Land Rover Celebrates Production Milestone of 250,000th Freelander 2

Today, Land Rover celebrates a new milestone in the life of its Freelander 2 as the 250,000th vehicle rolled off the production line at the Company's Halewood manufacturing plant in Merseyside. The 250,000th Freelander 2 is a 2.2 litre TD4 Diesel GS in Fuji White and is destined for a customer who lives in Scotland.

The production total includes all vehicles built from 2007 until today. The Freelander 2 received a subtle facelift in the fall of 2010. According to the British firm, retail sales for the Freelander 2 are up 22%, year to date (Apr 2010 – Feb 2011) compared with the same 11 month period in 2009/2010.

"This milestone achievement and the increasing sales for Freelander 2 highlights just how important this vehicle is, not just to Halewood but also for the regional and UK economy − around 70% of Freelanders produced at Halewood are exported overseas,” said Halewood operations director Richard Else.

Depending on the market, the 2011 Freelander 2 is available with either 2WD or 4WD and a 2.2 litre diesel engine offering two power outputs – the 190hp SD4 and the 150hp TD4.

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Arden gets its hands on the New Range Rover Evoque, Creates the 270HP AR8 City-Roader

We’re still a few months away from the market launch of the all-new 2012 Range Rover Evoque, but the tuning folks over at Arden have already unwrapped their plans for the British firm’s ‘baby’ SUV model. Named the Arden AR8 City-Roader, the German firm’s take on the Evoque includes a number of cosmetic enhancements and performance modifications.

The aero kit spiffs up the Evoque’s exterior with a new front apron, side skirts that can be optionally illuminated, a rear apron and a roof spoiler. A pair of bespoke tail pipes and larger, multispoke alloy wheels shod in performance tires will also be part of the AR8 package, while interior mods for the time being are limited to audio, multimedia and security systems.

Under the hood, Arden has developed a new high performance catalyst and a sport exhaust system that help boost the 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine’s output by 30HP for a grand total of 270-horsepower.

Arden said it will release further details on the AR8 City-Roader closer to the launch date.

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Land Rover to Premiere Range E Diesel-Electric Plug-in Hybrid at Geneva Show

The new Land Rover Range_e diesel-electric plug-in prototype that was first teased back in May, 2010, will make its motor show debut at next month's Geneva Salon. The Range_e is said to be one of several working prototypes currently being developed at Land Rover's design and engineering centre in the UK. It is based on the Range Rover Sport model and features a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel engine with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission mated to an, as-of-yet unspecified, electric motor and battery pack.

The British automaker said the all-wheel drive prototype can run purely on electricity for up to a distance of 20 miles or approximately 32 kilometers and emits as low as 89g/km of CO2. The Range_e also has a top speed of 120 mph or 193 km/h and a combined driving range of 690 miles or 1,110 kilometers.

The Range_e will be joined at Land Rover's Geneva Motor Show stand by two new Limited Editions, the Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate and the 2011 Discovery 4 'Landmark' with Black and White themes.

Land Rover added that it will also be announcing full European pricing (excluding UK) for the new Range Rover Evoque in both 3- and 5-door forms, and will also showing a comprehensive range of accessories and options for the vehicle.

Gerry McGovern, Land Rover design director said: "Customers like to make their own unique statement with a vehicle and we have provided individuals with lots of opportunity to personalise their new Range Rover Evoque, whilst maintaining the essence of the design."

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Super-Lux Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition heads to Geneva Motor Show

At next month's Geneva Salon, Land Rover will display the new Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition, which is claimed be the firm’s most luxurious model ever.

The highlight of the limited edition model are the two stand-alone rear seats, which are clad in specially selected natural leather and separated by an additional console incorporating an aluminum laptop table and refrigerator. Two Apple iPads, strapped to the front seat headrests, provide the high-tech touch.

The opulence continues in the boot where designers used a teak floor with metal and leather accents. The rest of the interior is dressed in different, but equally exquisite materials, such as the Oxford leather found on the door panels, dashboard and steering wheel, complemented by Kalahari wood veneers.

Available in two unique colors, Roussillon Red and Otago Stone, the Autobiography Ultimate Edition model comes with body-colored door handles, dark atlas radiator grille and side vents. Optional side steps and 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels round up the exterior appointments. Clients from selected markets will be able to specify their cars with the classic Santorini Black paintjob as well.

Power comes from either a 4.4-liter LR-TDV8 diesel or a 5.0-liter LR-V8 supercharged gasoline engine. The oil-burner churns out 313HP and an asphalt-shredding 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. It can propel the heavyweight SUV from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.5 seconds while consuming 9.39 lt/100 km (25.1 US mph) on the combined cycle.

The gasoline engine is capable of 510HP and 625 Nm (461 lb-ft), allowing the Range Rover to complete the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint in just 5.9 seconds.

Both engines are coupled to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels via Range Rover’s sophisticated Terrain Response system, complete with Hill Start Assist and Gradient Acceleration Control.

A total of 500 Ultimate Edition models will be built, with prices to be announced individually for the 20+ markets that will receive the exclusive Range Rover later this year.

By Csaba Daradics

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Land Rover Releases Stylish 2011 Defender X-Tech Limited Edition

Land Rover has launched a new special edition version of its iconic 4x4 model, the 2011 Defender X-Tech Limited Edition. To be revealed for the first time at the this week's Brussels Motorshow, the Defender X-Tech sprinkles some tasty cosmetic enhancements on the standard model.

Available in both three-door [90] and five-door [110] hardtop variants, the X-Tech models are offered in a silver or bronze exterior finish with a Santorini Black roof and unique gloss black 16 inch Saw Tooth alloy wheels.

The X-Tech Land Rover's interior is upgraded with new trim and is available in Ebony, while the seats offer the addition of leather side bolsters. In addition, the center console is finished in the same color as the exterior while the package also includes a set of matching floor mats.

Power comes from a 2.4-liter turbo diesel engine delivering 122-horsepower and 360Nm of torque with 90 percent of peak power on tap from less than 2,200rpm to over 4,350rpm.

Land Rover said the Defender X-Tech Limited Edition will go on sale from March 2011, with prices in the UK starting at £24,995.

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Project Kahn Unwraps Range Rover RS500 with 500HP Cosworth-Tuned V8 Diesel

UK-based tuning firm Project Kahn has unleashed its latest creation based on the diesel-powered Land Rover Range Rover. The comprehensive tune covers both the interior and exterior styling as well as the 4.4-liter V8 diesel, courtesy of renowned engine tuner Cosworth.

On the outside, the Range Rover RS500 gets redesigned bumpers, the rear featuring a diffuser, lowered side skirts and a quad tail pipe exhaust system developed by Cosworth. Certain components are painted in silver and form a nic contrast with the black paintjob and tinted windows. The RS500 rides on 22-inch RSX alloys with a multi-spoke design.

Inside, bespoke black quilted leather with silver stitching wraps the seats, glove box and dashboard. There's also aluminum decor on the doorsills, center console, gear lever, air vents and steering wheel. Manufactured in Italy with original Land Rover parts, the new steering wheel has a motorsport-inspired contour and promises to offer a better grip.

The final piece of the RS500 puzzle is the Cosworth performance upgrade, which squeezes 500 horsepower out the 4.4-liter V8 diesel engine, up from the standard version's 313 hp and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque.

By Csaba Daradics

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