The cars will travel 200 miles before needing a recharge, although on-board generators can extend the range.

For Range Rover owners, the costs include the car’s price tag of up to £72,995, plus an astronomical fuel bill of almost £3,300 per 12,000 miles.

Also, the car pollutes a great deal more than most: the fanciest Range Rover is unlikely to achieve much more than 13 miles per gallon in town, or CO2 Emissions worth 352 grams per kilometre

All this is set to change however.

An electric-powered Range Rover is being developed for drivers prepared to pay up to £125,000 to reduce their carbon footprint.

Barry Shrier, Liberty founder and CEO says; “The Liberty Electric Range Rover takes electric vehicle technology into a new sector, to large luxury cars that people aspire to drive, particularly in cities and urban environments where environmental controls are becoming increasingly tighter.

“The Liberty Electric Range Rover will drive cleanly and quietly around roads and cities, free of tax, congestion and parking charges, making less environmental impact than even the smallest, most fuel efficient car, yet still offering the comfort and security of a luxury 4 x 4.”

The Liberty Range Rover is described as ‘able to power its way through 200 miles before needing a charge, and some models will carry on board range extending generators.’

The real shock comes not from the performance or range, but the price. While the electricity used to power the electric Range Rover might cost pennies-per-mile, the cost of entry is going to be somewhere near a whopping $190,000 to $250,000. Shrier’s not worried though, he’s targeting London’s early adopting elite as his initial customer base. He then claims sales of the first few years’ products will then fund the development of more affordable models.

Liberty is planning the electric Range Rover independently of Solihull-based Land Rover, which is currently working on its own plans for electric and electric-diesel hybrid powertrains.

The Oxford company will buy Range Rovers in the retail market, strip out the engines and gearboxes (which will be recycled) before retro-fitting its own zero emission technology.

Mr Shrier is holding out the prospect of expanding Liberty’s operations globally and of eventually converting thousands of taxis in smog-bound conurbations such as Mexico City to electric power.

A taxi driver currently spending £200 a week on diesel could in future be recharging his vehicle for just
£40 a week.

This article was taken from: Auto Racing Daily

Due to significant customer demand, Land Rover will introduce a commercial derivative to the Freelander 2 product line-up. It will be showcased for the first time at the Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC, Birmingham from April 15-17.

The Freelander 2 Commercial will be available in ‘S’ and ‘XS’ versions. The specification will be as a standard Freelander 2 at the respective trim levels, without rear seats and side airbags but with the addition of a full-height solid bulkhead with mesh panel, floor support frame, floor panel with lashing points, fixed rear side glass, rubber loadspace mat, tail door and side window guards and rear cargo lighting.

The ‘XS’ derivative benefits from Land Rover’s acclaimed Terrain Response system, 17″ alloys, powerfold mirrors, a full size spare wheel, front park distance control, part leather trim, automatic climate control and branded ICE.

“Since the launch of the Freelander 2 in November 2006, there has been high demand for a commercial derivative from our customers and dealers,” commented John Edwards, managing director for Land Rover UK. “The Commercial offers supreme loadspace capability together with levels of ride, handling, comfort and equipment which will further re-define the compact 4×4 commercial segment.”

The Freelander 2 Commercial goes on sale in the UK this month and will be priced from £20,775 on the road.

As a commercial vehicle, it will benefit from being VAT and Company Car Tax exempt, adding to the appeal for business customers.

To arrange a test drive of or for more information on any of the Land Rover range please contact your local Land Rover dealership or log onto www.landrover.co.uk

This article was taken from: Fermanagh Herald

The guys from Sime Darby’s Land Rover which is based in Malaysia has decided to show of their limo version of their Land Rover Defender. Get one thing straight though, this 6X4 Puma concept is not designed to take a bunch of teens to their prom, it has been getting a lot of interest from Malaysian Armed Forces. The Land Rover Defender 6X4 Puma Concept has been designed and developed by Sasbilt Technologies Malaysia and Land Rover Malaysia, and the most noticeable difference with this vehicle is that it is a six-wheeler and has a long wheelbase of 3302mm.

The long wheel base is not just for show, this means that if the armed forces do decide to take up this 6×4 Puma Concept allows them to use a custom body for a different range of missions. The extra space in the rear allows for an electric generator which can power the powerful radio and satellite needed to communicate with team members, as well accommodate 4 passengers. This concept will basically be a versatile VSAT satellite vehicle which can be used in the battlefield. The vehicle will be powered by a 2.4 liter turbodiesel engine Ford Duratorq Puma engine.

I am not to certain how this long vehicle will work in the battlefield, Land Rovers have always been known for how great they are off-road but as this has a long wheel-base it could easily become stuck when it has to go over a hump or small rock formations.

This article was taken from: Product-Reviews

CROWDS of nearly 5,000 celebrated 60 glorious years of Land Rover.

Enthusiasts flocked to the Heritage Motor Centre. in Gaydon. Warwickshire, for the annual Heritage Land Rover Weekend.

Highlights included the Heritage 60th Anniversary Run when 150 Land Rovers from the oldest production vehicle, Hue, to the latest models from the Land Rover Centre in Solihull.

Emma Sharman, from Land Rover, said: “It’s been an absolutely fantastic weekend. We’ve been much busier than we have been in other years.

“There have been hundreds of vehicles here, including military vehicles and specially-adapted Land Rovers for people to see as well as plenty of stands from Land Rover clubs around the country.”

Other special attractions included a specially adapted Land Rover 101 series which featured in the 1996 film Judge Dredd, starring Sylvester Stallone, and a Defender 110 military specification vehicle used by explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes when he crossed the Bering Strait.

There were also expedition talks, a trade and club village, an inter-club challenge and a milestone display of Land Rovers which gives an in-depth look at the history of the model.

Some intrepid drivers also took part in the annual Land Rover World Twist-Off in which people have to compete to drive over a twisting series of tilts without losing control.

Russell Hearn, from the Land Rover Series 1 Club, said: “There’s been lots to see. It’s always nice to get together and see one another’s vehicles.

“It’s a nice opportunity for us to show off our own Land Rovers to people who want to come and see them and talk about them.”

Compere was BBC presenter and 4×4 enthusiast Lynne Bowles, who provided commentary throughout the show.

This article was taken from: BirminghamMail.net