ALL ABOUT SPEED

JLR are pushing for a hybrid RR Sport. Jaguar Land Rover is making good progress on the technology, with more than 100 engineers devoted to development.

“Hybrid is an expensive [engineering] investment and an expensive piece cost, so the focus has to be on larger vehicles,” said Land Rover boss Phil Popham.

Progress is focused on the Range Rover Sport, a hybrid version of which is being currently tested. Targets include a range of 20 miles and top speed of 50mph in electric-only mode, and CO2 emissions of less than 100g/km combined, but Land Rover’s hybrids boss Peter Riching said, “Our projections are that it will be a lot less than that.”

The new technology - which includes an 8 speed ZF gearbox with integrated electric motor and no torque converter, plus a 160 litre lithium ion battery pack - adds around 200kg to the vehicle. But new weight savings actually result in a lower kerb weight.

According to the report, Land Rover will borrow liberally from corporate partner Jaguar's hardware stable, which is rumored to soon include both hybrid and extended-range EV options. Land Rover's innovative electric drive rear axle is supposedly on the LRX menu, which would work along with the automaker's well-known and highly-effective Terrain Response System to put power to the ground wherever possible.


If there's any truth to these rumors, we shouldn't expect Land Rover to have the hybrid LRX in production until at least two years have passed. In the meantime, the British-built, Indian-owned automaker is set to debut stop/start and regenerative braking on all of its models to improve their environmental performance.


Automakers that hope to continue doing business over the next few years need to be increasingly aware of their fuel consumption, emissions and environmental credibility. In deference to this fact, Auto Express in the U.K. is reporting that Land Rover is moving forward with plans to launch the new LRX compact hybrid 'ute, possibly with a bit of help from the U.K. government.

This is the 2011 Range Rover Evoque, which was unveiled following an exclusive preview in London for 300 guests attending a 40th birthday celebration of Range Rover held in partnership with Vogue magazine. The guests included model Erin O'Connor and television presenter Gabby Logan, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and Zara Phillips.

The Evoque will go on sale next Summer once it has bowed at the Paris motorshow on the 30th October. While Land Rover had remained tight-lipped about more details, we know the Range Rover will come in 2WD & 4WD and is the lightest, smallest and most frugal SUV in the firm’s line-up. The greenest Evoque will emit no more than 130g/km of CO2. 'The two-wheel-drive option will give customers the chance to benefit from lower entry-level pricing, plus CO2 and fuel-economy efficiencies,' said Popham. However, Land Rover has ditched its plans for a hybrid variant of the Evoque. Land Rover is working on hybrid systems and its first model to receive the system will be the next Range Rover in 2013.

The Evoque stays accurate to the LRX concept that was first shown two years ago. According to Land Rover design director Gerry McGovern, it is 'a modern and relevant execution of the familiar Range Rover design'.

Land Rover’s managing director, Phil Popham, said, ‘Customers can be confident that the new car will be premium, luxurious and just as special as the other Range Rover models. Its sporting looks and unique qualities will open the brand to a new group of customers who might not have considered a Range Rover before.’

Although no outsiders of Land Rover know what the car looked like before its launch, regardless of what it would cost, Land Rover says it has already taken deposits from buyers, and that it has received around 20,000 'expressions of interest' in the Evoque.

No interior photos have been revealed yet, but potential customers can expect the kind of premium and luxurious materials already found in other Range Rover models, according to the firm. Former Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham is now a creative design executive, and will be designing the interior of the Evoque. She described the new Range Rover as 'absolutely stunning' and that the chance to join forces on the design was 'an incredible opportunity'.

Land Rover and Range Rover design director Gerry McGovern said of Victoria Beckham: 'She knows a lot about fashion and a lot about trends, a lot about luxury products. I believe this appointment adds a new dimension to my design team as we continue to design products to appeal to a wider audience.'

"The all-new Land Rover Range Rover Evoque will be built at our multi-award winning plant in Halewood, creating 1,000 new jobs in the Merseyside area, a fantastic boost to the UK economy. The Halewood plant has a reputation for excellence and quality and is recognised throughout the industry as a leader in Lean Manufacturing.

"The all-new Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is a true global car and will be sold in over 160 countries. It was important to give the car a name that was instantly recognisable through language and cultural boundaries throughout the world. We wanted to create a new name which was innovative and different. A name which implies exclusivity and arouses emotions. Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is cosmopolitan and cross-continental, sophisticated and matches the car's urban elegance," he added.

Prices are expected to start at £35,000 for the 2WD and £40,000 for the 4WD. This would mean that the Evoque is at least £10,000 cheaper than the larger Range Rover Sport. While the Evoque is classed as a coupe, a more practical 5dr will join the range at a later date.

Another Frankfurt Motor Show favourite is the cool Range Rover Sport Autobiography limited edition plus a luxurious reclining rear seat package for the Range Rover, for the first time. The 2010 line-up also introduces other developments such as more powerful engines, and interior and exterior design improvements to the Discovery 4, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.

“With August sales up 11.6% against the same period last year, we are now starting to see early signs of stability in the UK market,” John Edwards, Managing Director, Land Rover UK, stated. “We’re therefore convinced that one of the best ways to help keep things moving is to excite potential customers with new and improved vehicles. Our range for 2010 is without doubt our strongest ever, and early signs show that these new products are receiving an outstanding reception in the marketplace.”

A new Autobiography Sport limited edition is available on the Range Rover Sport’s 3.6 litre TDV8 and Supercharged derivatives. Featuring an assortment of different themes, only 500 units are expected to go on sale in the UK, with duo-tone premium leather interiors and unique accents to the exteriors including the grille, vents and 20 inch diamond turned finish alloy wheels.

Land Rover’s flagship, the Range Rover will offer a range of further enhancements such as laminated rear-door privacy glass, and electronically-controlled reclining rear seats available with heated and cooled functionality, four-way adjustable lumbar support and airline-style winged head restraints, plus the front passenger seat can be moved to a maximum distance forward remotely, when not occupied.

Four new interior colour combinations have been added to the Autobiography series. Also available is the Logic 7 1200W Harman Kardon High Dynamics audio system, which features 15 independent channels and 19 top quality speakers.

The additional new features on the Range Rover as well as the Range Rover Sport Autobiography limited edition will be made available in the UK starting in January 2010, while prices are to be revealed at a date closer to the on-sale date.