Autoblog

Next-gen Land Rover LR2 spotted... unless it's the LWB Evoque

Seyth Miersma — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Land Rover, Luxury, Off-Road

The spy photographers we work with are fairly adept at figuring out what it is, exactly, they happen to be taking a picture of that day. So, when the shooters send notes along with their images, we don't often quibble too much with the conclusions that they've drawn.

Case in point is this new set of spied photographs, depicting what would appear to be a variant of the Range Rover Evoque. Our man on the ground tells us that, tipped off by the slightly disfigured area around the fuel filler and the misshapen wheel arches, the larger-than-normal Evoques seen here are actually test mules for the next iteration of the Land Rover LR2. With the development still in the very early stages, the new LR2 (known elsewhere as the Freelander) may not be ready for primetime until sometime in 2015.

That all certainly makes sense from the perspective of the current Land Rover/Range Rover lineup, still we can't help but at least wonder if there's a chance that what we're seeing is the embodiment of the rumored long-wheelbase Evoque? Smart money may still be on the revised LR2, but we'll keep watching to see what these testers really turn into.

Next-gen Land Rover LR2 spotted... unless it's the LWB Evoque originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Land Rover LR2

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, First Drives, Luxury

Evoque's Older Brother Gets Some Love

Brands like Jeep, Land Rover and General Motors' now-defunct Hummer all come from rich military backgrounds, with their forebearers having proven their ability to tackle just about any terrain, from desert to jungle. Each has faced the difficult challenge of evolving from battle-tested off-road vehicles to civilian-ready status symbols. For Land Rover, which is arguably to New York City and Miami what the Toyota Prius is to Los Angeles, this is especially true. Yet even so, the British automaker still relies on rugged capability to sell products ranging from Range Rovers with six-figure price tags right on down to the LR2 shown here.

Positioned in a class full of vehicles with nicknames like "cute ute" and "soft roader," the 2013 LR2 - known as Freelander 2 in other markets - stands out even more for its respectable off-road abilities in spite of its car-based underpinnings, so Land Rover has focused its attention on refining its entry-level product as a midcycle refresh for 2013. The 2013 Land Rover LR2 still rides on the proven Ford/Volvo EUCD chassis also shared with the Range Rover Evoque, and rather than killing off the existing model when its sleeker, more street-minded relative arrived, Land Rover has done just the opposite, incorporating most of the technology developed for the Evoque into the 2013 LR2.

So how successful has Land Rover been at improving the finer aspects of its gateway model without messing up the off-road ruggedness that defines its brand as a whole? We spent a cold, snowy day near Montreal testing the limits of this baby Land Rover to find out.

Continue reading 2013 Land Rover LR2

2013 Land Rover LR2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover recalls 2012 Evoque, LR2 for brake issue

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 08:03:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Recalls, Safety, Land Rover, Luxury

Jaguar Land Rover has issued a recall of two models, the 2012 Range Rover Evoque and the 2012 Land Rover LR2 over a brake issue. Up to 70 vehicles could be affected, all built on a single day, June 11, 2012. The retaining bolts on the rear calipers of those vehicles could have been torqued incorrectly, with the potential consequence that the brake caliper could detach and cause a loss of braking or damage to the wheel while driving.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that a recall is due to begin no later than January 18, 2013. At that time owners can take their vehicles to their dealers to have the bolts tightened properly if necessary. The NHTSA bulletin below has more information.

Continue reading Land Rover recalls 2012 Evoque, LR2 for brake issue

Land Rover recalls 2012 Evoque, LR2 for brake issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Dec 2012 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover LR2 gets updated look, turbo four power for 2013

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:46:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Paris Motor Show, Land Rover, Luxury, Off-Road

Land Rover is being liberal with its amenities, distributing luxe features from its Range Rover Evoque, 2013 Range Rover and Jaguar sedans to its entry-level 2013 LR2. Right out front is a new engine: the same 240-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 250 pound-feet of torque found in the Evoque is now the sole engine offered in the LR2. It replaces the 3.2-liter six-cylinder and brings with it the benefits of being 88 pounds lighter, having 10 more horsepower and 16 more pound-feet of torque. Shifting remains through a six-speed transmission with CommandShift for manual cog swapping.

Outside are three new potential hues: Aintree Green, Havana and Mauritius Blue. Those new paint selections set off tweaked design cues like the revised Xenon headlamps and LED taillamps, refreshed brightwork around the grille and fog lamps, and "paint detailing changes" made to the grille insert and fender vents.

Inside, the center console gets a seven-inch touchscreen that is mission control for the updated-but-optional hard-drive based navigation system, the "Say What You See" voice control operation, an available rearview camera with Hitch Assist. In addition, buyers will get to chose between one of two Meridian surround sound stereos - the ultimate having 825-watts and 17-speakers. A new five-inch screen lives between the dials in the dash cluster, the steering wheel now fitted with switches to navigate menus that appear there.

On the practical side, the Terrain Response dial disappears, replaced by buttons, while an intelligent electronic parking brake keeps tabs on the temperature of the brakes and how much clamping force is being applied. A pushbutton start system has been adopted, relegating the key dock to history.

How much will the goodies cost you? It will take $37,250 to get in the 2013 LR2 door, a $700 bump over the 2012 model. The HSE goes up by $750 to $39,750, while the HSE LUX is $850 more dear at $42,350. Why get an LR2 instead of the similarly sized and far fresher Evoque, you ask? Presumably because the LR2 is still a lot cheaper - 2012 Evoque models start at $43,995. Besides, the LR2's more traditional and upright styling plays to a different audience than the fashion-forward Evoque.

You can peruse the press release below for more on the noteworthy changes before diving into the massive high-res gallery above. We expect to see the real thing in the metal at the Paris Motor Show late next month.

Continue reading Land Rover LR2 gets updated look, turbo four power for 2013

Land Rover LR2 gets updated look, turbo four power for 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover mulling sub-LR2 "leisure" model

Zach Bowman — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Land Rover, UK, Design/Style, Luxury, Off-Road

Land Rover has made no secret of the fact that the company aims to flesh out its stable between now and 2017 with the addition of around 40 new model variants. Now Inside Line has given us the first hint of what the first of those models may bring to the table. According to reports, the company is in the beginning stages of developing a new leisure range to slot below the current LR2. Details are scarce at the moment, but the vehicle will reportedly be the smallest Land Rover to wear the company's badge if it gets the nod for production.

The company also intends to give hardware like the LR2 and LR4 a significant update with freshened exteriors and interiors that are more carlike in an attempt to lure in more buyers.

Land Rover is likely hoping to replicate the warm reception of the Range Rover Evoque in a less expensive, more accessible package. Sounds good to us.

Land Rover mulling sub-LR2 "leisure" model originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover dumping alphanumeric names

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Land Rover

According to a new report, Land Rover will soon adopt a global naming structure that allows the company's products to carry the same nomenclature around the world. Currently, Land Rover sells the LR4 and LR2 here in the United States, but overseas, these vehicles are better known as the Discovery and Freelander, respectively.

This isn't a huge leap for Land Rover to make. After all, even before the LR4 (well, LR3) debuted in 2004 as a 2005 model, its predecessor was called the Discovery here in North America. The same applies with the LR2, which was previously known as the Freelander. While those old names evoke both positive and negative feelings within the minds of both enthusiasts and buyers, the recognition is still there, something that apparently can't be said for the company's current alphanumeric naming conventions.

Car and Driver reports that these naming changes will be coming within the next five years, when the successors for the current LR4 and LR2 arrive.

Land Rover dumping alphanumeric names originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover recalls nearly 3,000 LR2 models over potential airbag fault

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Recalls, Safety, Land Rover

2009 Land Rover LR2 HSE - Click above for high-res image gallery

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced that all Land Rover LR2 models built between November 12, 2009 and August 23, 2010 are being recalled. We can't really describe the issue any better than NHTSA, so here's the official statement:

The shorting bar in the clock spring may become disconnected when the driver's air bag module connector is installed, which means the driver's frontal airbag may not deploy as intended or at all and therefore will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injury.

Naturally, the fix will be performed at the owner's local dealership at no charge. Hit the jump for the entire statement from NHTSA.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Land Rover LR2 HSE

Photos copyright (C)2009 Chris Paukert / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Land Rover recalls nearly 3,000 LR2 models over potential airbag fault

Land Rover recalls nearly 3,000 LR2 models over potential airbag fault originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Land Rover revisits claymation for new Freelander/LR2 ad campaign

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Land Rover, UK, Luxury, Off-Road

Claymation ad for the 2011 Land Rover Freeland 2/LR2 - Click above to watch video after the jump

Land Rover is getting ready to roll out a new ad campaign in support of the 2011 Freelander 2, a vehicle we know here as the LR2. You might expect Land Rover to go the traditional route of glamorous clean shots of the car mixed with a flurry of scenes highlighting its off-road capability. That's not the case here, as it has decided to go in another direction... a rather squishy one at that.

Land Rover is harnessing the advertising power of claymation to promote the new LR2. The "star" of the commercial, besides the little luxury utility vehicle, is a character by the name of Clay Mason. The Mason character discusses his past claymation acting history, his tough work schedule on this shoot and what it was like to drive the 2011 LR2. It's actually a little on the creepy side...

The spot took five weeks to shoot and then another four weeks were required for editing and production. There's an astonishing two-tons of modeling clay on display, and the team built a fully operational scale LR2 model for the shoot. It will air in the United Kingdom starting January 2011. The clip, along with a making-of video, is available for your viewing pleasure after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading Video: Land Rover revisits claymation for new Freelander/LR2 ad campaign

Video: Land Rover revisits claymation for new Freelander/LR2 ad campaign originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Land Rover LR2/Freelander 2 revealed - includes first-ever front-drive model

Zach Bowman — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Europe, Land Rover, UK, Luxury, Off-Road

2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Put down the pitchforks, purists. While it's true that Land Rover has just announced a brand-spanking new take on its LR2/Freelander 2 that forgoes the company's go-anywhere all-wheel drive in favor of a more efficient front-wheel drive setup, the drivetrain is only available on a single diesel model. What's more, Land Rover officials tell Autoblog that we won't be seeing the FWD model on our shores (we don't get the diesel anyway). The trucklets should hit dealer lots in the UK toward the end of September, offering a more efficient take on high-riding luxury with a 2.2-liter turbocharged diesel engine with around 150 horsepower. When bolted to a manual transmission, the engine turns out 38 mpg US. On second thought, maybe we could do without those rear tires kicking. If you're a Statesider and like the idea of a front-drive Landie, there's still a chance you'll be able to get your wish - the forthcoming Evoque crossover is also slated to be available so-equipped, although it isn't immediately clear if such models will be available here.

Land Rover will also let UK buyers bolt the thrifty little oil burner into an all-wheel drive model, though doing so carries a penalty of about 5 mpg. If you find yourself living in the Old Empire and want a little more power out of your pint-size Rover, you can opt up for a 190 horsepower gasoline engine, too, though it's worth pointing out that you can only get that mill with an automatic gearbox.

Even if North America doesn't receive the diesel or front drive, we will get the 2011 model's modestly updated look and upgraded interior. You'll have to look closely to see the changes, but there's a new bumper cap with revamped fog lamps, a revised grille finish, as well as 'improved' headlights and new taillights. Perhaps most noticeable are the Freelander 2's new alloy wheel patterns.

The baby Rover's interior has also received a badly needed update, but it only includes reworked gauges, seats, carpets and revised stowage, well shy of the interior rehabbing that the rest of the LR lineup received for 2010. Hit the jump for a look at the press release and try to spot the exterior changes in our high-res gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading 2011 Land Rover LR2/Freelander 2 revealed - includes first-ever front-drive model

2011 Land Rover LR2/Freelander 2 revealed - includes first-ever front-drive model originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Land Rover Freelander/LR2 facelift caught testing

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 19 May 2010 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Crossover, Land Rover, Off-Road

Land Rover Freelander/LR2 facelift - Click above for high-res image gallery

Land Rover may be hard at work prepping its all-new LRX, but that doesn't mean the rest of the model range is being put on the back-burner. New versions of the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport debuted for 2010, as did the LR3-replacing LR4, and now it appears that the automaker is giving its LR2 (or Freelander, as it's still referred to overseas) a slight nip/tuck for the new model year.

Our spies have captured this lightly camouflaged prototype out testing, sporting what appears to be a revised front fascia. From what we can tell, it looks like Land Rover will be breaking up the front bumper by adding another air intake to the middle of the LR2's face, which leads us to believe that the front foglamps will be repositioned lower on the vehicle. Aside from that, not much else appears to be changing on the LR2, but we won't be surprised if some interior adjustments crop up for the 2011 model year, hopefully inspired by the renovated (and greatly improved) instrument panels in the rest of the range.

We'll be very interested to see what the future holds for the LR2 here in the States, especially with the smaller, more efficient and cheaper LRX in the pipeline. Currently, the LR2 doesn't account for a particularly sizable chunk of Land Rover's sales, and we won't be surprised if prospective buyers look toward the sleeker, more attractive LRX as a more worthy alternative.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Land Rover Freelander/LR2 Facelift

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Land Rover Freelander/LR2 facelift caught testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 May 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2009 Land Rover LR2 HSE is naughty by nature

Chris Paukert — Tue, 19 May 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, SUV, Crossover, Land Rover, New Car Reviews

2009 Land Rover LR2 HSE - Click above for high-res image gallery

Land Rovers have always gone their own way - often literally. While off-roading demands a low center of gravity and muddy trails would seem to warrant hose-out interiors and body-on-frame-construction, the British automaker has long contented itself building tippy-looking unibody boxes with tall greenhouses and opulent cabins - the anti-Humvee, as it were. Further, in recent iterations, they've packed their products with immense electronic systems, air suspensions, dial-a-topography Terrain Response controllers, and so on... the very sort of complexity that ought to be enough to send English sports car enthusiasts running back to their therapists' offices.

And yet, the formula has always worked - vehicles like the Range Rover and Discovery (now LR3) have somehow managed to earn both Kalahari-traversing credentials and valet stand privileges. Other companies have attempted the leather-lined off-roader thing before (Lamborghini, Lexus, Hummer, Porsche, and LaForza come to mind), but while some have added the trappings of luxury to their SUVs, exactly no one has been as successful in marrying their vehicles to the notion of aristocracy - the sort of "Lord and Master of All That I Survey" quality that has remained Solihull's historic preserve. In short, Land Rovers have always been a gloriously and uniquely British contradiction on wheels - a fact that goes some way toward explaining why your author remains more than a little conflicted when it comes to this LR2.

Click through to the jump to find how it all shakes out.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Land Rover LR2 HSE

Continue reading Review: 2009 Land Rover LR2 HSE is naughty by nature

Review: 2009 Land Rover LR2 HSE is naughty by nature originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 May 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seven-seat Land Rover LR2 could hijack LR3 name

Chris Shunk — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Land Rover

Click above for high-res gallery of the Land Rover LR2 HSE

The LR2 gives Land Rover a semi-affordable entry model that is much more fuel efficient than the rest of the luxury SUV-maker's lineup. To help keep LR2 sales strong in a car market that is increasingly tougher for crossovers and SUVs, Land Rover is reportedly looking at adding a third row of seats by 2010. So the question is, how does Land Rover differentiate the seven-seat LR2 from the five-seater? Sometimes an automaker will just increase the number in the model's name by one, but that apparently doesn't work well with the luxury automaker's brilliantly simple naming convention.

One idea is to shuffle names around to differentiate the two LR2 models. The seven-seat LR2 could be called the LR3, while the current LR3, a different model entirely, would then get bumped up to LR4 status. We understand there aren't many options for Land Rover, but shuffling around model names with which customers are already familiar seems extreme. Why not make the seven-seat model the LR2 L or LR2 XL or LR2 ES? There is, after all, already an LR2 HSE.

Gallery: 2008 Land Rover LR2 HSE

[Source: Auto Week]

Seven-seat Land Rover LR2 could hijack LR3 name originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover announces LR2 HSE

John Neff — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Land Rover

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

Continue reading Land Rover announces LR2 HSE

Land Rover announces LR2 HSE originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Freelander/LR2 to come with 7-passenger seating

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 19:04:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Land Rover

As the all-new LR2 graces billboards all over America, an all-newer LR2 (Freelander 2, to Euros) is already being planned in Europe. Land Rover won't admit to it, but Auto Express claims inside knowledge that a 7-seat variant is being drafted. If such a vehicle is in the works, it won't appear for another year-and-a-half, which means it might need to claw back a fair bit of ground on competition that is already parading out of showrooms, namely the Peugeot 4007 and Chevrolet Captiva.

The LR2's dimensions are plenty big enough for a set of convertible seats, though the load area would be reshaped to allow for necessary legroom. The question is whether it will come with such seating or if it will be an option, and whether the U.S. will get the 7-seater choice. While the UK has nine (count em, nine!) different LR2 options, the US just gets one model, the SE, whose sole engine option is an inline six. The US-spec LR3 comes with room for a septet, and with the baby CUV wars warming like the climate, there's no reason to think the LR2 won't offer the same.

[Source: Auto Express]

Freelander/LR2 to come with 7-passenger seating originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Little interest shown in Jaguar, Land Rover

Chris Shunk — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:32:00 EST

Filed under: Cadillac, Jaguar, Land Rover, Earnings/Financials

When Aston Martin was up for bid a few months ago, billionaires that nobody has ever heard of were coming out of the woodwork to bid on the ultra-luxury lineup. Now Ford is trying to recapture the magic with the sale of its other two premium British Marquees, Jaguar and Land Rover. The problem is, Jaguar is a cash whore and Land Rover doesn't have nearly the cachet of Aston (big surprise). We've heard differing accounts as to the worth of Ford's unwanted PAG members, but Merrill Lynch pegs the number at between $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion. That certainly isn't chump change, but it's only marginally better than the $900 million that was paid for smallish Aston. Many of the "small-time" billionaires aren't bothering with this sale, even at lower financials, because they couldn't afford one of Jaguar's big-time losses, and stalwarts like Blackstone are rumored to be out, too. Hyundai and Nissan/Renault don't seem to be interested either.

Ford already brunted a lot of the financial pain for Jaguar when it closed a plant and bought out a lot of workers, and the forthcoming XF should help the bottom line immensely. Land Rover is profitable and has plenty of newer models to keep sales strong for the foreseeable future. We'd be surprised if there weren't a lot of sand-baggers that show up soon looking to get something for next to nothing.

[Source: Auto News - sub. req'd]

Little interest shown in Jaguar, Land Rover originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Developing developments: BMW 1-series cute 'ute still planned

Damon Lavrinc — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 16:24:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, BMW

We've been trying to avoid reporting on the rampant rumor mongering that seems to take place every month in some of the European buff books. One month you'll have tales of a new rear-engined V-Dub, while on the other end of the newsstand you can read all about the supposed new flagship from Skoda. Don't get us wrong, there are a few mags from across the pond that we devour, but some are the automotive equivalent of the Weekly World News. Autocar can sometimes be more the same.

According to Winding Road, the UK pub reports that BMW is hard at work on a 1-series-based cute 'ute to take on the LR2s of the world, complete with four- or six-cylinder engines - petrol or diesel -- and likely sporting an X1 badge on the boot.

Proof that development is underway comes via a BMW employee that claims to have seen a Honda Element hanging around the R&D facility in Munich. As our friend Paukert points out, that isn't anything to get too excited about, until you understand that Honda doesn't sell that particular vehicle anywhere near Germany. It could be for research purposes or it could be because that particular engineer has a thing for toasters on wheels, regardless, we're sure to hear more as BMW expands into other niches.

[Source: Autocar via Winding Road]

Developing developments: BMW 1-series cute 'ute still planned originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Apr 2007 16:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Project Khan's LR2 with Land Rover performance kit

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 15:04:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Detroit Auto Show, Land Rover

CoolBrit strikes again. They stumbled across a new Land Rover Freelander 2 (LR2 in the States) body kit by British aftermarket firm Project Kahn. No sooner had they bookmarked the site than they realized the link had been removed from the Project Khan main page. Hmmm, could it be that this vehicle was supposed to be held until after Detroit? Could be, because the body kit is actually from the Land Rover factory performance parts catalog. LR hasn't officially unveiled it yet, however. It looks to us like it might be the look of the rumored LR2 Sport. We'll know for sure after Detroit. The Project Kahn Freelander 2 adds 20" RS-C alloy (or chrome) rims and a few other changes inside and out. Custom leather seats, wood steering wheels, revised trim (with optional high gloss Grand Black Lacquer Finish!) and in-car video entertainment systems are available, as well.

[Source: CoolBrit.net]

Project Khan's LR2 with Land Rover performance kit originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Jan 2007 15:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover slaps a sticker price on new LR2

John Neff — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Land Rover

Land Rover has finally attached a value to its new LR2 that replaces the tired Freelander in the company's lineup. The LR2 will carry a base price of $34,700 and reportedly be very well equipped at that price. A Tech Package with a DVD-based nav system, Dolby ProLogic II 7.1 Surround Sound System , Sirius satellite radio, rear seat audio controls and bluetooth connectivity will cost an additional $3,500. A Lighting Package with Bi-Xenons, Adaptive Front-lighting, Approach and Puddle lights, and memory settings for the driver's seat and mirrors will go for $1,050. Residents of chillier locales will appreciate the Cold Climate Package that adds a heated front windshield, heated front row seats (only two heating levels?!?!) and heated windshield washer jets that costs $700. A fully loaded LR2 with optional $400 Narvik Black Paint will tip the economic scales at $40,350. That's not cheap, but the LR2 has the looks, lineage and luxury appointments to command such a premium.

[Source: LLN]

Land Rover slaps a sticker price on new LR2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Nov 2006 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New small Rover packs big audio punch: Dolby Pro Logic II 7.1 debuts on LR2

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 20:05:00 EST

Filed under: Audio, Europe, Technology, Crossover, Land Rover

Land Rover, Land Rover, send surround sound over! Land Rover's all-new Freelander, to be dubbed LR2 Stateside, will be the first-ever vehicle to use Dolby(R) Pro Logic II(R) 7.1 surround sound. Sure, almost all vehicles have a rudimentary version of surround sound with speakers taking residence in dashboards, rear decks and door panels, but this is the real deal. With 14 speakers including a center channel, rear surrounds and a subwoofer, it promises home theater-like audio presentations.

Alpine developed the system with 440 watts of power, fiber optic connectors and an iPod jack to keep everyone happy. The new LR2, built on the global Ford EUCD platform, with its new transverse straight-six, better off-road capabilities, and this killer sound system should make the all-new baby Rover a pretty attractive package starting around $33,000 when it goes on sale in the Spring.

(Full press release with additional component pics after the jump.)

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading New small Rover packs big audio punch: Dolby Pro Logic II 7.1 debuts on LR2

New small Rover packs big audio punch: Dolby Pro Logic II 7.1 debuts on LR2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Aug 2006 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Land Rover LR2 / Freelander 2 debuts in London

Alex Nunez — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 18:34:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Europe, Land Rover

Last night at a WTA party in London, Maria Sharapova, tennis star and Land Rover spokesperson, gave attendees the first look at the completely redesigned Land Rover Freelander 2 (LR2 in the US). Sharapova drives a Range Rover when she's at home in the States.

The new Freelander is a significant departure from the model it's replacing. While the original Freelander sold well in Europe, it didn't perform nearly as well in the US. That should change, however, with the introduction of the Freelander 2/LR2.

For starters, the new truck is bigger (read: more comfortable) inside. It has increased carrying capacity to the tune of 38 percent, and uses Land Rover's familiar Stadium Seating plan to five front and rear passengers commanding views out of the cabin. This is augmented by the use of large glass areas and narrow pillars to create a more airy feeling for the occupants. The dashboard layout and quality is typical of Land Rover's recent products, with a smart-looking center stack and easy-to-read gauges.

Outside, the LR2 incorporates Land Rover's current design language, incorporating cues from the Range Rovers and LR3 without somply turning it into a miniturized clone. In profile, it retains the wagonlike shape of the old Freelander, albeit in much cleaner and more modern packaging.

(Continue reading after the jump. Photos and US, UK press releases also follow.)

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading New Land Rover LR2 / Freelander 2 debuts in London

New Land Rover LR2 / Freelander 2 debuts in London originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jun 2006 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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