Land Rover Archives

Updated Land Rover Discovery Sport Now In Malaysia

The Discovery Sport delivers even more outstanding performance, refinement and efficiency with the newly fitted 240PS turbocharged Ingenium Petrol engine which delivers 340Nm of torque as well as an improved interior for maximum comfort, safety and versatility.

Paired with the ZF nine-speed automatic transmission, the Discovery Sport offers a smooth and responsive drive. The nine closely-stacked gear ratios provide excellent response and allow for a very low first gear, improved mid-range acceleration and a tall ninth gear for reduced engine revs at higher cruising speeds; all of which, reduces fuel consumption, emissions and engine noise.

Not only is the new Land Rover Discovery Sport more powerful, it also demonstrates the breadth of Land Rover’s ability while at maximum passenger capacity, the Discovery Sport continues to offer customers an unrivalled all-terrain capability, without sacrificing comfort.

The interior of the Discovery Sport has been designed to provide versatility and a calming space, one in which every occupant feels equally comfortable. Although the Malaysian version comes with a 5-seater as standard, it is configurable to 5+2 seating* as an option which is unique-in-segment.

At an early stage in the vehicle’s development programme, Land Rover designers invited a large cross-section of families to a development centre in the UK. The design team watched on as the families climbed into a variety of SUVs, accessed third-row seating, synced electronic devices, attached child seats to ISOFIX anchor points and placed drinks containers in cup holders. The findings helped shape the Discovery Sport into one of the most versatile premium compact SUVs in the market today.

Sharing a similar design as the Range Rover Evoque, the front architecture of the Discovery Sport includes a magnesium crossbeam for outstanding torsional rigidity and reduced weight. However, the B-pillar rearwards is unique to the Discovery Sport, with thousands of hours invested in ensuring every component is packaged as compactly as possible. The result is maximum interior space, and peerless off-road capability in a surprisingly compact footprint.

Featuring lightweight aluminium chassis components for high strength and reduced unsprung weight, the chassis also helps reduce interior noise and increase occupant space. Coil springs are used on the front suspension, with steel front lower control arms and aluminium suspension knuckles, while the suspension struts use advanced hydraulic rebound stops for excellent refinement.

A compact multi-link rear axle provides numerous benefits. These include exceptional on-road agility, wheel travel and axle articulation – at 340mm – and extremely high levels of composure in on or off-road environments. The rear axle reduces road noise entering the cabin, while the suspension turrets make only minimal intrusion into the luggage area, allowing row-two seating to slide and recline past the turrets for maximum leg-room.

Safety is always a priority in engineering Land Rover vehicles. The Discovery Sport offers a comprehensive occupant safety package which includes driver and passenger airbags, knee airbags, side curtain and thorax airbag are included in the Discovery Sport.

Adding on to the cutting-edge technology of the Discovery Sport is the InControl Touch Pro infotainment system that is offered through a high-definition touchscreen. The touchscreen behaves like a smartphone with customisable home screen and wallpaper as well as the ability to add widgets for shortcuts to favourite features.

The 2018 Discovery Sport is now on sale at Land Rover showrooms nationwide at RM379,800 (excluding road tax, registration and insurance).

All vehicles distributed by Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia are compatible with the Malaysian climate, environment, fuel quality and meet the Malaysian emission standards. All Land Rover vehicles distributed by authorised dealers also come with ‘Land Rover Care’ programme which is based on whichever comes first i.e a 5-year Warranty or 150,000km, 5-year Servicing or 65,000km and 3-year Roadside Assistance. Please visit www.landrover.com.my for more information.

Editor’s NB: This is the news release received in its entirety, with only 3 photos.

Range Rover Velar Officially Launched In Malaysia! [+Videos & Mega Photo Gallery]

The new Range Rover Velar which has just been launched nationwide brings a new dimension of glamour, modernity and elegance to the Range Rover family. Designed and engineered based on ‘reductionism’ and elegant simplicity, this new luxurious mid-sized SUV has a unique character incomparable with other SUVs in its class.

With a starting price of RM529,800 the Velar features pioneering consumer technologies such as the flush deployable door handles and the Touch Pro Duo infotainment system which is the centrepiece of the Velar’s interior. The Touch Pro Duo features two 10-inch high-definition touchscreens integrated seamlessly behind secret-until-lit surfaces. These slim, intuitive displays work in harmony with the cabin architecture while adding an overall sense of modernity to the vehicle’s design.

The Touch Pro Duo system allows the driver to multitask with greater safety by using two screens simultaneously. When travelling to a new destination, the lower screen can be used to make a call without losing the navigation on the upper screen. Other technology-advanced features include a Head Up Display**, Interactive Driver Display and Navigation Pro.

Winner of the Car Design of the Year at the 2018 World Car Awards, the Velar carries a progressive design featuring a seductive silhouette, flush deployable door handles, integrated rear spoiler as well as distinctive design cues from the front bumper to the rear of the vehicle, foil stamped grille and Matrix LED Headlights. The twin chrome exhaust finishers** that are integrated into the rear bumper, provide a subtle reference to the Velar’s power and performance.

Zooming into some of the Velar’s high-tech features:

Flush Deployable Door Handles

The flush deployable door handles are unique to the Velar in the Land Rover family. A futuristic feature, the door handles deploy when the vehicle is unlocked and the handles retract once the vehicle is locked. The door handles contribute to the low drag coefficient of only 0.32, making it the most aerodynamically-efficient Land Rover ever produced.

Matrix LED Headlights

The most slender ever to appear on a Land Rover vehicle, these boldly designed Matrix LED headlights produce a quality of light close to daylight, giving excellent illumination and reducing eye fatigue.

3-inch Interactive Driver Display

The new Interactive Driver Display makes driving the Velar more interesting especially with four visual themes and a full-screen 3D navigation display.

Touted as a calming sanctuary, the interior of the Velar is uncluttered, exquisite in detailing and offers exceptional refinement with the use of premium and luxury materials. The instrument panel’s strong, horizontal beam is the defining element of the Velar’s interior architecture. It rakes back dramatically towards the windscreen to create the fastest angle of any Land Rover and underlines the Velar’s dynamic driving characteristics. The slender air vents reinforce the Velar’s reductive, technology-enabled design.

Fortified with the Sports-Command driving position, the Velar’s front seats balance its performance-oriented design and support with opulent comfort. Meticulously weight-optimised and designed to liberate additional interior space and legroom, the seats have also been carefully sculpted for ease of entry and egress to and from the cabin.

Kvadrat highly durable wool-blend premium textile contrasted with Suede cloth is made optional for customers who prefer the option over the perforated grained leather for the P250 variant or perforated leather with suede cloth*** that comes with the R-Dynamic variant. Kvadart is Europe’s leading manufacturer of high-quality design textiles. The use of Kvadart premium textile in the Velar is unique to luxury SUVs of this segment.

***Depending on interior colour choice

The Velar’s body is built with aluminium-intensive monocoque using Jaguar Land Rover’s Lightweight Aluminium Architecture. Aluminium alloys account for more than 81 percent of the body-in-white – a figure no competitor can match. Its light, stiff, aluminium-intensive body, together with double-wishbone front and Integral Link rear suspension provides the perfect basis for agile handling, superior ride comfort and outstanding refinement. It also delivers exceptional levels of crash protection that the Velar has been developed to meet.

It is also one of the safest vehicles due to its comprehensive safety system that includes six airbags and a suite of technology advanced driver assistance systems including Head Up Display**, Navigation Pro System and Cruise Control Speed Limiter.

The Velar delivers exceptional composure and agility on-road, as well as class-leading capability off-road. The most significant of these is an intelligent, efficient, torque on-demand all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, which provides the optimum torque distribution to suit various road conditions. Depending on road conditions, it can make the transition from 100 percent rear bias to fully locked in only 165 milliseconds; transient torque delivery to the front axle can take as little as 100 milliseconds. This makes the AWD system incredibly responsive, delivering exceptional performance in all conditions.

Exceptional performance and efficiency comes from its Ingenium powertrain, that is matched to a smooth-shifting ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive with Intelligent Driveline Dynamics. The Velar is fitted with the P250 powertrain. It is the first of the two new petrol engines that develops peak power of 250PS and high maximum torque of 365Nm, which is maintained from just 1,200rpm to 4,500rpm. This means that the Velar can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds and return an impressive 7.6-litres/100km and 173g/km CO₂ on the European combined cycle.

When purchasing the Velar, customers can choose from the following options:

Velar (P250) – RM529,800*
Velar R-Dynamic (P250) – RM588,800*

*Selling price is inclusive of 6% GST. Excludes Road Tax, Registration and Insurance.

The Velar is available in eight exterior colours i.e Fuji White, Yulong White, Corris Grey, Santorini Black, Kaikoura Stone, Firenze Red, Silicon Silver and Carpathian Grey; five interior colour options of Ebony/Ebony, Acorn, Vintage Tan/Ebony, Eclipse/Ebony and Light Oyster/Ebony. The Velar (P250) comes standard with 20-inch rims while the Velar R-Dynamic (P250) comes with 21-inch rims.

Designed and engineered at Jaguar Land Rover’s development centres in the UK, the Velar is manufactured at the company’s Solihull production facility.

All vehicles distributed by Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia are compatible with the Malaysian climate, environment, fuel quality and meet the Malaysian emission standard. All Land Rover vehicles distributed by authorised dealers also come with Land Rover Care programme which includes a five-year warranty, five years’ free service and three years’ roadside assistance. Please visit www.landrover.com.my for more information.

**Available only with the R-Dynamic.

JLRM Announces Much-Anticipated Velar Is Coming Soon! [+Video]

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia has released previously classified information on the specifications and exciting key features of the new Velar which is slated to go on sale sometime this month.

According to Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia, the Velar offers exceptional power and performance with its Ingenium P250 engine. Matched to a smooth-shifting ZF 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive with Intelligent Driveline Dynamics, drivers will be thrilled with the Velar’s performance, refinement and its all-terrain capability that has never been seen in a mid-sized SUV.

The Velar is set to impress customers with its pioneering consumer technologies, luxurious interior that is incomparable to its competitors, and its head-turning design.Blending contemporary design and advanced technology, the Velar features sleek innovative design in its engineering and architecture. The headlights are the most slender full-LED headlights ever on a Land Rover vehicle. See more in the video below:

Full details of the Range Rover Velar will be announced during the official launch in Malaysia. Customers can register their interest and receive updates on the launch at www.landrover.com.my/keep-me-informed.

Full Press Release here: Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia Leaks Details of The New Velar – nr (Final)

400bhp Land Rover Defender V8 Announced!

Land Rover UK has announced a limited-edition high-performance version of the iconic Defender, with up to 150 V8-powered examples re-engineered to celebrate the Land Rover marque’s 70^th anniversary in 2018.

The Defender Works V8 pays homage to the early high-powered engines in both the Series III Stage 1 V8 from 1979 and subsequent Defenders including the 50^th Anniversary Edition, which are highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors today.

Defender Works V8 is the most powerful and fastest version that Land Rover has ever created. The 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol V8 powertrain produces 405PS and 515 Nm of torque (the standard Defender delivered 122PS and 360 Nm). The Defender Works V8 will accelerate from 0-60mph in 5.6sec*, while top speed is increased to 106mph.

Tim Hannig, Jaguar Land Rover Classic Director, said: “It’s fitting that we’ve been able to release the full potential of the iconic Defender, whose much-loved shape remains synonymous with Land Rover, 70 years since it was seen in public for the first time. The idea of reintroducing a V8 Defender was something we were discussing as far back as 2014, when we were still building the Defender in Solihull. We knew the demand was there for a powerful and fast Defender; the Land Rover authenticity is the ultimate finishing touch for discerning clients purchasing these collector’s edition Defenders.”

The V8 powertrain will be fitted to 150 specially-selected and re-engineered Defenders for the 70^th Edition, complemented by an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission with sport mode, uprated brakes and handling kit (springs, dampers and anti-roll bars), plus exclusive 18-inch diamond-turned Sawtooth alloy wheels and 265/65 R18 all-terrain tyres.

Malaysia’s Commemorative Edition of the Defender

In commemorating the anniversary celebration of the iconic Defender, Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia has released the last lot of Double Cab Defenders in limited commemorative special colours. The last 12 units of Defenders in Malaysia sport contrasting black roof and rims for the Sicilian Yellow and Montalcino Red whilst contrasting silver roof and rims are paired with the Baltic Blue double cabs. Coloured stitching for the leather gear knob, steering wheel and seats are matched to the exterior paint. The headlining of the commemorative edition defenders in Malaysia have also been upgraded to provide a luxurious feel to the overall cabin.

The commemorative edition is retailed at MYR198,800.00 (inclusive of GST but excludes road tax, insurance and registration). It is powered by a 2.2l Diesel engine and paired with a 6-Speed manual transmission.

TECHNICAL DATA	LAND ROVER DEFENDER WORKS V8 – 70^TH EDITION
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Engine capacity (cc)	4,999
Cylinders	V8 naturally-aspirated petrol (EU5)
Power PS	405 @ 6,000rpm
Torque Nm	515 @ 5,000rpm
Transmission	8-speed automatic with Pistol Shifter, All-Wheel Drive, two-speed transfer box, heavy-duty front and rear differentials, torque-biasing centre differential
CHASSIS
Front and rear suspension	Front: live beam axle, coil springs, telescopic dampers. Panhard rod and Radius arms. Anti-roll bar Rear: live beam axle, coil springs, telescopic dampers. ‘A’ frame and Trailing Links. Anti-roll bar.
Front brakes	Servo-assisted 335mm discs, four-piston calipers
Rear brakes	Servo-assisted 300mm discs, four-piston calipers
Wheels and tyres	18in diamond-turned Sawtooth alloy wheels, 265/65 R18 all-terrain tyres
Steering	Recirculating ball, power-assisted
PERFORMANCE & ECONOMY
0-60mph (sec)	5.6 (*90 Station Wagon)
Top speed (mph)	106 (limited)

MARKET AVAILABILITY

Defender Works V8 is available in the United Kingdom, and MENA markets on a personal import basis. European market availability is also on an individual import basis, subject to rules on importation of vehicle conversions.

V8 DEFENDER HISTORY

V8 powertrains in the Land Rover Defender and its production predecessors started with the Series III Stage 1 V8 of 1979. The carburetted 3.5-litre Rover V8 produced 90bhp.
The Land Rover One Ten from 1983, and Ninety from 1984, used the same 3.5-litre Rover V8 engine as the Series III Stage 1 V8, but in 113bhp form, uprated to 135bhp from 1987.
For North American Specification (NAS) Defender 90s and 110s only, from 1992, a 182bhp fuel-injected 3.9-litre version of the Rover V8 was fitted, along with a four-speed automatic transmission.
In 1998, the fuel-injected 190bhp 4.0-litre V8 from the second-generation Range Rover was fitted to a limited run of 50^th Anniversary Defender 90s, with a four-speed automatic transmission.
0-litre naturally-aspirated 2018 Defender Works V8 is the first official V8-powered Land Rover Defender to be introduced since 1998.

For the FULL press release on the Land Rover Defender 70th Anniversary Edition, click here: LAND ROVER LAUNCHES V8 EDITION TO CELEBRATE 70TH ANNIVERSARY (Global Release)

All-New Land Rover Discovery Debuts In Malaysia [+Video]

Jaguar Land Rover (Malaysia) has just rolled-out the new Discovery to the Malaysian market. The fifth-generation model benefits from Land Rover’s strong, safe and light full-size SUV architecture, delivering comfort and adaptability like no other.

The new Discovery redefines the large SUV, which has been revolutionised to create a highly desirable, extremely versatile and hugely capable premium SUV. It also embodies Land Rover’s drive to go Above and Beyond, combining British desirability with an unstoppable spirit of adventure.

This three-row, seven-seat SUV that measures 4,970mm long, 2,220mm wide (mirrors out) and 1,846mm tall, is the ultimate family and active lifestyle companion. The Discovery’s trademark stadium seating is accommodated by its distinctive stepped roof that ensures all passengers enjoy excellent forward visibility and unrivalled long-haul comfort.

The new Discovery also offers the driver, driving confidence due to the raised Command Driving Position, simple controls and enhanced chassis technology. Apart from that, it is also equipped with InControl Touch Pro, which provides greater connectivity than ever before including access to a range of apps, satellite navigation as well as vehicle controls through the updated 10-inch high-resolution touchscreen display.

The Powered Inner Tailgate is another great innovation that is offered with the new Discovery. This neat innovation incorporates an additional fold-down section that deploys when the tailgate is opened. A button inside the load area can then be used to lower the Powered Inner Tailgate section. The deployed 285mm long tailgate serves as impromptu event seating and is able to support a maximum load of 300kg, making it the perfect place to enjoy a tailgate picnic or to change out of muddy boots – all under the shelter of the tailgate.

Powered by a 258PS 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, badged Td6, the single-turbo engine features low-pressure exhaust recirculation, a two-stage oil pump and revised fuel-injector nozzle for improved responses, refinement and efficiency. The 258PS engine delivers stronger performance than before and the benchmark 0-100km/h sprint takes only 8.1 seconds – a reduction of 1.3 seconds. With a significant 600Nm of torque on offer, the new Td6 diesel delivers relaxed cruising refinement and towering all-terrain capability. Speaking of terrain, check out this short video of the Disco in action:

More on the new Land Rover Discovery…

Coupled with the Td6 diesel engine is the ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox, which has been engineered by the powertrain experts at Land Rover to combine smooth shifts with sharp responses and optimized fuel efficiency. The gearbox is controlled using the rotary gearshift controller that rises from the center console, while manual changes can be prompted with the use of the steering wheel-mounted shift paddles for dynamic driving and precise control when completing off-road maneuvers.

For the ultimate all-terrain capability, the new Discovery is offered a two-speed transfer box, providing selectable high and low range gears for optimum on-road and off-road performance. The intelligent system provides a standard 50/50 torque split between front and rear wheels, while the two-speed fully synchronised ‘shift on the move’ system allows the driver to swap between high and low ratios without having to stop the vehicle, at speeds of up to 60km/h.

In addition, an available four-corner air suspension system in the new Discovery that improves ride quality when driving on-road also provides greater capability when off-roading.

In terms of design, the new design of the Discovery features optimised proportions, combined with beautiful detailing as well as enhanced precision to create a highly capable and versatile SUV with a more dynamic design than before. At the front, the new Discovery’s sculpted surfaces, jewel-like headlamps and a faster windscreen angle break the Discovery tradition and the state-of-the-art daytime running lamps deliver a modern appearance with a distinctive new light signature. At the back, the LED rear lamps have a horizontal emphasis, giving New Discovery a more sporty appearance, while the new one-piece tailgate delivers a more dynamic rear design.

“The new Discovery builds upon the practicality and versatility of its predecessor, offering the same supreme breadth of capability that only a Land Rover can. Pioneering technologies, lightweight aluminium architectures and advanced powertrains ensure that the new Discovery appeals to consumers of multiple levels,” said Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia Sdn Bhd Managing Director Datuk Aishah Ahmad.

Land Rover’s innovative aluminium full-sized SUV platform provides the perfect basis for the new Discovery, delivering a lightweight but durable architecture that contributes to lower CO₂ emissions and improved fuel economy, as well as enhancing its dynamic abilities. This lightweight monocoque body construction is made up of 85% aluminium – 43% recycled – and is a significant 480kg lighter than before.

The Activity Key, which is offered as an optional accessory is another ‘first’ in the large SUV segment that allows owners to lock and unlock the vehicle without the need to carry a conventional key fob. It is designed as a durable wristband to be worn during outdoor activities.

Priced at RM729,800* the new Discovery comes with 5 years warranty and free service as well as 3 years of complimentary roadside assist. The first 5 customers to purchase the new Discovery will be given a RM5,000 accessory voucher. Genuine Land Rover accessories are also covered by a 12-month warranty. Accessories fitted within one month or 1,600km (whichever comes first) of the handover of the new Discovery will be covered by the vehicle warranty.

In conjunction with the official launch of the new Discovery, Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia will be organizing a ‘Discovery Day’ on January 13 and 14, 2018 at Sime Darby Auto Connexion Petaling Jaya and SISMA Auto Glenmarie and also at SISMA Auto Penang on January 20 and 21, 2018. This exclusive event is by invitation only. Interested customers can call the respective showrooms to register their interest.

For more information on the newly launched Discovery, kindly visit www.landrover.com.my or Land Rover Showrooms – Sime Darby Auto Connexion Petaling Jaya (03-7946 3800), SISMA Auto Glenmarie (03-5569 3311) and SISMA Auto Penang (04-226 2279).

*Price is inclusive of 6% GST, excludes road tax, registration and insurance.

New Range Rover Sport Plug-in Hybrid combines performance with fuel efficiency

Land Rover has introduced a Plug-in Hybrid vehicle to its Range Rover Sport line-up. Unlike the regular Range Rover, the Sport features better performance credentials that are able to rival that of some sports cars.

The addition of an electrified RR Sport is an interesting move by the British automaker considering the magnitude of the decision and how it would resonate with purists and off-roading enthusiasts.

This proves that the automaker is fervent of the idea of electric mobility and achieving its goal of offering electrified options for each model by 2020. That said, what Land Rover has created here is far from something that resembles your accountant’s Prius.

On the outside at least, there’s very little evidence to suggest that the hybrid Range Rover Sport as any different from the base model. It’s only with a keen eye that one is able to notice the disparities between the two.

The electrified variant features a tweaked design that includes Matrix Pixel LED headlights integrated with a redesigned grille. This is complemented by a new bumper with a more aggressive profile. The socket for the charger is hidden away under the Land Rover badge located on the new grille – a subtle but tasteful touch to this unassumingly complex vehicle.

Unlike the top of the line Sport, which features a V8 engine that puts out 575bhp, the electrified one makes do with an Ingenium 2.0-litre four-cylinder that produces 300bhp. It’s aided by an 85kW electric motor, which brings the total output to 404bhp.

This Range Rover can sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.3 seconds, which is far slower than the 4.3 seconds it takes the top of the line model SVR to accomplish the same feat. That said, the Sport Plug-in Hybrid isn’t aimed at performance enthusiasts, rather its for connoisseurs who are conscious of their carbon footprint and the effects of global warming.

Thanks to a 13.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the vehicle is able to travel on pure electric power alone for 51km. Nevertheless, it will offer a whole host of other benefits that includes savings in fuel costs.

Through the use of the Parallel Hybrid mode, the vehicle is able to offer the best mix of petrol and electric power to optimize fuel efficiency and battery charge. It can work with the navigation system to ensure that you get to your destination with enough power while conserving fuel.

Despite the addition of a hybrid system, through clever engineering, Land Rover has managed to tuck the battery, motor and charging unit neatly with other components to allow for the same cabin and luggage space as the regular petrol version.

The Range Rover Sport Plug-in Hybrid may not be the flagship of the range, but it will certainly have its share of fans around the world.

Land Rover launch programme to demonstrate capabilities of iconic Defender

Land Rover is offering an incredible experience for those who appreciate the outdoors and are avid fans of the brand. It has launched a new Experience Centre Heritage Program to celebrate the history and legacy of its most iconic vehicle, the Defender.

This programme will allow consumers to experience the capabilities of the Defender by taking it off-road at Land Rover Experience Centers across the U.S.. Besides the Defender, the public can also experience other vehicles from the Discovery and Range Rover families as well.

Despite it being phased out to make way for a new and more capable vehicle, the Defender’s legacy will continue to endure though the Defender Driving Experience. Starting from this month, enthusiasts will be able to experience it first-hand at Experience Centers in California, Vermont, and North Carolina.

At these locations, the Defender will be able demonstrate its off-roading capabilities as participants of the programme take it through grass, mud, ruts, water crossings, and more with personal coaching from expert Land Rover Experience Instructors. It’s an experience any off-roading fan wouldn’t want to miss.

Regarding the programme, Kim McCullough, Vice President of Marketing, Jaguar Land Rover North America, said, “Recognized as one of our most iconic vehicles, the Defender has conquered some of the world’s most demanding terrain.”

“We are thrilled to be bringing that experience to consumers through the Land Rover Experience Center Heritage Program,” said . “Brand loyalists and new fans alike now have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a piece of history and continue to celebrate this historic Land Rover icon,” he later added.

The Defender Driving Experience will be made available at all its Experience Centres which are the Quail Lodge in Carmel, Calif., Equinox Resort in Manchester, Vt., and the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C.

Participants will not only be able to enjoy the great outdoors and develop off-roading skills, but they will also get to test the capabilities of Land Rover vehicles, both past and present. The programme will be made available as half-day or full-day events with the former costing $1,200 and the later coming up to $1,500.

For more information on Land Rover’s Heritage Centres, take a look at the following website: landroverusa.com/experience

JLR’s connected assistant aims to revolutionize personal transportation

Jaguar Land Rover has released information on some pretty interesting tech that it has been working on. It’s touted as an ‘intelligent and connected’ steering wheel that aims to revolutionize the future of mobility.

The device, fittingly, resembles a futuristic square-shaped steering wheel that rests on a circular stand. Similar in function to Amazon’s Echo and Google Home voice assistants, this device is home to JLR’s voice-activated AI assistant called Sayer.

According to the automaker, users will be able interact with it through voice commands, enabling Sayer to carry out hundreds of different tasks. For instance, Sayer could signal your membership of JLR’s on-demand service club.

This club allows for either sole vehicle ownership or the option of sharing your car with others in the community. Putting this into perspective, once autonomous vehicles are legalized in your country, Sayer will act as your transportation liaison officer.

If you don’t own a vehicle, Sayer can call upon the vehicle of your choosing and schedule it to show up at your doorstep at the stipulated pick-up time. This summarizes JLR’s vision of future mobility. A steering wheel could be the only part of a car that you might ever own.

Here’s a scenario that the automaker thinks will help play out Sayer’s true value:

“Need to be at a meeting two hours away from home by 8am tomorrow? Simply ask Sayer from the comfort of your living room and it will work out when you get up, when a car needs to autonomously arrive at your door and even advise which parts of the journey you might enjoy driving yourself.”

Considered a well-sculptured art piece, Jaguar Land Rover’s intelligent steering wheel of the future, is designed to blend in with the rest of your future smart home’s decor.

And the intelligent assistant that resides in it was named after Malcom Sayer, one of the automaker’s most prominent designers who worked with the British marque from 1951 to 1970.

This interesting piece of tech will be showcased at the inaugural Tech Fest at Central St Martins art, design and technology college in London, UK. It’s an event that is open to the general public from 8th to 10th September to witness innovative tech creations.

Land Rover takes on dog power in Finland

This year’s warm summer has left much of Northern Europe without snow, and as such, the dogs training for the winter championships may not be sufficiently prepared. In an effort to circumvent the problem and challenge the arctic’s best sled pullers in the process, Land Rover stepped up to the plate.

This is only fitting, considering that an estimated 50 per cent of Land Rover customers own or regularly travel with a dog. This not only proves that its vehicles are dog friendly, but are capable of travelling through tough terrain to get to their destinations.

A short film has been released by the British automaker, documenting the feat of transporting a team of sled dogs to the underground Vesileppis Ski Tunnel in Finland for a unique training challenge. The vehicle of choice was the Discovery Sport, which will go head to head with these dogs around this dedicated underground tunnel for a unique 1km sprint.

The undulating tunnel is carved into the bedrock 35m below ground level and kept at constant -2°C to maintain a blanket of snow 20mm deep throughout the summer. This will not only push these sled dogs to their limit, but also demonstrate the capabilities of the Discovery Sport and its various offroad technologies.

The competitors set off in opposite directions, however the dogs had a much simpler circuit to deal with compared to the Land Rover. Once they had negotiated the first incline, all they had to to was pick up and maintain speed throughout the race.

The Land Rover on the other hand had to deal with maneuvering past ice blocks, putting its wheel articulation and traction control systems to the test. Despite what many might think, the Discovery has inherited quite a bit of offroading tech from its bigger brothers.

Driver of the Discovery Sport, Lead Engineer for Stability Control Systems at Jaguar Land Rover, Karl Richards, said, “Snow is one of the most demanding surfaces drivers will encounter during winter around the world and Discovery Sport proved to be as comfortable in these conditions as the dogs.”

He then added, “Land Rover’s advanced Terrain Response technology and intelligent four-wheel drive system ensure our premium compact SUV is in a class of its own when it comes to off-road driving – whether you’ve got two legs or four.”

As we know from this video, the two lap race was a close one with the Land Rover winning it by a whisker, no pun intended. But this goes to show how advanced automotive technology has become that a family SUV now has the capability of shadowing the most reliable method of transportation in arctic conditions – the sled dog.

The 290bhp Land Rover Discovery Sport may not be as prestigious as its more expensive Range Rover siblings, but its still a very capable vehicle.

Land Rover belonging to Rowen Atkinson to be sold at auction

A Land Rover Defender 90 belonging to world famous actor, comedian and screenwriter, Rowen Atkinson CBE, will be put up for auction at the Silverstone Auctions, which will take place at the Silverstone Classic festival at the end of July.

The Land Rover in question, is a 2015 Heritage edition, one of 400 examples built to commemorate the end of UK production of the stalwart Defender 90. Considered an automotive icon, over the many decades that the nameplate has been around, Land Rover has consistently improved the Defender to keep it relevant to modern day buyers while retaining the classic box design that many have come to love.

Despite resembling the same vehicle that came out about 70 years ago, the 2015 Defender has all the modern creature comforts that one would come to expect in a contemporary vehicle. It has Grasmere Green metallic paintwork, Alaska White roof, heritage style grille, headlamp surrounds, silver front bumpers, heavy-duty steel wheels and HUE 166 graphics in tribute to the first ever pre-production Series I Land Rover from 1947.

On the inside, when separates the Heritage edition from the rest is the addition of the aluminium clock, aluminium door handles and perforated leather on the steering wheel, gear stick and handbrake, as well as cloth seats with vinyl sides and backs.

Then there’s also a padded cubby box and Heritage logo rubber mats, an upgraded DBS stereo, mud flaps, tow bar, and bespoke dog guard.

“Silverstone Auctions are very proud to offer this car with such a distinguished pedigree and which, in our opinion, represents the very best of a great British tradition. Never has there been a car that has so captured the imagination of the world,” said Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auctions.

Judging from the manufacturing date, the famous actor hasn’t had this particular Defender very long. He received ownership of it on the 28th of November 2015 and since then, has only managed to clock 3,637km.

It is believed that the vehicle should fetch about £38,000 – £45,000, which is about RM208,519 to RM246,931. Considering that a famous movie star has owns it, that figure may only be a modest estimate.

Piston.my

Land Rover

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