Article by By WIM OUDE WEERNINK | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS EUROPE

Ford Motor and most Premier Automotive Group brands will have nearly interchangeable powertrains by the start of the next decade.

“It will take 5 or 6 more years before integration becomes visible,” Albie van Buel, Volvo’s senior vice president for purchasing, said in an interview with Automotive News Europe.

The integration already is evident. An example of the powertrain sharing between Ford and its PAG brands — Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover — is the new, Volvo-designed 3.2-liter SI6 engine.

Let’s share

Van Buel said Volvo wants to share its engine internally with Ford and other PAG brands.

A Ford source was more specific, saying the engine will power the next Land Rover Freelander, which will be named LR2.

The LR2 and the Volvo S80, which offers the SI6 engine, share their chassis technology.

Currently, the Freelander only comes with a 2.0-liter common-rail diesel from former owner BMW. BMW sold Land Rover to Ford in 2000.

Until last year, Land Rover offered a 2.5-liter Jaguar-sourced gasoline engine in the Freelander.

The new LR2 likely will debut at next month’s British auto show and go on sale later this year.

The Ford source also said Jaguar could use the SI6 engine, but with the addition of a turbocharger to distinguish it from Land Rover and Volvo.

Volvo uses the inline six-cylinder gasoline powerplant in its S80 upper-premium sedan, which went on sale in Europe this month, and in the refreshed version of its XC90 premium SUV, due later this summer.

Plant upgrade

The engine is produced in Bridgend, England. Ford invested £245 million (about E360 million) to add production of the SI6 engine in Bridgend, which makes powerplants ranging in capacity from 1.25 liters to 4.4 liters.

Another example of PAG sharing powertrains is the 4.4- and 4.2-liter V-8 engines made in Bridgend for Land Rover and Jaguar models.

Van Buel said it is taking longer to integrate the brands’ engines because engine life cycles last longer than those of many other components.

Ford prides itself on its ability to share technologies. The carmaker believes that different brands can save money by pooling their engineering resources.

The aim has been to develop common technologies for parts of the cars that customers don’t touch or feel.

Team purchasing

Purchasing practices play a crucial role in making shared technologies work at Ford and PAG.

The automakers’ purchasing departments divide into teams that focus on specific areas, such as powertrains.

The teams try to pool suppliers for multiple brands to reduce costs and boost the sharing of parts.

For instance, Volvo’s SI6 engine shares many components with other engines built at the Bridgend plant. Following this philosophy allows Ford to build a wide range of engines in Bridgend while still letting the its brands offer features that distinguish the brands from each other.

“Shared technologies are the backbone of that,” van Buel said. “The principles even allow for unique premium systems or parts to be used. For Jaguar that includes aluminium bodywork.”

Special assignments

At Ford and PAG, individual brands are assigned to do basic core engineering for a different program.

Mazda takes the lead in small cars, such as the Mazda2 and Ford Fiesta. Ford owns 33.4 percent of Mazda.

Ford leads in medium-sized cars and Volvo leads in upper-medium/medium premium segment vehicles such as the S80.

Once the basic engineering is done, the individual brands take over and tune their products to meet their specifications.

The most extensive application so far was C1 Shared Technologies, which spawned the Ford Focus, Mazda3 and Volvo S40 and V50 medium-sized cars.

Core engineering took place at Ford’s Merkenich Technical Center near Cologne and the brands then came up with their own vehicles based on an underlying architecture.

Now Ford is expanding the idea to the upper-medium platform, including the Ford S-Max, Galaxy and S80.

By making the building blocks interchangeable, Ford and its brands are able to create a variety of very different models using many similar components.

Land Rover today revealed the all-new LR2 that enters the compact premium SUV market with outstanding breadth of capability and Land Rover’s signature technologies.

The fourth new model from Land Rover in just four years, LR2 joins the impressive line-up of Range Rover (2002), Land Rover LR3 (2004) and Range Rover Sport (2005) that together have seen record-breaking sales performance around the world.

As the latest addition to the world’s leading sport-utility vehicle manufacturer’s line-up, LR2 sets new standards in its segment. New from the ground up, LR2 delivers outstanding on-road performance as well as the class-leading off-road ability of a Land Rover. A dynamic design, purposeful stance, smart and spacious interior, and an abundance of advanced technologies complete the LR2 package.

“LR2 combines the advantages of a premium sedan – such as polished ride, accomplished performance, an attractive cabin and ease-of-use – with the attributes of a robust SUV, including go-anywhere ability, toughness, stadium seating, cabin versatility and spaciousness,” says Phil Popham, Land Rover’s managing director. “We believe that no other compact SUV gets closer to blending these best-of-both-worlds abilities.”

Technical highlights of the LR2 include a brand-new 3.2-liter inline-six engine featuring advanced technologies to deliver an outstanding combination of performance and economy.

The 230bhp* i6 engine provides 0-60 mph acceleration in 8.4 seconds (0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds)*. The engine is matched to a new six-speed automatic transmission, with Land Rover’s CommandShiftâ„¢ offering manual sequential gear changes when required. There is also a driver-selectable sport mode, for livelier performance.

Inline-six cylinder engine configurations are ideal for delivering smoothness, and the very compact new unit in LR2 is small enough to mount transversely. The benefits of transverse fitment include improved interior packaging and safety performance.

The interior package of LR2 has generous head, shoulder and legroom, in both the front and rear. Large glass areas emphasize the spacious feel and complement the elevated ‘command driving’ position – a Land Rover hallmark – and ‘stadium seating’, where rear passengers sit slightly higher than front occupants, for a clearer view of the world outside. Cargo space is also among the best in class: 59 cu. ft. (1670 liters)* with the rear seats folded and 26.5 cu. ft (755 liters)* with the rear seats up.

The exterior and interior design of LR2 is completely fresh, integrating the company’s unique design language with a form that is instantly recognizable as the latest Land Rover.

“We purposely kept strong Land Rover design cues, such as the clamshell bonnet, stepped roof and the basic form,” says Land Rover design director Geoff Upex. “The overall look is new and contemporary. The design is chiseled, geometric and simple – it looks like it’s hewn from the solid. We have kept a close design relationship with the LR3 and Range Rover Sport, but interpreted the design language to suit the requirements of customers for a more compact SUV.”

The body is a five-door monocoque structure, with a high level of torsional rigidity which benefits refinement, comfort and handling on-road as well as ensuring the vehicle is fit for serious off-road use. The suspension is fully independent and uses the most modern stability control systems, including Roll Stability Control (RSC ®), a sophisticated technology that helps mitigate the risk of roll-over even in extreme conditions.

LR2 is packed with new technologies to improve both on-road and off-road performance. Land Rover’s unique Terrain Responseâ„¢ is standard, making off-road use easier. Other interesting technologies include a new intelligent permanent all-wheel-drive system for superior traction and better on-road fuel economy, and the patented Gradient Release Control, which improves driver confidence and control when releasing the brakes on steep and slippery slopes.

Other features and options include: keyless starter button, bi-xenon headlamps, adaptive front lighting, rain-sensing windshield wipers and rear park distance control. A standard two-part panoramic sunroof increases the cabin’s airiness; air-conditioning also comes standard and a full-color touch-screen DVD satellite navigation system is optional. A choice of top-level audio systems includes 12-speaker Dolbyâ„¢ Pro Logic II 7.1 Surround Sound with fiber-optic interconnects. An auxiliary audio connection (for MP3 players) is standard.

Designed and engineered by Land Rover at Gaydon, near Warwick, England, LR2 is built at the Halewood plant in Liverpool, where outstanding build quality has been acknowledged with a JD Power European Plant Quality Gold Award in 2005.

More info, specifications, and pictures on the new Land Rover Freelander/LR2 on auto.moldova.org

(this article was taken from Moldova.org)

PRNewswire/ — Land Rover today revealed the all- new LR2 that enters the compact premium SUV market with outstanding breadth of capability and Land Rover’s signature technologies.

The fourth new model from Land Rover in just four years, LR2 joins the impressive line-up of Range Rover (2002), Land Rover LR3 (2004) and Range Rover Sport (2005) that together have seen record-breaking sales performance around the world.

New from the ground up, LR2 delivers outstanding on-road performance as well as the class-leading off-road ability of a Land Rover. A dynamic design, purposeful stance, smart and spacious interior, and an abundance of advanced technologies complete the LR2 package.

“LR2 combines the advantages of a premium sedan — such as polished ride, accomplished performance, an attractive cabin and ease-of-use — with the attributes of a robust SUV, including go-anywhere ability, toughness, stadium seating, cabin versatility and spaciousness,” says Phil Popham, Land Rover’s managing director. “We believe that no other compact SUV gets closer to blending these best-of-both-worlds abilities.”

Technical highlights of the LR2 include a brand-new 230bhp* transversely mounted 3.2-liter inline-six engine featuring advanced technologies to deliver an outstanding combination of performance and economy.

The engine is matched to a new six-speed automatic transmission, with Land Rover’s CommandShift(TM) offering manual sequential gear changes when required. There is also a driver-selectable sport mode for livelier performance.

The exterior and interior design of LR2 is completely fresh, integrating the company’s unique design language with a form that is instantly recognizable as the latest Land Rover.

“We purposely kept strong Land Rover design cues, such as the clamshell bonnet, stepped roof and the basic form,” says Land Rover design director Geoff Upex. “The overall look is new and contemporary. The design is chiseled, geometric and simple — it looks like it’s hewn from the solid. We have kept a close design relationship with the LR3 and Range Rover Sport, but interpreted the design language to suit the requirements of customers for a more compact SUV.”

The body is a five-door monocoque structure, with a high level of torsional rigidity which benefits refinement, comfort and handling on-road as well as ensuring the vehicle is fit for serious off-road use. The suspension is fully independent and uses the most modern stability control systems, including Roll Stability Control (RSC®), a sophisticated technology that helps mitigate the risk of roll-over even in extreme conditions.

LR2 is packed with new technologies to improve both on-road and off-road performance. Land Rover’s unique Terrain Response(TM) is standard, making off-road use easier. Other interesting technologies include a new intelligent permanent all-wheel-drive system for superior traction and better on-road fuel economy, and the patented Gradient Release Control, which improves driver confidence and control when releasing the brakes on steep and slippery slopes.

Designed and engineered by Land Rover at Gaydon, near Warwick, England, LR2 is built at the Halewood plant in Liverpool, where outstanding build quality has been acknowledged with a JD Power European Plant Quality Gold Award in 2005.

(Source: Land Rover North America)

In many ways the new Land Rover Discovery is a more appealing choice than its £51,000 plus big brother, the Range Rover.

For a start it is a lot cheaper with the range starting at £26,995. And for an extra £2,000 you gain two extra fold-flat rear seats which sets the Disco apart from the strictly five-seat Range Rover.

And the Discovery can seat those seven people in comfort – and that just doesn’t mean five adults and two children in the usual tiny fold-flat rear seats. In the Land Rover, the back row seats are built for adult bottoms – and with a proper footwell for your feet, there is also plenty of space for legs attached to bodies over the height of five feet.

Although it’s mighty hard to tell, the Disco is not quite as tall as the Range Rover or as long, but it is crucially wider, which adds to the spacious feel of the cabin. But those minimal differences in dimensions do little to diminish the Disco’s imposing size alongside its more expensive stablemate.

The less expensive car’s beautifully clean lines certainly make for a thoroughly modern-looking off roader, too, and despite its bulk, from behind the wheel, thanks to a superbly high driving position, the Discovery is relatively easy to pilot around town – especially when paired with the smooth shifting six-speed automatic gearbox.

Venture further afield and the Discovery is equipped with Land Rover’s latest off-road electronics, which have done away with all the complicated extra gear levers and the like, replacing them with a simple “Terrain Response” dial to allow the driver to alter the hi-tech four-wheel drive system to suit the road conditions – whether it be tarmac, grass, gravel, snow, mud, sand or even rocks and boulders.

If you do plan to really test the Disco’s off-road abilities, then the optional satellite navigation system is a must because as well as the usual road network, the system can help you when you venture off-road, with a compass display as well as heading, latitude, altitude and longitude readouts.

Engine choice is either a 295bhp 4.4 litre V8 petrol or a 2.7 litre V6 turbocharged diesel, which puts out 189bhp and a huge 440Nm of torque.

In use the diesel engine is smooth and refined, with, as you would expect from an engine with such a large amount of lowdown grunt, plenty of response in the lower gears. Move up to motorway speeds and the Disco is an effortless cruiser with good refinement levels and surprisingly little wind noise.

With Land Rover’s immense experience in building the world’s best off-road vehicles, the latest Discovery could have been hailed a winner from the off. But designers have gone one step further, creating such a visually appealing, modern-looking “go anywhere, do anything” vehicle, that the Disco genuinely deserves to be the natural choice for anyone who wishes to satisfy their craving for adventure. – NEIL GREENFIELD

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY TDV6 – seven seat from £28,995 otr

Engine: 2.7 litre diesel

Max power: 189bhp at 4,000rpm and 440Nm torque at 1,900rpm

PERFORMANCE:

0-60mph – 11.0 seconds

Max speed – 112mph

ECONOMY: 30mpg combined

CO2 emissions/TAX %: 249/35%

INSURANCE GROUP: 13

STANDARD EQUIPMENT: Seven seats; front, side and curtain airbags; dynamic stability control; electric windows; automatic climate control; CD player

(this article was taken from hornseyjournal)

Marc Ward, an avid Land Rover enthusiast is launching an auction this month destined to make eBay history, since it features one of the most unusual high-value items ever offered on the popular auction site – the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own your own Dakar racing team.

Delray Beach, FL (PRWEB) June 14, 2006 — Marc Ward, an avid Land Rover enthusiast from the idyllic island of Barbados will be launching an auction this month destined to make eBay history, since it features one of the most unusual high-value items ever offered on the world’s most popular auction site. Unlike the attention-grabbing “oddball” auctions that often make their way into eBay lore, this auction is for a real once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – the chance to own your own Dakar racing team, featuring a customized classic TomCat race and two rebuilt, customized Defender110 support vehicles.

THE YEAR 2000 was the beginning, both of a new millennium and a new dream – Marc Ward’s “Xtreme” Land Rovers! It all started when Marc decided to turn a dream into reality… to build a “team” of the most extreme Land Rovers ever built outside of Land Rover’s own shops.

First on the drawing board was a street-legal endurance racer capable of anything from a drive to the supermarket to winning the 7,000-mile Dakar Rally. Next up, two amazing support vehicles later dubbed “the Rhino Chasers,” featuring a custom-built trailer made from the rear quarter of a Defender 110. Together, these would be the ultimate in speed, strength, convenience, quality, comfort and exclusivity! It took three years, countless hours of brainstorming, planning and collaboration – and now they’re available for sale to the discriminating enthusiast!

Marc shipped in all new body pieces from the UK. All three chassis were painted with the same coal tar epoxy used on supertankers, which Marc chose for its excellent moisture-resistance. The paint also acts as an extra insulator to prevent galvanic corrosion. Next came the custom roll cages, designed to withstand a tumble down a ravine. Simon Gilmore of SRG Engineering and a top rally car builder himself took 3 months to build these cages to full FIA specs.

Marc acquired 3.9-litre fuel-injected V8 engines to power the two Rhino Chasers. For the racer, Marc went to a 4.6 litre Cross Bolted Range Rover V8 Engine featuring stage one heads and stage two valves, with a Lucas gems hot wire type ignition system. This is a single fuel rail design similar to the one used in the BMW straight six X5 and is ultra reliable. Then he added a Range Rover Transverse Gearbox, Low+High and Lock or unlock diff., Front Range Rover Axel with Teflon Balls, Rear Range Rover Axel with Detroit Soft Locker, and Headman Headers going into 2 flow master mufflers. Topping that off are an Earls custom Oil Cooler, 2 Bosh 12 V High Capacity Fuel Pumps on Separate Circuits , 2 Billet Reusable Eldebroc Filters and an Aeromotive Fuel Regulator set at 50 PSI. Drew Bowler supplied a TVR chip which will turn the engine into a snarling monster – but has not been installed as yet.

Marc’s friend Drew Bowler, considered one of the finest off-road racers in the world (Bowler Offroad, Derbyshire, England) provided R380 gearboxes and transfer cases that had only been used briefly in test vehicles at Solihull, where they had been meticulously maintained. This is a 5 speed constant mesh transmission custom-designed for four-wheel applications. The full list of custom, state-of-the-art specs is too long to list, but is available on Marc’s website, www.XtremeLandRover.com. You can be sure that every luxury has been thought of.

The auction began on June 11th, 2006 at 9:30 PM EST, and will run for ten days and re-listed if necessary. It can be viewed by going to eBay Motors auction number 4650305553, or click here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4650305553&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

You can preview the vehicles, with detailed specifications and over 100 high-resolution photographs, at:

http://xtremelandrover.com

(this article was taken from prweb.com)

We’ve four winches in the range with pulling capacities ranging from 2,000lbs right up to a massive 12,000lbs. These quality winches all feature – a planetary gear system for fast line speed, free spooling, power in & power out, low electric current. The DB8000, DB9500i & DB12000i also feature an automatic load-holding brake and hardened drum.

To aid you with your winching, Britpart have also added a range of winching accessories – including; chocks, hooks, shackles & ropes.

Get to where you want to go with Britpart!

For full technical specifications for each of the winches and Brookwell prices, please click on the appropriate link below.

http://www.brookwell.co.uk/acatalog/Britpart_Winches.html

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