It takes a long time to run out of turns on the road to the California Coast. And they save some of the best for last. The road winds, dips and climbs through the mountains, skirting the edges along impressive vistas that give blue hints of ocean ahead. The drop-offs along the edge of the road promise about a one-minute freefall through time and space, so I take pity on my passengers and ease off the throttle, still taking pleasure in the corner-to-corner rhythm and dance of power and taut performance.

And it occurs to me that I’ve managed to get into sports car mode in a Range Rover, a behemoth that weighs in at more than twice the weight of a sports car (almost 6,000 lbs!). That’s pretty impressive.

“The Range Rover has always been the world’s most complete luxury SUV,” said Matthew Taylor, Land Rover’s managing director. “And with this new, even more refined flagship for the company, we believe that the best luxury SUV in the world is now even better.”

Land Rover started building British utility vehicles after WWII and introduced the top end Range Rover in 1970. From the beginning, the Range Rover attained and held onto its pre-eminent placing as a premier status symbol with an eccentric blend of off-road toughness and interior civility. But you don’t hang onto that kind of status by standing still and, over the years, Land Rover has also steadily improved the Range Rover’s on-road performance, along with constant upgrades to technologies and the luxury level.

The last redesign in 2002 created the most successful Range Rover ever, smoothing the styling, pulling the wheels to the corners and putting to rest forever the toadstool profile of a big body and bigger roof tilting on a small wheelbase.

The design director in the back seat bristles a little when I ask how much of that styling refreshment was BMW-inspired during their brief ownership of the company before Ford added Land Rover to their premier auto group along with Volvo, Jaguar and Aston Martin.

No, he tells me, this new generation Range Rover was purely an in-house redesign although there is no denying the engineering influence that BMW brought to the project.

The proof of that was under the hood. Since 2002, the Range Rover has been powered by BMW’s 4.4L V8, which replaced the earlier anemic English engine.

The BMW motor has served as a good engine but using it was sort of like living together after the divorce. On the one hand, BMW was understandably

reluctant to pass on the latest of its technological developments while competing in the upper classes with the same engine in the BMW X5. And Range Rover needed to make a clean break with an engine from within the Ford family.

All of which explains the real news for the 2006 Range Rover– two new Jaguar-based engines, including a powerful supercharged version.

The naturally-aspirated engine is a 4.4L V8, same displacement as the previous BMW engine, but based on a bored-out version of the Jaguar 4.2L. Rated at 305 hp @ 5750 rpm and 325 lb-ft of torque @ 4000 rpm, this new engine is quicker, more powerful (up 20 hp) and also promises better fuel efficiency.

And, heading the lineup, a supercharged version of Jaguar’s 4.2L engine makes 400 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. That works out to 35 percent more power and 25 percent more torque than the outgoing engine, with a 0-100 km/h projected to be about a second and a half faster.

Both engines channel the power through a ZF HP26 6-speed automatic that allows driver select sport shifting. The full-time four wheel-drive system includes a new electronically-controlled centre differential and low range gearing, bolstered by a host of stability technologies for true offroad ability.

Land Rover has complimented the 2006 Range Rover’s power modifications with cosmetic tweaks inside and out and bolstered the luxury equipment list.

The grille has been revised, the bumpers remodeled with more aggressive intakes and bracketed by slimmer, wraparound headlamps. Adaptive Bi-Xenon lights that shift with steering direction are a new option.

Subtle exterior changes

The exterior changes are subtle. Likewise, Range Rover takes a page from other performance builders, setting apart its supercharged lineup with bigger boots– 20-inch wheels– and with discreet badging and diamond mesh added to the grille and side gills.

Inside, the cabin is as quiet and comfortable as ever. Quieter in fact, after an increase in added sound-dampening elements. And the Range Rover has been loaded with even more amenities.

New for 2006, Range Rover adds a tire pressure monitoring system, a rear-view camera to assist in backing up and an optional rear entertainment system with 6-DVD changer and screens mounted in the back of the front seat headrests.

Which allows, as my co-driver said, “everything from Sponge Bob to Spiderman” including auxiliary plug-ins in case one of your kids wants to play games while the other watches a movie.

“Wow, with all this new technology, I guess you’ve probably got rid of the old 6CD cartridge in the glove box and gone to an in-dash system, right?” I asked.

Wrong. But at least it’s not under the passenger seat anymore. And what would a Range Rover be without one or two jarring British eccentricities?

And, certainly, Range Rover does come through with a list of technologies too long to mention that covers every aspect from safety and security to performance and passenger comfort.

The new 2006 Range Rover takes the ultimate in luxury and status and gives it the power it deserves, especially in supercharged form. And the pump up in power pushes the Range Rover out of its traditional status niche into a new area of competition where it can playoff against other upper class performers like Mercedes’ AMG M-Class and Porsche Cayenne.

Range Rover’s new accent on performance will be bolstered even more with the Range Rover Sport, a more youthful expression of supercharged elitism, due for release in the near future.

(this article was written by Rob Beintema for The Brampton Guardian)

The New Range Rover for 2006, Land Rover’s flagship model and the latest arrival in the brand’s portfolio offers two powerful engine variants making this model even more sophisticated, luxurious and desirable than ever before.

The new Range Rover for 2006 is now the most refined, the most quiet and the best equipped Range Rover. It is available in two new petrol engines, a 4.4 litre naturally aspirated V8 and a Vogue Supercharged 4.2 litre V8, the most powerful unit ever fitted to a Land Rover. This engine option comes with 400 bhp.

Both engines are lightweight and use advanced torque-based engine management systems. They are designed to give more torque at lower revs for smoother operation at extreme angles and tough off-roading conditions.

In addition, the supercharged version gets Brembo front brakes for better stopping and power, and revised suspension that delivers flatter handling, for superior high-speed on-road performance.

Moreover, the new engines are matched to the latest generation ZF six-speed automatic electronically controlled transmission, which offers outstanding smoothness and response. The use of a centre differential further contributes to the improved off-road prowess and on-road handling of the vehicle.

The steering feel has also been enhanced and the air suspension with adjustable ride-height is further improved for better on and off-road performance and comfort.

Speaking on the arrival of this new model, Andy Gawthorpe, Managing Director, Land Rover Middle East & Africa, said,” The improvements on The Range Rover for 2006 has elevated Land Rover’s flagship model to even greater heights. The new engines make this vehicle more powerful and ensure your driving experience is exceptionally smooth, receptive and effortless irrespective of the terrain.

Undoubtedly, The Range Rover knows no equal in the luxury 4×4 market and the arrival of this new model has further reinforced its status at the forefront of the luxury SUV sector.

(this article was taken from strategiy)

Spending most of its life in and around city streets, our Discovery has had a relatively easy life for the past few months. So I decided it was time to shake things up a bit, and see if the Land Rover could earn its spurs on a 2,300-mile challenge.

With duties which included towing a speedboat, visiting a remote part of the Alps, hauling up to seven people and covering more than 700 miles a day, the Disco had a tough time on my two-week family trip to France. But it coped with everything magnificently well.

Some preparatory work was required before we left the UK, though. Stratstone Land Rover in High Wycombe, Bucks, fitted the tow bar (a £400 option) and adjusted the bi-xenon headlights so they delivered a flat beam. You can carry out the latter job yourself if you know what you’re doing, and it means there’s no need for ugly black tape on the lights.

Once on French motorways, the Discovery came into its own. The smooth, silent engine, excellent refinement and cushioned ride meant my two young children slept soundly. And although the front seats are rather firm and need more side support, they didn’t induce any aches or pains in myself or my wife. Other welcome touches included the huge door pockets, double glovebox and plentiful centre console stowage – there’s enough room for every- thing from sweets to toll cards. The chilled box under the centre armrest was also regularly used.

However, with plenty of time on our hands and hundreds of miles to cover, small niggles became more obvious issues. The lack of padding on the driver’s door armrest meant a sore elbow, the side mirrors aren’t curved at the edges, making rear three-quarter visibility awkward when chan-ging lanes, and the floor mats kept coming adrift. Meanwhile, the sat-nav is fiddly and frustrating – it’s not as logical or straightforward as it should be – and the handle on the parcel shelf broke.

But when it came to hauling luggage and kids, the Discovery was faultless. I still think the Volvo XC90 I used to run was better in terms of interior flexibility and more car-like to drive. Yet the British off-roader’s utilitarian feel means it seems more rugged – ideal for trips to the beach with a bootful of buckets and towels. Neither did the Volvo have such a generous back seat. In fact, two six-footers shared the Discovery’s rear row with no complaints.

As a tow car, the Land Rover is similarly impressive. With the air-suspension at its lowest setting, we loaded up our speedboat in seconds. BK05 LLM dragged the craft out of the water with confidence and barely registered its weight when pulling. So capable is the Discovery in these circumstances that we never needed to touch Land Rover’s highly regarded Terrain Response off-road driving system.

In short, the Disco acquitted itself brilliantly – with one exception: the horrendous economy. On similar trips, the XC90 D5 returned 31.1mpg, while a BMW X5 3.0d topped 33mpg. Yet the Disco averaged 22.9mpg. The best we achieved, on a downhill run out of the Alps, was 24.8mpg; the worst, mainly during low-speed and towing work near the south coast, was 21.1mpg. As a result, the trip cost around 470 Euros (£324) in fuel – and that’s with France’s average diesel price of less than 75 pence per litre. Even considering the Disco’s talents, that’s a heavy price to pay.

Second opinion

It’s big, practical, desirable and powerful – but by rights the massive Land Rover Discovery should make a lousy commuter. However, trawling through the centre of London to the Auto Express offices on a near-daily basis has convinced me that, as cross-city cars go, the Disco is one of the best. If urban motoring today is all about insulating yourself as much as possible from the environment around you, the Land Rover excels.

(this article was taken from www.autoexpress.co.uk)

Land Rover’s US sales increased by 45 per cent, led by demand for the new LR3 and Range Rover Sport models, and in the UK, managing director of Land Rover UK Phil Popham says the brand hit 9,000 sales in September, the second biggest sales month since manufacturing began in 1948, and will reach UK sales of about 48,000 for the full year – a fifth consecutive annual record.

The new Range Rover Sport launched in May is driving sales and currently achieving 145% of its sales target. It is expected to achieve nearly UK 6,000 sales this year.

This year being the 35th anniversary of the Range Rover, a 35-strong limited edition of the third iteration of the model goes on sale this month priced at £85,000 on the road. The V8 Supercharged 35th Anniversary Range Rover is equipped to Vogue SE specification. An example led a cavalcade of The South London and Surrey Land Rover Club London to Brighton Land Rover Run from Crystal Palace to in Brighton on 2 October.

- While many of its competitors including Chrysler posted increased and even record US sales volumes in September, Land Rover parent Ford’s overall sales declined by 19%, though Ford, Volvo and Mercury ‘crossover’ utilities registrations increased by 39 per cent, including a record sales month for the recently-launched Ford Escape Hybrid. Overall, Ford ‘s U.S. light vehicle sales totalled 228,157 units, down 19 per cent compared with a year ago, though Ford brand car sales were up 3 per cent.

(this article was taken from autoindustry.co.uk)

Land Rover is proud to announce the renewal of its long-standing sponsorship of England Rugby and Premier Rugby for a further three years. Land Rover will also continue to play an instrumental role in helping drive grassroots rugby across the country.

As the ‘Official Vehicle of England Rugby and Premier Rugby’, the RFU and each Guinness Premiership club will benefit from the provision of a Land Rover Discovery 3. The award-winning seven-seat vehicles will be used by the 12 clubs’ community departments to encourage youth and community involvement across a range of rugby projects.

Andy Griffiths, marketing director for Land Rover UK, commented on the sponsorship renewal, “Land Rover has a proud history in rugby and we are delighted to support the continued growth of the game. The passion that the sport evokes at all levels and the power and performance that players exhibit on the rugby field are traits that epitomise Land Rover.”

Land Rover’s support of England Rugby and Premier Rugby has already helped Premier Rugby Clubs reach over 1,500 schools, 400 junior rugby clubs and over 400,000 participants.

“We are delighted that Land Rover have pledged their continued support for the game,” commented Jon Varney, commercial director of Premier Rugby. “The vehicles form an integral part of our community initiatives, allowing our clubs to be fully mobile in their communities, transporting kit, resources and players all over their respective regions.”

(this article was taken from www.easier.com)