Land Rover sheds pounds, improves MPG

Gas guzzlers are starting to get serious about their weight problem. The next generation of Range Rovers from Land Rover is drawing on the experience of sister company Jaguar and may be offered in a rivet-bonded aluminum monocoque body. Insiders say the vehicle could be ready by 2010 but an official decision hasn't been made. Previously, pundits thought the Range Rover would get Land Rover's semi-monocoque steel platform. With aluminum, the weight savings could be 500kg (around 15 percent). Fuel economy with the 4.4-liter engine could jump from 18 to 22mpg. The company is also considering aluminum construction for other models.

[Source: whatcar.com]