IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 26, 2004- Land Rover has released the first photographs of Range Rover Sport, an entirely new vehicle from the world's leading sport-utility vehicle manufacturer. A true performance vehicle, Range Rover Sport is optimized for fast, comfortable long-distance driving. The addition of Range Rover Sport marks the fifth nameplate for the brand and complements the flagship Range Rover.

Powered in top-line form by a supercharged 390hp 4.2-liter V8 engine, Range Rover Sport will deliver the highest degree of power ever available on a Land Rover model. A normally aspirated V8 engine option will also be available.

Excellent on-road dynamics are delivered through Land Rover's new Dynamic Response suspension system and performance-tuned chassis. The innovative system, making its debut on Range Rover Sport, senses cornering forces and acts to optimize body control and handling. It also decouples off-road to allow greater wheel articulation during tough all-terrain driving.

"Range Rover Sport takes us into the growing performance SUV market, but is different from all rivals," says Matthew Taylor, Managing Director of Land Rover. "We see it as a less frenetic, more refined alternative to existing performance SUVs. It is ideal for fast, comfortable, long-distance driving and practical enough for everyday use. Yet it is also exceptional off-road, offering better all-terrain ability than any competitor. Like all Land Rover products, it offers the broadest range of capability in its class."

With its aerodynamic and muscular exterior design, Range Rover Sport's stance is powerful and aggressive. The five-door body style with single-piece rear aluminum tailgate adds to the dynamic look and feel of the vehicle.

"It is the best 'driver's vehicle' that Land Rover has ever made," adds Taylor. "There is the traditional Land Rover command driving position, yet the cockpit is more cocooning than the SUV norm."

Range Rover Sport will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in January, and will be available in North America in summer of 2005.

Pricing and detailed specification will be announced closer to launch date, but is expected to fit between LR3 and Range Rover in the Land Rover product range.

Land Rover North America is part of Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover with headquarters in Irvine, California. Land Rover established operations in the U.S. in 1986, and now imports and distributes Range Rover, LR3 and Freelander vehicles manufactured by Land Rover in Solihull, England. Land Rover's worldwide operations are wholly owned by Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan. For information about the Land Rover retailer nearest you, call 800-FIND-4WD or log on to www.LandRoverusa.com

Gaydon, 15 November 2004: The Land Rover G4 Challenge recce team is breaking new ground every day, having already covered over 10,000 miles of remote terrain across southeast Asia seeking out a trailblazing route. Trekking from Thailand to the Vietnamese border, taking in Cambodia and Laos, the mountains, jungle and valleys of the region have been combed in order to locate the most rigorous tests for the competitors and their near-standard Land Rovers in the opening stages of the 2006 Land Rover G4 Challenge.

“With a competition of this magnitude it takes a lot of time to work through all possible locations and routes before you can get on with planning the competitive activities,” said Niki Davies, Project Director. “In the end, we have focused the action of the early stages in the wilderness of Laos. It’s a beautiful part of the world, taking you from northern Thailand to the borders of Cambodia and Vietnam, with off-road routes that go on for hours at a time. The valleys around the Mekong River are a particular favourite, where the mud, water and river crossings can seem endless.”

The four-week event, which Land Rover has confirmed will begin on 23 April 2006, starts with an urban challenge in the thriving metropolis of Bangkok, capital of Thailand, before venturing out into the mountainous hardwood forests of Laos. With forested mountains making up much of the terrain, through which the Mekong River flows (known as the ‘Sea of Laos’), the competition will be played out amid a stunning setting with elephants, beautiful temples and ancient ruins all nestling in the jungle.

When the 2006 Land Rover G4 Challenge gets under way there will be 18 men and women representing their home nations in the month-long global adventure. Near-standard Land Rover vehicles, including the new Discovery 3 and a soon-to-be revealed new product, will carry an array of equipment that will aid the competitors as they bike, climb, kayak in their global quest for victory. They also form an integral part of the competition, with tough, daily 4x4 driving challenges in a fleet of vehicles in their distinctive orange paintwork. The ultimate victor of the 2006 Land Rover G4 Challenge will claim a brand new Range Rover at the end of an unforgettable experience.

As one of the world’s four remaining communist states, Laos remains largely untouched by the outside world and the arrival of a fleet of Land Rovers has certainly not gone unnoticed. “Already the presence of the Land Rover G4 Challenge is generating a lot of local interest,” added Niki Davies. “We have received a tremendously warm and enthusiastic welcome, led by the Lao National Tourism Authority.”

Once the Land Rover G4 Challenge has completed its opening stages in Southeast Asia, it then moves to South America, arriving on the world-famous beaches of Rio de Janeiro. The climax to the event comes on May 20 with a final showdown on the high plains of Bolivia.

Would-be competitors can apply online at www.landroverG4challenge.com

Well Vauxhall have hinted at a new SUV from their camp, and this is a nice picture showing it in all its glory. They look to have taken styling cues from the Japanese and German's too.
[ Well Vauxhall have hinted at a new SUV from their camp, and this is a nice picture showing it in all its glory. They look to have taken styling cues from the Japanese and German] The reason for the design influence, is that the big cheeses over at Vauxhall have been looking at what their customers want in the SUV market. They have taken the cream of the crop of the other 4x4s and SUVs and build a better beast.

Toyota, Nissan X-Trail and even luxury contenders such as BMW's X5 have been considered, both in styling as well as performance. The front looks a lot like a Jeep Grand Cherokee, the sides look like they were ripped from an X-Trail and the lights look very American.

Redesigning the Vauxhall Frontera, which was hugely popular at launch in 'trendy 4x4' 1991 was quickly surpassed by rivals such as the Suzuki Vitara, is no easy feat. Yet we reckon this car will be a hit - and so does Vauxhall. Parent firm GM has already said it will go on sale in 2006, as part of a product blitz over the next two years.

The pictures in this weeks AutoExpress show how bold headlights and strong lines give the Frontera the new Vauxhall family face, while aggressive bumpers and side body mouldings also feature. The 4WD system will provide good off-road performance - like its predecessor- but be biased towards impressive ride and handling on tarmac. It will also incorporate ESP and traction control, boosting stability and delivering what is needed in tougher conditions.

Officially, there's no comment from Vauxhall on the new Frontera, but a Vauxhall insider told AutoExpress magazine: "The new model will appeal to traditional customers, who value a tough, working vehicle. It will have good towing ability and some off-road credentials, but will be much more targeted at road drivers than the old model, with car-like dynamic ability."

The original Frontera, recently axed from the Luton line-up, used a ladderframe chassis, and while that meant it was excellent in the mud, refinement suffered as a result.

The new SUV will use a conventional monocoque chassis to provide good noise insulation and better road manners, so no wandering across lanes on the motorway. Underpinnings will be based on GM's Theta platform, which has already provided the backbone of Chevrolet's Equinox and Saturn Vue, plus the Chevy S3X concept.

Industry sources have hinted the Frontera would be sold alongside the production version of the S3X, which was unveiled at last month's Paris Motor Show. While that car is set to be a seven-seater mum truck, the Vauxhall will have space for five passengers.

A Vauxhall prototype is slated to appear late next year, most likely at the Frankfurt Motor Show. And while the concept on display may well be a three-door version, it will be the five-door that appears first in the UK. Engine options will come from the current Vauxhall line-up, including a 2.0-litre petrol and 1.9 CDTI diesel. A larger Alloytec petrol V6 is also a possibility, as this would be essential for the US market. And as large capacity diesels are a popular choice in this segment, the Frontera could well inherit the 3.0-litre V6 JTD diesel due to appear in Alfa Romeos from next year. The new model will help to erase some of the faults of the previous-generation car, which was criticised for being unreliable and unsophisticated. However, as it helped to start the UK boom in the 4x4 market, the name should still have some appeal in this image-conscious sector.

But it is unlikely to be good news for British manufacturing. While the old car was built at Luton, production at a South Korean plant inherited from Daewoo has already been pencilled in.

Good luck Vauxhall, personally I like the new look!

Author: Chewiee

Gaydon, Warwickshire, 1 November 2004 – The all-new Discovery 3 has been crowned the Scottish SUV of the Year for 2004. The title, given by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers (ASMW) was awarded to the Discovery 3 over some of its toughest rivals in the sector, including BMW and Mitsubishi.

Ally Ballingall, President of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers said of the award: "Off-road vehicles usually provide on-road compromises but our 4x4/SUV of the year proves that there's an exception to every rule. This machine provides the ultimate mix of fashion and functionality, and is a winner in every sense."

Land Rover lead designer, Andy Wheel, who collected the award, added: "The Discovery 3 is a bold piece of design, and this reflects the bold thinking that runs through the whole vehicle, from the smart solutions that have delivered a class-leading vehicle in terms of space, through to its refinement and technology. We are all proud of the Discovery 3, as will be all those who drive it."

Having now won its second award in as many months, this latest accolade is received on the day when the Discovery 3 goes on sale and the first customers will be receiving their new vehicles.

The all-new Discovery 3 is on sale from Land Rover dealerships throughout the UK, starting at £26,995 for the TDV6 and topping out at £46,995 for the V8 HSE.