4×4 Australia Magazine has honored a Land Rover model – the Range Rover Sport TDV8 – with the prestigious 4WD of the Year Award for 2008. The Range Rover Sport TDV8 model actually isn’t the only Land Rover model to receive recognition as three other models of the automaker took the top 4 positions.

This actually the third time out of four years of Land Rover to win the prestigious 4WD of the Year award. This just proves that Land Rover is definitely the world’s leading manufacturer of four-wheel drive vehicles.

It was during the Today Show that Dean Mellor, the editor of 4×4 Australia Magazine, announced the award for Range Rover Sport. He also praised the model for its capability and technology saying, “It’s the whole package this vehicle, it’s absolutely amazing both on road and off road. “The technology is this vehicle is like nothing else…it drives like a car on the road but it’s still very economical.”

Surprisingly, the Land Rover Defender also made it to the top 4 as it finished a close second. This model is actually a specialized four-wheel drive so its recognition came as a surprise. The other Land Rover model which won an award is the Range Rover Vogue TDV8. This model landed the top 4^th spot, completing the top 4 positions dominated by the renowned 4WD automaker.

“Not only are we delighted to win this prestigious award, but to finish first, second and fourth is a true testament to Land Rover’s committed to building the best 4WDs in world. For 60 years now Land Rover has set the benchmark for all other manufacturers to follow, “ said Jon Harris, the Marketing and Public Affairs Manager for Land Rover Australia.

He added, “2007 really has been a busy and exciting year for the Land Rover brand, with record sales globally. The Range Rover Sport, and in particular the new TDV8 diesel engine, has been a major part of this remarkable success.”

The Range Rover Sport was introduced only three years ago, in 2005, and since then, it brought nothing but success and praises for the automaker behind its incredible road performance. In fact, in 2007, it was the highest selling Land Rover model in the world, thus, beating the Discovery 3, also one fo the most awarded 4WD of Land Rover.

Its secret? It merges invigorating dynamic ability with excellent comfort and refinement. This combination makes the Range Rover Sport cover long journeys quickly and provide comfortable journey for the passengers. It also is able to provide great handling and thrilling performance. No doubt it has been warmly welcomed and well-treated with great sales.

Range Rover HSE vehicles will soon get engines from Jaguar. The Range Rover HSE is Land Rover’s top of the line vehicle. In an effort to provide more for its demanding customers, Land Rover has decided to switch its Range Rover engines to the more powerful Jaguar engines.

Intially, BMW was producing the Land Rover and the Range Rover. In fact, much the development of the Range Rover was done by BMW. By mid – 2000, Land Rover was bought by the Ford Motors Co. The Land Rover and Range Rover vehicles had 283-horsepower 4.4-liter V-8 engines which Ford bought from BMW. It took Ford three years before it developed its own engine for the Range Rover.

The Range Rover HSE base model boasts of a “4.4-liter V-8 rated at 305 horsepower engine” with 325 foot-pounds of torque. The model was worth $76,535. The high – powered Range Rover comes with a “Jaguar-based supercharged 4.2-liter aluminum V-8, rated at 400 horsepower and 420 foot-pounds of torque”. The impressive Range Rover costs a hefty $90,000.

The base and supercharged Range Rover HSE models both come with six – speed automatic transmission with manual shift options. The base model can go as fast as 125 mph and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds. The supercharged model runs at a top speed of 130 mph and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds.

The HSE is equipped with a “sound damping for a quieter ride, a redesigned grille, front bumper, headlights, taillights and 19-inch wheels”. The supercharged model comes with a “separate mesh grille design, revised body-side air vents, premium leather, Brembo front brakes, adaptive headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels, unique air vents and black-on-silver “Supercharged” badging”. Both models are equipped with “GPS satellite navigation system, electronic air suspension, four-wheel traction control, electronic brakeforce distribution, and a trip computer/driver information system”.

What makes the Range Rover attractive is that it has the attributes of four vehicles in one. According to Geoff Upex, design director for Land Rover, “It has the luxury of a saloon (large sedan), the acceleration of a performance car, the stylish body of an estate (space wagon), and the ruggedness and versatility of a Land Rover”.

Luxury car buyers should definitely look out for the up and coming Range Rover HSE. This high – end SUV’s premium road performance will surely guarantee an optimum driving experience.

Source: Among changes to Range Rover are engines derived from Jaguar

The 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport is proud of its new award as it recently received the Automotive Lease Guide (ALG) Residual Value Award in the Luxury Crossover Utility Vehicle. This award is given to vehicle models to recognize them as one of those predicted to retain the highest percentage of their original purchase after the traditional three-year lease term.

The Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Land Rover North America, Chris Marchand, said, “We understand the importance of residual values in our highly competitive business and are delighted by this recognition.”

Before this award is given to its rightful recipient, the ALG awards perform careful evaluation of segment competition which is past vehicle performance and the automotive industry’s emerging trends. John Blair, the Automotive Lease Guide’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “The 2008 awards prove once again that compelling design, high quality manufacturing and disciplined pricing and volume programs are essential to achieve the highest residual value.”

The winner of the awards, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and the recipient of other awards are being featured in ALG’s website. These models can also be seen in other automotive websites and publications. These automotive media help in creating awareness for these models that are great in performance.

Land Rover has participated in the very competitive high-performance Sports Utility Vehicle category with the new-for-2006 Range Rover Sport. The owners of this fine SUV have been served well by the Range Rover Sport as it sports exceptional blend of power and handling ability. The consumer acceptance is bow made outstanding, which brought the Range Rover Sport into the limelight as the leader in the luxury CUV segment.

The Land Rover Range Rover Sport is equipped with a lot of quality Land Rover parts such as a muscular V8 engine and a tidy wheelbase. It also has a low build but has a wide stance that helps it have exemplary agility and tenacious performance when on the road. Land Rover’s Terrain Response system has also been made standard in the Range Rover Sport. Other goodies that are available as optional parts are the supercharged V8 engine and Dynamic Response technology.

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.