The iconic utility vehicle manufacturer, Land Rover is planning to build its future Land Rover Defender at the manufacturing facility of its parent company, Tata Motors in Pune. There is a likelihood that there may be some Defenders which are sent back to the manufacturing facility of Land Rover in Britain for some final assembly operations before being sold in the European markets under what the company calls a “reverse CKD operation”. Currently the Land Rover Freelander is being built at the Tata plant for sale in the Asian markets. The objective behind shifting the manufacturing base from UK to India, as revealed by Mr. Ratan Tata is to lower the manufacturing costs and increased focus in the Asia-Pacific markets.

Shifting the manufacturing base to India will definitely lower the manufacturing costs of the Land Rover models resulting in availability of the Land Rover products at affordable prices and it will be also easier for Tata to cater to the needs of the Asian auto market demands which is expected to be much more than the European market. The 2015 Defender will be having the body-on-frame type of construction as opposed to the monocoque type of chassis hinted at earlier. There is a chance that the new Defender will be using updated and lighter version of the much famed T5 ladder chassis. It might also share many parts with the Tata Aria like suspension parts and others to maximize on economies of scale. Tata Motors had showcased the Defender 100 concept at the 2012 Auto Expo held at Delhi and given their stint with the Evoque and carrying over concept designs to the production models, we wouldn’t be much surprised if Tata Motors manages to pull off a similar stunt with this model.

Source – Autocar UK

Land Rover as brand has evolved from being a SUV since. The company continued that legacy till now while keeping alive the original character. With the concepts presented in 11th AutoEXPO viz: “Defender Concept 100” and “Defender Concept 100 Sport” Land Rover promises the future to be more exciting and true to its origin. Recently, after giving us promising product like Range Rover Evoque and Discovery 2, R & D dept is now working on two new concepts. These two concept will replace the iconic Defender down the line sometime in 2014-2015. John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director said: “The Defender has always been at the heart of the Land Rover Brand and single-handedly defines our go-anywhere, can-do spirit. Our ambition is to create an all new Defender for a global market that remains absolutely faithful to its original DNA: tough, versatile, durable and capable. At the same time, it will be developed for the 21st century and adaptable for the needs of future generations.”

Defender Concept 100 re-invents the essential Defender design cues which include short overhangs for extreme approach and departure angles, vertical panels, an upright windscreen and strong shoulder line for visibility and ease of positioning and, of course, the honest Defender ‘face’ with its signature round lamps and prominent grille, incorporating a winch. Defender Concept 100 Sport takes all these key design cues and adds to them the spirit of freedom first embodied by the early canvas-roofed Land Rovers with their fold-down windscreens.

Also these concepts gets loads of technical advances like Land Rover’s acclaimed Terrain Response system which optimizes car for any condition it comes across, that to without prior intimation and pre-selection by driver. Furthermore system called Terrain-I will scan the forthcoming hazards and risk down the road and will warn you well in advance. In day to day city terrain it will be identifying pedestrians and hazards with great accuracy. Then there is Wade Aid system which is meant to ease your travel through the certain level of water.

To get ready for the future, an intelligent Twin-Solenoid Stop/Start system mated to the latest eight-speed automatic gearbox is provided which is designed keeping in mind the future hybridization. Then there is the unique Driveline Disconnect system, which sends power to the front-axle only unless conditions demand all-wheel drive. Unlike conventional systems, this physically, rather than electronically, decouples the rear-axle to reduce friction losses but can reengage drive almost instantaneously. Overall as a concept it boasts of many interesting and innovative features. How many of it make it into real world has to be seen and only time will that. So let’s wait.

Pune will witness the launch of another high end car dealership and this time it is the JLR (Jaguar and Land Rover). The dealership will be up by the early December and the name of the dealership will be Ace Car Showroom. The JLR Showroom will be close to the BMW showroom. JLR will be showcasing all their 12 cars in the showroom so that the customer has no issue deciding which car they should opt for.

Currently there are around 30 Jaguars and 40 Land and Range Rovers in Pune, with the new dealership being started the number is expected to double in a years’ time, as there is scope for buyers in the Pune market. The JLR showroom in Pune will not only cater to the Pune buyers but also potential buyers from nearby places who are looking for high end cars as apart from politicians and film stars there are many potential buyers seen in recent times who do not mind spending on a high end luxury SUV.

Land Rover will be launching an all new Defender in 2015. The new Defender will be based on the Defender Concept 100 which will make its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The Land Rover Defender Concept 100 is a very modern version of the Defender. However the Concept is far from production and one can expect lots of revision in the styling before this becomes production ready. Hopefully Tata Motors will launch the Defender in India and give us Indian’s a choice to own one of the best off-roaders in the world.

“Replacing the iconic Defender is one of the biggest challenges in the automotive design world, it is a car that inspires people worldwide. This isn’t a production-ready concept but the beginning of a four-year journey to design a relevant Defender for the 21st century,” Gerry McGovern, Director of Design, Land Rover, said.

The much awaited local assembly of the Land Rover Freelander will commenceon the 27th of this month. The company will use Tata Motors’ Pune plant that was earlier utilised by Mercedes-Benz. Later on, Land Rover plans to assemble the Discovery 4 or the new Evoque in the same facility. The third product to get local assembly from this plant would be the Jaguar XF. With 75 Jaguars sold last month in India, the company is looking at increasing its sales to cash in on the booming luxury car market.

Tata Motors also plans to increase the number of dealers of JLR to atleast 20 in the near future. This will certainly increase demand as more people would find themselves a dealer to buy JLR vehicles. The biggest Indian car manufacturer also plans to share platform of the Freelander with their own vehicles in the future, eliminating the expense of developing one from scratch.

Source – ACI

The Range Rover Evoque will be the most fuel efficient SUV to roll out of Land Rover stable. Tata Motors plans to bring the compact SUV to India by early next year, after its global launch in September, 2011. The Evoque is the company’s attempt to increase sales of its cars by making it more environment friendly and affordable. With a claimed mileage of 21kmpl and CO2 emissions of just 120 g/km, the Evoque will compete with the Chevrolet Captiva, Ford Endeavour, Toyota Fortuner and the BMW X1.

Tata Motors has confirmed that it will assemble Land Rover vehicles in India. The company will start by assembling 2000 units of the Freelander every year at its Chikhli plant near Pune. The CKD units will be imported from the JLR facility in UK. The local assembly will help Tata Motors reduce the price considerably and target a larger chunk of the growing SUV market.

“There is immense potential in the market and after selling JLR in India for more than a year, we have decided to assemble our cars here. The local assembly will start later this year, where we will produce all available variant of the Freelander,” Tata Motors MD and CEO Carl Peter Foster said.

Land Rover’s on-going commitment to building vehicles that are more fuel and emissions-efficient reaches another milestone at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show with the first presentation of the Range_e. This development model is equipped with an advanced plug-in hybrid diesel-electric powertrain that Land Rover expects to make available in future production models, following the scheduled launch of its diesel-electric hybrid in 2013.

Range_e is based on the Range Rover Sport and uses the current 245PS 3.0-litre TDV6 diesel engine, working with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and a 69kW electric motor. Using a parallel hybrid system, with a 14.2kW/h lithium-ion battery that can be recharged from an external 240V power source, Range_e can be driven on electric power alone for more than 20 miles (32km), with zero harmful tailpipe emissions. A full recharge from a standard domestic power supply can be accomplished in around four hours. Typically the majority of European car drivers cover less than 25 miles (40km) a day and therefore the EV range offered by this technology will support the majority of short urban journeys, where fuel economy and emissions are of prime concern. However, for longer journeys the diesel hybrid drivetrain will engage and continually optimise CO2 emissions.

Overall CO2 emissions are just 89g/km, yet Range_e has a maximum system output of 339PS and a top speed of around 120mph (193kph), delivering a fuel economy of 85mpg (3.36 l/100km). Improved fuel efficiency from the hybrid system makes 690 miles (1,112km) possible on a full tank of fuel. Range_e is also engineered with the same full 4WD capability as the standard Range Rover Sport, with high and low range in the transmission, front and rear differentials and a mechanical locking centre differential. Dependant on the driver demand, the car’s intelligent system decides the most efficient method to deliver the power required, whether this is by electric, diesel or both. The Range_e also features regenerative braking to capture energy usually wasted in heat energy via the brakes. This energy can then be redeployed to drive the vehicle, further reducing fossil fuel consumption.

The new Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition, a hand-finished exclusive addition, will make its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Two stand alone electric rear seats enhance space and comfort for the rear passengers, making the Ultimate Edition the definitive chauffeur vehicle. The addition of a rear console extension, including a machined aluminum laptop table and drinks chiller, and two Apple iPads as standard (the first car to do so), takes the Range Rover rear seat experience to new levels of luxury.

The V8 engine line up includes the superb new 4.4 litre LR-TDV8 Diesel engine with a new 8-speed transmission incorporating Drive Select with Paddle Shift as standard. This LR-TDV8 combines superior power with 313PS, 700Nm torque. The 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox tuned by Land Rover engineers to combine silky smooth shifting with exceptionally rapid response and improved fuel economy, catapults the Range Rover from rest to 60mph in a mere 7.5 seconds and complete the 50mph-75mph dash in just 5.1 seconds. The LR-V8 5.0 Supercharged engine is also available delivering awesome power and torque, 510PS and 625Nm, propelling the Range Rover from 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds.

The interior story is completed with high-end semi-aniline leather seating and Oxford leather on the door casings, dashboard top and steering wheel. For the first time, Kalahari wood veneers are used on the facia and door top rolls and unique interior colourways of either dark cherry or Arabica are available. Two new unique exterior colours, either Roussillon Red or Otago Stone, are available along with body coloured door handles, dark atlas radiator grille and side vents to create a sophisticated finish. This Ultimate Edition is fitted with new and unique 20″ multi-spoke diamond turned alloy wheels, and unique tailgate badging. Customers also have the option of an Exterior Design Pack and deployable side steps.

Land Rover is enhancing its range of factory supported armoured vehicles with the launch of the powerful new Discovery 4 Armoured. Replacing the successful Discovery 3 model, the Discovery 4 Armoured offers the same legendary all terrain capability and protection, but features an upgraded specification. The Discovery 4 Armoured offers a more powerful 5.0 liter LR V8 petrol engine, improved passive safety with an airbag restraint system for driver and front passenger, and a more luxurious interior with premium leather seats.

With discreet armouring and a generous 500kg payload, the new model provides highly versatile, safe and comfortable transportation for five people and their luggage. Benefiting from Land Rover‘s extensive experience in the armoured vehicle market, the Discovery 4 Armoured is supplied with a full three-year, 80,000km factory warranty on the base vehicle and armour, along with comprehensive after-sales support from specialised technicians.