Land Rover Middle East has launched a program that entitles every Rover consumer of a mandatory five-year or 150,000 Kms warranty cover on any purchase of a Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, LR3 or LR2.

Then again, this accommodating program only applies in the Middle East part of the world. Vehicles bought in the region but are meant to be exported into other foreign countries will revert back to the standard warranty, which is worth three years coverage or equivalent to 100,000 Km service contract.

This program is to further enhance Land Rover’s brand commitment and mission to have the consumer’s best interest at the core of the company’s every venture and undertaking. Providing quality service benefits and value-added Land Rover Parts are the company’s policy to enhance the Rover consumer’s total brand ownership experience.

As it is, Land Rover is proud to announce that it is the first ever automotive manufacturer to launch such a program in the Middle East region.

Andy Gawthorpe, Regional Managing Director of Land Rover Middle East, further discloses, ” We are very excited about launching this new program as it is in line with our company’s philosophy to always enrich the brand experience by offering the best support to our customers at all levels.”

“One of our prime objectives that drives our business is ‘customer satisfaction’.”

“We recognize that the automotive industry has evolved and so have customer expectations and to lead the way is to ensure that we not only deliver good products, but provide added value in terms of service to make the customer’s purchasing decision more rewarding.”

Following the resounding success of the Range Rover Sport in the United States, the Land Rover North American division has agreeably decided to release a limited edition of said popular line — the Range Rover Sport LE.

This very exclusive LE version has already opened its doors to the U.S. market this August of 2007, but would only be available in 250 units.

Finhar McFall, Land Rover North America’s Vice President for Marketing has this to say: “Land Rover is delighted to offer a limited edition Range Rover Sport for those customers who want something a little different. With many exclusive features and options, the Range Rover Sport LE will appeal to those consumers who want a level of personalization that reflects their taste and style.”

Relative to its classic model, this Range Rover Sport LE has several new additions and enhancements tucked under its belt. In terms of the exterior aspect of the Land Rover Parts, the LE boasts of flush-fitting front and rear bumpers, a more extensive roof spoiler, a novel rear exhaust treatment, body-colored lower side panels, tread srips, and 20-inch Stormer wheels.

The interiors of this new Land Rover, on the other hand, is equipped with a Luxury Package that includes a cold climate option, adaptive front lighting, premium leather seats, complementing carpet mats, hand-polished oak wooden trim and a center console cooler box. Also integrated in the LE is an adaptive cruise control, as well as a state-of-the-art DVD entertainment system built specifically for rear seat passengers.

And as with the 2008 Range Rover Sport, the LE has still been equipped with the quality Land Rover Range Rover Parts that the brand is known for. It aptly continues with the 4.2-liter Supercharged V8 engine that is worth 400 horsepower. Moreover, the four wheel drive system serves as a complementing device with the Land Rover’s Terrain Response™ system, which further enhances the road adaptability of the Rover Sport.

This new Range Rover Sport Supercharged LE is currently priced at $81,450 USD.

The Land Rover Defender is known to be the longest surviving SUV in the industry as its roots date back to as early as 1948. Thus far, the Defender has already sold for nearly 1.9 million units, and is now consistently batting an average of 25,000 units a year worldwide. This stable revenue production over the years can be pinpointed on its established niche markets in the forms of the retail and utility consumers, armed forces, and various non-government organizations. Indeed, consumer loyalty for this Land Rover model is exceptionally high, due to its remarkable blend of cargo-loading versatility, advanced technological capabilities, and remarkable strength and durability.The year 2007 marks another exciting milestone for Defender enthusiasts, as Land Rover releases the line’s new and current model. This latest version, as designed by Rover manufacturers, banks on the set of revised and enhanced Land Rover Defender Parts as the unique selling point.In the powertrain avenue, a series of enhancements and new offerings are provided to further increase the Defender’s performance output. A new 2.4-liter four-cylinder CRD diesel engine presents 120 horsepower and 265 ft-lbs of torque. There is also a new six-speed gearbox consisting of a low first gear and high sixth year, wherein the former aids in the stronger off-road control while the latter focuses on smoother cruising dynamics.In terms of the enhancements to the interior features, the Defender has been designed with a more superior HVAC system to ensure better airflow and temperature control. There is also an improved stereo system with AUX-IN jacks. The seatings, as well, have been given an upgrade in comfort through the integration cozier seats and a forward-facing third row seat option.To further highlight this latest Land Rover Defender, Land Rover managing director Phil Popham had this to say: “We’re building on Defender’s success with a package of improvements that will extend its off-road abilities even further, while transforming on-road refinement and comfort. These changes represent a significant vote of confidence in a product which is the foundation of Land Rover’s reputation for off-road excellence; we believe these enhancements will win the hearts and minds of new and existing customers alike.”

Following the established sale of their Aston Martin fleet early this year, it was in June of 2007 that Ford Motor Company has officially revealed another restructuring and refocusing in their system. This time, it has been reviewing the future and possible options for two other premiere automotive brands under its wing, namely the Jaguar and Land Rover Car divisions. And just a month after said disclosure, Ford has decided the company’s submission for a buyout of said brands and opened the arena for bidding procedures.

A spokesman for the brand earlier indicates, “We’ve had contact with interested parties in terms of Jaguar and Land Rover and we’re evaluating that level of interest. Any discussions we’ve had are preliminary only. We’re working with financial advisors to ascertain the best outcome for the future of Jaguar and Land Rover.”

To date, with the bidding process ongoing, Ford has not concretely divulged the number of bidders for the two luxury British brands, but the company cannot help but declare their amazement in the considerable list of interested parties. However, despite attempts in confidentiality, media reports were already able to identify the list of major suitors for Jaguar and Land Rover. The initial ardent players in the bidding is said to be India’s Tata Motors Ltd., as well as Mahindra & Mahirandar Ltd. Sources has also indicated two former Ford executives are currently leading private equity bids for the two British brands. There is Jacques Nasser, who was Ford CEO from 1999 to 2001. Nasser has teamed up in the bid with a private equity firm owned by JPMorgan Chase, aptly named One Equity Partners. Following Nasser is Nich Scheele, who was Ford’s President and Chief Operating Officer from 2001 until his retirement in 2005 and also headed Jaguar from 1992 to 1999. Scheele has joined the bidding with Ripplewood Holdings LLC.

“Each bidder has the opportunity to come down and sit and meet with the board,” said Jay Ward, a spokesman for Land Rover and Jaguar.

Nevertheless, Don Leclair, Ford’s Chief Financial Officer, has also disclosed that Ford is hoping to wrap up a sale of the two British brands by early next year.

Ford Motors Company acquired Jaguar in 1989 and Land Rover in 2000, linking them with Aston Martin and Swedish-based Volvo to form the company’s Premier Automotive Group. However, Ford posted a record US$12.7-billion loss in 2006. Thus, it has decided to sell some of its foreign brands as a means to raise funds in the restructuring of its energy to its core products of Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln brands. As Aston Martin was already sold to Primrose Cove for US$ 931 million, and with Jaguar and Land Rover already put on the market, Volvo will be the only foreign brand left in the PAG. However, Volvo may also be part of the transition phase for Ford as company officials have confirmed that Volvo is currently being evaluated for its worldwide operations as well.

Land Rover has recently introduced its latest addition in the world of sport-utility vehicles, the Land Rover LR2.

As the latest addition to the world’s leading sport-utility vehicle manufacturer’s line-up, the LR2 has notably set new standards in its segment. New from the ground up, LR2 delivers outstanding on-road performance as well as the class-leading off-road capability of a Land Rover. With a dynamic design, purposeful stance, smart and spacious interior, and an abundance of advanced technologies complete the LR2 package that is competitively priced at $34,700 in the US.

“LR2 combines the advantages of a premium sedan such as polished ride, accomplished performance and an attractive cabin with the attributes of a robust SUV,” says Richard Beattie in an interview, executive vice president, marketing and sales, of the Land Rover North America. “With its tough go-anywhere ability, stadium seating, cabin versatility and spaciousness, we believe that no other compact SUV gets closer to blending these best-of-both-worlds abilities.”

The technical highlights of the LR2 include all-new Land Rover engine parts such as the 3.2-liter inline-six engine featuring advanced technologies, which is expected to deliver an outstanding combination of both performance and economy. The 230bhp i6 engine provides 0-60 mph acceleration in 8.4 seconds (0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds). The engine is matched to a new six-speed automatic transmission, with Land Rover’s “CommandShift” offering manual sequential gear changes when required. There is also a driver-selectable sport mode, for a livelier performance.

Inline-six cylinder engine configurations are ideal for delivering a smooth ride, and the compact new unit in LR2 is small enough to mount transversely. The benefits of transverse fitments include improved interior packaging and safety performance.

The interior package of LR2 is advantageous because it has generous head, shoulder and legroom, in both the front and rear. Large glass areas emphasize the spacious feel and complement the elevated “command driving” position a Land Rover hallmark and “stadium seating”, where rear passengers sit slightly higher than front occupants, giving a clearer view of the scenery outside. Cargo space is also among the best in class: 58.9 cu. ft. (1667 liters) with the rear seats folded and 26.7 cu. ft. (756 liters) with the rear seats up.

“We purposely kept strong Land Rover design cues, such as the clamshell bonnet, stepped roof and the basic form,” says Land Rover design director Gerry McGovern. “The overall look is new and contemporary. The design is chiseled, geometric and simple ? it looks like it’s hewn from the solid. We have kept a close design relationship with the LR3 and Range Rover Sport, but interpreted the design language to suit the requirements of customers for a more compact SUV.”

Other features and options include: the impressive keyless starter button, bi-xenon headlamps, adaptive front lighting, rain-sensing windshield wipers and rear park distance control. A standard two-part panoramic sunroof increases the cabin’s airiness; air-conditioning also comes standard and a full-color touch-screen DVD satellite navigation system is optional. The Premium Audio System offered features Dolby Pro Logic II 7.1 Surround Sound. Complete with 14 speakers, including a sub-woofer, the system is played through an in-dash six-disc CD changer. An auxiliary audio connection (for MP3 players) is standard.

The Tongariro national Park will now receive support from Land Rover.

Every new Land Rover that is sold will help protect a hectare of the Tongariro National Park through the “Project Tangariro.” This park is the only dual World Heritage site of New Zealand.

The Tongariro Natural History Society (TNHS) will get a financial contribution of the estimated cost for protecting a hectare of the Tongariro National Park from Motorcorp Distributors Ltd. This company is the importer of Land Rover in New Zealand. They will be contributing financially everytome a new Land Rover is sold through an authorized Land Rover center.

The TNHS is a non-profit organisation, established in 1984 to support conservation initiatives within the Tongariro National Park.

Purchasers of new Land Rovers will also be given the opportunity to contribute additional funds to the park.

The TNHS works in partnership with the Department of Conservation on community focused projects to further preserve Tongariro National Park, New Zealand’s oldest national park.

The TNHS carries out planting, restoration, protection and education projects within the park and the Land Rover financial contributions will assist in this work.

The park of more than 80,000 hectares located in the heart of the North Island of New Zealand is based around Mt Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro which were first gifted to the country by local Maori in 1887.

An all-new Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 HSE has been presented to TNHS in Tongariro National Park during the Department of Conservations ‘Conservation Week’ as part of the support package.

‘Another World. Just down the road’ Conservation Week celebrations this year are focusing on outdoor recreation and the range of things New Zealanders can do to get out and enjoy their beautiful country.

Globally, Land Rover is committed to addressing the challenges of sustainable development. Through ‘Project Tongariro’, Land Rover aims to minimise its environmental footprint in New Zealand and make a positive contribution.

Wallis Dumper, Managing Director for Land Rover in New Zealand said, “Kiwis are well aware of Land Rovers ‘Go Beyond’ capabilities and as a New Zealand owned company we have been striving to support the worldwide Land Rover initiatives that see things like the Dagenham Diesel Centre in England being wind turbine powered. We also want Land Rover owners in New Zealand to support New Zealand’s own back yard and what better way than to support our own dual World Heritage Site!”

Land Rover has a long relationship with Tongariro having supplied vehicles from 1963 to enable the Rangers to access parts of the park in arduous 4WD conditions.

Land Rover has been producing 4WD vehicles since 1948 and is synonymous with motoring in extreme conditions. The vehicles are used world wide for exploration, by aid agencies in the third world and for search and rescue operations because of their go anywhere ability. Two thirds of all Land Rovers ever produced are still in use today, thanks to their rugged construction.

Source: Land Rover Press Release

The Defense Advanced Research Project Agency has announced that there are 36 teams that have been chosen as finalists in a competition for robotic vehicles. Included in the 36 teams is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which will b using a Land Rover LR3 for their robotic vehicle.

The selected teams will have their vehicles conduct simulated military supply missions at a former Air Force base in California but should still be obeying road and traffic regulations in California.

MIT team leader John Leonard, a mechanical and ocean engineering professor said in a statement, “Our team is delighted to move forward to the next stage of the competition.”

The semi-finals of the said competition will be held on October 26-27 and the finals will be on the 3^rd of November.

The price for the top three finishers that complete the course within the six-hour time limit would bring home $2 million, $1 million, and $500,000. The agency ha already held two previous competitions but it would be their first time to hold it in an urban environment.

Tony Tether, Director of DARPA said, “The vehicles must perform as well as someone with a California driver’s license.”

Range Rover is Land Rover’s flagship brand for their sports utility vehicles. Though there are a lot of other sports utility vehicle brands in the automotive industry, Range Rover has managed to stay as one of the top brands. They were able to keep their place as they continue to make changes and upgrades to its Land Rover Range Rover parts. Just last year, they upgraded its engine to 305-hp 4.4-liter V8 and the supercharged 400-hp 4.2-liter. This 2007, the automaker decided to change a bit on the model’s interior and traction system.

The Range Rover’s cabin for the 2008 model year has now been upgraded with a new instrument panel, air conditioning unit, new trim, new airbags, storage compartments and switchgear. The front seats have now been outfitted with new head restraints that are designed to reduce whiplash. They’ve also incorporated in-seat air-cooling system. This is optional on the HSE but a standard on the Supercharged models.

The Terrain Response system of the Land Rover and the electronic rear differential have been made standard equipment to supplement the center e-diff. But still, the latter feature is only made standard on the Supercharged models. Another great feature is the new electronic parking brake that would automatically disengage when the car is started.

Land Rover has provided the perfect their customers who take their driving seriously with something that could satisfy their thirst for the ultimate driving experience, and it’s in the form of their all-wheel sports utility vehicle, the 2007 Range Rover Sport. This SUV is specifically-engineered to suit the expectations of those who take driving seriously. This is a combination of Land Rover North America’s shortest wheelbase, strong V8 power, and a low, wide stance produces excellent agility and tenacious road holding. It also comes in available with the Dynamic Response, which is the latest generation of Land Rover active suspension, which makes it the perfect road partner for those who love the fast and long-distance touring.

This Dynamic Response suspension system combines with the Brembo front brakes to be able to deliver sharp steering response, flat cornering, and tight body control. This suspension system is optional on the naturally aspirated HSE and is a standard part system on the Supercharged model. It also has Land Rover’s exclusive terrain response system which guarantees that the Range Rover Sport has a competitive edge in off-road capability.

It is able to shout its sporty nature when it’s added with a choice of two advanced V8 engines — Supercharged and naturally aspirated — an electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission, permanently engaged four-wheel drive, four-corner independent air suspension, and a whole lot of their premium cabin features.

Its powertrain is just as impressive as all the exclusively-Land Rover-made features and systems. The Supercharged and naturally aspirated V8s have some things in common like they share the same aluminum block-and-head four-valve combustion chambers, and the chain-driven double overhead camshafts.

The 4.4-liter naturally aspirated V8 has electronically-controlled continuously variable intake and exhaust timing and electronic throttle actuation. Its maximum power output could reach up to 300 bhp at 5,500rpm with 315 pound-feet of torque at 4,000rpm.

The 4.2-liter Supercharged and intercooled V8 uses thicker-walled cylinder liners for extra block rigidity, requiring a slightly smaller bore dimension. Twin-air coolant heat exchangers chill the pressurized intake charge on the way to the cylinders. This could even deliver much higher power output – 390 bhp at 5,750rpm and 410 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm.

Land Rover has not been so fast on catching up in contributing to the world’s ecological plans but they are surely making up for their lost time. They may not have added Land Rover parts that have the ultimate function of safeguarding the environment from unburned fuel, and their Land Rover Range Rover parts may not initially contain a catalytic converter but it doesn’t mean that they are not thinking of doing anything about that.

It could be remembered that in September of 2006, Land Rover launched a scheme that would let new car buyers have an option to have their CO2 emissions offset for the first 45,000 miles through a one-off green tax of between £85 and £165. This cash will then be put into worldwide ecological schemes such as renewable fuels and wind farms.

Land Rover is extending their carbon offsetting scheme, giving their customers a chance to mark “guilt reduction” box on the list of their options for their sports utility vehicles.

But those who advocate for these ecological schemes demanded that Land Rover extend its offset scheme and so this has now been applied to other older cars, to those driving cars that have a recorded mileage of over 45,000 miles. The money raised is spent by specialist CO2 offset provider Climate Care on green energy plans all over the world.

Phil Popham, the boss of Land Rover said, “Land Rover takes its responsibility to the environment seriously and demand for a voluntary offset scheme shows us owners share our commitment.” He added that their customers will now have a chance to make a difference in their community, and be of help to the environment and wildlife.

This automaker is already exerting all efforts to improve their green ratings as the debate regarding CO2 emissions is focusing more on the most polluting vehicles. It now offsets the CO2 emissions generated by production at its two UK manufacturing plants. They are also working on a Hybrid technology as of now to catch up with Japanese automakers and have their share of Hybrid vehicles.