Autoblog

Land Rover completes 8,000-mile Journey of Discovery from Birmingham to Beijing

Noah Joseph — Wed, 02 May 2012 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, China, Europe, Land Rover, UK, Middle East, Russia, Beijing Motor Show, Off-Road

Not long ago, Land Rover embarked on an epic trans-continental road trip that sought to retrace the route taken by a similar expedition in 1956 and raise £1m for the Red Cross. And after 8,000 miles traveled through thirteen countries - starting in Birmigham, England and ending in Beijing, China - they finally made it.

The departure was celebrated with the production of the millionth Discovery, the arrival timed to coincide with the Beijing Motor Show. Along the way the rugged motorcade swung through Switzerland for the Geneva Motor Show, hit some of Europe's oldest cities, traversed a wide variety of terrains and climates, rolled through Chernobyl as the first private vehicles to tour the disaster site since the nuclear meltdown there 25 years ago, visited an array of museums and toured a former Soviet submarine base.

But before it could complete the final 72-hour leg into China, the crew had to detonate a controlled avalanche to clear an alpine pass. In other words, it was not your average road trip. Read more about it in the press release below and scope out the high-resolution images in the gallery for a closer look at what the convoy encountered along the way.

Continue reading Land Rover completes 8,000-mile Journey of Discovery from Birmingham to Beijing

Land Rover completes 8,000-mile Journey of Discovery from Birmingham to Beijing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 May 2012 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover brings expedition-minded DC100 concept and LR4 special edition to NY

Jeff Sabatini — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, SUV, Land Rover, Luxury

Not that we don't like the Land Rover DC100 Concept or anything, but this is the third version of the next-gen Defender that Land Rover has trotted out at an auto show in the space of seven months. (Never mind that it looks like they just repainted the Heritage Blue one from the L.A. show.) Forgive us, then, for wishing Land Rover would get on with it and announce that it's going into production.

But no. Instead, we get this: The Land Rover LR4 Luxury Limited Edition. With a mere 2,000 available worldwide, Land Rover seems serious about the limited part. A long list of unique trim pieces including "HSE Luxury" badging on the tailgate and interior finishes borrowed from the Range Rover should take care of the rest of the equation.

If you'd like all the details about things like "satin chrome" and "Havana" (that's a color, by the way), the full press release on the special LR4 is after the jump.

Better yet, check out the episode of Translogic where our sister site drives the DC100 - also available after the jump.

Continue reading Land Rover brings expedition-minded DC100 concept and LR4 special edition to NY

Land Rover brings expedition-minded DC100 concept and LR4 special edition to NY originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover sends millionth Discovery on transcontinental fundraising expedition

Noah Joseph — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:32:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, China, Plants/Manufacturing, Land Rover, UK, Off-Road

Land Rover is no stranger to achieving lofty goals, whether it's summiting one of the world's tallest mountains or traversing expanses of its most barren wilderness. But this time, it has reached another milestone altogether as the millionth Discovery (sold in the States as the LR4) has rolled off the marque's West Midlands production line.

The achievement was reached just the other day at the JLR assembly plant at Solihull near Birmingham, England, expedited as it was by a 20 percent workforce expansion over the last six months to keep up with demand for the 45,000 units sold across 170 markets in the last year alone. But rather than consigning the capable luxury SUV straight to the museum or selling it to an waiting customer, Land Rover has more philanthropic plans in mind for the landmark vehicle.

To mark the occasion, Land Rover is embarking on an 8,000-mile expedition across thirteen countries over 50 days, starting in Birmingham and ending in Beijing. The epic transcontinental road trip - being undertaken in the very same millionth Discovery built - is earmarked to raise £1 million ($1.95M) for the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the most ambitious fundraising project the British automaker has ever undertaken. Follow the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Land Rover sends millionth Discovery on transcontinental fundraising expedition

Land Rover sends millionth Discovery on transcontinental fundraising expedition originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:32:00 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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Autoblog Podcast #241

Dan Roth — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 17:45:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Government/Legal

Drew Phillips photo tips, 2025 CAFE, Suzuki small pickup, Audi future products

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Episode #241 of the Autoblog Podcast is ready, and this week Chris, Dan and Zach are joined by Autoblog's photo maven, Drew Phillips. Our discussion starts with the new CAFE standards and then moves to Audi future products as discussed by Johan DeNysschen before finishing up with the rumor of Suzuki considering a small pickup. Your questions and comments power the last third of the podcast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #241:

In the Autoblog Garage
2012 Dodge Caliber Heat
2011 Land Rover LR4
2011 Roush Mustang
2011 Mazda2

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman, Drew Phillips
Runtime: 01:23:38

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Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #241

Autoblog Podcast #241 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Range Rover Sport, LR4 get eight-speed automatic among other updates

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Land Rover

2012 Range Rover Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

A new model year brings about new features to all Land Rover vehicles, and 2012 is no different. Most notably, both the Range Rover Sport and LR4 will now be offered with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, paired with a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 engine. The V8 mills, however, still employ the services of a six-speed cogswapper.

That eight-gear transmission may be big news for the diesel-gulping British SUVs, but here in the United States - where we won't likely get a diesel-powered Land Rover - we're quite excited for the interior upgrades, including a brand new seven-inch touchscreen with Dual View. This setup allows the driver to view information such as navigational cues, while passengers can enjoy TV or a movie. Thanks to the wireless WhiteFire headphones, the driver also won't have to endure the same terrible Backyardigans song over and over (and over and over). Though if one happened to enjoy the work of Uniqua, Pablo, Tyrone, Tasha and Austin, then the 17-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo will deliver their tones to your ears.

This is all just the tip of the iceberg regarding the new features of a vehicle that probably has a Terrain Response setting for scaling icebergs. Both the 2012 Range Rover Sport and 2012 LR4 have hefty press releases for you to read after the jump.

Continue reading 2012 Range Rover Sport, LR4 get eight-speed automatic among other updates

2012 Range Rover Sport, LR4 get eight-speed automatic among other updates originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You'll feel safe inside a Land Rover, no matter what sort of trouble you're in

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 04 May 2011 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Land Rover, Humor

Land Rover LR4 is a safe place... regardless of the trouble you're in - Click above to watch video after the jump

Land Rover builds tough vehicles, and it believes that occupants should feel safe when inside of them. We believe most people have a similar definition when discussing vehicular safety, but Land Rover owners might have other definitions of safety as well...

In a new commercial, Land Rover shows us that its LR4 is a safe haven from one soon-to-be-angry significant other that just discovered her man is a pathological liar. He's not named Jean-Luc, does not speak with a French accent and has a whole host of other things to confess. Thankfully, he can do so from the safety of his Land Rover.

It's not just this particular liar that feels safe either, as the LR4 can get dirty cops to comfortably confess and an timid manager to confront "the office sword collector." Click past the jump to watch the scenes unfold.

Continue reading You'll feel safe inside a Land Rover, no matter what sort of trouble you're in

You'll feel safe inside a Land Rover, no matter what sort of trouble you're in originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 May 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover promises Range_e plug-in diesel hybrid for Geneva

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Land Rover, Luxury

Land Rover Range_e plug-in diesel hybrid is heading to Geneva - Click above for high-res image gallery

Land Rover is gearing up for the 2011 Geneva Motor Show and it's bringing new four models to show off, one of which shows the automaker is thinking a bit more green. The Land Rover Range_e plug-in diesel hybrid will be on display. Power for the electrified Range Rover Sport comes courtesy of a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 paired with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, as well as an electric motor. The Range_e's driving range is said to be nearly 700 miles and it can drive approximately 20 miles on electric power alone, which should be good enough to get the SUV into the heart of London.

Also getting the bright light auto show treatment are the luxurious Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition, Evoque in two and four-door guise and the 2011 Discovery/LR4 Landmark Edition. The Autobiography Ultimate is described as the most luxurious Land Rover ever produced and features yacht-inspired teak flooring and Apple iPad tablets for the rear passengers. The Evoque will be featured in a handful of trims that offer unique customization options for consumers. Finally, the limited-edition Landmark LR4 will be available in either a Black or a White theme with upscale interiors and unique color treatments.

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading Land Rover promises Range_e plug-in diesel hybrid for Geneva

Land Rover promises Range_e plug-in diesel hybrid for Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover LR4 Landmark edition discovers its darker side

Noah Joseph — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 11:35:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Land Rover, Diesel, Luxury, Off-Road

Land Rover Discovery 4 Landmark - Click above for high-res image gallery

While Land Rover made a splash in Los Angeles with the new five-door Evoque, back in its native UK, the company was casting a white light and a dark shadow over the go-anywhere Discovery 4/LR4.

Presented as the new Landmark edition, the special Disco can be ordered in either Santorini Black or Fuji White with coordinating interior in either ebony or ivory - the latter being offered for the first time in a Discovery. To complement the stark exterior color, Land Rover has also given the grille, roof rails and 20" alloys a darker finish and fitted it with tinted glass.

The Discovery 4 Landmark is powered by a twin-turbo diesel V6, and comes packed with all the features you'd expect from a Land Rover, plus a little touch of the exclusive. Details in the press release after the jump and photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: Land Rover Discovery Landmark Edition

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading Land Rover LR4 Landmark edition discovers its darker side

Land Rover LR4 Landmark edition discovers its darker side originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Nov 2010 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Land Rover LR4 makes a better boxy SUV

Dan Roth — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Land Rover, New Car Reviews, Luxury, Off-Road

2010 Land Rover LR4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Wanting to sample the latest iteration of Land Rover's middle-management cruiser, we set off in search of the 2010 LR4's natural environment. Minutes later, the Rover's new 5.0-liter, 375-horsepower V8 led us to Nordstrom. What? You expected Monument Valley?

With the wallet-denting expedition complete, we took solace in the luxuriously updated interior during the homeward jaunt. Sybaritic pleasures and tried-and-true off-roading abilities are the extremes of its range, so how does the LR4 fare in the middle?

Gallery: Review: 2010 Land Rover LR4 HSE

Continue reading Review: 2010 Land Rover LR4 makes a better boxy SUV

Review: 2010 Land Rover LR4 makes a better boxy SUV originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Tata Motors back in the black as Jaguar/Land Rover fortunes improve

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, SUV, Jaguar, Land Rover, India, Tata, Luxury, Off-Road

While many confusing car-related things have happened in the upper strata of the Autoverse over the last few years (Aston Martin and Ferrari both being impart owned by Middle Eastern concerns, Aston Martin not being bankrupt) perhaps the most shocking and disconcerting was Ford's sale of Jaguar and Land Rover to India's Tata. To many, the scheme seemed doomed from the get go and after a couple cash-hemorrhaging quarters coupled to the recent recession, the naysayers appeared right.

Turns out, Tata can say nay to the naysayers as its two prestige/luxury brands just turned a profit. A combination of cost cuts and attractive new models (LR4, XF) have helped catapult the long time money losers into the black. And while the $4.7 million in consolidated net profits last quarter is certainly nothing to jump for joy over, that nearly five million bucks is a nice change of pace from the usual Jag/Landy blood red ink. JLR sales rose 23% over the previous quarter. Rule Britannia! Er, India.

[Source: Gasgoo | Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images]

REPORT: Tata Motors back in the black as Jaguar/Land Rover fortunes improve originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York Preview: 2010 Land Rover LR4

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:05:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, SUV, Land Rover

2010 Land Rover LR4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

On the eve of the New York Auto Show, Land Rover has released all the details on its new 2010 LR4. The new LR4 (the SUV formerly-known-as LR3) is packing a thoroughly revised, direct-injected 5.0-liter V8 sourced from Jaguar putting 375 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. Land Rover has updated its Terrain Response system to deliver five different settings to suit the terrain, ranging from a normal driving mode to the infamous "Rock Crawl" setting.

A new front end with revised headlamps and fascia joins a restyled rump with LEDs, while an all-new interior provides ample accommodations for five or seven passengers, depending on spec. A Surround Camera system joins keyless entry, push-button start, gradient release control and tow assist (max. towing is 7,716 pounds) to make jaunts to Grandma's through the snowy climes a breeze. A revised suspension architecture, improved steering and larger brakes (14.2-inch discs in front and 13.8-inch rotors in the rear) round out the major modifications.

Hit the jump for all the details and check the gallery below for plenty of LR4 eye-candy.

Gallery: 2010 Land Rover Discovery 4

Continue reading New York Preview: 2010 Land Rover LR4

New York Preview: 2010 Land Rover LR4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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