Land Rover Online News

New rumor : Overfinch Creates Holland & Holland Range Rover

2009-10-11T05:12:00.000-07:00

Overfinch, a British tuning firm that exclusively works its magic on the Range Rover portfolio, partnered with hallowed gun maker Holland & Holland to create one exorbitant sport-utility. Overfinch adds its traditional body kit on the exterior, but Holland & Holland has its way with the cabin. Walnut trim, similar to that used on H&H rifles, runs rampant. It is perhaps most notable in the cargo area, where it is liberally applied to a locking gun cabinet.

Although no firearms are included in the purchase, several glass tumblers are -- a good thing, considering the rear bench seat has been eschewed in favor of two buckets and a large liquor cabinet. Overfinch prides itself on the fact that it comes stocked from the factory with single malt whisky, single batch gin, vodka, and champagne, and complementary refills will be provided within the first year of ownership.

Only 100 examples will be built, and luckily enough, they will be available to customers in North America -- although they’ll have to live without the option of a diesel engine and the factory-stocked cocktail cabinet…

News : Land Rover to Build Hybrid LRX?

2009-08-12T09:32:00.000-07:00

The Land Rover LRX was shown at the 2008 North American International Auto Show and given the green light for production earlier this year. Reports now suggest that Land Rover will also develop a hybrid version of the small SUV.

According to Autoexpress, the hybrid system will be quite similar to that shown on both the 2006 Land-e concept and the 2008 LRX show car itself. If it sees production, the hybrid LRX will be Land Rover’s first production hybrid vehicle, and the firm’s first step at building a more fuel-efficient lineup.

In the Land-e concept, the hybrid drive was arranged so that the electric motor could send power to any wheel. The concept featured an trick electric drive rear axle that could send power to the front axle, alter the torque sent to the inner and outer wheels (similar to Honda’s SH-AWD), and even disconnect itself from the central driveshaft altogether.

While a hybrid LRX is still at least two years away from production, features such as regenerative braking and start-stop technology will appear across Land Rover’s lineup in the near future.

Land Rover's Pictures

2009-07-07T08:31:00.000-07:00

Profile : Land Rover Company

2009-07-07T08:27:00.000-07:00

Ford-owned Land Rover originated in 1948 as a part of the British automaker, Rover. Designer Maurice Wilks based his concept, the Series I, on an American World War II Jeep vehicle.

Rover was later purchased by the European Leyland Motor Limited which would change its name to British Leyland. When the company was nationalized, Land Rover became its own brand, Land Rover Leyland Group. The now Rover Group would be purchased by BMW in 1995 where, after several years of trying to invigorate the company, sold Land Rover to Ford Motor Co. in 2000.

Land Rover is part of Fords' Premier Automotive Group which includes such marques as Jaguar and Volvo. Aston Martin, which had been a part of the group, was recently sold to a consortium led by Prodrive.

The first Land Rover to debut in the U.S. was the Range Rover. After its arrival in 1970, the all-new Land Rover Discovery went on sale two years afterwards. Under BMW's owner, Land Rover acquired its more luxurious status which continues to this day. The SUV boom in the '90s added to its popularity.

Besides the Range Rover and Discovery, other well-known Rovers include the Freelander and the Defender. The automaker debut its first concept vehicle, the Range Stormer, at the 2004 North American International Auto show.