the vehicles being supplied to the RWCL, Land Rover is also supplying another 42 vehicles for Land Rover VIPs and international media use during the tournament, bringing the total number of Land Rovers and Range Rovers imported specifically for the tournament to 72. Read the rest of this entry »

Range Rover Evoque – NZ pricing and specs annouced

June 30th, 2011 by Car and SUV

Pricing and local specification has just been announced for Range Rover’s all new Evoque. The compact SUV is expected to arrive in New Zealand before the end of the year will be available from $79,990

The Evoque will be available with a choice of three engines, two body styles, three design themes and a range of customization options and accessories.

It will be available in two body shapes a 5-door and a 2-door Coupe with initial deliveries starting from November.

The Evoque will touch down in three design themes: Pure, Dynamic and Prestige and there will be optional equipment and styling packs. Options available include three contrasting roof treatments, seven alloy wheel designs, 16 contrasting interiors and a full sized, fixed, panoramic glass roof. Standard features will include push button start, electric park brake, rear parking aid, colour TFT information screen, 6/4 way adjustable electric seats.

All Evoques will come with a six speed automatic 4WD transmission. Manual gearbox models will only be available to specific customer order. Read the rest of this entry »

Land Rover lands Rugby World Cup fleet vehicles in NZ

June 27th, 2011 by Car and SUV

With 73 days to go until Rugby World Cup 2011 kicks off, Land Rover, as the Official Vehicle Partner of the tournament, has delivered a fleet of special Rugby World Cup 2011 vehicles to New Zealand.

Land Rover is set to keep the vehicles coming with cars for the organisers, teams and officials. The majority of a fleet 75 vehicles, mainly Range Rover Sports and Land Rover Discoverys, arrived today at the Port of Auckland with the balance of the vehicles being delivered before the tournament starts on September 9th. The vehicles will be specially customised with Rugby World Cup 2011 branding, RWC 2011 number plates, and commemorative badging to promote the association throughout New Zealand.

Gary Upson, Brand Manager, Land Rover NZ  commented, “We are really excited to be supporting the Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand and are pleased that we could bring vehicles into the country to help with the event. The Land Rovers will be put to good use between now and October by the IRB representatives, teams and officials, and the fleet will help the Tournament to run smoothly.”

The Tournament will be attended by fans from around the globe and will be watched by a TV audience of over four billion in more than 200 countries. Read the rest of this entry »

Land Rover to upsize Evoque with ‘Grand’ model

June 23rd, 2011 by Car and SUV

Recent reports are suggesting that Land Rover is developing a larger Evoque mini-crossover, creating a fourth variant to the Land Rover model line.

Apparently if the mysterious vehicle would find a place between the standard Evoque and the Range Rover Sport in terms of size and also pricing. It would however, be built on the same platform as the Evoque and share much of its running gear. What exactly this would mean for the LR2/Freelander model is uncertain. It may even be named the “Grand Evoque”.  Read the rest of this entry »