Autoblog

Land Rover to hire 1,000 in attempt to keep up with Evoque demand

Chris Shunk — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:45:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Land Rover, Luxury

Automakers are always attempting to show how popular their new vehicle is, but there are only two ways to truly prove a smashing hit. One is to deliver outstanding sales numbers, and the other is to experience demand so strong that new employees must be hired to help assemble them.

Land Rover is experiencing just such a success with its sexy new Evoque line, as evidenced by its latest press release. The Tata Motors owned luxury marque announced that it is hiring an additional 1,000 workers at its Halewood plant to bolster production. The facility, which currently builds the Evoque and the Freelander 2 (a.k.a. LR2), will now employ 4,500 workers, or three times the number it did in 2009.

With those new hires, the Halewood plant will now be running at or near full capacity, with three full eight-hour shifts. Hit the jump to read over the Land Rover press release which includes details of some of the positions needed at the plant.

Continue reading Land Rover to hire 1,000 in attempt to keep up with Evoque demand

Land Rover to hire 1,000 in attempt to keep up with Evoque demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoweek awards Audi A7 and Land Rover Evoque 'Best of the Best' titles

Zach Bowman — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Hatchback, Audi, Land Rover, Luxury

The editors from Autoweek have lined up their notes and named their 2011 Best of the Best. The 2012 Audi A7 and Land Rover Range Rover Evoque took the top honors, with editor Wes Raynal saying that the Audi is a vehicle with "few peers" thanks its integration of sedan styling and hatchback functionality. The Evoque, meanwhile, won over the hearts and minds of those at Autoweek thanks to its Land Rover roots and excellent ride refinement. The publication says the Evoque redefines the brand.

Autoweek isn't alone in its picks. As you may recall, the editors at our sister site, AOL Autos, chose both the A7 and the Evoque for the website's first-ever car of the year awards, Motor Trend named the Evoque its SUV of the Year, and we're rather fond of them both, as well.

In order to qualify for the Autoweek Best of the Best list, a vehicle had to be completely or substantially new for 2011. Click past the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Autoweek awards Audi A7 and Land Rover Evoque 'Best of the Best' titles

Autoweek awards Audi A7 and Land Rover Evoque 'Best of the Best' titles originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #257

Dan Roth — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Podcasts, Chevrolet, Honda, Land Rover, Subaru, Fiat

LA Recap, Soave out at Fiat, ZL1 "you're welcome," Gray-market petition

Episode #257 of the Autoblog Podcast is here with Chris, Dan, Zach, and Autoblog Executive Editor Chris Paukert this week. Topics include the turmoil at Fiat USA with Soave stepping down and 500 sales creeping along, a recap of the Los Angeles Auto Show, the "you're welcome" to Ford fans from the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 chief engineer, and the petition underway to reduce gray-market import restrictions from 25 to 15 years. Your questions and comments power the end of the 'cast, and we'll have our live 'cast back at our UStream channel soon. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #257:

Fiat USA in turmoil as Soave is out amid slow 500 sales
Petition started to shorten gray market exemption from 25 to 15 years
Camaro ZL1 chief engineer says "you're welcome" to Ford Mustang fans
Los Angeles Auto Show recap

In the Autoblog Garage
2012 Subaru Impreza
2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
2011 Toyota Avalon
2012 Honda CR-V
2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman, Chris Paukert

Runtime: 01:35:51

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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #257

Autoblog Podcast #257 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover to Biggie-size Evoque?

Zach Bowman — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Land Rover, Rumormill, Luxury

Land Rover Evoque - Click above for high-res image gallery

Autocar is reporting that Land Rover may be looking into super-sizing its new Evoque mini-crossover. Word has apparently come down from shadowy sources inside the company that indicates executives are looking to add a fourth model to the Land Rover line. If you believe what you read on the internet, that vehicle will slot between the Evoque and the Range Rover Sport in terms of size and price (what this would mean for the LR2/Freelander, we're not sure), but will likely be built on the bones of the smaller Rover. The creation even has a name; "Grand Evoque," which sounds more than a little like a character pulled out of George Lucas', um, mind.

Autocar indicates that the mooted Grand Evoque will even wear similar styling to its smaller forebearer. That includes making use of a traditional five-door design to allow for easy ingress and egress with coupe-like aesthetics. Autocar says that the motivation behind crafting a mid-sized CUV for the Land Rover line comes from the fact that American buyers are pumping cash into the segment at a blistering pace and that the Chinese market is similarly ripe for an explosion.

Land Rover to Biggie-size Evoque? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Preview: Land Rover reveals the Evoque

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Paris Motor Show, Land Rover, Luxury

2012 Land Rove Evoque - Click above for high-res image gallery

Here's the production 2012 Range Rover Evoque in all its glory, and the LRX-inspired CUV is lighter, meaner and greener than anything to come from the Range Rover arsenal.

Buyers can opt for three exterior design themes: Pure, a minimalistic take with 19-inch wheels and natural colors complemented by brushed metal trim adorning the insides; Prestige, a "bespoke exterior" treatment with exclusive 19-inch wheels paired "an indulgent interior;" or Dynamic, with 19- or 20-inch wheels a reworked bodykit, and a sportier cabin complete with perforated leather seats and a bit more bling.

Inside, the interior is influenced not only by the Range Rover Sport, but by Jaguar as well. Seriously bolstered seats straddle a center tunnel where a rotary gear transmission selector rises to hand. The four-setting Terrain Response System dial has been replaced with buttons attending an illuminated menu and controls are mainly managed through an eight-inch touchscreen. Aural enjoyment is provided by the 825-watt, 17-speaker Meridian sound system with additional inputs for other peripherals.

Underneath the Evoque's hood is a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine that, naturally, is not called EcoBoost. Referred to as the Si4, it's been developed for North American audiences and produces 240 horsepower that runs through a six-speed automatic transmission. Electric power steering is standard, a regenerative electrical system captures energy when things get hauled down and everything is kept on an even keel thanks to a MagneRide adaptive dynamics suspension.

Sales of the LRX start in the fall of 2011, and all the info you could want can be found in the press release after the jump, while dessert is in the gallery of high-res photos below. We'll be getting even closer to it in a week's time at the Paris Motor Show.

Gallery: 2012 Range Rover Evoque

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Land Rover reveals the Evoque

Paris Preview: Land Rover reveals the Evoque originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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