A prototype Range Rover capable of going 200 miles on a single electric charge is to be unveiled.

It has been designed by a team working in Oxford and could be on sale next year.

The bill for driving an environmentally friendly Range Rover will be a hefty one, with the prices ranging from £95,000 to £125,000.

However, unlike the car’s conventional equivalents, the tax bill for running the car will be minimal.

Electric cars on the market, such as the G-Wizz have a range of around 50-60 miles – but are also on sale at a fraction of the proposed price for the Liberty Electric Range Rover.

It is the latest in a series of alternative powered cars being designed by the motor industry which has come under intense pressure to reduce emissions.

The European Union has told car makers that they must bring their average CO2 output down to 130 grams per kilometre by 2012.

According to the company, this car will offer swift acceleration and a high top speed, while costing 80 per cent less to run than a petrol equivalent.

Other innovations include roof mounted solar panels, which will provide additional charge for the batteries as well as powering some of the car’s electrics while it is stopped.

Some versions will also have technology designed to extend the car’s range even further.

The company behind the project has pledged to invest £30 million and said it will create 250 new manufacturing jobs – although where the jobs will be located has not been disclosed.

Its backers include Ian Taylor, a former science minister, and a number of motor design experts.

This article was taken from: Telegraph

THERE were two 4×4 awards up for grabs in Auto Express?s New Car Honours 2008 ? and Land Rover won them both.

If you want a compact SUV, the Freelander is the best option, and for those with the budget to venture into the premium off-road sector, it?s the larger Discovery which tops the chart.

That?s all the more impressive when you consider the variety in the premium SUV market. In addition to rivals such as the new BMW X5 and Mercedes M-Class, the Discovery faced stiff in-house competition from the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.

In the end, it was the Discovery?s blend of practicality and desirability that won over the judges.

Utilitarian appeal has never been mixed with luxurious comfort so successfully. Its seven-seat interior is not only huge, but hugely adjustable.

There is room inside for seven adults to sit in comfort, or with only five on board, the luggage space is massive. Fold the middle row, too, and you have the carrying capacity to rival a mid-sized van.

What?s more, the Land Rover?s optional air-suspension and Terrain Response System allow drivers to reach all but the most inaccessible locations, while maintaining faultless ride comfort on-road.

The Discovery is also much more stable when cornering than its wallowing predecessors.

As at home on the M25 as it is roaming around the Serengeti, it?s clear that no other car offers such a wide range of abilities.

COMMENDED

BMW X5

Some might have expected the X5 to be edged out of the running by BMW?s sleek new X6, but the more familiar model takes the commended award. The rugged coupé styling of the latter has created a unique SUV, yet the X5 is a stronger overall package. Versatility is first rate, while only BMW could make a large off-roader feel as agile as a nimble estate car.

This article was taken from: AC Advertiser

Over its 60 year history Land Rover has produced lots of special models, we want to hear which is your favourite.

Auto Express is celebrating Land Rover’s 60th anniversary with a very special road test of the makers most famous models.

We aim to choose the best 4×4 the firm has ever made, but before we do, we want to know which of the Solihull built legends is your top pick?

Cast your vote here and one lucky entrant will win a copy of Portraits of Adventure (above). Land Rover’s special edition photography book featuring a collection of 60 images representing the ultimate journey of discovery.

Plus, we’ve got two exclusive video features looking at both classic and modern versions of the famous 4×4′s!

Don’t forget to buy this week’s magazine for the full road test feature with all the pictures – on sale Wednesday September 10.

This article was taken from: Auto Express

Land Rover’s Discovery 3 has been voted Best Family 4×4 by women’s motoring website evecars.com.

The model beat the Hyundai Santa Fe and the VW Tiguan to the accolade, which was presented by a judging panel of women and What Car? editor Steve Fowler.

Cars up for the title were tested for comfort, driving, space and practicality.

Alex Jenner-Fust, editor of evecars.com, said the car was “comfortable, feels modern and will tackle anything”.

Commenting on the model, whose new title will be of interest to holders of female car insurance, Land Rover UK’s managing director John Edwards said it was a “spacious, versatile and capable seven-seat family vehicle”.

Discovery 3 is powered by an advanced 2.7-litre TDV6 common rail diesel.

It has seven full-size adult seats in three rows and carries Land Rover’s Terrain Response system to provide settings for all driving conditions.

Its CO2 emissions are offset for the first 45,000 miles via Climate Care.

This article was taken from: YesInsurance.co.uk