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Land Rover is refining its lineup with fresh styling, high-tech platforms, and downsized engines. This strategy is becoming visible in the brand's new lineup, which includes an entirely new Range Rover and an equally new Range Rover Sport. What's somewhat less visible, however, is the streamlining that's taking place within the brand's platform portfolio. Up until recently, the brand used four different platforms: the Ford-derived EUCD platform for the Land Rover LR2 and the Range Rover Evoque; a standalone platform for the ancient Defender; an integrated body-on-frame platform for the LR4 and the Range Rover Sport; and a standalone platform derived from the first-generation BMW X5 for the now defunct, third-gen Range Rover. In the near future, Land Rover will keep the Evoque and the LR2 on their current platforms; every other model will use a variations of the new, lightweight D7 platform launched with the new Range Rover. We're hearing that this architecture will accommodate an upcoming long-wheelbase version of the Range Rover, which is likely to be unveiled in 2014. The LWB Range will be tailored specifically to the Chinese market, but there is a historic precedent: The first-gen Range Rover also was offered in long-wheelbase form. Land Rover has confirmed a diesel-hybrid for the Range Rover, and we hear it will be based on the brand's 3.0-liter V-6 turbo-diesel. It likely won't be offered in the U.S., however, even though its consumption could shame the gasoline-hybrid offerings by other automakers.  Land Rover DC100 concept. In addition to the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models already introduced on the new D7 underpinnings, this platform will serve as the foundation for two new vehicles: the next-generation Discovery/LR4 and the next-generation Defender. We understand the the LR4 will continue to move upmarket and that it will revert to the Discovery moniker next year, when we expect the new model to arrive. The next Defender, however, is perhaps the most difficult challenge for Land Rover to tackle. The current model, essentially the same vehicle that was launched in 1948, is an automotive icon with a rugged appeal matched by few other vehicles on the market. It was last sold in the U.S. market in 1997; it carries on dutifully in Europe and elsewhere.
For more than a decade now, Land Rover has been discussing whether it's worth continuing to update the Defender in order to meet today's safety and emissions standards. Consistently strong customer demand has provided the anwer so far: a resounding yes. The DC100 concept, first shown at the 2011 Frankfurt auto show and intended to test the waters for a successor, was strongly disliked by the target group, and the styling department under Gerry McGovern has been sent back to the drawing board. Meanwhile, there is development happening at Land Rover that doesn't revolve around its new aluminum architecture. The future of the Range Rover Evoque convertible, shown in concept form at the Geneva auto show last year, isn't as bright as we were led to believe when the crossover cabrio debuted. Land Rover's take on the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet might not get built after all—and that is probably a good thing. Removing the Evoque's top betrays its attractive shape that relies so heavily on its sloping roofline for visual effectiveness. We hear that instead of the convertible, Land Rover will launch a version of the Evoque with a panoramic roof that actually opens. Oh, and there won't be any further Victoria Beckham editions of any sort in the future. There still are quite a few of the Posh-ified Evoques available, at a shocking premium over standard trims. from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com | |||
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Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Land Rover to Use All-Aluminum Unibody for a Number of Upcoming Models
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