With the economic crisis in full bloom, driving around in the Range Rover Sport is like wearing a target on your back. Face it: Joining the Hummer as the poster brand for gas-guzzling SUVs, the Rover also screams “conspicuous consumption” at a time when fiscal restraint is mandated. Call me paranoid, but I swear I can feel the daggers being thrown at me by hybrid drivers as I thunder by them in a 2,572-kilogram beast consuming four times the fossil fuel of their parsimonious little Priuses, Insights, et al.

Maybe the rich are inured to such scorn, but my middle-class sensibilities are far more thin-skinned. The fact that I thoroughly enjoy driving conservative, upper crust Land Rover’s most radical, politically incorrect model is not helping matters.

The Sport, which Land Rover first brought out for the 2006 model year, is what the company calls a “sports tourer,” not a descriptor one normally associates with an SUV, even one as hoity-toity as a Range Rover. Then again, not that many five-seater utes come with a supercharged, 390-horsepower, 4.2-litre V8 and enough electronic aids for it to make a coffee run up Mount Kilimanjaro. Bring the Gold Card with you when filling up at the pumps — my test average for the week was 17.5 litres of premium fuel per 100 kilometres. (If that’s not bad enough, for 2010, Land Rover is tossing the engine in favour of another Jaguar-sourced V8 with five litres and 510 hp in blown form. Lest you believe that the height of profligacy, BMW will introduce M versions of its X5 and X6 later this year, replete with a 555-hp, twin-turbo V8. And there’s already the 550-hp, Porsche Cayenne Turbo S.)

I suppose that along with never being too rich or too thin, one can never have enough power when driving up to the ski resort, but I find the engine setup just fine. The rumble that emanates from the twin exhaust pipes is a deep, rich bass. Laying into the throttle not only ups the decibel level to a macho bellow, it sees the Sport move with an eagerness that belies its avoirdupois. Hitting 100 kilometres an hour from a standstill takes less than eight seconds if one uses the manual portion of the six-speed manumatic transmission.

The supercharged Sport handles well for a big SUV, thanks to the standard Dynamic Response system and its computer-controlled active anti-roll control. Kudos also to the air suspension, which proves that handling doesn’t have to come at the expense of a spine-compressing ride. And, the Range Rover stops as well as it goes, with big ventilated disc brakes (Brembos up front), ABS, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist to keep things in check when the anchor is dropped. Other safety nannies include all-terrain Dynamic Stability Control, Cornering Brake Control and Hill Descent Control.

All Land Rovers are renowned for unparalleled off-road abilities, and the full-time, four-wheel-drive Range Rover Sport is no exception, although extreme boonie bashing in an $85,500 rig equipped with P275/40R20 Continental performance rubber and a shiny set of alloy rims is more than a little incongruent. Still, if traipsing over hill and dale is your thing, the Sport’s Terrain Response system has your back. Setting a console knob in one of five available modes adjusts throttle and gear changes, positions the suspension at the appropriate ride height, sets the centre differential in a mode suitable for the conditions and alters the nannies’ functions. About the only things it doesn’t do is wipe your nose and pull up your socks.

Moving to the Sport’s cabin, there are the requisite top-quality materials including comfortable and supportive leather-lined seats and a full list of comfort and convenience features. That said, it’s obvious Land Rover needs to update the SUV to keep up with the competition. At the Sport’s price, it would not be out of line to expect upscale accoutrement such as push-button start, backup cameras and a power rear tailgate as standard fare. And, while I will admit to being a Luddite when it comes to such matters, I have techno-savvy friends who tell me the electronics — audio, navigation system and Bluetooth integration– are no longer state-of-the-art.

Actually, more than the latest electronic doodads, I would love to see the Sport offered in Canada with the turbodiesel option that’s available in Europe. That would at least mitigate some of the sport-ute’s swinish fuel consumption.

Not being a member of the horsey or apres-ski sets, I have no clue if the Sport is still the luxury sport-ute in which to be seen. But, if your lifestyle incorporates the need for an elegant “mudder superior,” its style, panache and performance still make it desirable.

bharper@nationalpost.com

THE SPECS:

Type of vehicle: Four-wheel-drive luxury SUV

Engine: Supercharged 4.2L DOHC V8

Power: 390 hp @ 5,750 rpm; 410 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500 rpm

Transmission: Six-speed manumatic

Brakes: Four-wheel disc with ABS

Tires: P275/40R20

Price: base/as tested: $85,500/$89,500

Destination charge: $1,270

Transport Canada fuel economy L/100 km: 17.7 city, 11.4 hwy.

Standard features: Bi-xenon automatic headlights with power washers, power-folding and heated exterior mirrors, front and rear fog lights, keyless entry, 550-watt harman/kardon Logic7 digital surround-sound audio system with 14 speakers, DVD-based GPS navigation system with off-road interface, eight-way power front seats, power tilt and telescopic steering column, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control with pollen filter, automatic variable-speed rain-sensing windshield wipers, front and rear Park Distance Control, power sunroof, power windows, automatic-dimming inside rear-view mirror, HomeLink, tire pressure monitoring system

This article was taken from: Driving

Debuting over 60 years ago, the Defender has done its part to get people across everything from the deserts of Africa to the jungles of your girlfriend’s panties. It has been a man’s man SUV since your dad was a kid, belonging to a group only the few and the proud have been able to join: hard-ass purpose-built-with-no-compromises off-roaders (think bricks that like to swim). Unfortunately, Land Rover and its new owners have decided to go and crap on its thick-browed-bully by luxurizing it (there’s a new word for you) even further with these Fire and Ice special editions.

The price for these club-going neanderthals jumps up to around a €68,000 (more or less, depending on whether you opt for the 90 or 110, I imagine). What do you get for all that extra dough? Well, for one you get a couple of factory colors – Vesuvius Orange and China Alaska White – that also get splashed onto the headlight- and taillight-surrounds. There’s also the Santorini Black paint found on the hood, fender flares, and roof. Up top there’s a glass sunroof, and down low are the running boards and shiny new alloys. Lastly, inside are the Recaro seats in leather and alcantera. Try hosing out THAT interior, Miss Thang.

The special edition packages don’t do anything to the ladder-framed and aluminum-bodied 4×4’s capabilities, but they do make it seem more 5th Avenue than 5th parallel. Chinese, South African, and European buyers still get the 122-horse/360 Nm 2.4 liter CRD (which, according to the website, can run on sulfur-rich fuels one may encounter in “remote parts of the world”) and the 6-speed, but there’s still something prissy about it, like an H1 with Nappa leather and low-profile tires on 22’s. At least only 850 copies will be made; all the less likely I’ll see one and have to key it.

Some people – hopefully smoking-hot women – will buy one of these things and worry about getting it scratched in the parking lot. That’s ok. If you’re a guy and have the same worries, though, I’m going to have to ask that you hand in your Man Card. Don’t worry, we’ll have a nice hairdryer/curler combo as a consolation prize for you.

This article was taken from: Examiner

The new 2010 Range Rover, new 2010 Range Rover Sport and new Discovery 4 will have their UK public debut at the 2009 Motorexpo, which starts today and runs until Sunday, June 14 in Canary Wharf.

The significant improvements to these vehicles include: two new refined and powerful engines, delivering improved fuel economy and CO2 emissions, striking exterior design changes, and completely redesigned interiors bringing new levels of refinement, technology and craftsmanship.

Prices for the 2010 Range Rover – on sale from mid July – have been announced today and reflect an increase in the level of specification (including some major technological enhancements) and an improvement in performance – which all add greater customer value.

New pricing is as follows:

3.6-litre TDV8

Vogue £64,695
Vogue SE £70,995
Autobiography £75,695

New 5.0-litre V8 Supercharged

Autobiography £79,995

Prices for the New 2010 Range Rover Sport and New Discovery 4 – on sale from September 1 – will be subject to a further announcement.

Also on show at the 2009 London Motorexpo is the Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4_e, Land Rover’s most fuel-efficient vehicle to date and the world’s first SUV featuring intelligent stop/start technology. Visitors to the Land Rover stand will be offered the opportunity to test drive one on a designated on-road route.

For more information on any of the Land Rover range please visit the Land Rover stand. To book a test drive or to locate your local Land Rover dealership, visit landrover.co.uk

This article was taken from: easier.com

Highway driving in the Land Rover LR3 is rather pleasurable. Despite the myriad of off road suspension components, weighty transaxle and robust platform, the LR3 is as sedate as an English gentleman. As I drove my brother-in-law, friend (who’s a middle school principal), wife and kids in the Land Rover LR3, questions flew. “I don’t understand,” asked my brother-in-law, “Why so much money for a SUV?”

I should respond with, “These vehicles have endured punishment and evaluation from the Kalahari to the Sahara, even Antarctica.” I wanted to point out that Land Rovers and Range Rovers are world known for their utter unflappability in just about any off road situation. I have driven the LR3 off road (last year’s model) and was absolutely astonished at the ease in which it went over slick rock, deep mud and boulders so competently. With its “body-frame” (framework and body combined) holding on heavy components, I was pleased at the slightly over 8 second 0 to 60 times.

In snow, it is outright remarkable.

The suspension and diff controls range from “easy-to-figure-out” to “a-bit-of-a-learning curve” and are located south of the gear lever. I derived great pleasure in controlling the height control of the suspension which gives nearly a foot of lift from the lowest setting. In this case, I would fully lower the LR3 providing my stubby legged sister easier access. When she complained about my inequity of treatment (apparently, I embarrassed her) I went to full off-road lift, which required serious effort for her to climb inside, replete with dangling sister’s legs.

Playing around aside; I delighted at the rotary knob that selected various road conditions. All the driver has to do is select the snow, gravel, steep incline/boulder, etc. settings and drive. The downhill descent switch is as easy to find as it is in the middle of the controls. Simply find a steep hill, aim straight down and depress the yellow button. Once underway, take your foot off the brake and accelerator and let the hill decent control slow the LR3 to an unhurried walking pace.

My Land Rover LR3 came packed with HSE derivative badge, premium navigation system (which I changed from an American voice to a sultry British voice), Personal Telephone Integration (PTI) with Bluetooth® connectivity, SIRIUS® Satellite Radio, and the Heavy Duty (for towing) package. This has an electronically controlled, infinitely variable locking rear differential with a full-sized spare tire and alloy wheel.

A minor issue I had with the satellite radio is that I could not figure out how to change the display to mention the song and artist. If there is a way, it is less than intuitive. The numerous buttons on the dash take some getting used to. Still, it is a rugged yet sophisticated looking dashboard and control cluster.

I opted to address my brother-in-law with a simple statement as we neared our YMCA cabins. “I have a Land Rover, that should be enough of an answer.” I hated saying it as it showed my bias, but it is true. No other vehicle has been as pleasing off road as my good old Disco (Rover fan talk for “Discovery”). This new one is better in nearly every way.

Just before bedtime, one of my friends and I witnessed a cool activity at the YMCA of the Rockies; a horse-drawn hay cart passed by holding about a dozen people. We found out that they were on their way to a nighttime marshmallow roast. The YMCA does not allow camp fires anywhere other than in a specified area for safety. Upon inquiring about the horse drawn campfire excursion, many people told me it was a hell of a good time and the livery staff is (oddly) very nice. Prices for this hour and ½ night time event are 19 bucks per person OR you can pay 17 smackers per person as a group of 15 or more.

Next time – I will definitely do the hay-ride with the kids.

That evening, all 4 families attempted to adjust to their not-so-comfortable beds. Mine was tilted at a severe angle and I clung on to the side of the mattress to prevent rolling into my pregnant wife. We slept poorly. In hindsight, bringing sleeping bags and camping on the floor would have been the wise thing to do.

Next time, (if there is a “next time”) we may spend a few bucks more and opt for a different camping lodge further off the beaten path. I mean, if we use another Land Rover LR3 – the further off the beaten path the better. I wager 80% of LR3 owners exploit a small percentage of the Land Rover LR3’s ability. Perhaps one day, I will push the envelope further while trekking to a more enjoyable destination.

Am I saying in my backhanded way, “Keep away from the YMCA of the Rockies?”

No.

This is a beautiful place with lots of potential. It just needs to be perfected. The Land Rover LR3 on the other hand is (real) SUV perfection.

This article was taken from: examiner.com