Range Rover Sport Prototype May be Testing Hybrid Powertrain

Automakers tend to use test mules that typically combine body parts of an existing model with chassis and/or mechanical components of a next generation vehicle in the early stages of development for testing purposes.

This seems to be the case with the Range Rover Sport prototype caught by our scoop photographers out on the road in Europe.

The test mule featured a modified front end and a strange arrangement for the exhaust system at the back, which leads us to believe that Land Rover engineers were trying out a different powerplant for the Range Rover Sport's successor, possibly a hybrid system.

Land Rover has already began testing camouflaged prototypes of the regular Range Rover while the company has confirmed that it is working on a more fuel-efficient and CO2 friendlier hybrid system based on the one featured on the Range_e concept, which was shown earlier this year.

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Land Rover Scores 54% of the Vote in MSN Cars’ Poll of Best 4x4 Brands

In a recent online poll, MSN Cars asked its readers a simple question: “Which firm makes the best '4x4' type cars?” The winner, with an astonishing 54% of the 39,663 votes is Indian British automaker Land Rover.

The brand’s winning combination of aggressive yet attractive styling, “go anywhere” off-road ability, ruggedness and comfort have made Land Rover the powerhouse brand it is today – and a deserved winner. Land Rover UK managing director Colin Green is understandably over the moon:

“We are thrilled that MSN users have voted Land Rover their favourite 4x4 brand. We know that Land Rover has some of the best brand loyalty figures in the industry and this poll is testament to that. Taking over half the votes is a great achievement and goes to prove that Land Rover really does make the world's most authentic 4x4s. Thank you to everyone who voted for us!”

Second place was snatched by Toyota (9%) and Audi took a surprising third (8%). Jeep claimed an equally surprising sixth (3%), bested by the likes of BMW (6%), Mitsubishi (5%) and Subaru (4%). Mercedes-Benz shared 7th place with Jeep while Lexus, Volkswagen and Volvo scored 2% a piece.

With a history stretching back 63 years, there have been many noteworthy Land Rovers. It seems every model the company has released – from the Range Rover of the 1970s to the Discovery and Freelander models of the ‘90s – has ignited the public’s imagination and fuelled much debate.

So tell us, readers: what is your favourite Land Rover? Do you go with the traditionalist Series I of the ‘40s, the radical Evoque or the flawed yet brilliant Range Rover? You tell us.

By Tristan Hankins

Story source: MSN Cars

Design of New 2012 Range Rover

smallest and most fuel efficient model in the British firm's range, but also because its styling will influence the design of the new 2012 Range Rover (spied here testing with heavy camouflage), according to the company’s head of design Gerry McGovern.

“There are aspects of the design that will be key. Range Rovers usually have a level window line and the body’s side and glass areas are equal. We’ve got rid of both on the Evoque, but we’ve still got the signature floating roof” said McGovern in an interview with Autocar magazine.

In addition, both the windscreen and the rear window will have a steeper angle, contributing to the sportier feel of the new Range Rover, while the interior will bear some resemblance to the Evoque. Land Rover says it will try to improve interior space, especially for rear passengers.

Reducing fuel consumption is also priority, not only with the use of more modern engines but also by constructing the Range Rover from alloy panels which is said to help shave about 450kg (992 pounds) reducing the weight to around 2,200kg (4,850 pounds).

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Drunk Driver Finds Ideal Parking Space for his Range Rover Sport

A security camera in Russia caught a drunk driver in a Ranger Rover Sport climbing the doorsteps and parking the luxury SUV right in front of the entrance of an apartment building in Chelyabinsk, a city located to the east of the Ural Mountains, on Miass River. The intoxicated driver is seen in the security video stumbling out of the British SUV with a bottle in his hand.

The next day, the residents of the apartment were surprised to find the doorway blocked by the Range Rover model. Luckily, the building had an emergency exit located on the other side. As you’d expect, the residents called the police but to their dismay, all they did was to contact the owner of the SUV who came shortly after and drove away as if nothing happened. According to media reports from Russia, the man simply received a parking ticket for 2,000RUB (about US$71)….

Hat tip to Alex from Carlifeblog!

Range Rover

The Range Rover is an SUV the luxury of Land Rover . It is the end of the 1960s and 17 years developed 1970 was officially presented in June. Its permanent four-wheel drive , coil springs , and not least the 3.5-liter V8 engine have revolutionized the market at that time SUV. From today's perspective, the Range Rover pioneered the so-called Sports Utility Vehicles . Unlike those, was and is above-average off-road capabilities of one of the most striking features of the Range Rover concept. The Range Rover was already in the 1970 model for a number of other luxury SUVs, including the Monteverdi Safari and Oasis Felber .

Land Rover fully reveals 5-Door Range Rover Evoque before LA Show debut [20 Photos]

After teasing us at the end of September with a single photo, Land Rover today came out with more details and a full image gallery of the 5-door version of the Range Rover Evoque ahead of its global debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, on November 17.
The Evoque Coupe's five-door sibling combines the same bold design, first seen on the Land Rover Concept Car, with increased space and more practicality.
"While retaining everything that's great about the Range Rover Evoque coupé, this new 5-Door bodystyle will offer customers even more choice, greater practicality, versatility and flexibility" said Land Rover's Managing Director Phil Popham.
Design-wise, the rising beltline and muscular look are still there, but the 5-door has a slightly higher roof, as it's 30 mm taller than the coupe. Even though the overall length and width remained the same, Land Rover's designers managed to offer 50mm (2 inches) more shoulder room for the rear seat passengers, alongside ample headroom.
Opting for a full-sized glass panoramic roof, which lets plenty of natural light through, can further enhance the sensation of space.
The Evoque will offer customers the ability to specify premium leather packages, which can cover almost any surface of the interior. Furthermore, it gets 60/40 folding seat squabs with ISOFIX child seat mounts and, when required, luggage capacity can be expanded to a decent 1,445 liters.
Most of the SUV's functions can be controlled by using an intuitive touch-screen display, available with dual-view technology, so that driver and passenger can access separate functions or content at the same time. Integrated Bluetooth and a range of USB and auxiliary inputs are also available.
There's also a new, high-end sound system from Meridian, which offers 17 speakers for a total of 825 W of surround-sound performance.
Underneath the sheetmetal, the Evoque can be equipped with the optional Adaptive Dynamics System with MagneRide that promises to offer a better balance between handling and ride quality, while the company's signature Terrain Response manages the full-time four-wheel-drive system in off-road conditions. The Evoque is also the first Range Rover to offer a front-wheel drive option.
The turbocharged powertrain line-up is shared with the Coupe and consists of modern petrol and diesel engines, said to offer "four-cylinder efficiency with six-cylinder refinement and power".
Diesel variants will make up the bulk of sales in Europe, so it's no surprise that the 2.2-liter unit has two derivatives, with 150 hp (112 kW) and 190 hp (142 kW).
The lonely 2.0-liter petrol unit combines turbocharging with direct fuel injection and twin variable valve timing to produce a very respectable 240 hp or 179 kW.
The 5-door Range Rover Evoque will go on sale in more than 160 countries starting from summer 2011 with a base price of £30,000 in the UK, and from US$45,000 in the US. More details (performance figures, photos, etc.) are likely to emerge during next week's LA Auto Show.

By Csaba Daradics

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