Everyone has enemies. Not everyone has enemies with grenades, assault rifles, and the willingness to use them. If you are one of these lucky individuals, however, you’ll be glad to know about the Range Rover Vogue Security Vehicle.

The four levels of security available correspond to four ways of killing you: handgun, assault rifle, high velocity rifle, and “ultimate.” You’d think that last category would involve tactical thermonuclear weapons, or at least an envelope full of anthrax. But no:

“The ultimate version provides protection against armour piercing to European B6 plus standard, and is capable of withstanding attack from a NATO 7.62 ball round fired from 10 metres at a typical velocity of 830 metres per second. B6 plus standard, favoured by Heads of State and other diplomatic, political and religious ‘targets’, also protects against attack by weapons including the Kalashnikov AK47 rifle.”

If someone does drop the Big One, you’ll just have to climb out of your Range Rover and jump under your desk like everyone else.

While it’s no backyard bomb shelter, this ride is tricked out with ballistic and blast steel, Kevlar, Spectra-shield, Dyneema, and 40 mm plasma-cut glass — not to mention a floor pan that will stop two DM51 hand grenades at once (L2A2 grenade protection optional). That adds about two tons, more than the weight of the original vehicle. Which doesn’t stop it from going pretty much anywhere you want, unlike those namby-pamby armored limos you’re used to.

And yes, it has air bags. I’m betting they’ll even throw in childproof locks.

(this article was taken from blog.wired.com)

Land Rover has been designing a fully armoured Range Rover Vogue which is designed to protect the vehicle occupants from machine gun and hand grenade fire. The Range Rover Vogue Security Vehicle can be driven on any terrain and can even be driven through gates or walls.

The new Vogue was designed by Land Rover Special Vehicles and is the first Land Rover Security Vehicle to go into production. There will be four levels of security that the Land Rover can be purchased with. The first three levels of security offer protection against hand gun, assault rifle and high velocity rifle. The fourth level of security offers protection against armour piercing to European B6 standards. It can also withstand attack from NATO 7.62 ball rounds.

Even the floors of the vehicles are designed to protect the vehicle occupants and should withstand two grenades rolled into the path of the vehicle. The tyres are the run flat tyres which means even if the tyres are shot, the vehicle can still get away. The glass is plasma cut and is 40mm thick and is one of the only clues that the vehicle is an armoured vehicle.

The Range Rover Sport has won the AXA ‘Leisure Car’ of the year at the 2006/2007 AXA Car of the Year awards which were held in Northern Ireland a few days ago.

The award was presented by the Chairman of the Ulster Motoring Writers Association who said “Of all the vehicles judged in this competition, the Range Rover Sport scored consistently high amongst members. As well as its outstanding on-and-off-road capability, it offers a quality driving environment that has few equals. It is an outstanding testament to the UK motor industry.”

Land Rover’s Range Rover Sport is on sale and costs £35,000-£57,600 depending on the model purchased.

The Land Rover Defender was officially re-launched yesterday. This means more changes for the 59 year history of Defender.

The basic defender hasn’t really changed all that much. It still comes in a choice of three wheelbase lengths and 14 separate body styles.
.
Prices have increased since that last release of the Defender – prices have increased by around £400 and prices range between £18,645 to £26,605

It is thought that 80% of Defenders ever made are still in use today.

Land Rover will be supporting two teenagers who are attempting the 180 Degree Pole-to-Pole Challenge.

Land Rover is supporting the two 19year olds who have set out on their immense challenge today. The challenge will involve them attempting a man powered expedition from the North Pole to the South Pole. They will have to ski, sail and cycle their way to the poles and if they finish, will have covered over 22,000 miles.

The two teenagers are going with a support team, to who the Land Rover Defender 110 will be essential when considering the ground and terrain it will be traveling on. The Land Rover is equipped with an electric winch, front and back lamp guards and an expedition roof rack to carry some of the supplies the boys will need but are unable to carry themselves.

The Land Rover, Freelander 2 has just won the 2007 Fleet News Awards for ‘Best Small SUV. Also nominated in the same category were the BMW X3, Hyundai Santa Fe and the Toyota Rav 4.

Land Rover was also nominated in two other categories: ‘Best Luxury car’ for the Range Rover and ‘Best Large SUV’ for both the Discovery 3 and Range Rover Sport.

The panel of judges included fleet managers, residual value experts, and consultants and suppliers.

The judges said “The winner has to offer an alternative to an equivalent upper-medium car, with higher fuel costs offset with strong residual values. The Freelander 2 had strong competition but one thing stood out – it defines the sector.”

There is arising speculation that Ford may consider selling Land Rover. Ford recently had to sell Aston Martin to raise money to pay off some of their debts which are reported to be around £6 billion.

Land Rover have been owned by Ford since 1999 as part of the Premier Automotive Group which also consists of Jaguar and Volvo. There is speculation that if Ford did choose to sell one, they are more likely to sell Jaguar due to the fact that Jaguar is reporting low sales figures – Ford have already confirmed that they will not sell Volvo. If Land Rover did end up being sold, it is expected that it would move to America.

As for Land Rover, they will just have to keep hoping that no news is good news. Only time will tell what Ford will do.

The 24th to 29th May will see the 2007 National for Land Rover enthusiasts. It takes place at Baden Hall, Eccleshall in Staffordshire.

Some of the events that will be taking place include winch recovery, an RTV trial, a children’s bike trial and a trailer reversing competition. The majority of the events occur over the weekend, however, the campsite opens a day earlier to allow for people who have long distances to travel the day before and after the event. There are several events for children throughout the weekend so it should be an entertaining weekend for all.

There are limited places available so if you would like to attend, you need to book tickets and caravan and camping places soon. For more information see www.alrc2007.co.uk.

Land Rover have recently released a few details about the new LR2 which is set to replace the Freelander in 2008.

Land Rover have said that ‘they aimed to produce a 4 x 4 with a carlike ride but with off-road ability’ and that is certainly something they have worked on. There is 8 inches of clearance room under the 4 x 4 and it will also have the terrain response system which will optimize the engine, transmission, traction and suspension depending on the terrain.

It will have 230 horsepower and a Volvo developed engine which can go from 0-60 in 8.4 seconds. It will also do 25 miles per gallon.

Land Rover have designed the LR2 as a spacious 4 x 4 with 59 cubic feet of room with the back seats folded down.

Optional extras will include a keyless starting ability, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers and mp3 compatibility.

(Image taken from www.motortrend.com)