Land Rover to Premiere Range E Diesel-Electric Plug-in Hybrid at Geneva Show

The new Land Rover Range_e diesel-electric plug-in prototype that was first teased back in May, 2010, will make its motor show debut at next month's Geneva Salon. The Range_e is said to be one of several working prototypes currently being developed at Land Rover's design and engineering centre in the UK. It is based on the Range Rover Sport model and features a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel engine with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission mated to an, as-of-yet unspecified, electric motor and battery pack.

The British automaker said the all-wheel drive prototype can run purely on electricity for up to a distance of 20 miles or approximately 32 kilometers and emits as low as 89g/km of CO2. The Range_e also has a top speed of 120 mph or 193 km/h and a combined driving range of 690 miles or 1,110 kilometers.

The Range_e will be joined at Land Rover's Geneva Motor Show stand by two new Limited Editions, the Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate and the 2011 Discovery 4 'Landmark' with Black and White themes.

Land Rover added that it will also be announcing full European pricing (excluding UK) for the new Range Rover Evoque in both 3- and 5-door forms, and will also showing a comprehensive range of accessories and options for the vehicle.

Gerry McGovern, Land Rover design director said: "Customers like to make their own unique statement with a vehicle and we have provided individuals with lots of opportunity to personalise their new Range Rover Evoque, whilst maintaining the essence of the design."

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Land Rover to Premiere Range E Diesel-Electric Plug-in Hybrid at Geneva Show

The new Land Rover Range_e diesel-electric plug-in prototype that was first teased back in May, 2010, will make its motor show debut at next month's Geneva Salon. The Range_e is said to be one of several working prototypes currently being developed at Land Rover's design and engineering centre in the UK. It is based on the Range Rover Sport model and features a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel engine with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission mated to an, as-of-yet unspecified, electric motor and battery pack.

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Land Rover Confirms 2WD Version of Upcoming LRX, Releases New Info on Hybrids

Land Rover's new sub-Freelander entry, based on the LRX concept, will be offering buyers the option of either 2- or 4-wheel drive. If the former is preferred, Land Rover assures people it will be the cleanest vehicle ever offered by the manufacturer, emitting "less than" 130 g/km of CO2.

The British firm's managing director Phil Popham says, "A 2WD option is just one way in which we are developing our vehicles efficiency whilst adding to the Land Rover range and expanding our customer base."

"We will continue to make the 'world's finest all-terrain vehicles' for those customers who require 4WD but will also now offer an alternative to those that don't," Popham added.

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Land Rover Reveals Range_e, the Hybrid Electric Range Rover Sport

Land Rover will be putting its first dedicated hybrid model into production in 2013. The Range Rover Sport hybrid prototype shown here is named Range_e (the cutest-sounding name in just forever), and previews the diesel-electric hybrid power/drive train the rest of the world should be expecting.

If successful, expect a plug-in circa 2015 that would return 20 miles or about 32 kilometers of city driving under electric power.

Right now Land Rover is working on Rang_e's diesel-electric setup, but engineers say that a gasoline hybrid is also under developed. After all, we here in the States don't get diesel Rovers (for the life of me I don't know why).

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Land Rover gets Government Grant to Build Range Rover LRX

The UK Government has offered a grant of up to £27 million ($37.4 million) to help the Jaguar-Land Rover Group develop the production version of the LRX small SUV first shown in Detroit last year. It should be noted that the grant is from a separate scheme to the £2.3bn support package that the UK government is currently negotiating with automakers. Land Rover, which is now owned by India's Tata Motors, said that the Government's grant is an important contribution towards the overall £400 million cost of the LRX project.

"We welcome the Government's support for this project, which would form a key part of our future product plans and which we very much want to put into production," said Phil Popham, Managing Director of Land Rover. The company is due to make a final decision on the go-ahead of the LRX project at its plant in Halewood, on Merseyside, later this year.

The British automaker also revealed that while the LRX concept was shown as a Land Rover, the production version will go on sale wearing a Range Rover badge. The new small SUV is expected to share many components with the Freelander including the SUV's four-wheel drive system.

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Land Rover gets Government Grant to Build Range Rover LRX

The UK Government has offered a grant of up to £27 million ($37.4 million) to help the Jaguar-Land Rover Group develop the production version of the LRX small SUV first shown in Detroit last year. It should be noted that the grant is from a separate scheme to the £2.3bn support package that the UK government is currently negotiating with automakers. Land Rover, which is now owned by India's Tata Motors, said that the Government's grant is an important contribution towards the overall £400 million cost of the LRX project.

"We welcome the Government's support for this project, which would form a key part of our future product plans and which we very much want to put into production," said Phil Popham, Managing Director of Land Rover. The company is due to make a final decision on the go-ahead of the LRX project at its plant in Halewood, on Merseyside, later this year.

The British automaker also revealed that while the LRX concept was shown as a Land Rover, the production version will go on sale wearing a Range Rover badge. The new small SUV is expected to share many components with the Freelander including the SUV's four-wheel drive system.

7:12 AM | 0 comments | Read More