Land Rover News

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Andrew Nabors – September 02, 2015

2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Autobiography Review

For over a decade, Land Rover’s Range Rover Sport has been the smaller and more exciting alternative to their timeless and traditional full-size SUV. Since we have a 2015 full-size HSE in our inventory, we welcomed spending a week with a new Range Rover Sport V8 featuring the Autobiography package.(2015 Range Rover Sport Pictured Above)The Sport’s second generation debuted for the 2014 model year, and many derided the fact that it grew in size, becoming much closer to the full size model in the process. This was a logical step in order to make room in the lineup for the Evoque. Bigger in this case is better. Land Rovers have never quite been comparable in size to American SUVs, as they are built for narrow British roads. This is why we don’t mind the Sport gaining a few inches. If the body was steel, this increase would be more detrimental, but like big brother, the Sport is a mostly aluminum construction. 2015 Range Rover SportTurbochargers are all the rage due to their ability to multiply an engine’s power output with almost negligible impacts on maintenance. Jaguar Land Rover chose the road less traveled and have repowered their lineup with traditional roots style superchargers. Unlike a turbo, which lies sleeping until you need it, a supercharger is spun by a belt on the engine. The blower is always spinning so this Land Rover has more power than you will ever need. Rated at 510 hp and 461 lb-ft, a wide open throttle releases the Kraken. You need to have a mile of open road in front of you, because this SUV accelerates as if it has been strapped to an ACME rocket. The only downside is that supercharged engines love to breathe, and since this exhaust is designed to not disturb the country club crowds, provoking the loud pedal is not as rewarding as it could be.Our urban test loop doesn’t feature any African Savanna, Arabian desert or frozen tundra to traverse, but their sales literature assures us that we would be safe, as long as premium 93 octane fuel can be found in abundance. Rated at 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway, thirst is the price to be paid by a supercharged V8 with permanent 4WD. Speaking of price, the sum total for the most well-appointed Sport model ever made is $98,107. This places it slightly above the lesser trim levels of the full-size Range, but much less expensive than a similarly equipped G63 AMG. Stay tuned to Autofluence for more Land Rover news and reviews.

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By Caitlin Duffy – September 01, 2015

New Land Rover Tech Makes Trailers "Invisible"

Land Rover is working on an invisibility mode for trailers.Well, the trailers won't exactly be invisible, per se. But you will be able to virtually see right through them.In a press release from Land Rover today, the newest development in futuristic abilities was announced. Dubbed the "See-Through Trailer Concept," this collaboration of cameras located on your Land Rover and the attached trailer will create a complete video stream that, essentially, renders the trailer invisible, eliminating dangerous blind spots on the road.Video from a Land Rover's backup camera and side mirror cameras is combined with video from another camera attached to the rear of the trailer, and is then displayed on the rearview mirror while driving. When backing up with the trailer attached, the video switches to the infotainment screen, and guidelines appear on the screen to help guide where the trailer and car are going.In addition to this "invisible trailer" prototype, the press release also announced their "Cargo Sense" idea. Another camera connected to the car is placed inside of the trailer, along with pressure-sensitive mat on the ground. If the trailer's cargo were to shift unexpectedly or abruptly, an alert would sound on the driver's dashboard. From there, the driver or passenger can opt to view the video from inside the trailer, and determine from there whether it's necessary to stop and attend to the load.The release goes on to explain how this would be especially helpful for those towing a horse trailer. The ability to immediately know if a prized horse is under stressed conditions could mean the difference between arriving safely or suffering an injury in transport. Especially useful is Cargo Sense's ability to convey all the same information to the driver's phone, as well as information about the trailer's temperature.Stay with us to learn more about when this tech might become available to a larger audience, find out more in the video above and search for your own Land Rover from our exclusive listings at the button below.Land Rovers For SaleGallery (Source: Jaguar Land Rover, YouTube) See More Land Rover News

By Edward Jones – July 27, 2015

Startech Sixty8 is a Farewell to the Land Rover Defender

In order to say farewell to the Land Rover Defender, Startech, a member of the BRABUS Group, has created a limited edition model known as the Sixty8.Based on the iconic Defender, this exclusive off-road SUV comes with a "Corris Grey Metallic" exterior with a roof in a contrasting "Santorini Black" color. Adding to the Sixty8's exterior is the newly designed front end, which includes a black radiator grille, bumper and air intakes. To further enhance the front's aesthetics is an aluminum underride guard with a laser-engraved "Sixty8" logo.(Related: BRABUS Rocket 900 Exhaust & Acceleration Sounds)Powering the car is a combination of a 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine, six-speed transmission and permanent all-wheel drive. All three of these combine to create the off road experience that made the Defender famous.Grabbing the dirt for the Sixty8 are a set of size 265/65 R 18 BF Goodrich All-Terrain A/T tires wrapped around 18-inch alloy wheels.Its cabin was tastefully customized by Startech's upholstery shop, who created an exclusive "Tan Light Brown" and "Ebony Black" all-leather interior. They also added an Alpine multimedia system, complete with 3D navigation and a backup camera.Only 68 examples of the aptly named Startech Sixty8 will be created. They come with an MSRP of €67,990 (approx. $75,485 USD*) for the five-seater version and €69,900 (approx. $77,606 USD*) for the seven-seater. Prices include a 19 percent VAT.BRABUS G-Classes For SaleGallery *according to exchange rate at time of publication (Source: Brabus) See More Brabus News

By Caitlin Duffy – July 16, 2015

Range Rover Evoque "Special Edition With Victoria Beckham...

Since 1996, Victoria Beckham has been a major influence on the high fashion trends in the United Kingdom. Land Rover has also played a large role in determining what is stylish, simply from the automotive perspective rather than through clothing. Evening Reveal as Land Rover launch the Range Rover Evoque Special Edition with Victoria Beckham at the Central Academy of Fine Arts on April 22, 2012 in Beijing, China.Pic Credit: Dave BenettThe two came together in 2013, launching a limited edition of 200 Evoques dubbed the "Range Rover Evoque Special Edition with Victoria Beckham." The first Land Rover to feature a hand-finished matte paint, it is filled with subtle but stunning details, such as the rose gold found as an accent on the wheels, plated on the interior accents and surrounding the grille and badging.As mentioned in the April 22, 2012 press release announcing the collaboration, the interior is inspired by vintage designs, featuring tan semi-aniline leather with a hand finished stitch.Only five of these four-seater coupes made it to the United States, and now is your chance to own one. It was always garaged, hardly driven and detailed weekly by its celebrity owner. Priced at $94,999 with just 12,500 miles on the odometer, it's a rare chance to own an iconic creation from the United Kingdom.(See Also: Lamborghini Concept S Up For Auction)Take a moment to browse the photos of this listing, as well as photos from the launch of this model, in the gallery below. When you're finished, visit the listing and find out how to make this Evoque yours.Buy Now Gallery (Source: Land Rover) See More Listings For Sale

By Caitlin Duffy – June 30, 2015

Land Rover USA Unveils 2016 Models, Upgrades, Pricing

Land Rover is preparing for some big introductions to the United States market for the 2016 model year, bringing more power and luxury to their American audience.One of the biggest introductions is the unveiling of a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 diesel engine, which, as a press release issued by the marque today tells us, cuts fuel consumption by 32 percent when compared to its gasoline-powered equivalent. Available for the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models, this diesel variant still manages to produce 254 hp and 440 lb-ft while cutting consumption.The SVAutobiography, first announced April 2, will replace the Autobiography Black as the top of the line Range Rover offering. Its supercharged V8 engine creates 550 hp, making it powerful production Range Rover the marque has ever produced.(Related: One-Off Defender is 2,000,000th Land Rover Ever Produced) Most models are receiving upgrades for their next iteration, including the Evoque. New designs can be found on the full-LED headlights and tail lights, the front bumper, grille and tailgate spoiler. New color options for both the exterior and the interior's ambient lighting are also available for 2016 Evoques. Improving further on their updated designs, the Evoque line will also now have access to the full range of trim designations, including SE, SE Premium, HSE and HSE Dynamic.New driver's assist programs are also being included across the marque's lineup, including Hands-Free Gesture Tailgate, Automatic Access Height, Lane Keeping Aid, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Driver Condition Monitoring, Heads-Up Display and Surround Camera. Some of these features had been discussed by the marque June 16, when they revealed the Range Rover's new remote control abilities. The remote control option won't be in cars this year, but isn't far from implementation.Check out the list below to see the pricing for their 2016 models and engine options, and when you're finished, browse our exclusive listings to find yourself a more classic example or a local dealership to set you up with a 2016 model.Land Rovers For Sale Discovery Sport SE 2.0L Turbocharged I-4, 240hp $37,455 Discovery Sport HSE 2.0L Turbocharged I-4, 240hp $41,955 Discovery Sport HSE LUX 2.0L Turbocharged I-4, 240hp $45,955 LR4 3.0L Supercharged V6, 340hp $50,400 LR4 HSE 3.0L Supercharged V6, 340hp $55,300 LR4 HSE LUX 3.0L Supercharged V6, 340hp $60,600 Range Rover Evoque Five-Door Range Rover Evoque SE 2.0L Turbocharged I-4, 240hp $41,475 Range Rover Evoque SE Premium 2.0L Turbocharged I-4, 240hp $45,675 Range Rover Evoque HSE 2.0L Turbocharged I-4, 240hp $50,475 Range Rover Evoque HSE Dynamic 2.0L Turbocharged I-4, 240hp $53,775 Range Rover Evoque Coupe Range Rover Evoque SE Premium 2.0L Turbocharged I-4, 240hp $46,675 Range Rover Evoque HSE Dynamic 2.0L Turbocharged I-4, 240hp $53,775 Range Rover Sport SE 3.0L Supercharged V6, 340hp $64,950 Range Rover Sport SE Td6 3.0L Turbocharged V6 Diesel, 254hp $66,450 Range Rover Sport HSE 3.0L Supercharged V6, 340hp $69,950 Range Rover Sport HSE Td6 3.0L Turbocharged V6 Diesel, 254hp $71,450 Range Rover Sport Supercharged 5.0L Supercharged V8, 510hp $79,950 Range Rover Sport Autobiography 5.0L Supercharged V8, 510hp $93,295 Range Rover Sport SVR 5.0L Supercharged V8, 550hp $111,350 Range Rover 3.0L Supercharged V6, 340hp $84,950 Range Rover Td6 3.0L Turbocharged V6 Diesel, 254hp $86,450 Range Rover HSE 3.0L Supercharged V6, 380hp $91,950 Range Rover HSE Td6 3.0L Turbocharged V6 Diesel, 254hp $93,450 Range Rover Supercharged 5.0L Supercharged V8, 510hp $103,195 Range Rover Supercharged LWB 5.0L Supercharged V8, 510hp $108,195 Range Rover Autobiography 5.0L Supercharged V8, 510hp $139,995 Range Rover Autobiography LWB 5.0L Supercharged V8, 510hp $144,995 Range Rover SVAutobiography LWB 5.0L Supercharged V8, 550hp $199,495 (Source: Jaguar Land Rover USA) See More Land Rover News

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By Andrew Nabors – June 22, 2015

One-Off Defender is 2,000,000th Land Rover Ever Produced

Two million of anything is a significant milestone, but in terms of vehicle production it is cause for celebration.For 67 years, Land Rover has been building the world’s most capable, go anywhere SUVs. For their two millionth model they chose the iconic Defender and invited the press to witness its assembly. Back in May, they invited 33 former employees and Defender enthusiasts to join the assembly line for this historic build.In a video uploaded to their YouTube page June 21, you can watch as this custom Defender takes shape. Even Bear Grylls was on hand to wax poetic about this timeless 4WD.The build was executed by Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations team, as it was certainly a special build. A Defender 90 Station Wagon, it was designed by Gerry McGover, Land Rover's design director and chief creative officer, and combines the heritage of the Series Land Rovers with the finishing touches found in today's Defender Autobiographies.In a press release this morning, Jaguar Land Rover announced that Bonhams will be auctioning this piece of history in December with proceeds going to charity. This will be a fitting sendoff for the classic Defender, as the next generation will debut in early 2016.(See Also: Land Rover Range Rover Celebrates 45th Anniversary)Our dealers have been hinting that the upcoming model will conform to crash and safety regulations worldwide, and that a US-spec version is not out of the question. If Customs Agents have seized and crushed your Defender, a new one may be heading our way. Stay tuned to Autofluence for more Land Rover and Defender updates.Defenders For SaleGallery (Source: Jaguar Land Rover, YouTube) See More Land Rover News

By Caitlin Duffy – June 17, 2015

Land Rover Range Rover Celebrates 45th Anniversary

It has become one of the most iconic cars capable of getting the job done and doing so in luxury, and today is the day it celebrates 45 years since its launch.The Range Rover first revealed to members of the media in 1970 on June 17, becoming England's preliminary off-road vehicle that focused on luxury. As a release from the marque today tells us, there have been four generations created since, with each unveiling new technologies and features that have kept Land Rover at the front of innovation.Though today's models are stunning, there can never be enough time spent admiring their roots; as the release reminds us, "the original Classic model was cited as an 'exemplary work of industrial design' when it became the first vehicle to be displayed at the world famous Louvre museum in Paris."(See Also: Remote Control Range Rover and Future Autonomous Plans Unveiled)A full timeline of the model's history was included in the release, and can be seen below the gallery. A few highlights from 45 years of the Range Rover include the first generation's inclusion of a diesel option in 1986 and inclusion of anti-lock brakes, the first 4x4 to do so, in 1989. The second generation, P38a, brought the addition of adjustable suspension and the 1999 Linley Special Edition, the most luxurious Range Rover created at the time.The third generation, L322, ran from 2001 to 2012, bringing about a bigger, more spacious interior and inspiration from high-end yacht designs. Virtual instruments were first implemented and infotainment options grew, including the option for passengers to enjoy DVDs. The fourth generation is currently in production, and with the addition of a remote-control option, it's only going to continue to keep Land Rover at the forefront.Check out the YouTube video from Land Rover documenting the Range Rover's 45 years above, scroll through the gallery below and skim through the timeline to see more of this model's impressive history, then find yourself the perfect Range Rover from our exclusive listings.Range Rovers For SaleGallery Timeline - A Brief History 1966 Work began on the first Range Rover prototype, known as the '100-inch station wagon' 1970 The original two-door Range Rover - known as the Classic - goes on sale 1971 Range Rover receives the RAC Dewar award for outstanding technical achievement 1972 The Range Rover is the first vehicle to cross the Darien Gap on a British Army Trans America expedition 1974 Range Rover completes west to east Sahara desert expedition - 7,500 miles in 100 days 1977 A modified Range Rover wins the 4x4 class in the London-Sydney Marathon, a gruelling 30,000 km (18,750 miles) event and the longest ever speed-based car rally 1979 A specially modified Range Rover wins the first Paris-Dakar rally (a Range Rover wins again in 1981) 1981 First production four-door Range Rover appears along with the first factory produced limited-edition Range Rover - the 'In Vogue' 1982 Automatic transmission becomes available on Range Rover 1983 Range Rover 5-speed manual gearbox is introduced 1985 The diesel-powered Range Rover 'Bullet' breaks 27 speed records, including a diesel record for averaging more than 100mph for 24 hours 1987 Range Rover launched in North America 1989 Range Rover is the world's first 4x4 to be fitted with ABS anti-lock brakes 1990 Limited Edition CSK - named after founder Charles Spencer King - is launched as a sportier Range Rover 1992 Range Rover Classic is the world's first 4x4 to be fitted with Electronic Traction Control 1992 Long-wheelbase LSE (known as County LWB in the US) launched 1992 Automatic electronic air suspension introduced, a world first for a 4x4 1994 Second-generation (P38a) Range Rover launched 1996 Range Rover Classic bows out after total production of 317,615 units 1999 Limited Edition Range Rover Linley appears at London Motor Show 2001 Third-generation (L322) Range Rover launched 2002 Half-millionth Range Rover produced at the Solihull plant 2005 Second model line - the Range Rover Sport - launched 2006 Terrain Response and TDV8 diesel introduced 2009 Range Rover features all-new 5.0-litre V8 and 5.0-litre supercharged petrol engines 2010 Range Rover celebrates its 40th anniversary, 2011 Third model line - the Range Rover Evoque - goes on sale 2012 Fourth-generation (L405) Range Rover launched - the world's first all-aluminium SUV 2013 Long-wheelbase Autobiography Black Edition unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show 2014 Long-wheelbase Range Rover Hybrid makes its world debut in China 2015 Range Rover SV Autobiography launched at New York International Auto Show. 6,000,000th Land Rover produced is a Range Rover LWB SE Vogue destined for China. Autobiography designation used to identify flagship models celebrates 21st anniversary (Source: Jaguar Land Rover) See More Land Rover News

By Caitlin Duffy – June 16, 2015

Remote Control Range Rover and Future Autonomous Plans Un...

Difficult parking situations and pulling out of tight spots are soon to be problems of the past, and Land Rover is at the front of pushing them toward antiquity.New programs have been developed for the Range Rover line, ranging from the "Solo Car" vehicle able to drive autonomously off-road, to a smartphone app that allows drivers to control their car from outside the vehicle. A press release from Jaguar Land Rover today shares some of the details of these new features, giving us another look into the future of transportation.A Range Rover Sport has been developed that can drive at speeds of up to 4 mph without anyone inside of the car, with all of its functions controlled through an app on a smartphone. As a precaution, the operator must be within 10 meters, or 32', of the car and have the smart key on them for this to work.It's the ideal solution to getting stuck in a spot when someone parks too close to your door, maneuvering in and out of tight garages or acting as your own off-road spotter through difficult terrain. You can see an example of this tech in action in the video below, added to YouTube June 15 by Land Rover.Continuing on the note of off-road abilities, Land Rover is dedicated to their reputation for creating the best off-road vehicles on the market and soon hopes to incorporate fully autonomous operation for those situations. In addition to announcing the ability of a Range Rover to autonomously execute a 180 degree turn, seen in the video above, they're developing the exploration vehicle of the future."We know our customers drive in heavy rain, and snow, and bright desert sunshine every day," Dr. Wolfgang Epple, Director of Research and Technology, Jaguar Land Rover, said in the release. "We are working on an array of new sensors that would enable a car to operate in any environment, without any outside intervention or input from lane markings or roadside infrastructure like traffic lights."Should this technology advance successfully, it could mean big things for the world of autonomous driving. Vehicles would no longer be limited to roadways, meaning the tech could easily work its way into military and exploratory operations, both on this planet and others. Imagine a Mars Rover vehicle that doesn't need constant control from Houston, or a rescue vehicle entering a disaster area to aid those stuck on foot.Exciting things, undoubtedly, are coming from these announcements, though it's not sure when this technology will be fully implemented into production vehicles. Stay with us to find out when you can buy a Range Rover Sport that turns itself around, or if you're not ready to literally let go of the wheel just yet, take a moment to browse our Land Rover listings, and find an analogue model for your daily drive.View Land Rover ListingsGallery (Source: Jaguar Land Rover) See More Land Rover News

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