Filed under: SUVs, Crossovers/CUVs, Land Rover
Land Rover announces LR2 HSE
click above image for a few high-res shots of the 2008 Land Rover LR2 HSE
Ford announced today that the littlest of Land Rovers, the LR2, is getting a new derivative called the LR2 HSE. Available from November 1st, the LR2 HSE appears to offer largely cosmetic changes to a customer hoping to look that much more wealthy than the guy in the Equinox next to him. Based on the LR2 SE, the HSE adds body color bumpers and side sills for the coherent look that's so the rage these days, as well as a rear spoiler, titanium door handles and meaty 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. The interior gets 8x6-way power seats and a new storage box with a sliding cover. Other than that, the LR2 HSE comes with the same 3.2L inline-six producing 230 hp and a deliberate trip to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds. Pricing was not released, but expect to pay a bit extra for your pomp.
[Source: Land Rover]
Gallery: 2008 Land Rover LR2 HSE
PRESS RELEASE:
LAND ROVER LAUNCHES THE 2008 LR2 HSE
Irvine, Calif, August 23, 2007 – Since its introduction in April 2007 the all-new Land Rover LR2 has enjoyed strong sales and to reinforce its line-up in the U.S., Land Rover North America today announced the introduction of a new and enhanced derivative – the LR2 HSE
This new version has a sportier stance than the LR2 SE due to body color bumpers and side sills, a rear spoiler, titanium door handles and 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. Changes to the interior see 8x6-way power adjustable seats and a storage box with a sliding cover.
"The LR2 reflects Land Rover's dynamic design, with a smart and spacious interior and an abundance of advanced technologies. It has been very well received around the world since its introduction," said Phil Popham, Land Rover's Managing Director. "The HSE version offers subtle changes for those customers seeking a slightly different look to their LR2."
All of the technical highlights of the LR2 SE are carried over into to the HSE model. These include a 3.2-liter inline-six engine that develops 230 bhp and provides 0-60 mph acceleration in 8.4 seconds (0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds).
The engine is matched to a new six-speed automatic transmission, with Land Rover's CommandShift™ offering manual sequential gear changes when required. There is also a driver-selectable sport mode for even more responsive performance.
The LR2 HSE is packed with technologies to improve both on-road and off-road performance. Land Rover's unique Terrain Response™ system is standard, making off-road use easier. Other advanced technologies include a new permanent intelligent all-wheel-drive system for superior traction and better on-road fuel economy. The patented Gradient Release Control works in conjunction with Hill Descent Control to improve driver confidence and control when releasing the brakes on steep and slippery slopes.
The LR2 HSE will be available November 1, 2007 at Land Rover retailers nationwide.
Land Rover North America is part of Ford Motor Company's Premier Automotive Group with headquarters in Irvine, California. Land Rover established operations in the U.S. in 1986, and now imports and distributes Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, LR3 and LR2 vehicles manufactured by Land Rover in Solihull and Halewood, England. Land Rover's worldwide operations are wholly owned by Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan. For information about the Land Rover retailer nearest you, call 800-FIND-4WD or log on to www.LandRoverusa.com.
Vehicle specifications and features are subject to change. For the latest Land Rover pricing and product information, contact Land Rover North America Product Communications at (949) 341-5800. Land Rover-related press releases and electronic photos of the company's products are available on-line in the Land Rover section of Ford Motor Company's news media website (media.landrover.com).
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SPG 3:45PM (8/24/2007)
This is a great example of a car that:
If I won I'd sell.
I'd never buy.
If it was a company car I'd probably really enjoy driving it and owning it for the duration of the lease.
I thought the little two door convertible Freelander was pretty cool though.
I think I've only seen about two or three of those in person though and two of them were bright orange with three spoke factory wheels.
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Rob 3:53PM (8/24/2007)
Yay! ANOTHER Suv! We need more! Really!
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Calguy 4:57PM (8/24/2007)
What a dud.
The LR2 moves the game on.. how? The lack of imagination with this vehicle is pretty blinding. -As is that cheezy grill.
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Seminole 5:33PM (8/24/2007)
Call me nuts, but it looks like a last gen Ford Escape. The profile and general shape of it does at least. And one thing I don't understand is the BLACK SIDE MIRRORS!!! How hard is it to put some body color plastic on those, I think black mirrors look hideous.
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Jeff R. 5:47PM (8/24/2007)
Seminole is not nuts, and here's why...
- I do notice elements of the last-generation Ford Escape throughout the exterior. The body sides and the front end shape seem to especially remind me of the 2001-2007 Escape. I too think the overall shape is Escape-ish.
- In the LR2's interior, I picked up a hint of Escape design there too. The center stack buttons look like the ones in the 2008 Escape, and the gauge cluster layout is similar to the newest Escape.
I keep getting this nagging impression that the Land Rover LR2 is Ford putting "lipstick on a pig", with many luxurious appearance enhancements and features to hide a generic design underneath. And it's too much money for the amount of mediocrity that's there.
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British_Rover 7:34PM (8/24/2007)
The LR2 doesn't share a single component with the Escape. The platform is different, the drivel train is different and the seats actually come from the Range Rover Sport just covered in different leather.
I sent in the tip about this at about 10:00 AM right after I got the hard copy of the press release and I don't even get a mention...
I won't bother sending in tips to you people anymore.
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SocalObserver 7:38PM (8/24/2007)
Uhhh...ever stop to think that maybe, just MAYBE, a publication like Autoblog, who gets test vehicles direct from the manufacturers for their "In the Autoblog Garage" segments, and attends major auto industry events, just might be on Land Rover's press release distribution list?
Seminole 7:53PM (8/24/2007)
I wasn't saying it was a fancied up escape, I'm talking about the profile reminds me a lot of the Escape.
Look at this picture of the LR2 :
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/08/2008hse_05_02.jpg
And this one of the Escape:
http://www.autobytel.com/images/carPics/TestDrv/TaraMello/500/05FordEscapeHybrid_16.jpg
Very similar profiles.
British_Rover 10:08PM (8/24/2007)
I am sure they are on the press release list but I have details that aren't in the press release. I started ordering these cars today so I have the full order guides, with the exception of pricing, printed out on my desk and I would have gladly shared that information if someone had asked.
Nick 2:27AM (8/25/2007)
I sent in fairly decent pics of ALMS practice at Lime Rock the evening after practice, with offers of pics of the actual race itself, and I never heard back from them.
MikeW 10:21PM (8/24/2007)
What about the 3.0 turbo version of the Inline6?
275hp/290ft-lbs sounds about right.
and the normal 3.46 axle ratio too (the 3.0 has 3.75)
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