We have always considered Land Rover vehicles as tough off-roaders the moment they’ve demonstrated their capabilities off-road terrains and surfaces. Land Rover vehicles are indeed one of the best, no doubt about that. And just last, all remaining doubts of the capability of Land Rover vehicles were erased as one of its off-roaders, the Land Rover Discovery 3, was honored as the best 4×4 on the planet.

Planet 4×4 magazine saw what the Land Rover Discovery 3 is capable of and so rightly awarded it with the award it so deserves, The Best 4×4 of 2007.

One can truly say that Discovery 3 earned this award. On tests to check out practicality, packaging, all-around dynamics, and off road ability, the Discover 3 proved to be unbeatable and so emerged as the best 4×4 on the planet among 36 other vehicles. It earned the highest score of 819.4 out of 1000 points.

That’s not just the Land Rover model which won an award. The Land Rover Range Rover was voted as well and became the overall runner up as it was just 4.1 percent behind the Discovery 3. Land Rover models Freelander 2 and Rage Rover Sport also had class wins.

Editor of Planet 4×4 magazine, Alan Kidd, said, “With the top three overall places in 2006 and a clean sweep of class awards this year, Land Rover is getting it right at just about every level. One tester after another was wowed by the Range Rover’s class, the Sport’s style and the Discovery’s practicality.”

He added, “But what I think Land Rover can be particularly proud of is that this result comes in a competition where scores for off-roading meant almost nothing – and value for money counted towards almost a quarter of the total mark. It would be easy to write this off as a series of victories for the most expensive machines… but in reality, it shows that with Land Rover, you really do get what you pay for.”

John Edwards, the Managing Director for Land Rover UK, added, “We are immensely proud to have fared so well in this year’s awards, against ever-increasing competition in the 4×4 sector. The Discovery 3 is an out-and-out winner which proves that the British still make the best.”

One can have the Discovery 3 at cost starting from £27,315 on the road. A 45,000-mile carbon dioxide offsetting program is even included in the cost.

Car enthusiasts need not wait long – the Land Rover LRX concept will soon be unveiled this January at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. This Land Rover concept vehicle has a somewhat futuristic design but with its body structure remaining to be that of sports utility vehicle Land Rover is known to be a popular manufacturer of. The bold design of the Land Rover LRX seems to indicate that the sports utility vehicle manufacturer is targeting new areas of the auto market.

The year 2008 is actually the automaker’s 60^th year anniversary and it seems that it is celebrating it by introducing its LRX concept vehicle to the automotive world. The Land Rover LRX concept is a three-door vehicle. But unlike the traditional sports utility vehicles from Land Rover, this one has a more compact size, has a lighter weight, and sustainability focused technologies. With these being the main characteristics of the Land Rover LRX concept vehicle, it just means that the automaker is expressing its desire to start addressing the needs of a world geared towards change.

If one would describe how the Land Rover LRX concept car looks like, one will likely say that it is a cross-coupe and that it is really quite different than the conventional luxurious sports utility vehicles form land Rover. It is smaller than the Land Rover LR2 and therefore it is thought of as a premium car. Being a premium car, the LRX targets new customers in the executive and luxury sectors. The customers in these two sectors go for vehicles that are equipped with all the goodies of SUVs but are packaged in a more compact type of vehicle.

Land Rover’s new design director is Gerry McGovern and the LRX model is the first project vehicle that came out under his leadership. The LRX actually came out as the natural extension of the range of Land Rover vehicles but still defining a new segment in the automotive industry. The design features of the LRX which are the same with other Land Rover vehicles include the bold new interpretations of the signature clamshell hood, the wheel-at-each-corner posture, and its floating roof.

The low weight of the LRX is really one of its great assets as because of this there is an increase in the fuel efficiency and a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions.

Land Rover has been proud of the warm greeting and strong sales of its all-new LR2 in the United States since the model has been launched in April 2007. Because of the great treatment it received, Land Rover has decided to produce an all-new again and enhanced version of this model, the Land Rover LR2 HSE. This has been equipped with improved Land Rover parts to enhance its overall vehicle performance.

This enhanced version now presents itself in a sportier stance compared to the LR2 Se. This is made possible with the incorporation of body color bumpers and side sills, titanium door handles, 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, and a rear spoiler. The interior of the LR2 had been improved as well with the 8×6-way power adjustable seats and a storage compartment under a sliding cover. With all these in the enhanced LR2, the model clearly reflects the dynamic design – smart and spacious interior and equipped with advanced technologies – that the automaker wants to include in its vehicles.

Land Rover’s Managing Director, Phil Popham, said, “The LR2 reflects Land Rover’s dynamic design, with a smart and spacious interior and an abundance of advanced technologies. It has been very well received around the world since its introduction,” said Phil Popham, Land Rover’s Managing Director. “The HSE version offers subtle changes for those customers seeking a slightly different look to their LR2.”

The technical aspects that can be found in the LR2 SE have also been put in the LR2 HSE version. One of these is the 3.2-liter inline-six cylinder powertrain capable fo producing 230bhp. This engine has an acceleration time from 0-60 miles per hour of 8.4 seconds. It has been mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission. This transmission is complete with land Rover’s CommanShift which offers manual sequential gear changes when these are necessary. A driver-selectable sport mode is also included for drivers to experience a more responsive performance. The advanced technologies that are installed in the LR2 HSE are aimed at improving performance on both on-road and off-road. The Terrain Response System of Land Rover is a standard on the HSE allowing drivers to tread off-road terrains easily. An intelligent all-wheel-drive system and Land Rover’s patented Gradient Release Control that works together with the Hill Descent Control are some of the advanced technologies in the HSE.

The Land Rover LR2 HSE models are already available for purchasing since the 1^st of November 2007.

The Global Managing Director of Land Rover, Phil Popham, has just announced recently that the automaker’s biggest Carbon dioxide offsetting program is to be extended to the Middle East. This Land Rover program is currently the world’s biggest consumer offset undertaking and this is the automaker’s way of helping its consumers address the issue of climate change since it knows that it has not been producing Land Rover parts that are environment-friendly.

It could be remembered that this Land Rover program has just been launched last September in UK and the automaker’s partner for this program is the world-renowned carbon dioxide offset provider, Climate Care.

The Middle East is fortunate enough to be one of the first auto markets outside the UK to be provided with a carbon dioxide offsetting program by Land Rover. What Land Rover wants to achieve is carbon dioxide neutrality from its new vehicles sold and its manufacturing. The automaker also wants to invest in projects regarding renewable energy such as technology change, wind and hydro, and energy efficiency.

Popham said that the offset emission program will be applied to Land Rover’s LR2, Range Rover Sport, LR3, and Range Rover models that were sold in the Gulf from the 09 model year production.

Popham said, “’We want Land Rover customers to be assured that not only will their purchase continue to be highly desirable, but they will also be part of a programme that will make an immediate and real impact on CO2 levels through offset projects around the world.”

It was on Popham’s second visit to the Gulf that he emphasized the importance of the auto market in Gulf for global level branding. He said, “’The Middle East market is awash with optimism, adventure and a real ‘can do’ attitude - the very same attributes that distinguish Land Rover.” He added, “The Middle East is the third largest market for Range Rover in the world. In September, Land Rover sales in the region increased by 36% as global sales rose to 26,000, a 34% increase.”

The Managing Director of Land Rover Middle East, Andy Gawthorpe, commented about the automaker’s involvement in environmental programs and said, “It has been another successful year for Land Rover and the future looks promising. We plan to maintain the momentum and the strong focus for future models is to keep the innovative brand character alive while developing technology that contributes to environment protection.”

Land Rover is planning on extending its offsetting program to other countries as well to achieve its goal of carbon dioxide neutrality.

Land Rover has now successfully counted 60 years in the business and counting. To commence for these wonderfully successful years, Land Rover has decided to produce a limited edition SVX of the Land Rover Defender. United kIngdom will be getting 200 units of these anniversary edition model and South Africa will also get a few. This model will be available for sale in late April or early May of 2008.

Zara Phillips, the grand-daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, was the one who introduced the SVX edition during the recent British Red Cross Ball which happened in London. Land Rover has then donated the first unit off the production to be used for auctioning during the ball. James Johnstone, the chairman of the ball committee said, “Land Rover’s ties with the Red Cross go back to 1954 when it supplied a vehicle for use as a mobile dispensary in Dubai - we’re thrilled that the company continues to support our work.”

25,000 units of Land Rover Defender parts and vehicles are being produced each years and most of these serve as working tools for everybody. These include aid agencies, farmers, and foresters. However, there is no doubt that the SVX edition is the most stylish model to date.

The SVX Land Rover Defender will be available in 90 station wagon versions with metallic black paint finish and subtle satin black graphic decals and also in a short-wheelbase 90 soft-top.

The soft-top model has a metallic silver roll-cage that ahs the ability to support a unique black fabric roof over the load bed. It can also support a spare wheel stowed behind the front seats.

The exterior features include the “SVX” and “Defender” badges, tubular side-steps, and clear-cover headlights that create a contrasting silver finish to the model. The SVX also has a “diamond turned five-spoke alloy rims, clear LED tail lights, and a reinforced aluminum front belly shield.

The interior of the SVX is also something to look forward to with the custom-designed Recaro front seats, audio system with sub-woofer and a socket for USB, impressive alloy gearshifter knobs, a Garmin satellite navigation, and an iPod cradle. Each of the SVXs that will be produced are also equipped with their own numbered plaque.

Managing Director of Land Rover, Phil Popham, said, “The Defender SVX looks very different to a 1948 Series 1 but it’s still an essentially practical vehicle that will get you almost anywhere. For those who want the ultimate Defender, we thought the SVX special edition would be an ideal way to mark Land Rover’s 60th anniversary.”

One Land Rover Freelander Prototype stands out from the rest of its kind. If car enthusiasts are excited about how a car moves and performs, this Land Rover Freelander Prototype will have them excited about what it can do when it stops.

The reason behind this is that this Land Rover prototype has been equipped with the stop-start engine technology. This is one of the first cars from the automaker to be equipped witch such technology, making it a really notable prototype vehicle. The stop-start engine system was designed to decrease emissions and improve fuel economy. The prototype technology will be fitted into the standard 2006 Freelander and is scheduled to be commercially available by 2008. This is the first among the many plans of Land Rover to make their vehicles meet the demand for more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly Multi Purpose Vehicles or MPVs.

While the stop-start engine technology is already present in other automakers’ vehicles, Land Rover’s approach to the system can be considered the simplest. While such upgrades would require a complex redesign of the assembly, Land Rover has designed the arrangement of this engine system to comply with existing technology with modifications being kept on a minimal level.

The only modifications done are on the starter motors as these Land Rover parts have been designed with such upgrades in mind. According to auto engineers, the average vehicle is fired up 35,000 times in a period of ten years. But with the start-stop technology, it could increase to as much as 350,000.

What happens is that when one starts up the Land Rover Freelander and goes on the road reaches a speed of 5mph, the vehicle’s software informs the engine to switch itself off the next time hat car is stopped and the gear shifted to neutral. So, when the driver halts the vehicle, the engine will automatically stop.

The air conditioning system is also turned off and the steering wheel is disabled as well in order to help conserve energy. However, the water pump goes on with its normal operations to keep the temperature of the engine leveled. This ensures that the off-road vehicle can hold itself when on a slope while the brake vacuum pressures are also being monitored. However, if the engine falls below working level, the engine automatically restarts.

The engine runs for over a course of five minutes, helping the vehicle improve its fuel economy by 10 percent. When the driver is ready to run again, pressing on the clutch pedal easily restarts the life of the engine.

The development of this innovative system is still in the works. Land Rover has stated that it will still be a long way before this system is ready for use on the road. Land Rover is still working on making the system work faster so that the engine springs back to life again the moment the clutch is applied with little to no delays. The automaker is also working on improving the smoothness to which the engine stops and restarts.

Currently, this system is still being tested on manual gearbox but Land Rover will proceed to developing it on the automatic transmission as well.

The first time that the Land Rover Ranger Sport was introduced was in 2005 and it was the fifth model in the line up of the automaker that year. This model had been built based on the underpinnings and chassis of the Discover 3, but it was designed to have five seats.

Now, two years after the introduction of the Land Rover Range Rover with Land Rover Range Rover parts, its Range Rover Sport HSE version is being tested. This version is packed with either of the three engine choices, two of which are diesel powertrains. These engines include a 2.7-liter 190hp TDV6, a 3.6-liter 271hp TDV8, and a supercharged petrol 4.2-liter 396hp V8. The common factor of these three engine choices are they are all connected to a six-speed automatic transmission. However, another engine is added to the engine choices of the Range Rover Sport – the new Twin Turbo Diesel TDV8 engine introduced early this year.

The new engine, the TDV8, is capable of delivering an impressive 472 pound-feet of torque at just 2000 revolutions per minute. This power is already more than enough to tackle the different off-road conditions the Range Rover Sport may face itself against with.

The fuel economy of the powerful TDV8 engine is 29 miles per gallon and could reach 34 mpg when on clear roads. The ZF six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission is able to disseminate the power of the engine to all four wheels, thus smooth changes on both up and down the range can be expected.

It is also equipped with a fully adaptive “intelligent shift” transmission which can modify the settings to match the driving style and conditions. Aside from this, the Range Rover Sport also has a twin-speed transfer box which has both high and low ranges. This enables the vehicle to be used for both the normal road conditions and for off-road use. The low-range ability of this Land Rover SUV makes it easy to go through difficult terrains and it dramatically improves traction. The TDV8 engine is a fitting choice of powertrain for the Range Rover Sport lineup.

A new version of the Land Rover Defender has been released and packed with a number of upgrades on its Land Rover Defender parts and some new features. The new Land Rover Defender now comes fitted with a bigger engine, the 2.4-liter four-cylinder common rail diesel engine. This engine has also been provided with a lubrication and sealing system upgrade. These improvements on the engine will help the Land Rover Defender with tackling the various off-road conditions.

This engine is capable of delivering 90kW of power and 360Nm of torque. This engine is obviously better than it predecessor, the five-cylinder turbo diesel, as it produces 20 percent more torque. An added bonus is that this engine complies with the strict EU4 standards for emissions. Another thing, for countries that have poor diesel fuel, this engine also has a specially tuned counterpart.

The Land Rover Defender’s engine is connected to a six speed manual transmission which has a high and low range four-wheel drive. It also has an anti-stall system. Plans for an automatic transmission Land Rover Defender is still not concrete but being talked about.

Roger Jory, the General Manager for Land Rover Australia, said, “An automatic gets talked about a fair bit, but nothing is planned.”

Other Land Rover parts that were improved were the springs and dampers. The Defender name ahs also been replaced on the hood by Land Rover badging. The interior cabin of the Land rover model has also been enhanced with redesigned fascia and instruments, tweeters joining the audio system’s two speakers, and there are now more comfortable seats.

The new Land Rover Defender is offered in tow versions – the 130 Crew Crab Chassis version and the 110 Station Wagon. The 130 Crew Crab Chassis is priced at $50,990 and the 110 Station Wagon is at $48,990.

Almost 1.9 million units of the new Land Rover Defender has already been sold all over the world. And Land Rover is saying that there are still 1.2 million of this model being used.

An Alpine fully integrated rear seat entertainment system is now available as an optional feature in Land Rover’s Discovery 3 model. This system is actually only available as a factory fit but potential buyers of this Land Rover SUV now have the option of having it as one of Land Rover Discovery parts. The rear entertainment system includes a six-disc DVD players to keep you company for hours on end during long drives, and twin screens so that both the rear seat passengers can have a screen of their own. The twin screen also allows the passengers to view or listen to their own source of DVD. As this feature is already integrated in the infotainment network, it allows front seat passengers to have control over the viewing sources and functions of the rear passengers through its “Supervisory Mode.” This is an ideal mode for parents wanting to take control of what their children watch.

The twin screens included in the entertainment system are placed in the front headrests. Each of the screens is 6.5 inches widescreen and are independently operated so that the rear passengers can have the choice of hat they like to watch.

Both Land Rover and Alpine, a specialist in infotainment systems, have worked hand in hand in developing this rear seat entertainment system. The partnership for this development has resulted to a unique entertainment system which offers higher levels of safety, security, and integration.

The OEM Manager of Alpine, Keith Price, said, “The components are securely fitted, tested and designed specifically for Land Rover. “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.”

All the engineers that worked together in developing this unique system have made meticulous efforts to check all details such as brightness of the screen, viewing angle, off-road capability, and control functions. This system is already in line with the program of Land Rover and is somewhat similar to the rear entertainment system products of Range Rover Sport and Range Rover. This is already available to order from Land Rover on Discovery 3.

Land Rover has yet again came up with another exciting-to-drive model, the Ranger Rover Sport Supercharged. However, as this is a really cool ride to drive, one has to pay big – its costs start roughly at $70,000.

The supercharged in its name is the name for its trim level and it has a lot of great standard features and Land Rover parts. These features include heated front and rear seats, washer jets, center console refrigerator, genuine wood trim, steering-linked headlights, Land Rover tail lights, heated windshield, and many others.

But what really makes it cost that much compared to the normally aspirated version of the Range Rover which is the designated HSE is the Land Rover engine parts under its hood. Its engine is notable as it is a 4.2-liter engine that is capable of 90 more horsepower and 95 more pound-feet of torque than the HSE’s normally aspirated 4.4-liter engine.

Land Rover is saying that the extra horsepower and torque of the Supercharged Range Rover Sport allows it to get from zero to 60 miles per hour a second faster than the HSE. This extra power also makes its top speed 10 miles per hour more to 140mph compared to HSE’s 130mph. From zero to 100 kilometers, the Supercharges is 1.3 seconds faster than the HSE.

With regards to its fuel economy, EPA said that the Range Rover sport Supercharged covers only 12 miles per gallon in the city and 18mpg on the highway, and that is with the use of a premium fuel. The sticker on the land Rover truck is saying that owners will be allotting around $2,999 on annual fuel costs. This estimation is based on 15,000 mileage and $2.80 per gallon of fuel.