Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Land Rover increases production of new Discovery and Range Rover Sport]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/10/land-rover-increases-production-of-new-discovery-and-range-rover/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/10/land-rover-increases-production-of-new-discovery-and-range-rover/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/10/land-rover-increases-production-of-new-discovery-and-range-rover/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



It's a little difficult to keep track of what's happening at Tata and JLR these days. While the XF sales continue apace and the XJ is promising, the JLR division lost £673.4 million pounds ($1.11B U.S.) last year, and parent company Tata was $520 million in the red at the end of its 2008 fiscal year. Due to those numbers and a so-far unfulfilled quest for financing, Tata has been relentlessly talking up the need to shed production workers.

A report today, however, says that because of "forecasts of strong demand" for the refreshed Land Rover Discover and Range Rover Sport, the Solihull plant will increase production. Workers who've been on shortened hours since the spring will now go back to a five-day work week. That's good news for the employees and hopefully for Tata. Worker at Land Rover's Halewood plant don't fare so well: the Freelander factory will be shut down intermittently because of low demand.

[Source: What Car?]

Land Rover increases production of new Discovery and Range Rover Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 discovery2010 land rover discovery2010 range rover2010 range rover sport2010Discovery2010LandRoverDiscovery2010RangeRover2010RangeRoverSportdiscoveryhalewoodland roverland rover discoveryLandRoverLandRoverDiscoveryluxurymanufacturingoff-roadplantsrange roverrange rover sportRangeRoverRangeRoverSportsolihullsuvtataukMon, 10 Aug 2009 17:59:00 EST<![CDATA["Twist the Throttle" motorcycle documentary series launches online]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/21/twist-the-throttle-motorcycle-documentary-series-launches-onli/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/21/twist-the-throttle-motorcycle-documentary-series-launches-onli/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/21/twist-the-throttle-motorcycle-documentary-series-launches-onli/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Over the weekend, Dylan Weiss from Cry Havoc Productions, Inc. let us know that his latest motorcycle-specific documentary went live at Discovery's Turbo online site. We've spent some time watching the footage, and we think it's awesome. Focusing in on Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, BMW, Ducati, MV Agusta and Bimota, the crew took plenty of footage home with them and managed to ride some of the greatest modern sportbikes ever created along the way. Best of all, over four hours of video is available online for free at their mini-site, broken down into 50 segments.

The whole shebang was shot in High Definition, so we have some serious hopes that it will air on The Discovery Channel, be offered on DVD or both. It's extremely entertaining and we definitely recommend checking it out. Thanks for the tip, Dylan!

[Source: Cry Havoc Productions, Discovery Turbo]

"Twist the Throttle" motorcycle documentary series launches online originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Mar 2008 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bimotabmwdiscoverydiscovery channeldiscovery-channelDiscoveryChannelducatihondakawasakimotorcyclemotorcyclesmv agustamv-agustaMvAgustasuzukitwist the throttletwist-the-throttleTwistTheThrottleyamahaFri, 21 Mar 2008 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Land Rover builds four millionth vehicle and gives it away]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/09/land-rover-builds-four-millionth-vehicle-and-just-gives-it-away/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/09/land-rover-builds-four-millionth-vehicle-and-just-gives-it-away/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/09/land-rover-builds-four-millionth-vehicle-and-just-gives-it-away/#commentsFiled under: ,



Over the past half century Land Rovers have become synonymous with naturalists and peacekeepers the world over. The Land Rover factory in Solihull, England turned out the first of those famous off-road vehicles 59 years ago and yesterday, the four millionth example of the breed rolled out the plant and into the hands of the Born Free Foundation. Since these vehicles have so often been used explore and film nature, the historic model will be used to help preserve it.

The Land Rover LR3 was accepted Born Free's Founder patron Joanna Lumley and will be used by the Foundation as a Rapid Response Rescue vehicle starting this summer in England, rescuing and releasing stranded marine animals. Lumley is the actress best known for her portrayal of past-her-expiry-date party girl Patsy on the BBC series Absolutely Fabulous.

[Source: Ford]

Gallery: 4 Millionth Land Rover

Continue reading Land Rover builds four millionth vehicle and gives it away

Land Rover builds four millionth vehicle and gives it away originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2007 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>born free foundationBornFreeFoundationdiscoveryLR3Wed, 09 May 2007 09:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Land Rover offers the Disco Pursuit]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/16/land-rover-offers-the-disco-pursuit/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/16/land-rover-offers-the-disco-pursuit/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/16/land-rover-offers-the-disco-pursuit/#commentsFiled under: ,



Land Rover will offer only 300 copies of its Discovery 3 Pursuit package in the UK at £30,000 (about $58,500). You can have one in any color you want as long as it's Java Black with a matching ebony leather interior.

The seven-seater 4x4 has 19" wheels, chrome accents all around, and is powered by LR's 190hp TDV6. An automatic transmission adds £1,000 to the price.

It's a beautiful combination of beauty and brawn for a pretty penny.

Read the full press release after the jump.

Continue reading Land Rover offers the Disco Pursuit

Land Rover offers the Disco Pursuit originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Feb 2007 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DiscoveryDiscovery PursuitDiscoveryPursuitLand RoverLand Rover DiscoveryLand Rover Discovery PursuitLand Rover limited editionLand Rover PursuitLandRoverLandRoverDiscoveryLandRoverDiscoveryPursuitLandRoverLimitedEditionLandRoverPursuitFri, 16 Feb 2007 14:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Land Rover means business: launching commercial version of LR3]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/11/land-rover-means-business-launching-commercial-version-of-lr3/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/11/land-rover-means-business-launching-commercial-version-of-lr3/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/11/land-rover-means-business-launching-commercial-version-of-lr3/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click to enlarge

This is only for the UK, which is kind of a shame. Some of us Autobloggers live in frozen regions where cargo vans fear to tread. Of course, we could pony up for a Quigley, but a Landie offers its stellar air suspension, storied capabilities, and more comfort. For commercial users, vans often make sense, but for those of us who aren't hauling furniture, the new Land Rover Discovery 3 Commercial sounds like it'd be just the ticket. The Disco, which we know in the US as the LR3, has had some fairy dust sprinkled on it in order to receive tax refunds offered to businesses by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

Post continues after the jump.

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading Land Rover means business: launching commercial version of LR3

Land Rover means business: launching commercial version of LR3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Feb 2007 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BritaincommercialDiscoveryEnglandeuroLand RoverLand Rover Discovery 3LandRoverLandRoverDiscovery3LR3RoverUKworkSun, 11 Feb 2007 10:27:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Ken Block jumps a Subie waaaaay too high]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/05/video-ken-block-jumps-a-subie-waaaaay-too-high/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/05/video-ken-block-jumps-a-subie-waaaaay-too-high/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/05/video-ken-block-jumps-a-subie-waaaaay-too-high/#commentsFiled under: , ,



We just saw Subaru's new lineup of rally drivers at the LA Auto Show last week, but little did we know we were in the presence of insanity. Ken Block, driver of the #43 car was on hand to show his team some support as they announced the contract extension of Travis Pastrana. It's hard to believe now, because Ken looked like a relatively normal guy, but he is certifiably insane. Who in his right mind would take a rally car, even one as capable as the WRX, and launch it 130 feet through the air?

Tipped to this story by 0-60 magazine, we managed to track down the YouTube video to show the jump in extremely poor quality, but in an attempt to prove that the still photos accompanying the story don't get taken for fakes. It seems cable fixture The Discovery Channel put this jump together for Stunt Junkies, "a TV Show where each episode revolves around a fearless feat never performed before," according to 0-60. Stunt Junkies shows how stunts are done, taking it from concept to completion. This particular episode is tentatively set to air in February. Click through the read link to hear what Block had to say about the jump, the X-Games, and fellow rallyers Colin McRae and Travis Pastrana. And to see some killer still shots too!

[Source: 0-60 Magazine]

VIDEO: Ken Block jumps a Subie waaaaay too high originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Dec 2006 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Colin McRaeColinMcraeDiscoveryKen BlockKenBlockStunt JunkiesStuntJunkiesTravis PastranaTravisPastranaX-GamesTue, 05 Dec 2006 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Forget South Beach, Land Rover using Jaguar diet]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/16/forget-south-beach-land-rover-using-jaguar-diet/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/16/forget-south-beach-land-rover-using-jaguar-diet/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/16/forget-south-beach-land-rover-using-jaguar-diet/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,




Hopefully the potential dispersal of the Ford Premier Group won't affect this wonderful Jaguar/Land Rover collaboration that is being rumored. By borrowing aluminum (aluminium?) expertise from Jaguar, future Land Rovers could be as much as 1,000 pounds lighter than current models. Utilizing Jaguar's rivet-bonded aluminum monocoque body design, Land Rover could continue to build large luxury SUVs that are lighter and return even better fuel economy.

According to What Car's inside source, the new Range Rover will be the first all-alloy, monocoque-bodied 4x4 when it debuts in 2010. "There's no decision yet, and we don't have to decide for a couple of years, but it seems a logical step to investigate," said their source.

As they further point out, the Discovery and Range Rover Sport are both due for replacement a couple of years after the Range Rover, and it would make economic sense to share the technology across as many models as possible to exact the best economies of scale for L-R. It was expected that the new RR might switch to Land Rover's semi-monocoque steel T5 platform, which underpins the Discovery and the Range Rover Sport, but this makes a whole lot more sense.

Curb weight for the current Range Rover is about 6,000 pounds, but with a similar 15% weight savings as Jag has witnessed, Land Rover could get that down to less than 5,000 while maintaining the off-road toughness for which its vehicles are known. The boost in fuel economy and performance wouldn't hurt either.

[Source: What Car?]

Forget South Beach, Land Rover using Jaguar diet originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Oct 2006 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aluminumDiscoveryFord Premier Auto GroupFordPremierAutoGroupLand RoverLandRovermonocoqueRange RoverRange Rover SportRangeRoverRangeRoverSportMon, 16 Oct 2006 14:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbo rumbles on the tellie courtesy of Discovery]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/02/turbo-rumbles-on-the-tellie-courtesy-of-discovery/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/02/turbo-rumbles-on-the-tellie-courtesy-of-discovery/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/02/turbo-rumbles-on-the-tellie-courtesy-of-discovery/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Discovery Communications, the company that brought American Chopper, Extreme Air and, of course, Discovery Channel, to the masses has announced a new channel, Turbo. As its name implies, Turbo will be covering all things vehicular. Already shown overseas in Latin America and Iberia, the U.S. version kicks off on July 4th with more than 250 video clips covering everything from tutorials to motor sports. A video-on-demand service will start towards the end of the year while a Turbo-brand program block will bow on TLC with new episodes of American Chopper and Overhaulin'. A third series will also be introduced at that time as well.

A press release can be found after the jump. Kudos for the tip, emulous1974!

Related:
I want my MTTV
Top Gear on the Discovery Channel

[Source: Mediaweek, Discovery Communications, Inc.]

Continue reading Turbo rumbles on the tellie courtesy of Discovery

Turbo rumbles on the tellie courtesy of Discovery originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jun 2006 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>discoverythe discovery channelTheDiscoveryChannelTurboFri, 02 Jun 2006 18:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Range Rover gets a turbodiesel V8]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/25/range-rover-gets-a-turbodiesel-v8/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/25/range-rover-gets-a-turbodiesel-v8/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/25/range-rover-gets-a-turbodiesel-v8/#commentsFiled under: ,

Land Rover has announced that the 2007 edition of the Range Rover will replace last year's 3-liter BMW-sourced diesel with a new V8 turbodiesel. Autocar reports that, while yielding virtually the same fuel economy as its predecessor, the new powerplant lends considerably more oomph to the King of the Range, cutting its 0-60 mph time by more than 4 seconds, to a downright respectable 8.5 seconds.

The luxury ute gets a few other mechanical upgrades to go with the new engine, including the LR3/Discovery model's five-mode Terrain Response system, and the supercharged Range Rover's electronic rear differential and Brembo brakes.

[Sources: Autocar; Land Rover]

Range Rover gets a turbodiesel V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 May 2006 07:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DieselDiscoveryFreelanderLand RoverLandRoverLR3oil burningOilBurningrange roverRangeRoverturbodieselv8v8 dieselv8 turbodieselThu, 25 May 2006 07:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Land Rover G4 Challenge set for Bangkok start]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/22/land-rover-g4-challenge-set-for-bangkok-start/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/22/land-rover-g4-challenge-set-for-bangkok-start/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/22/land-rover-g4-challenge-set-for-bangkok-start/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The 2006 edition of the Land Rover G4 Challenge will kick off this weekend in Bangkok, Thailand. The 18 competitors, selected from more than 10,000 applicants from around the world, will drive, climb, kayak, abseil, bike and navigate over a 4,000 km route spanning four countries and two continents in 28 days.

As one might expect, off-road driving is the centerpiece of the competition, but the epic event requires much more than driving skill - testing the competitors' initiative, strategy, physical fitness, sporting skills and teamwork.

This year's running of the Challenge covers the jungles of Laos, urban challenges in Bangkok and Rio de Janeiro, and the mountains of Bolivia. For more background and updates during the event, check out the Land Rover G4 Challenge website.

[Source: Land Rover]

Land Rover G4 Challenge set for Bangkok start originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Apr 2006 14:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DiscoveryFreelanderg4 challengeLand Roverland rover g4 challengeLandRoverLandRoverG4ChallengeLR3Range RoverRangeRoverRover SportRoverSportSat, 22 Apr 2006 14:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Land Rover criticized by British tv viewers for 'racist' advertisement]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/09/land-rover-dinged-by-british-television-viewers-for-racist-adv/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/09/land-rover-dinged-by-british-television-viewers-for-racist-adv/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/09/land-rover-dinged-by-british-television-viewers-for-racist-adv/#commentsFiled under: ,

A television advertisement for Land Rover's Discovery 3 (read: "LR3" in colonial English) has the British upscale SUV purveyor in hot water. Seventy-one viewers have filed complaints with the UK's Advertising Standards Authority for racist undertones vis-à-vis Inuit culture.

In the ad in question, an Disco pulls up to a sled-mushing Inuit. The sledder is distracted by the Rover, only to fall off his mount after running into a snowdrift. The Eskimo then runs off after his sledge, whose dogs have pulled it off into the distance.

Each of the 71 individuals filing grievances against the Green Oval have cited it for being 'racist' and maligning Inuit culture. Sixty also registered complaints over concern that Rover was harming the environment.In response, the UK's notoriously strict ASA has sloughed off the complaints, saying that it doesn't consider the ad racist or denigrating.

(More after the jump!)

Continue reading Land Rover criticized by British tv viewers for 'racist' advertisement

Land Rover criticized by British tv viewers for 'racist' advertisement originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Mar 2006 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Advertising Standards AuthorityAdvertisingStandardsAuthorityDiscoveryEskimoFreelanderInuitLand RoverLandRoverLR3racismTelevision adTelevisionAdThu, 09 Mar 2006 13:00:00 EST