Only the third model in its 32-year history and the first since 1994, the new Range Rover has undergone a radical transformation under its still familiar shell. Although there are no body panels in common with the previous model, traditional Range Rover design elements such as the horizontally split tailgate and simple grille remain, the major shift being the replacement of the separate box-section chassis with a steel monocoque offering greater levels of torsional stiffness. The totally new sub frame-mounted independent suspension with interconnected air springs provides large wheel travel (270 mm at the front and 330 mm at the rear – a significant increase over the previous generation Range Rover) and ground clearance. ‘Terrain Sensing’ software that determines if the vehicle is being driven off-road and adjusts the suspension accordingly via electronic traction control systems. Both the 4.4 litre V8 petrol and 3.0-litre common rail sixcylinder turbo-diesel engines are available featuring fully automated and steptronic manual shifts.

Another useful refinement is the ability to shift from high to low ranges (and vice verca) on the move, and as in the second generation Range Rover, the entire vehicle can be gently lowered to ease entry and egress – in the new model this can also be pre-programmed so the body is at the correct height as the vehicle rolls to a stop. There’s more interior space created by the extensive use of aluminium for weight reduction in the body and a choice of styles and features – leather, walnut and chrome interior fittings complemented by an integrated telecommunications system including telephone, three levels of hi-fi with six or 11 speakers, satellite navigation with off-road functionality and an in-dash widescreen TV. Forty-five pre-production prototypes were driven more than 2.4 million kilometres to test the new generation Range Rover before its release.

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

Land Rover achieves record monthly and full year US sales; Jaguar US sales down one third
5th January 2006

Ford had achieved its first full year increase in US car sales since 1999 by the end of December 2005, a month when several Asian and European manufacturers reported record sales yesterday. Ford’s full year 2005 car sales totalled 1.04 million, up 2 percent from 2004′s total.

Sales of Ford’s CUVs (crossover utility vehicles) were up 28 percent in 2005 – outpacing overall growth in the U.S. market’s fastest growing segment.

Ford reported that its US Land Rover dealers reported record monthly and full year sales. December sales were 6,913, up 26 percent and full year sales were 46,175, up 30 percent, driven by the two new models – Range Rover Sport and LR3 (Discovery in the UK).

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

We trust you all had a good Christmas and New Year, let’s get back to the good stuff…

On Christmas Eve, Scotland’s Daily Record reported that Land Rover gave a fleet of eight vehicles–worth over £400,000–to Britain’s Prince Charles as a Christmas gift.

This prompted the publication to call Charles the “Prince of Wheels,” and Land Rover must be eating it up. After all, the Ford Motor (nyse: F – news – people ) subsidiary loves its ties to the British monarchy. Hanging near the entrance to the company’s factory in Solihull, England, are plaques commemorating visits from the queen and the queen mother.

The queen’s famous ride of choice is the Range Rover, the $75,000 flagship of Land Rover’s all-SUV lineup. Until recently, a huge gap existed in showrooms between the Range Rover and the next rung on the ladder, the comparatively downmarket, $39,000 Land Rover LR3.

Enter the $57,000 Range Rover Sport, which shares a name with the Range Rover but little else except for styling cues. The company introduced this model to bridge the gap in its lineup and to give it a needed sales boost. Rover sales are up 31% this year in the U.S., but subtract the Range Rover Sport from the tally and sales would have only increased by 4%.

The new vehicle was the best-selling Rover in the U.S. in November, and we’re seeing it everywhere. It apparently looks enough like the highly desirable Range Rover to give it credibility, but at a cut rate that is attracting an unusually high number of customers for a Land Rover.

The best decision the company made was to incorporate the words “Range Rover” into the new car’s name. Trading on the status symbol that is the brand’s flagship, Land Rover has masked the truth about the Range Rover Sport: It’s a waste of money compared with the LR3.

The name also hides the fact that the Range Rover Sport has way more in common with the LR3 than with the Range Rover–especially in terms of cockpit design–but without adding any significant benefits other than an optional, 390-hp V-8 engine. In fact, it subtracts two seats and 20% of the LR3′s cargo room.

While the Range Rover’s chassis came from former-owner BMW, the Range Rover Sport shares Ford-sourced mechanical underpinnings with the LR3. In terms of size, chassis and interior design, the Range Rover Sport and Range Rover are totally different.

The most they have in common are looks. The Range Rover Sport looks like a Range Rover that went to the gym, added some bulk here and there, subtracted some elsewhere and then left with its nose pointing upward. The Range Rover is stately–if a bit stiff and formal–whereas the Range Rover Sport is spunkier and takes more chances with its looks.

But the looks appear to be working. Having driven every Land Rover, we have to say that the exterior design is clearly selling the new car.

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