Land Rover Lake Bluff

Filed under: Crossover, Land Rover, Luxury

Evoking A New Sense Of Style In The CUV Market



We see the form versus function fight played out on a daily basis in the automotive realm. Designers, engineers and accountants lock horns on every model that ever makes its way to the street in order to come up with a suitable compromise that will successfully appease their respective masters. More often than not, a vehicle's more stylish aspects are left by the wayside as aerodynamics, packaging and economics hammer automotive forms into the same uninspired mold. Anyone who remembers the muscular form of the Chevrolet Volt concept need only look to the limp lines of the production model to see the process in action.

It's something special when an automaker cries "Damn the torpedoes!" and drives an undiluted concept design off of the auto show stage and straight into production. Pupils dilate, cheeks flush and hearts flutter with primordial do-want. Such is the case with the 2012 Range Rover Evoque Coupe. In an era when most automakers wouldn't waste firing a single synapse on the personal utility segment, Land Rover has kicked open the doors on an arena long thought forgotten. With its heart-stopping styling, powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine and surprising off-road chops, the Evoque is exactly what we've been missing from this segment. But who's going to buy it?

Continue reading 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Coupe

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Convertible, SUV, Videos, Crossover, Land Rover, Off-Road

We were thrilled to see that Land Rover unveiled a pair of concept vehicles in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The two models; a drop-top and a more business-like fixed roof off-roader, signal a pair of possible directions of the next generation Defender. Both models are very attractive and they at least look off-road-ready, but since they're concept vehicles they're likely all show and no go, right?

Not so fast. Our sister publication Translogic actually got behind the wheel of the DC100 concepts, and there were no paved roads in sight.

Hit the jump to watch on as Bradley Hasemeyer scores some time with the hot-looking DC100 convertible. We don't see any 40-degree grades or serious rocks to traverse, but we do learn about some amazing off-road technology like Automatic Train Response and incredible-sounding spiked-on-demand tires.

Continue reading Translogic drives Land Rover's Defender concept, samples its James Bondian tech

Translogic drives Land Rover's Defender concept, samples its James Bondian tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A critical element of the Land Rover brand's success is the power of its heritage, and the link between today's lineup and the original. I drive the latest lineup every day, but have always yearned to also experience Land Rover's rich heritage by going back, all the way back, to its original roots.

I?ve done just that in recently buying a 1956 Land Rover Series I, writes Kim McCullough, Brand Vice President, Land Rover North America.

To say that I've been enjoying this car is an understatement. With its canvas roof, fold-flat windshield and flat bench seating, driving really doesn?t get much more basic. Want air conditioning? Just take off one of the doors.

Initially, I had been looking for a Series II model from the late 50s, and last summer I was fortunate enough to go to the Goodwood Revival in the UK. As you may know, it?s a fabulous heritage event where everyone dresses up in retro-style clothing and turns-up in their classic cars. There I saw a lot of Series I vehicles and absolutely fell in love with them.

So with the help of Bob Burns, Land Rover?s 3d Experience & Events Manager and source of all Land Rover knowledge, we found a specialist in Vermont who had this grey-blue 1956 Series I with the optional hard top for sale. I went up to Vermont, drove it, and bought it right there on the spot.

It?s in great shape for a 55-year-old truck. It was restored around 10 years ago and now has this lovely patina. I didn?t want anything too precious as I want to use it, drive it and really enjoy it on the 11 acres of New Jersey woodland where I live.

Of course the timing for buying the Series I is really interesting. I?m sure you?ve seen the DC100 concepts shown at the Frankfurt and Los Angeles auto shows this past fall, which showcase the possible design direction of the new-generation Defender. Look closely and you'll see that the size, the proportions and a lot of the design details, really seem to echo those of the Series I.

Certainly, next year when we begin to hold customer clinics to get feedback on the DC100 designs - and determine the potential for bringing the next Defender to the US - we may end up having my Series I there as a reference point.

In the meantime, especially as the weather turns, I?m really enjoying time in my Series I. In true Land Rover tradition, its traction and its off-road capability are simply remarkable. It goes virtually everywhere and usually with me enjoying every minute of it behind that over-sized wheel.

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