Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLRM) has once again clinched the prestigious Retailer of the Year (Asia Pacific) award at the Jaguar Land Rover Retailer Awards 2022/2023. This marks the third consecutive year and the fourth time overall that JLRM has received this esteemed recognition.
The Retailer of the Year Award, presented annually, acknowledges top Jaguar Land Rover retailers across the Asia Pacific region. It serves as a benchmark for retailers, setting high standards for delivering exceptional retail customer experiences. Nominees undergo evaluation based on specific performance criteria in marketing, sales, customer service, staff training, and retailer presentation.
Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLRM) has officially launched the highly-anticipated third-generation Range Rover Sport for the Malaysian market, setting new standards in performance, design, and connectivity. This SUV combines on-road assertiveness with all-terrain capabilities.
The Range Rover Sport features an exterior design that seamlessly incorporates the Range Rover DNA, marked by dramatic proportions, a stealth-like front grille, and slim, digital LED lighting units. Flush glazing, concealed door handles, and a laser-welded roof enhance aerodynamics, achieving an impressive drag coefficient of 0.29. The 22″ Style 5127 Satin Dark Grey wheels and soft door close mechanism add to the SUV’s luxurious appeal.
Inside, the cabin offers a dynamic driving experience with excellent visibility and a high, sloping centre console. A four-zone climate control system ensures personalised comfort and an air purification feature keeps the cabin pristine. The centrepiece is the award-winning Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 13.1-inch curved touchscreen, customisable home screen, and intuitive control of navigation, media, and vehicle settings. Haptic feedback minimises distractions while driving. A 13.7-inch Interactive Driver Display provides additional customisation.
The Range Rover Sport is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged Petrol MHEV 400PS engine, accelerating from 0 to 100km/h in just 5.7 seconds. It incorporates advanced chassis technologies, offering 35% higher torsional stiffness than its predecessor. Dynamic Air Suspension, an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive contribute to exceptional performance and traction in all conditions.
The SUV is equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to ensure safety on the road. Features include Emergency Braking, a 3D Surround Camera, Wade Sensing, ClearSight Ground View, ClearSight Interior Rear View Mirror, Manoeuvring Lights, Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist, Driver Condition Response, Lane Keep Assist, and Traffic Sign Recognition.
The new Range Rover Sport is available in the Dynamic version, with pricing starting from RM888,688 for duty-free and RM1,698,000.00 for duty-paid.
Due to the success of small off-roaders like the Jeep Renegade and Ford Bronco Sport, JLR (previously Jaguar Land Rover) will join the trend with a smaller model that will be a member of an extended Defender family.
2022 Land Rover Defender
Although the ‘baby’ Defender has been discussed for a number of years, JLR CEO Adrian Mardell officially revealed plans for one at a recent investor conference. He stated that the company’s new Electric Modular Architecture (EMA) platform created for small SUVs will give rise to a Defender-badged model.
One of Britain’s most cherished automakers, Land Rover, is no more. As the custodian of the four brands Jaguar, Range Rover, Discovery, and Defender, it is currently known simply as JLR.
They are all turning electric now and a significant £15 billion (RM82.6 billion) investment in the UK automobile industry proves it.
There are likely to be many who grieve JLR’s decision to stop using the Land Rover name; it receives not a single mention in the press releases.
Having been around for 75 years, Land Rover is a brand name that is recognisable all over the world. Its original Defender model had a highly recognisable shape which is embedded in the brand’s design DNA. It is associated with 4×4 vehicles in the same way as Jeep and in fact, spread further around the world than the American brand.
In spite having periods of difficulty at different times in its history, Land Rover soldiered on like the tough vehicles it has produced. Although it can lay claim to having given the world the first premium SUV – the Range Rover – back in 1970, it only truly entered the premium segment when the 21st century began.
The success of the Range Rover in the premium segment led to the company establishing its name as a brand on its own around 10 years ago. The Range Rover brand would be for the premium models while Land Rover would be for models like the Freelander, Discovery and Defender.
Land Rover is 75 years old this year and no doubt, the carmaker famous for its 4×4 models – long before SUVs came into existence – will be celebrating this milestone year in various ways. Another company that is also joining in the celebration is LEGO, the company which sells those build-it-yourself models made of little bricks.
In the past, LEGO has offered the Defender and in 2019, to coincide with the launch of the New Defender, a classic Defender 90 was also offered in the Technic series for older fans. Now, for the brand’s 75th anniversary, it is bringing back the Defender 90, also in its original classic form, as a LEGO ICONS model.
For most modern cars, a 50-year span might mean 10 generations of models but for the Range Rover, there have been only five, with the latest one arriving in Malaysia today. Launched in England in October 2021, the new luxury SUV’s arrival was delayed due to the pandemic and also production. It is now available in Malaysia with a price starting from RM1,268,000 (duty-free) and RM2,488,000, inclusive of duties but without insurance.
The first model to use the brand’s new Flexible Modular Longitudinal Architecture, the new Range Rover retains the many design elements that have characterized what was the first luxury SUV for decades. The clean long form, clamshell bonnet and split rear door are just a few of them.
It’s not surprising though that there is such strong continuity in the Range Rover’s design. ‘Guardian of Land Rover DNA’ Professor Gerry McGovern has led design teams for the model since the third generation and has ensured that this DNA is present in every model of the brand.
Long before there were premium and luxury SUVs, there was the Range Rover. Flagship of the Land Rover range when it was launched in 1970, the Range Rover would be the choice of the rich and famous and be the benchmark for 4×4 vehicles as it was always a technological leader. And even when the luxury carmakers began to offer their SUVs, the Range Rover still held its position high in the segment.
Now, five decades later, the fifth generation has come out and as before, it comes with refinement and innovations that are in tune with the world of today. Progressively introduced in various markets over the past year, the new Range Rover (L460) will be introduced in Malaysia in mid-February.
Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia has added to its range the Defender 90, the shorter version of the latest Defender model launched here two years ago. Two versions with different engines are imported from the UK – the P300 priced from RM838,800 and the P400 priced from RM1,098,800 (excluding insurance).
Both Defenders have petrol engines from the Ingenium family, with the P300 having a 2-litre 4-cylinder unit and the P400 being a 3-litre V6 Mild Hybrid (MHEV) powerplant. A key feature of the Defender’s MHEV is its 48V battery pack that can store up to 200 Wh of electricity.
Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLRM), a 2-time winner of the Jaguar Land Rover Retailer of the Year (Asia Pacific) Award, recently upgraded its showroom at Sime Darby Motors City in Ara Damansara, Selangor. And the flagship showroom now has two extra ‘staff’ too – Robot Assistants!
Personalisation studio
The upgrading reflects JLRM’s ongoing strategy to reimagine the future by providing modern luxury to customers. As part of this journey forward, the Ara Damansara showroom offers bespoke capabilities with its personalisation studio. This includes a full-colour palette along with trim and upholstery materials for customers to touch and feel, as well as a detailed configurator which allows for customised specification of special-order vehicles.
Customers will be able to configure their vehicles in line with their preferred specifications, and have it visually simulated on a 75-inch screen based on the colour and specifications selected.
The introduction of the two Robot Assistants demonstrates JLRM’s efforts to embrace customer-facing autonomous service. The robots are part of a collaboration between JLRM and Secure Robotics, a leading provider of modern technologies in Malaysia.
Equipped with wireless internet connectivity, laser radar sensors, GPS and voice, facial and image recognition, the robots provide a novel experience for customers as well as allowing for better human resource management for the company.
The showroom has two Robot Assistants to welcome and help visitors. They are pictured with [from left] Kelvin Chuah, Head of Sales, Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia; Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia; Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director, Retail & Distribution, Sime Darby Motors Malaysia; and Dato’ Alby Chong, Group Chairman, Secure Group.“As part of Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia’s digital transformation, the introduction of the robot marks the next step in raising the bar for customer experiences. Furthermore, as Malaysia transitions into the endemic stage, the robot also allows for customer interaction with a reduced risk of transmission. There are wide applications for technologically-driven autonomous services such as this and we look forward to exploring this further,” said Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director, Retail & Distribution, Sime Darby Motors Malaysia.
“In line with our strategy to reimagine the future, we strive to offer modern luxury through unique customer experiences. The partnership with Secure Robotics provides the opportunity to leverage on advanced technology. We are piloting the robots at our Ara Damansara showroom and aim to continue this collaborative journey to expand our capabilities and further elevate the automotive experience for our customers,” added Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia.
Customers can personalise their vehicle with the bespoke services available at the showroom.
Enhancing the experience for visitors
Alongside the enhancement of services and elevated personalisation infrastructure for vehicles, JLRM is also currently developing a digital refreshment order management programme. Customers will be able to review menus and place orders through a digital platform at a designated dining area.
With these technologies in place, JLRM expects to further improve the customer experience for both purchasing and ownership at the showroom which is presently the largest Jaguar Land Rover facility in Southeast Asia.
For more information or directions to the showroom at Sime Darby Motors City (or other showrooms in Malaysia, visit www.jaguar.com.my or www.landrover.com.my.
