Land Rover has announced that it will introduce a 2WD option (in addition to the 4WD derivative) for the new compact Range Rover. On sale in 2011, the 2WD vehicle will emit less than 130 g/km of CO₂ – making it the lightest, most fuel efficient Range Rover ever.

JaguarLandRover has committed to investing £800 million in developing environmental technologies and remains committed to developing vehicles with sustainable features which respond to customer demand. 

Phil Popham, Land Rover managing director said: “Land Rover has announced that the all-new compact Range Rover will be available in 2WD.  This is good news for the company and for our customers. 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 customer base.  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 to those that don’t.” 

As part of the introduction of 2WD, Land Rover will be focussing on three main areas of technology to reduce the weight of Land Rover vehicles, reduce parasitic losses and increase powertrain efficiency. The use of hybrid technology is also part of the significant developments for the larger vehicles in the range. The first diesel hybrid will be available in 2012 and on the road in 2013.

By the end of 2010 Land Rover will be testing the first diesel hybrid prototype called the ‘range_e’ which is being developed using a Range Rover Sport platform. Tests of this vehicle will use the existing 3.0 litre TDV6 diesel engine featuring a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. The goal is to achieve a range of 20 miles using electric power only emitting less than 100 g/km of CO₂ emissions and to achieve a top speed of around 120 mph.

Land Rover has over 60 years of experience developing supremely capable vehicles with pioneering technology such as Terrain Response.  Land Rover sells its vehicles in over 160 countries world-wide and is constantly looking at the market place and developing vehicles that customers in all these markets want to buy.

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Land Rover, in association with the Ski Club of Great Britain, has launched a new free Snow Report app for the iPhone – available to download now from iTunes.

Featuring live snow report data from 250 resorts including snow depths, on and off piste conditions as well as webcams and the latest ski and snowboarding news, this cutting edge service will be invaluable to iPhone users who are passionate about snowsports.

Anthony Bradbury, UK marketing director, Land Rover says: “Land Rover’s all-terrain capability ensure owners can make it to their favourite ski resorts whatever the conditions and now Land Rover, working in partnership with the Ski Club of Great Britain, can offer snowsports enthusiasts up-to-the-minute ski and snow information, whatever their location.”

Land Rover is the Official Vehicle to the Ski Club of Great Britain and Chemmy Allcot, Britain’s Number 1 Female Skier, is a Land Rover Brand Ambassador.

For more information regarding Land Rover’s ski sponsorship, log onto www.landrover.co.uk/sponsorship or visit www.skiclub.co.uk

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In the period October to December 2009, Land Rover UK sales were up 93% year on year.

Sales have been improving consistently in the UK for the last four months as some stability returns to the market place, and the launch of the new 2010 model range has ensured the latest, most efficient, and technologically advanced line-up Land Rover has ever had.  On sale at the beginning of September 2009, sales of the Discovery 4 and Range Rover Sport specifically have improved by 115% and 116% respectively for the last quarter of 2009 over the same period in 2008, which highlights strong demand for Land Rover’s latest offering.

Overall sales for 2009 were strong particularly in the second half of the year, but down 10.8% year on year due to a record-breaking first quarter in 2008. 

Land Rover UK managing director, John Edwards said: ’2009 has been a very hard year for the motor industry – particularly in the premium segment.  However, Land Rover made some tough decisions and restructured our business model to ensure that we were in a strong position to weather the storm. With our new 2010 model range launched to widespread acclaim, we are looking forward to building on our outstanding sales success in the last quarter, and to a brighter 2010.’

The Freelander 2 – with the addition of the new White & Black Special Editions with an entry-level price of £19,495 – represents value for money in the sector, coupled with an efficient powertrain delivering an improved CO2 performance of 179g/km and a combined fuel economy of 42.2mpg.

The Discovery 4 and Range Rover Sport now boast an all-new 3.0-litre TDV6 engine delivering over 30mpg coupled with enhanced styling, all new premium interiors and class-leading technologies.  The Range Rover Sport also features the new 5.0-litre Supercharged petrol engine.  The Discovery 4 has received a number of global accolades since launch in September 2009 illustrating that the most-awarded SUV has just got better.

The new 5.0-litre Supercharged engine, coupled with the more economical but powerful 3.6-litre TDV8 and improved driving dynamics, strengthen the Range Rover’s position as THE ultimate SUV.  World-first automotive applications of the dual view screen and the surround camera system ensure that it is one of the most technologically advanced vehicles on the market.  It has also just been voted the Car of the Decade by Autocar.co.uk readers.

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Land Rover has over 60 years of experience developing supremely capable vehicles that boast four-wheel-drive and pioneering technology such as Electronic Traction Control, Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Terrain Response – which includes a snow setting utilising the vehicles’ traction aids. These all help ensure that Land Rover owners have total peace of mind when travelling in wet and icy conditions.

John Edwards, Land Rover UK managing director comments: ‘When conditions become treacherous, there is one manufacturer that the emergency services turn to – Land Rover. For many years, we have provided local police, ambulance services and recovery agencies with the loan of our vehicles to aid their work when faced with poor driving conditions. In fact, the AA’s specialist Land Rover fleet have been on standby in the South East to help out in the snow overnight.’

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The Freelander 2 ‘White & Black’ Special Editions are new entry-level additions to the Freelander 2 range for the 2010 model year, and will be on sale in January 2010, priced from £19,495 on-the-road.

The Special Editions are available in Alaska White and Santorini Black and both come with the Ebony cloth interior. They represent a lower entry price with a more generous specification and complement the new Freelander 2 Sport, also on sale at the start of next year.

The Freelander 2 ‘White & Black’ models feature the six-speed manual 2.2-litre diesel powertrain, complete with keyless starter button and Land Rover’s intelligent Stop/Start e_technology which delivers combined fuel economy of 42.2mpg. Privacy glass, 17’ alloy wheels and load space cover are also standard.

John Edwards, Land Rover UK managing director said: ‘With a price less than £20,000 and the economical yet powerful diesel engine, the Freelander 2 ‘White & Black’ Special Editions represent exceptional value for money in the compact SUV sector. Couple this with the vehicle’s enhanced styling and specification, the ‘Special Editions’ not only offer the Freelander 2’s trademark ever-ready versatility, but are pleasing to the pocket and to the discerning eye.’

The Freelander 2 is Land Rover’s best-selling model, with over 44,000 sold in the UK since launch in 2006. Sales so far for 2009 represent a 16% share of the sector.
For more information on any of the 2010 models or to book a test drive log onto www.landrover.co.uk

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In showrooms early next year, the Freelander 2 Sport will be available with two derivatives and two colours – Santorini Black and Lago Grey. Both will feature exclusive 19′ limited edition diamond-turned alloy-wheels, a unique two-tone interior together with a rear spoiler, colour-keyed exterior trim and matching door handles and mirror casings.

There is a standard model available in both Black and Lago Grey with cloth interior and one with a sports styling pack available only in Lago Grey.

A unique two-tone interior is introduced on both derivatives, in contrasting Ebony and Storm. The derivative featuring the sports styling pack will offer a leather interior and the standard version with a cloth/leather interior. The sporty theme continues through the cabin, with an Ebony-coloured centre-console and lower fascia complemented with two-tone door casings.

The Sport emblem is embossed on the front and outer rear seat head restraints, with Storm coloured stitching on all seats and unique Ebony interior carpet mats with contrast piping feature throughout.

The Freelander 2 Sport is available with the powerful and economical 2.2-litre TD4 diesel power unit. The manual diesel comes with Stop/Start technology delivering an 8% improvement on CO2 emissions compared to the previous manual diesel Freelander 2 (from 194g/km to 179g/km) and fuel consumption is reduced (from 37.7 to 42.2mpg – an improvement of 4.5mpg).

John Edwards, managing director, Land Rover UK said: ‘With its dynamic styling, the Freelander 2 Sport allows you to combine sporting characteristics with all the sustainability and driveability benefits of the intelligent Stop/Start technology.’

The Freelander 2 Sport goes on sale in January 2010, priced from £26,695 on-the-road.

For more information on any of the 2010 models or to book a test drive log onto www.landrover.co.uk

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The iconic, British-built Land Rover Defender has come top in the What Car? Reader Awards 2009, beating 387 other models covering 52 brands. From over 20,000 reader reviews on www.whatcar.com, the Defender has the highest average overall rating.

What Car? editor Steve Fowler said: ‘The Land Rover Defender has always had a devoted following and owners love what the car does for them. It’s far from the most sophisticated car on the road, but its no-nonsense approach and longevity are what our readers like most about it.’

Another iconic car, the Fiat 500, was top of the Supermini category, while the Jaguar XJ topped the Executive and Luxury Cars category. The highest rated coupe was the super-stylish Audi A5 and the best Open-Top Car was the Mazda MX-5 roadster.

Further proof of Skoda’s resurgence came with the Skoda Octavia getting top marks in the small family car category, while at the other end of the market Porsche topped the performance car category.

Ford were double winners with the Ford Mondeo voted best estate car and the C-Max voted top MPV by What Car? readers.

It wasn’t all good news for Ford, though. At the bottom of the pile was the convertible Ford Focus CC, with readers complaining that it let as much rain in with the roof up as the roof down!

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Land Rover is delighted to announce the launch of the first Official Guinness Premiership iPhone app. The long awaited application provides the latest rugby news, fixtures, scores and results about one of the world’s most competitive leagues as soon as the action happens.

As the Official Vehicle of the Guinness Premiership, Land Rover worked in partnership with Premier Rugby to identify a service that offers supporters the ultimate companion, supplying a multitude of information to their fingertips, wherever they are.

The concise, easy to use application, called Guinness Premiership Rugby has been welcomed by the players who have been impressed with the new mechanic. Tom Rees, London Wasps captain and flanker, commented: ‘This is exactly what Premiership supporters need; it makes rugby accessible to all its followers which is great for the game.’

With the popularity of the Guinness Premiership continuing to grow, Land Rover and Premier Rugby are proud to be developing the game off the pitch by introducing fans to a resource they can benefit from throughout the season. Designed with fans in mind the app is globally available on the iPhone and iPod touch ensuring that rugby fans all over the world have free access to the live facts and figures.

Jon Duckworth, Premier Rugby, head of marketing and promotions said: ‘As a loyal and established sponsor of Premier Rugby, we are delighted that Land Rover is working with us to produce this official iPhone app. This latest innovation now means that supporters with iPhones remain in touch with the Guinness Premiership wherever they may be.’

The app is free and available to download now. Visit: www.guinnesspremiership.com/iphoneapp.php to download it and enter a competition to win a VIP experience at the Guinness Premiership Final.

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The new Discovery 4 has taken home two accolades at the Caravan Club’s Towcar of the Year Awards 2010, which took place at the Royal Automobile Club in London last week. These are the first awarded to the new Discovery 4, which went on-sale in UK dealerships earlier this month.

The Discovery 4 won the ‘Best Towcar Over £32,000′ class and the ‘All Wheel Drive Over 1800kg’ category, beating the likes of the Lexus RX450h, Mercedes Benz E and C class, Volvo XC70 and XC60 and the Isuzu Rodeo. The testing was carried out at Millbrook Proving Ground to determine the car’s towing ability, dynamics when hitched, acceleration and braking.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, driving judge, Barry Williams of The Caravan Club commented: ‘The Land Rover Discovery 4 stood out among an astonishingly good selection of cars in the two classes it entered. It will go anywhere and offers an impressive array of caravan-friendly features. I’m sure it will be a popular choice with our members and their families.’

The Discovery 4 has a class-leading 3500kgs towing ability and comes with new intelligent towing technologies such as Tow Assist, which helps the driver perform accurate towing manoeuvres, and Trailer Stability Assist, a system that initiates engine torque reduction and braking interventions to bring the towing back under control when trailer oscillations and uninvited steering movements are detected.

‘We are delighted to accept these awards from the Caravan Club and to see the new Discovery 4, following on from the enormous success of its predecessor, winning awards for its all-round capability and towing credentials,’ said Land Rover UK managing director, John Edwards.

The Discovery 4 features the new LR-TDV6 3.0-litre diesel engine, which delivers more power, improved refinement, better fuel economy and lower emissions. With an impressive 600Nm of torque at low rpm and intelligent towing technologies at the driver’s disposal coupled with a more luxurious and comfortable interior cabin, it really is the perfect vehicle for caravan enthusiasts.’

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