Most of the world’s attention will be fixed on the competitors’ vehicles, which will carry them through Thailand, Laos, Brazil and Bolivia and take part in daily 4×4 driving competitions along the way. The 18 competitors will work and travel in bi-national teams, meaning that they need nine Land Rovers at any one time, but they will get to experience three different Land Rover vehicles over the course of the 2006 Challenge.

Resources
Land Rover G4 Challenge

Land Rover has raised the bar dramatically in the Sport Utility Market. They also have made sure their personnel have an intimate knowledge of the vehicle inside and out. I was sent to Canada for five days of intensive education and driving of the new LR3. The LR3 is a completely reengineered four-wheel drive truck from the ground up. North American consumers have wanted more space and creature comforts in the Discovery for quite some time. This demand has launched the new LR3 onto the world-wide SUV market.

LR3 has already won Motor Trend’s Sport Utility of the year award and received exceptional recognition by car enthusiast publications world-wide. Land Rover, a member of the Ford family of companies, spent over $1.3 billion dollars engineering their new flagship sport-ute. The new 300 hp motor, air suspension, terrain response and seating for seven adults are just a few of the highlights of the new LR3. Of course the new LR3 is very capable off-road. The new integrated body on frame makes the truck much stronger and stiffer than past Land Rovers. This new platform will be used for all future Land Rover products. To see the newest and future Rover products, go on line to www.landroverusa.com/future. The new Range Rover Sport will be out early spring 2005.

Land Rover makes sure it’s employee’s receive training about any new products. The completely new LR3 was no exception. This took place an hour north of Ottawa, Canada. Five days of classroom and driving introduced us to the new features found in the LR3. Off-road driving was incredible with the new engine, terrain response system, center and rear locking differentials and adjustable air suspension. It is easily the most capable off-road Land Rover to date. Highway manners were equally as comfortable. The cabin is extremely quite and solid with nearly no outside noise. The new touch screen navigation system is much easier to use than past systems and it is DVD based. Push the voice recognition button on the steering wheel and verbally command the navigation or radio systems, all the while keeping your eyes on the road. The LR3 is an intelligent and purposeful piece of engineering that will put the word adventure back into owning a Land Rover.

Land Rover has stepped forward and set the standard in the sport utility market with the new LR3. Seating for seven full sized adults, new innovative driving technology and power make this vehicle an exceptionally versatile car for all types of drivers. Please go by you local Land Rover dealer and take one out for a drive.

Detroit – Land Rover today enhances its offering of premium SUVs with the introduction of two new Range Rover models. The Range Rover for 2006 becomes the most powerful Land Rover ever made, while the Range Rover Sport debuts as the brand’s first performance-based SUV.

Each vehicle is launched with two new engine options: supercharged or normally aspirated.

The supercharged 400bhp 4.2-liter V8 engine found in the Range Rover for 2006 offers 35 percent more power than the outgoing V8 and over 25 percent more torque, contributing to a more refined vehicle. The normally aspirated 4.4-liter V8 engine produces 305bhp and is also more powerful than the outgoing V8.

Range Rover Sport, meanwhile, is powered by a 390bhp, 4.2-liter supercharged V8 engine producing a top speed of 140mph. A normally aspirated 4.4-liter, 300bhp V8 engine is also available.

“We see the addition of these two models as a natural progression for the Range Rover nameplate,” said Matthew Taylor, managing director, Land Rover. “Performance blended with a premium package, but grounded in Land Rover heritage. There is now a Range Rover to satisfy the widest range of consumers.”

The Range Rover for 2006 maintains its role as the flagship for the brand, emphasizing grace, class and understated luxury. While the model retains its critically acclaimed styling, subtle changes enhance its look, including new front grille and bumper, power vents, lamps, and wheels. New 19-inch alloy wheels are also offered.

The supercharged derivative is distinguished by additional styling modifications, including a diamond mesh front grille and power vents, unique 20-inch alloy wheels, and special black-on-silver badges.

Additional features on the Range Rover for 2006 include:

* Dynamics: Sharper steering, crisper braking performance and improved air suspension.

* Refinement: A quieter interior and additional color combinations.

* Technology: Adaptive headlights, tire-pressure monitoring, touch-screen control for audio, phone and off-road driving information.

* Safety: A rear-view camera that projects directly to the front-fascia screen.

* Entertainment: Available rear seat entertainment package featuring a six-disc DVD changer, twin screens and headphone pods, all fully integrated with the vehicle’s sound system.

Designed to complement the flagship Range Rover, Range Rover Sport delivers inspiring and refined performance on all surfaces. As a ‘sports tourer,’ it is optimized for fast, comfortable long-distance driving.

Excellent on-road behavior is delivered through Land Rover’s new Dynamic Response suspension system and performance-tuned chassis. The innovative system, making its debut on Range Rover Sport, senses cornering forces and acts to optimize body control and handling. It also decouples off-road to allow greater wheel articulation during tough all-terrain driving.

Design cues borrowed from the iconic flagship model—such as a floating roof—help ensure a strong family resemblance. However, Range Rover Sport delivers its own interpretation on the theme with its muscular design, powerful stance and aggressive lines, making it the most aerodynamic Land Rover ever built.

Additional features on Range Rover Sport include:

* Driver-focused interior: A cockpit with a high and sweeping center console, so the driver reaches across to the controls rather than down to them.

* Breadth of capability: Terrain Response, low range gearing, and four-corner air suspension ensure excellence on a variety of surfaces.

* Technology: Adaptive cruise control (its first Land Rover application), bi-xenon adaptive front lighting, and on-road / off-road satellite navigation.

* Safety: Electronic Traction Control, Emergency Brake Assist and Dynamic Stability Control. On the supercharged version, four-piston Brembo front brakes augment superb braking ability.

* Entertainment: Audio systems by harman/kardon and an available twin-screen DVD
rear-seat entertainment system, with high-resolution screens enclosed in the front seat head rests.

“Since its launch three years ago, the third-generation Range Rover has gone on to be the most successful Range Rover in the brand’s history,” said Mike O’Driscoll, president, Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover. “Enhancing this flagship model for 2006 ensures that the world’s best luxury SUV gets even better, while the addition of Range Rover Sport allows customers access to the performance spirit of our brand.”

Both models will be available in North America in June. Pricing and specifications will be announced closer to launch.

“The Range Rover has always been the world’s most complete luxury vehicle,” says Land Rover’s managing director Matthew Taylor. “With this new flagship for the company, we believe that the best luxury SUV in the world is now even better.”

Two new engines add to Range Rover’s performance upgrade. A normally aspirated 4.4-liter V8 engine produces 305bhp, while a supercharged 4.2-liter V8 produces 400bhp; making this the most powerful Land Rover ever.

Both engines are lightweight and use advanced torque-based engine management systems that, together with drive-by-wire throttle control and variable camshaft phasing (on the normally aspirated), continually adjust the engine to deliver optimum performance, fuel economy and emissions.

While the result is increased performance, the upgraded engines are expected to have better fuel economy than the outgoing V8.

The Range Rover retains its iconic shape, but there are subtle yet distinct changes. All Range Rovers for 2006 get a new front bumper design, new headlamps and taillights, a new front grille and revised power vents. New 19-inch alloy wheels are also offered. The supercharged derivatives are distinguished by additional styling modifications including mesh-design front grille and power vents, unique 20-inch alloy wheels, and special black-on-silver badges.

“We’ve only changed the design where we can provide subtle enhancements,” says Land Rover’s director of design Geoff Upex. “The Range Rover is about grace and class, not extravagance.”

Additional enhancements for 2006 include:

* Dynamics: Sharper steering, crisper braking performance, and improved air suspension.
* Refinement: A quieter interior and additional color combinations.
* Technology: Adaptive headlights, tire-pressure monitoring, touch-screen control for audio, phone and off-road driving information.
* Safety: A rear-view camera that projects directly to the front-fascia screen.
* Entertainment: Available rear seat entertainment package featuring a six-disc DVD changer, twin screens, and headphone pods, all fully integrated with the vehicle’s sound system.

The Range Rover for 2006 will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in January, and will be available in North America in summer of 2005. It will be joined by Range Rover Sport, providing Land Rover with two premium vehicles at the top of its range.

Pricing and detailed specification will be announced closer to launch date.

All Land Rover models will be used during the 2005 Challenge, including the all-new Discovery 3, as well as a fifth vehicle that is yet to be announced. These near-standard vehicles will form the base of operations for the competitors as they bike, climb, kayak and 4×4 drive their way towards victory. Painted in a custom orange body colour, the vehicles will not only carry an array of equipment that will aid the competitors in their global quest for victory, but will also form an integral part of the competition, with daily 4×4 driving challenges.

“The first Land Rover G4 Challenge proved itself as one of the toughest, most spectacular adventure challenges in the world,” says Matthew Taylor, Managing Director, Land Rover. “Its authenticity and global reach allowed us to prove that Land Rover is synonymous with adventure. And in 2005 we will be doing it again.”

Working in bi-national teams, men and women representing 18 nations will pit stamina and skill in an arena stretching across four countries on two continents, over a four-week period in October 2005. From June 21 st 2004 , would-be competitors can apply online at www.landroverG4challenge.com , or complete an entry form at a local dealer.

With many thousands of entries expected, each nation will hold a National Selections event, in order to identify its top three competitors. These competitors then go through to International Selections, which will be held at Eastnor Castle in the UK . Ultimately only one competitor will be chosen to represent his or her nation in the 2005 Land Rover G4 Challenge.

During the 2003 Challenge, former fighter pilot Rudi Thoelen made history by becoming the first winner of the Land Rover G4 Challenge. The Belgian’s resolve, driving ability, stamina and mental agility were the key elements that put him ahead of the pack.

“I had nothing left at the end,” says Thoelen of his victory. “The Challenge pushed me further than I had ever been pushed before. It is a tough test of both body and mind. And I can still hardly believe that I won it!”

Resources
View Photo Gallery
Land Rover Worldwide
Official G4 Web Site

Irvine, California – Land Rover introduces LR3, an all-new SUV that made its debut at the New York International Auto Show on April 7. With its class-leading breadth of capability, innovative user-friendly technology, and new levels of interior space, the Land Rover LR3 is set to offer the ultimate premium sport-utility package.

‘A true Land Rover, the Discovery 3 benefits from a clarity of purpose and conviction that is evident from its clean design, versatility and outstanding driving experience. Like all new Land Rovers, it’s great to drive on-road, as well as being best-in-class off-road,’ said Matthew Taylor, managing director, Land Rover.

LR3 is a new vehicle in every way. Developed by and for Land Rover, it is a modern architecture that is designed to offer excellent on-pavement behavior while upholding Land Rover’s rigorous off-road standards. Building on the philosophy established by Range Rover, it introduces a breadth of capability and a level of luxury that sets a new standard for the category.

Power is from a Jaguar-sourced 4.4-litre 300bhp (SAE) V8 – tailored to meet Land Rover requirements particularly for off-road usage – a six-speed ‘intelligent shifting’ automatic gearbox, permanent four-wheel drive, fully independent electronic air suspension and seating for up to seven adult-sized passengers.

The Land Rover LR3 continues the brand’s tradition of introducing class-leading technologies, the most significant of which is Terrain ResponseTM. This new and patented system allows drivers to maximize the capability built into their vehicle; the driver simply selects one of five terrain settings via a rotary switch, and the vehicle’s electronic controls and traction systems are optimized for that surface.

Other innovative user-friendly technologies include DVD navigation and adaptive headlights that swivel with the direction of travel to illuminate the road ahead.

From a styling standpoint, LR3 projects a modern image, while incorporating hallmark Land Rover design cues, such as short overhangs and bold lines. Family lineage is apparent in the Range Rover-like front-end treatment, and a power-vent adds a functional yet finished accent to the profile.

The vehicle is optimized for passenger enjoyment. A class-leading roof design features three glass panels — a sunroof and two moonroofs — allowing the environment to surround the cabin and complement the spacious greenhouse.

Comfortable seating in all three rows, available in-vehicle entertainment and the fold-flat seats all contribute to packaging that allows LR3 to appeal to a broad-base of customers.

As with Range Rover, cargo access is through a split-tailgate. For LR3, Land Rover has developed an asymmetrical gate, easing access to the cargo area.

Large passenger doors provide easy access, with both second and third rows entered from the center doors.

“LR3 is a Land Rover designed to fulfill the needs of the North American consumer,” says Mike O’Driscoll, president, Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover, North America. “It blends innovative technology and refinement with traditional Land Rover strengths to rewrite the definition of a modern, premium SUV.”

The all-new Land Rover LR3 will go on-sale later this year.

Resources
View Photo Gallery
Land Rover Worldwide
Official LR3 Site