Category: Land Rover

Land Rover Is Making A Rugged Android Smartphone

Smartphone makers, at large, are striving for sleeker phones. With wireless charging gaining more attention, it appears that a glass build will be more prominent in the coming months. Although an IP67 or IP68 rating has become more of a necessity in flagship devices nowadays, these phones are not meant rugged use by any means.

In comes Land Rover, a company known for making outdoorsy cars aimed at people who like the luxury. Land Rover has confirmed that it will soon launch a smartphone aimed at people who like outdoor life. The carmaker has teamed up with Bullitt Group, the same company that makes rugged CAT phones like the S60.

CAT phones are some of the most rugged Android smartphones on the market. They even have features like a thermal camera. So, going with Bullitt Group does seem like an appropriate choice for Land Rover to make rugged smartphones. The smartphone is called Land Rover Explorer and will be launched at MWC 2017. While there were no details ousted about the device, it will be available for order in April.

One of the most differentiating features of the Land Rover Explorer is its modularity. Similar to the Moto Z family, you will be able to slap on a mod to increase the functionality of the device. The most talked-about mod is the Adventure Pack, which adds a powerful GPS antenna, extra battery life, and an AR viewfinder for navigating in the wilderness.

So far, the price of the smartphone has been revealed for the UK and European markets. It will be priced at €649 or £599 depending on the region. No details about the device’s global availability were made public. With its launch just a few weeks away, more details are expected to be announced at MWC 2018.

February 1, 2018
AutoGyaan: Land Rover Defender Update Scrapped

Land Rover’s exciting new Defender replacement were all the buzz at the India Auto Expo, but it looks like the company may not after all launch the upgrade. Land Rover had earlier announced that it will replace the ancient Defender series, with brand new super rugged Off-Roader. This unit was expected to be built along Tata’s new upcoming SUV at a new plant in India.

A Jaguar Land Rover Engine manufacturing unit which was also planned in India, has been put on hold due to the lack of manufacturing requirements. John Edwards, Land Rover’s global brand director said that the company will make the new Defender, but plans for it to go into production in 2015 have been delayed. The current Defender will still be retired in 2015, because of the impossibility of meeting future legislation and environment norms.

This major change in plans is due to Tata’s Automobiles’ present financial position, with humiliation in the sales of their recent launches, including Nano, Aria and the new Safari. Tata has suffered huge losses in the automotive sector and continues to undershoot sales throughout the catalogue. The Indian car market has also seen a big depression in the past year, and with this trend, without Tata Motors making significant sales progress, any planned co-operation with Jaguar Land Rover on a back-to-basics Defender is ?not financially viable.

According to sources, the product design head for the new Defender has also argued against the use of a new chassis to compete with global cars from the likes of Toyota and Ford on an more lower end platform.

May 21, 2013
Autogyaan: 2014 Range Rover Sport Unveiled

Land Rover unveiled the all new Range Rover Sport at the New York Auto Show, with design chief Gerry McGovern going to the extent of calling it “the Porsche 911 of SUVs”. Adding a whole lot of functionality with a long list of options, the new eye catching Range ‘evokes’ more than just a gasp (see what we did there?).

Deemed “the fastest, most agile and most responsive Land Rover ever” by brand boss John Edwards, the Sport comes in 4 trims priced between $63.5k and $93k. It offers a choice of a 3 litre supercharged V6 engine producing 340bhp or a monstrous supercharged 5-litre V8 producing 510bhp. The all new high strength aluminium structure makes it more than 360kgs lighter than the outgoing Range Rover Sport. An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard, and an extremely capable new fully automatic Terrain Response 2 System is available as well.

The new car is longer than the outgoing Sport and has a notably shorter rear overhang. This offers both more rear-seat knee room and space for an optional pair of third row seats, making it a ‘5+2’ SUV for the first time. The external styling is very contemporary and sophisticated, yet sporty. Lower and more compact than the larger Range Rover, “It’s dramatic and powerful, with immense road presence,” according to McGovern. To be honest, it reminds us a lot of the baby Range, the Evoque.

The interior is as stunning and functional as ever, with a new optional heads up display, many driver oriented controls, a lower driving position and a higher centre console. It maintains the elegant and sporty feel of the car, and with a lot of panache. Its definitely a nice place to be in.

The first-generation Range Rover Sport was quick to achieve the status of JLR’s most profitable car, and hasn’t looked back since. Expect this classy addition to the lineage to keep up with the trend, and with relative ease.

March 29, 2013
2013 Range Rover Launched in India

Tata owned Jaguar Land Rover Automobiles have launched the all new 2013 Range Rover in India. The 2013 Range Rover is available in three variants, the Vogue SE is set at Rs 1.72 crore, the all new Autobiography at Rs 1.79 crore and the range topping Autobiography petrol at a mind numbing Rs 1.84 crore ex-showroom-Delhi. According to Jaguar Land Rover, the 2013 Range Rover is the world’s first all-aluminium monocoque and also lays claims to be the largest automotive panel in the world’.

The new Rover has a redesigned body shell, which is lighter by about 400kg and this should contribute to better agility, performance and fuel efficiency.

The 2013 Range Rover also has a larger more spacious wheelbase (40mm more than the previous version), expanding the legroom for the middle row by 118mm.

The Range Rover’s off road capabilities also get a boost thanks to the 18mm increase in ground clearance. The wading depth is also now a claimed 900mm, up from the previous 700mm with an all new Terrain Response 2 system with auto setting and intelligent suspension control based on the terrain. The driver will also have the ability to set from 5 manual options for the ride quality.

The Autobiography Petrol has a 510PS supercharged V8 petrol engine with a response time from 0-100kmph of 5.1 second while the Diesel variants come with 258PS SDV8 which improves acceleration times when compared to the existing outgoing version. While Jaguar has started taking orders for the Super SUVs the delivers are said to begin early 2013

November 30, 2012