Land Rover

After the summer break, Defender Challenge by Bowler returns this weekend for its fourth round as nine teams battle it out at the Trackrod Rally, part of the annual Rally Yorkshire event. Based at Pickering Showground, the course takes in 53 miles of rally stages that twist through the spectacular Yorkshire countryside over two days and opening with the daunting prospect of challenging night stages. The FIA-approved Land Rover Defender 90 Hard Tops are modified by Bowler Motorsport specifically for rally competitions. Engines are tuned to 170bhp and 450Nm of torque and the suspension system features uprated dampers and roll bars. Lighter wheels, a full roll-cage and rally safety features complete the specification. This weekend, a number of Land Rover employees and apprentices join the Bowler technical teams to support the rally. In addition to their ‘day jobs’, enthusiasts from […]

Last night, Jaguar Land Rover celebrated its vehicles appearing in the new Bond adventure, SPECTRE. Cars, including the Jaguar C-X75, Range Rover Sport SVR and the iconic Land Rover Defender, stole the show as they were unveiled in public for the first time at the palatial Thurn und Taxis in Frankfurt. Naomie Harris (Moneypenny) and David Bautista (Hinx) were guests of honour at the glamorous event showcasing special stunt vehicles used in the latest instalment of the James Bond series.  Guests were entertained by British singer and musician John Newman, who performed a number of top ten hits from his album.

Land Rover has created a special collector’s Defender pedal car concept, previewing a full production pedal car model that will go on sale in Spring 2016. With production of current Defender now in its final phase, the unique pedal car concept represents a fitting tribute to the one of the world’s most iconic vehicles; the Series Land Rover and Defender has been produced in Solihull, UK, since 1948. The exclusive Defender pedal car is hand built in the UK and styled to commemorate the legacy of the first-ever pre-production Land Rover affectionately know as ‘Huey’ given its original numberplate of ‘HUE 166’. The concept model is constructed using a rolled–edge aluminium frame complete with individual chassis number and personalised numberplate. It is hand finished in the same Loire Blue found on the full-scale Defender colour palette. The show car is […]

The new Range Rover Sentinel is the first luxury armoured vehicle to be fully engineered by Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations, (SVO) hand built at its Oxford Road facility, providing the highest levels of protection an SUV can offer against a wide variety of attacks. The Sentinel is based on the standard wheelbase Range Rover Autobiography. It delivers the supreme comfort, command driving position and all-terrain capability of the Range Rover, while providing peace of mind thanks to outstanding occupant protection and, outwardly, looking identical to the standard model. This mobile fortress is designed to withstand the most damaging and targeted of threats including penetration by 7.62mm high velocity, armour piercing incendiary bullets. This exceptional vehicle delivers lateral protection against up to 15kg Trinitrotoluene (TNT) blasts and defence against DM51 grenade explosions from both beneath the floor and above the […]

Jaguar Land Rover has launched its Academy, the first of its kind in the UK automotive sector.  The new Academy will offer all Jaguar Land Rover workers the opportunity to take part in continuous development programmes to enhance their careers and provide the skills the company needs. With an annual learning and development outlay of £100 million, Jaguar Land Rover invests heavily in skills.  The creation of the Academy gives renewed focus to that investment and will deliver improved skills for the long-term by strengthening the links between training and business needs.  All training provided through the Jaguar Land Rover Academy will meet quality levels defined by a recognised and standardised accreditation process. Commenting on the launch, Jaguar Land Rover Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ralf Speth said:  “We are investing significantly in the future of Jaguar Land Rover by creating […]

Jaguar Land Rover has signed a Letter of Intent with the Government of the Slovak Republic for the potential development of a new manufacturing plant in the city of Nitra in western Slovakia. With its established premium automotive industry, Slovakia is an attractive possible development opportunity. The move marks the next step in the Company’s strategy to become a more competitive global business by expanding its manufacturing operations into new international locations in the future. The UK is the cornerstone of Jaguar Land Rover’s business. It remains at the centre of Jaguar Land Rover’s design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities. Over the past five years, Jaguar Land Rover has employed more than 20,000 people taking its workforce to more than 36,000 and invested more than £11 billion in new product creation and capital expenditure.

In contrast to the appalling weather in the run up to last year’s Simply Land Rover event, this weekend’s clear blue skies and warm sunshine encouraged Land Rover owners to make the journey to Beaulieu for this year’s Simply Land Rover on Sunday 9th August, to display their vehicles in the grounds of the National Motor Museum. Now in its third year the event saw a large increase in participating vehicles, up over one hundred on 2014 numbers at 270. It made for an impressive display of Land Rovers ranging from the classic Series I, II and III, to the rugged County and Defender, iconic Range Rover and capable Discovery. All Land Rover models and derivatives could be seen, from a battle-scarred workhorse to a pristine show-winner.

Land Rovers of all ages and varieties will be heading to Beaulieu on Sunday 9th August, for Simply Land Rover. Now in its third year this event, taking place in the grounds of the National Motor Museum, puts on an impressive display that is sure to appeal to fans of Britain’s best-loved off-roader. From the classic Series I, II and III, to the rugged County and Defender, iconic Range Rover and capable Discovery, all Land Rover models and derivatives are welcome to take part.  No matter if your pride-and-joy is a battle-scarred workhorse, a pristine show-winner or anything in between, Simply Land Rover is the show for you. Land Rover owners can drive into the Beaulieu parkland to join the display, meet like-minded enthusiasts, admire the array of vehicles and enjoy all of the features of one of the south’s […]

Classic Car Auctions (CCA) will be offering the ‘ultimate’ Land Rover Defender in its auction at CarFest South on August 29th. When the 90 and 110 Land Rover models were launched in 1983 they revolutionised the model in terms of both road handling and off-road ability and paved the way for what would become known as the Defender. Most desirable of the range was the V8 County Station Wagon, featuring 12 seats and the same 3.5 litre engine and gearbox as fitted to the Range Rover.  It also had improved interior trim plus the distinctive body stripes. This unique and bespoke example, estimated at between £19,500 and £21,000, was first registered on 1stJanuary 1984 making it one of the earliest built. It features the rare and desirable sliding windows, flush door handles and the ultra-rare seat-box mounted high and low […]

The iconic Range Rover celebrates its 45th birthday today. Reaching the important milestone is the latest in a series of 2015 highlights for the world’s most desirable luxury SUV. At the New York International Auto Show in March, Land Rover revealed a new Range Rover flagship in the form of the exclusive SVAutobiography and the landmark six millionth Land Rover was a Range Rover Vogue SE, which rolled off the Solihull production line in April. Over the last 45 years Range Rover has delivered a series of industry firsts as it has evolved into the peerless SUV we know today. As well as introducing a host of advanced technologies, many of which have since become industry standards, the original Classic model was cited as an ‘exemplary work of industrial design’ when it became the first vehicle to be displayed at […]

Jaguar Land Rover has revealed some of the prototype technologies that its UK-based research team are developing to deliver autonomous driving in the future. A Remote Control Range Rover Sport research vehicle demonstrates how a driver could drive the vehicle from outside the car via their smartphone. The smartphone app includes control of steering, accelerator and brakes as well as changing from high and low range. This would allow the driver to walk alongside the car, at a maximum speed of 4mph, to manoeuvre their car out of challenging situations safely, or even to negotiate difficult off-road terrain. The driver could use the smartphone to reverse the car out of a parking space if someone has parked too close for them to open the door, or allow the driver to become their own off-road spotter, to guide the car over […]

A new, hybrid-powered State Review vehicle was used for the first time on Thursday, when Her Majesty The Queen presented New Colours to the Royal Welsh Regiment in Cardiff.  The Queen is Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment. Based on a long wheelbase Range Rover, the new vehicle features a diesel hybrid engine, which enables it to run at times purely on electric power.  The State Review was designed by Land Rover Design and engineered by Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations department. This is the fourth State Review vehicle which Land Rover has provided, starting with a 1953 Land Rover Series 1.  The new hybrid replaces the previous Range Rover State Review vehicle, which dates from 2002. Jaguar Land Rover is the only automotive company to hold all three Royal Warrants, from HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and […]

Jaguar Land Rover is researching a new connected car technology that will allow a vehicle to identify the location and severity of potholes, broken drains and manhole covers, and then share this data in real-time via the cloud with other vehicles and with road authorities to help them prioritise repairs. If a car can receive a warning from another vehicle about severe potholes or broken manholes ahead, then drivers would be able to slow down and avoid the danger – or the car could adjust suspension settings to reduce the impact and smooth the ride. This could help reduce the potential for punctures, wheel and vehicle damage as well as road accidents. Dr Mike Bell, Global Connected Car Director, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “Our MagneRide equipped Range Rover Evoque and Discovery Sport vehicles feature sophisticated sensors that allow the vehicle […]

Coventry Telegraph is reporting that Jaguar Land Rover has clocked up a record year in business – with colossal profits of more than £2.6billion. The Coventry-based car giant has revealed its full-year results which show the record pre-tax earnings are up £113million on the previous year. JLR also announced revenues of £21.86billion for the year to March 31, 2015, up by £2.48billion in 12 months. Bosses at the firm, which has its global headquarters at Whitley, said it marks a ‘fifth successive year of solid growth, robust financial results and continuous investment in its future.’ Jaguar Land Rover chief executive officer, Dr Ralf Speth said: “Jaguar Land Rover has delivered five years of solid financial results, enabling us to invest in our long-term future. “This has positioned the company strategically and financially for continued sustainable growth. For further details, check out […]

Jaguar Land Rover launched its new Land Rover Heritage division at the Techno Classica show in Essen, Germany a few weeks ago. Body, trim and extended servicing items are available for Range Rover Classic, while for Range Rover P38 and Discovery 1 and 2, Land Rover Heritage supplies salvage and extended service parts to ensure customers’ cherished cars are maintained to the highest possible standard. For Series l, ll and lll, selected Land Rover Heritage Parts are available and the brand will gradually reintroduce more original part numbers – all made using original tooling methods and all items supported under warranty*. Land Rover Heritage forms part of Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Operations division and has been created to support the brand’s passion in nurturing and preserving its rich heritage of vehicles and supporting its loyal customer base across Land Rover’s […]

An old friend always used to say that “Jeeps are famous, but Land Rovers are legendary.” I know some Jeep fanatics who might disagree with that, but many of us have been fond of the Land Rover, and its entire family tree, for many years. Our video this week looks back over Land Rover’s history through the eyes of some of the men who were there. This is the story of Land Rover – from its inception as a way to save the Rover company to its becoming the SUV of choice for the landed gentry. The design for the original Land Rover vehicle was started in 1947 by Maurice Wilks, chief designer at the Rover Company, on his farm in Newborough, Anglesey. It is said that he was inspired by an American World War II Jeep that he used […]

Land Rover will unveil the Range Rover SVAutobiography at the 2015 New York International Auto Show, adding even more luxury, design sophistication and performance to an enhanced line-up. Speaking ahead of the exclusive model’s world premiere in New York, Land Rover’s Design Director and Chief Creative Officer Gerry McGovern stated: “With the SVAutobiography we have taken the opportunity to optimise the Range Rover’s luxury execution and precision while delivering beautiful detailing that considerably enhances the customer’s experience of our flagship vehicle.” Exclusively crafted at Special Vehicle Operations’ (SVO) Technical Centre in the UK, SVAutobiography features unique exterior design enhancements, an exclusive premium leather interior with unique trim finishes and the option of a 550PS 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine for the first time. As a result, the SVAutobiography is the most luxurious and powerful series-production Range Rover in the model’s successful […]

Land Rover has confirmed production of the Range Rover Evoque Convertible, on sale in 2016, by releasing a unique underground testing film. One hundred and thirty-one feet below the streets of London, UK, the first prototype of the new Range Rover Evoque Convertible was granted exclusive access to the 26-mile (42km) network of Crossrail tunnels for a unique development test. Engineers were allowed the opportunity to drive the disguised Evoque Convertible with its roof lowered in complete privacy. The short film begins with the highly-capable convertible being lowered into the tunnel network by crane, before negotiating a range of obstacles through the 20 foot (6.2 meter) diameter tunnel. Murray Dietsch, Director of Land Rover Programs said, “The tunnels are still under construction, so we had a unique opportunity to explore the vehicle’s all-terrain ability in unchartered territory.”Land Rover will announce […]