Mike Harding Landrovers Blog

What Deisel? Magazine has voted the Freelander 2 as the Best 4×4 at their 2008 Car Of The Year Awards.

The 2.2 litre engine drew favour with the judges, beating both the Nissan X-Trail and Land Rover’s own Discover 3. Ian Robertson, editor of the magazine, commented, “Not only does the Freelander 2 now take compact SUVs to a new level of competence in off-roading, it ups the ante to such an extent that most manufacturers will find it intimidating to share the same road space with it.”

Land Rover were happy to accept the award, “It’s outstanding news for the Freelander 2 to have received this recognition in such a competitive sector. It is testament not only to its refined diesel engine but also to its all round capability.”

The fuel price increases have people looking for ways to save money, including reports recently of high-end vehicle users resorting to regular gas in their cars (not always with a great success rate) in order to save their increasing fuel bills.

But some specialist companies are offering another solution. For around £100,000 companies such as Liberty Electric will give you a Range Rover with a completely converted battery-driven engine. Zero emissions and a readily available form of fuel for the life of the vehicle - for those with the cash it may be worth the initial expense. However, as has always been the case with this form of engine, the availability of charging stations in your area will make or break the deal.

Besides, this deal with Liberty Electric is sold out for 2008 - so it appears that enough people to justify this expensive conversion have already ordered their emission-free Range Rover.

Jaguar Land Rover has reacted to the recent fuel crisis and emission targets by employing 600 new engineering and technicians dedicated to the task of developing a most efficient engine.

Currently, none of the Jaguar or Land Rover vehicles meet EU emission targets, which are currently set at 120 grams per km. In a few years time, engines that fail to meet these guidelines with incur penalties and the manufacturer risks suffering.

Gaydon in Warwickshire will house most of the new jobs being offered, and will also see the beginning of a graduate program.

Tata, the Indian company that now owns the Jaguar Land Rover group, approved the plan but was not the driving force, and will not be directly involved in running the campaign.

(photo by Paul Sancya of AP)

Written by Andrew Clark in Detroit

Land Rover’s smallest ever car has made its public debut at the Detroit motor show - complete with a built-in champagne cooler in the boot for tailgate parties at Twickenham or Henley.

The three-door LRX is powered by a mixture of diesel and electricity with sufficiently low carbon emissions of just 120 grams a kilometre - low enough to be exempt from London’s congestion charge.

It is intended to appeal to a young, sporty car buyers who want a four-wheel drive vehicle suitable for urban use without environmental guilt. Read the rest of this entry »

Land Rover has run a series of full-page press ads outlining its green credentials. It comes just months after it revealed it would make sustainability a cornerstone of its marketing plans.

The ads explain the four different areas that the company is concentrating on to reduce its impact on the environment. They are developing environmentally friendly technology, sustainable manufacturing practices, offsetting new vehicles’ carbon emissions and donations to conservation and humanitarian projects.

Last year, Land Rover announced a shake-up of its marketing function, with brand communications director Julian Whitehead handed the role of director of sustainability and corporate social responsibility (MW August 16). Read the rest of this entry »

A team from Yorkshire are aiming to ‘drive’ across the Bering Straits between Russia and Alaska.

Steve Burgess and partner Nicky Spinks, are about to leave their home in West Yorkshire on the first leg of an historic Land Rover journey. Steve is hoping to become the first person to ‘drive’ a vehicle across the Bering Strait, between Russia and Alaska. But first of all, he’s got to get there during the Russian winter; that’s where the de-mountable tracks come in.

Nicky will return home once they reach Moscow. Simon Dedman, an experienced overland adventurer, will take Nicky’s place for the mammoth drive through the interior.

The 56-mile Bering Strait crossing will be attempted in summer, by Steve and Dan Evans, from Protection and Performance. The two collaborated on the creation of the tracks and the floatation system that bolts onto the Defender. Read the rest of this entry »

Land Rover is launching its Our Planet communications campaign which sets out the progress the company has made in improving its environmental performance and a commitment to maintain the momentum with technical innovation and the world’s biggest CO2 offset programme. In addition, Our Planet will highlight Land Rover’s global conservation and humanitarian projects. Full details can be found at landrover.co.uk/ourplanet.

The Our Planet campaign comes as Land Rover celebrates its 60th anniversary, a time to look back over its heritage, celebrate the present (with the limited edition SVX Defender) and embrace the challenges of the future with the LRX Concept car being shown at the Detroit Motor Show this week. This has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions below 120 g/km thanks to an efficient footprint, lightweight material and hybrid technology.

Land Rover takes its responsibility to the environment seriously. Emissions have been cut with new models and, together with Jaguar, it’s spending £700m on technology specifically aimed at reducing CO2. Read the rest of this entry »

Sales just keep on rising but high prices fail to put off Land Rover connoisseurs , writes Frederic Manby

Land rovers cost more than other four-wheel drives, but its position seems secure because sales keep rising.
Registrations in Britain in 2007 reached 46,552, up 8.78 per cent on 2006 – an increase of almost 3,760 vehicles.

In comparison, its Ford stablemate Jaguar saw UK numbers down by around 4,400 in a 19 per cent slide. Both companies look likely to be sold to Tata of India. The world waits.

I spent Christmas and New Year in the company of Land Rover’s Freelander, this one with diesel power and automatic gears. It was more than a year since I’d been in the Freelander, brand new at the end of 2006. Since then I had driven the latest Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage and Nissan’s X-Trail. Read the rest of this entry »

Land Rover’s new global campaign for Freelander 2 captures a spirit of adventure by showing a Freelander driver and a hot air balloonist both taking different routes on the same journey.

The Lowdown

Shot in Vancouver, the ad opens in an urban landscape late at night. Spectacular aerial shots shows a hot air balloon rises through the high-rise buildings, into the clouds and journeys through the city before reaching mountains and lakes. Read the rest of this entry »

Land Rover is setting up camp for consumers delivering three luxury off-road ‘Adventures’ between April 18-29 in Moab, Utah — the legendary recreation haven that is known for its images of stunning scenery, immense red rock monuments and world-class outdoor recreation.

The Land Rover Moab Adventure is an exclusive four-day, three-night experience for Land Rover customers and off-road enthusiasts where each day begins and ends with the best local cuisine and luxury accommodations at the Sorrel River Ranch alongside the banks of the Colorado River.

Novice and experienced off-road adventurers have the opportunity to drive a Land Rover Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and LR3 through some of Moab’s challenging, yet breathtakingly beautiful, red rock trails with the guidance of Land Rover’s world-class driving instructors.

“Land Rover has traveled the globe throughout its 60 year history and our owners reap the benefit of our experience in creating and delivering exceptional outdoor travel experiences,” said Bob Burns, 3D experience driving programs manager, Land Rover North America. “Our owners tend to seek out adventure in remote and out of the way places and our adventures are designed to showcase the capability of our vehicles while finding unique and memorable locations.” Read the rest of this entry »