Tuesday, February 22, 2011

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

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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Sunday, November 29, 2009

The Used Land Rover


Seeing a Land Rover on Britain's roads is almost as guaranteed as seeing birds in the sky. Stylish, practical and arguably quintessentially 'British', the Land Rover has become somewhat of an icon. Have you ever promised yourself one? Maybe? Well, you're not alone. But in times like these where cash is tight and finance is tricky, buying yourself a brand new Land Rover might just be a tad too far out of reach, despite the current incentives available.

However, hard-headed motorists have once again turned to the beauty of the used car market, and doing so yourself might just do the trick for you too. Buying yourself a Used Land Rover could get you the Land Rover you want, at a price you can afford. There are thousands of models available all over the country, all ready to drive away at prices much lower than those of the showroom. Many dealers also offer similar facilities to those of new cars such as warranties, road tax and insurance - every little helps right?

A three year old, base model Range Rover can be snapped up for as little as £30,000. The Range Rover's sheer size and luxury arguably go unmatched in its class, at this price. Furthermore, many of them spend large amounts of time cruising up the motorway or pottering around town - hardly strenuous motoring to wear down condition of Land Rover's flagship model.

On the other end of the scale, however, is the Land Rover Defender. A timeless industry standard, seen crossing both the desert and the Yorkshire Moors. There's thousands of Defenders put up for sale every day across the UK, but be certain you know what you are buying before you commit to it. Many examples may have been heavily modified or abused in the past, which could lead to expensive maintenance bills year on year. Having said that, find yourself a model in good condition and you might just bag yourself a bargain.

Bang in the middle of the scale, however, are the Land Rover Freelander and Discovery models. Loved by farmers and families alike, these two models have shown their true diversity of the years of their production. Recent models share the same space - age styling, and the wide variety of engines used offer both good economy and adequate performance, whatever your needs may be. Spacious interiors are perfect for kids and carrying loads, whilst the bulky chassis is more than capable of towing heavy loads. Again, certain examples may be more 'used' than others, so do your homework before signing the dotted line. Wear and tear is bound to be commonplace, so bear this in mind when searching around. Otherwise, with three year old, base models fetching anywhere between £9,000 and £13,000, you might just find yourself the ideal family car at an ideal price.

Pete J Ridgard is a writer and a car enthusiast. He currently writes for the automotive industry. Here he discusses Used Land Rover vehicles.