Land Rover Updates Discovery 4 / LR4 for 2012MY, gets New 8-Speed Auto Transmission

The Land Rover Discovery 4, also known as the LR4 in North America, is entering the 2012 model year with some minor refinements, the most important of which is the introduction of a new ZF 8HP70, 8-speed automatic transmission on the 3.0-liter SDV6 diesel engine which also benefits from a power boost.

First fitted to the Range Rover TDV8 for 2011, the 8-speed auto helps improve fuel consumption to 8.8lt/100km (26.7mpg US or 32.1mpg UK) in the combined cycle and bring down CO2 emissions from 244g/km to 230g/km.

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Land Rover Discovery 4 gets a Light Styling Makeover from Project Kahn

Azfal Kahn and his crew have put their Range Rover tunes on the side to concentrate on another Land Rover model, the latest Discovery 4 dubbed LR4 in North America. The A. Kahn Design Discovery from Project Kahn is a purely cosmetics package with upgrades for the exterior and available options for the interior. Read more »

Land Rover Ad Suggests you can get Away with Anything Inside an LR4

Land Rover vehicles are known for offering a high level of security to their occupants, but does that apply only to traffic accidents? Well, if we are to believe a new U.S. campaign for the LR4/Discovery SUV, the feeling of safety inspired by a Land Rover vehicle goes well beyond road accidents. Read more »

Land Rover Presents UK-Bound Discovery 4 “Landmark” Limited Edition

A new pair of limited edition versions will soon expand the range of Land Rover's Discovery. Set to launch in the UK market in January 2011 with prices starting from £46,945, the "Landmark" Limited Edition will be offered in two colors, Santorini Black or Fuji White.

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Video Galore: 2010 Land Rover Discovery 4, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport

While it may not be the best of times for large SUVs, Land Rover rightfully thought that it never hurts to update your product portfolio. At the New York Auto Show, the British automaker unveiled its 2010MY family that consists of the Land Rover Discovery 4 (LR4), the Range Rover and the Range Rover Sport. All three 4x4s have been cosmetically and mechanically enhanced and now come with new V6 diesel and/or V8 gasoline engine options. Hit the jump to watch all three respective videos.

2010 Land Rover Discovery 4 - LR4: New Looks, Better Handling and new 245HP V6 Diesel

Due to be revealed alongside the 2010 Range Rover (click here for details and photos) at the New York Auto Show, the Discovery 4 - LR4 for the States- comes with refreshed looks inspired from the more luxurious Range Rover, a more premium-feel cabin and the British firm's new twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter common rail diesel engine that is mated to a revised ZF HP28 6-speed automatic transmission. The updated Discovery 4 / LR4 is scheduled to go on sale in the UK this September.

On the outside, Land Rover's designers attempted to smoothen the Discovery 3's ruged looks by removing most of the dark plastic and restyling the SUVs front fascia which is clearly inspired from the Range Rover. The revised headlamps and tail lights now incorporate LED technology while there are also new 19-inch alloy wheel designs and, for the first time, a new 10-spoke 20-inch wheel is available as a factory option.

Land Rover's team paid more attention to the Discovery's interior that has received a serious makeover with a redesigned dash and instrument panel, a new centre console that is now inclined towards the driver, new steering wheel with revised switch layout and new seats. Also new are the 5-inch TFT screens in the instrument cluster displaying key information and a new Portable Audio Interface with MP3 player and i-Pod connectivity.

For the 2010MY, the Discovery benefits from a new 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged diesel engine producing 245HP and a massive 600Nm the torque. Even though it delivers 29 percent more power and 36 percent higher torque than the 2.7-liter V6 diesel which will continue to be offered on the Disco, fuel economy is improved by 9 percent, delivering 30.4mpg UK (9.3 l/100km or 25.3 mpg US) on the EU Combined cycle.

Land Rover has also improved the Disco's vehicle dynamics on and off-road by tweaking the suspension, adding larger brakes and revising the Terrain Response and Hill Descent Control systems.

Land Rover to Unveil Updated Discovery, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport this week

According to Carscoop sources, Land Rover is serving up a surprise for the New York International Auto Show that opens to the public on April 10, with the unveiling of three facelifted models, the 2010 Discovery (or as it is called in the US, LR3), Range Rover and Range Rover Sports. All three premium SUVs will receive a mid-life update with cosmetic changes in and out. However, the headlines news is the presentation of a new range of more powerful, yet more fuel efficient diesel and gasoline engines.

In particular, as with the recently updated Jaguar XF and XK models, the 2010 Land Rovers adopt a new dual turbocharged 3.0-litre AJ-V6D Gen III diesel engine that produces up to 275HP and a massive 600Nm (443 lbs-ft) of peak torque.

The 2010 Range Rover and its Sport sibling also benefit from the AJ-V8 Gen III direct-injection engine that will be offered in both naturally aspirated and supercharged forms producing 385HP / 515Nm and 510HP / 625Nm respectively. We'll have more details on all three Land Rovers at the opening of the NY Show.

2009 Land Rover Discovery 3: Subtle Tweaks

Unless you own a Discovery3 (called LR3 in the North American market) or you work for Land Rover, we seriously doubt that you’ll notice any differences between the 2009 and 2008 model year cars. But that’s why we’re here. So, compared to the 2008 MY version, the updated Discovery 3 features re-profiled front bumper, (body colored on all models), and revised rear bumper and wheel arches, which are body colored on higher trim levels.

Additional changes include the body colored tailgate lift handle, the revised "tungsten" colored side vent, "tungsten" door handles on higher trim levels, and clear-lens side repeaters across the range. Land Rover also offers a new set of 19-inch 7-spoke alloy wheels along with – you guessed it- three new exterior metallic paint colors - Santorini Black, Galway Green and Bournville and a new a new "almond" trim color for the cabin. -Continued

There’s no official announcement on when the 2009 Land Rover Discovery 3 will go on sale in the States, but in the UK at least, it will be available this August, priced from £29,950.

Land Rover Offers Fully Integrated Entertainment System On The LR3 / Discovery

The LR3 or Discovery 3 in Europe now comes with the option of an Alpine fully integrated rear seat entertainment system. The factory fit system includes a six disc DVD player and two 6.5 inch widescreen displays screens mounted in the front headrests. The two screens can be operated independently meaning that one passenger can be watching a DVD while another plays on a games console connecting via auxiliary inputs. -Continued after the jump

“The components are securely fitted, tested and designed specifically for Land Rover,” says Alpine’s OEM manager Keith Price. “This allows us to eliminate many of the problems of safety, interference and usability of aftermarket solutions that customers don’t like. The bespoke software allows front seat passengers control of the system too, increasing convenience and avoiding unnecessary stops to turn the system on or change DVD. It all helps to make the journey a little more pleasant.”

Specifications:

- 6 stack DVD changer mounted in the boot of car - Two 6.5” widescreen (16:9 format) displays mounted in front headrests - AUX input for games console, camcorder, etc

MIT Builds Fully Autonomous Land Rover LR3

Look Mo, no hands, no remote control! This weird looking Land Rover LR3 (Discovery) has been crafted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to drive all by itself avoiding obstacles, even merging into moving traffic without any human assistance whatsoever.

The fully autonomous LR3 is designed to take part in a driverless car competition dubbed 2007 DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) Urban Challenge which will be held on November 3, 2007 in Victorville, CA. During the event, the driverless vehicles will have to cross through a 60-mile mock city course completing a stipulated route within a period of six hours. It remains unclear whether the cars will able to receive the prize all by themselves or if human assistance will be needed... -Details after the jump

PRESS RELEASE: IRVINE, Calif., Oct 22, 2007- Land Rover has joined forces with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) by donating a Land Rover LR3 that has been built to be fully autonomous so it can take part in the forthcoming 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge.

MIT has completely modified the LR3, a vehicle already packed with technology, so that without human driver assistance or remote control, the vehicle is able to drive itself and perform simple tasks such as avoiding obstacles and merging into moving traffic.

The LR3 uses state-of-the-art hardware to view the environment and to track its own motion while driving on major roads or moving through cities. It is equipped with LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) range finders with vision sensors in order to view the environment, helping it avoid obstacles that might get in its way. In order to track its progress along the roads, the vehicle uses a combination of GPS (Global Positioning System) and INS (Inertial Navigation System).

With this combination of technology, the vehicle can locate itself within half of a meter anywhere in the world, giving it the ability to stay on road at all times. By grouping these technologies, the LR3 can navigate itself while avoiding anything that might get in its way.

The DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) Urban Challenge is an annual competition where several autonomous vehicles, like this specialized LR3, compete against each other in several different rounds.

After successfully completing the qualifying round in early August, Team MIT and the LR3 have been invited back to compete in the challenging semi-final round taking place on October 26-31, with the goal of making it to the final competition.

The DARPA Urban Challenge final event will be held in Victorville, CA on November 3, 2007. During the competition, the vehicles will need to traverse through a 60-mile mock city course within six hours, and will be challenged with tasks while completing a stipulated route. Some of these tasks include executing simulated supply missions while merging into moving traffic, navigating traffic circles, negotiating busy intersections and avoiding various obstacles - all without a driver or via remote control.

LAND ROVER
Land Rover North America is part of Ford Motor Company's Premier Automotive Group with headquarters in Irvine, California. Land Rover established operations in the U.S. in 1986, and now imports and distributes Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, LR3 and LR2 vehicles manufactured by Land Rover in Solihull and Halewood, 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.

Vehicle specifications and features are subject to change. For the latest Land Rover pricing and product information, contact Land Rover North America Product Communications at (949) 341-5800. Land Rover-related press releases and electronic photos of the company’s products are available on-line in the Land Rover section of Ford Motor Company’s news media website (media.landrover.com).

MIT
Today MIT is a world-class educational institution. Teaching and research—with relevance to the practical world as a guiding principle—continue to be its primary purpose. MIT is independent, coeducational, and privately endowed. Its five schools and one college encompass numerous academic departments, divisions, and degree-granting programs, as well as interdisciplinary centers, laboratories, and programs whose work cuts across traditional departmental boundaries

Land Rover Discovery 3 "Pursuit"

Based on the Discovery TD V6, the “Pursuit” is a UK only limited edition version (300 units) that features Java Black paint work with Ebony interior, 19” alloy wheels, body coloured wheel arch surrounds, manual leather seats and chrome finish mirror caps. Don’t you just love marketers? -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to check out the official press release

PRESS RELEASE: IN PURSUIT WITH LAND ROVER

A new well-equipped limited edition Discovery 3, called the Pursuit, will be on sale in March 2007, for under £30,000 OTR. Only 300 Discovery 3 ‘Pursuits’ will be available from Land Rover dealerships across the country. Based on the TDV6 GS model, the Pursuit also features Java Black paint work with Ebony interior, 19” alloy wheels, body coloured wheel arch surrounds, manual leather seats and chrome finish mirror caps.

Land Rover’s multi-award winning Discovery 3 is a technology-packed, premium 4x4 designed to deliver outstanding performance both on the road and off-road. The bold, versatile design is distinctively Land Rover and offers exceptional space, comfort and flexibility, for up to seven adults.

All Pursuit limited editions are powered by the Discovery’s acclaimed TDV6 diesel engine and feature standard technologies including Hill Descent Control, air suspension and Terrain Response™, all industry-firsts for Land Rover.

“Since launch, the Discovery 3 has brought new levels of ability, comfort and refinement to the large 4x4 market. Winning 95 awards worldwide is a testament to its class-leading diesel engine, its versatility and its all-round package,” commented John Edwards, Land Rover UK managing director.

“The limited-edition Discovery 3 Pursuit gives customers the opportunity to buy an exclusive specification for the exceptional price of £29,995 OTR for the TDV6 manual and £30,995 OTR with automatic transmission. We think this represents incredible value for money”

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