Auto Express bags spy shots of the baby Range Rover in public for the first time

Land Rover’s family album for 2010 is complete!

autoexpress.co.uk has got the first undisguised images of the eagerly anticipated Compact Range Rover and the first pictures of the new, facelifted Land Rover Freelander.

Lightly disguised with a psychedelic paint job, these world first shots of the Range Rover reveal just how faithful to the design of the original Land Rover LRX concept car the new Range Rover will be.

It’s distinctive three-door bodywork and bold profile is virtually identical to the 2008 Detroit Motor Show star, as is the dramatic face, which gets pinched headlamps and a bold honeycomb grille.

Under the skin, Range Rover is promising to offer the very latest fuel saving technology. That means drivers will be offered a choice of 2.0-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel engines – both of which will offer stop and start technology.

First versions of the car will feature four wheel drive transmissions, though parent firm Land Rover has announced that a two-wheel drive edition is also under development.

The first front wheel drive model in its history, the two-wheel drive machine will be an addition to the range of all wheel drive compact Range Rovers. Serving as an entry level model that will focus on lower running costs and improved fuel efficiency.

Low emmissions are also promised, with the car producing less than 120g/km of CO2 – all of which will be achieved without the need for hybrid technology.

Land Rover is also likley to benefit from the new two wheel drive powertrain. Though no official announcement has been made, it seems likley that the technology will be made available on the front wheel drive edition of the facelifted Land Rover Freelander – which we also have pictured.
Due on sale later in 2010, Land Rover is also planning to introduce a new version of the TD4 E stop and start Freelander – this time paired with an automatic gearbox.

Looking further into the future, Land Rover is also working on a hybrid evolution of both this car and the Compact Range Rover – due for launch in 2013.

This article was taken from: autoexpress.co.uk

These are the first pictures of the Range Rover LRX in action.

The spy pictures were taken near Land Rover’s headquarters in the Midlands and this LRX is one of around 10 prototypes undergoing testing ahead of the car’s launch at the Paris motor show in the autumn. Each model is believed to be running a different psychedelic disguise.

See the first pictures of the Range Rover LRX in testing

LRX is only a codename for the car at present, although its final production name has yet to be decided. The LRX will be built at Land Rover’s Halewood plant in Merseyside and will be the first Land Rover to be offered with optional two-wheel drive, although only four-wheel drive models will be available from launch.

The LRX is similar to the VW Golf in size, although Land Rover has gone for style over practicality with its design.

Land Rover goes front-drive

All versions of the LRX are likely to use a version of the Freelander’s drivetrain, with a revised specification of that car’s PSA-sourced 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine producing around 185bhp. It will also be the first manual Range Rover since 2002, because a six-speed manual ‘box will be standard. The front-drive model will emit less than 130g/km of CO2; four-wheel-drive LRXs will emit around 140g/km.

The LRX will enter production next year and will be priced from around £35,000; front-drive models will cost around £5000 less.

This article was taken from: autocar.co.uk

The Landrover Discovery 4 has been named the best 4×4 at the annual Diesel Car, Car of the Awards 2010.

The Landrover Discovery 4 has been named the best 4×4 at the annual Diesel Car, Car of the Awards 2010 beating the Freelander and the Range Rover to the top spot.

The Landrover Discovery 4 has superb handling and comes with a powerful and highly efficient TDV6 3.0 litre twin turbo diesel engine. This new engine delivers nine percent fuel economy improvement (EU combined cycle) and ten percent less CO2 emissions at the same time as increasing power by 29% compared with the outgoing 2.7 litre engine. Hitting 62mph in nine seconds actually feels quite brisk for a vehicle of this size.

Inside the Landrover Discovery 4 there is superior leg space for all occupants while rear passengers sit slightly higher than the front and so have a great view. It is wide enough for three adults to sit in the rear too. On the seven seater space is excellent and you don’t need to be a child to be comfortable in the back. The boot space is acceptable when the third row is folded into the floor and access to the third row of seats is great. The levels of comfort and build quality inside the Landrover Discovery 4 are comparable to the Range Rover although some switches are chunkier and buttons more prominent.

The Landrover Discovery 4 comes with either six or eight air bags depending on whether its has five or seven seats. Stability and traction control plus anti lock brakes are all standard as is Hill Descent Control. It has been awarded four stars in both of EuroNCAP’s adult and child crash tests which are impressive results for a big SUV.

Ian Robertson, editor of Diesel Car Magazine said: “We offer no apologies for an all Land Rover line-up as finalists in this category, as the British firm’s 2010 range is simply the best ever. The Landrover Discovery 4 has always been unbeatable off-road, and now it has the on-road ace to match, with decent road manners and top notch refinement. There’s even enough room for seven full size adults on-board and there aren’t many vehicles that can cope with that.”

This article was taken from: motoring.co.uk