2009-vw-golf-103-tdi-004
VOLKSWAGEN IS WORKING on making the most of the new lightweight construction technologies TMR reported on this week. The German manufacturer has developed a Golf bodyshell some 30 percent lighter than the standard five-door Golf.
Officially known as the SuperLIGHT-CAR project, Volkswagen Auto Group has worked over four years with the European Commission, along with Renault, Volvo, Opel, Daimler and 32 suppliers to develop the technology.
The bodyshell uses varying combinations of steel, magnesium, aluminium and plastics to achieve the dramatic weight loss, with specific volumes of each material determined on a cost-versus-benefit basis.
2009-vw-golf-118tsi-003
As part of the project, Volkswagen developed three concepts. One made entirely of steel but using the project’s advanced techniques, a second low-cost version using mixed materials, and a third concept using a greater amount of the lighter, more expensive materials.
The all-steel bodyshell shaved 55kg or 20 percent from the weight of a regular Golf shell, while the most expensive mixed material concept cut around 114kg or 41 percent – nearly half the weight of a regular Golf bodyshell.
The low-cost mixed material concept – the preferred direction for manufacturers, ensuring a balanced cost-versus-benefit ratio – achieved a loss of 82kg from the weight of a regular Golf bodyshell.
2009-vw-golf-118tsi-001
A major requirement of the project, as laid down by the European Commission, is that the car must be as crashworthy as a normal Golf, and with production volume able to be sustained at up to 1000 cars a day.
Volkswagen, along with its partners in the SuperLIGHT-CAR project, has not yet announced when this technology will make the leap into production cars.
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Tuesday, June 9, 2009
F1: Hamilton Admits McLaren Should Have Scrapped ’09 Car
Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes Formula One
McLAREN’S LEWIS HAMILTON has conceded his team should have cut its losses and commenced work on a new car after it became obvious the MP4-24 was seriously below par.
The Woking-based outfit’s decision to completely immerse itself in the 2008 championship race and delay and progress on its 2009 machine has proved costly, with Hamilton and team-mate Heikki Kovalainen struggling to match the pace set by Brawn and Red Bull.
Although Hamilton acknowledged it is now too late to conduct a complete overhaul of the car, he said it would be an ideal solution.
“We probably should have scrapped this car a long time ago but it is too late now. If we scrapped it (now), it would be a waste of money and hard work from all the guys, and with the way the economy is it could take five or six months to rebuild a car - and who’s to say we would get it right?” he said.
While a series of updates introduced at Monaco appeared to provide the team with a significant performance boost, McLaren slipped down the order again in Turkey as Hamilton found himself out-qualified by the Force India of Adrian Sutil and languishing in 16th place on the grid.
f1_mclaren_lewis-hamilton_spain_2009
His fortunes hardly improved on race day, only managing to advance three places after McLaren decided to place the reigning World Champion on a one-stop strategy, while Kovalainen failed to progress beyond his qualifying effort of 14th.
Hamilton though said he enjoyed the Turkish event, which provided the backdrop last year for the arguably the Briton’s greatest performance in his short career, a second place finish to Ferrari’s Felipe Massa.
“I actually thoroughly enjoyed the race considering I was a little way back there. I was very heavy at the start - I was on 83 kilos - and it was impossible to keep up with the guys in front, but I just pushed and pushed and pushed and pushed,” he said.
“I didn’t have anything left - I was way over the limit - and that’s why I’m still smiling. The biggest problem for us is I think I was losing something like half a second in turn eight to everyone else - I was having people nearly overtake me on the exit of it like I was standing still.
“The car feels like it’s heavy, like I’m pushing and trying to get the thing round but it won’t go any faster.”
McLAREN’S LEWIS HAMILTON has conceded his team should have cut its losses and commenced work on a new car after it became obvious the MP4-24 was seriously below par.
The Woking-based outfit’s decision to completely immerse itself in the 2008 championship race and delay and progress on its 2009 machine has proved costly, with Hamilton and team-mate Heikki Kovalainen struggling to match the pace set by Brawn and Red Bull.
Although Hamilton acknowledged it is now too late to conduct a complete overhaul of the car, he said it would be an ideal solution.
“We probably should have scrapped this car a long time ago but it is too late now. If we scrapped it (now), it would be a waste of money and hard work from all the guys, and with the way the economy is it could take five or six months to rebuild a car - and who’s to say we would get it right?” he said.
While a series of updates introduced at Monaco appeared to provide the team with a significant performance boost, McLaren slipped down the order again in Turkey as Hamilton found himself out-qualified by the Force India of Adrian Sutil and languishing in 16th place on the grid.
f1_mclaren_lewis-hamilton_spain_2009
His fortunes hardly improved on race day, only managing to advance three places after McLaren decided to place the reigning World Champion on a one-stop strategy, while Kovalainen failed to progress beyond his qualifying effort of 14th.
Hamilton though said he enjoyed the Turkish event, which provided the backdrop last year for the arguably the Briton’s greatest performance in his short career, a second place finish to Ferrari’s Felipe Massa.
“I actually thoroughly enjoyed the race considering I was a little way back there. I was very heavy at the start - I was on 83 kilos - and it was impossible to keep up with the guys in front, but I just pushed and pushed and pushed and pushed,” he said.
“I didn’t have anything left - I was way over the limit - and that’s why I’m still smiling. The biggest problem for us is I think I was losing something like half a second in turn eight to everyone else - I was having people nearly overtake me on the exit of it like I was standing still.
“The car feels like it’s heavy, like I’m pushing and trying to get the thing round but it won’t go any faster.”
2010 Ferrari F450 Mule Spy Shots Reveal Revised Rear Diffuser, Centre Exhaust Outlet?
2010_ferrari_f450_spy_shots_small
A FERRARI F430 SCUDERIA-BASED test mule for the Ferrari F450, Ferrari’s upcoming successor to the F430 supercar, has been spied out-and-about in testing, with these new spy shots revealing a revised rear diffuser and exhaust, modified from the Scuderia version.
There have been no images yet of the production-ready F450, but these shots offer the clearest indication yet of what we’re likely to see from the new supercar’s rear end.
2010-ferrari-f450-spy-shots-rear-diffuser
While at first glance the rear of this mule appears almost identical to that of the F430 Scuderia, the modified centre section of the diffuser would seem to indicate a new centralised exhaust outlet – not unlike the Lamborghini Murcielago, the Bugatti Veyron, and the upcoming Lexus LF-A.
If this is the case, the twin exhausts above the diffuser might prove to be disconnected fakes; a decoy.
2010-ferrari-f450-spy-shots-side
The 2010 Ferrari F450 is powered by a 4.5 litre V8, with an expected output of over 375kW delivered through a high-performance variant of the seven-speed gearbox used in the Ferrari California convertible.
Beyond performance, the F450 is also expected to be Ferrari’s first production model to utilise eco-friendly materials, with weight-saving and a greener image the driving forces behind this new move.
A FERRARI F430 SCUDERIA-BASED test mule for the Ferrari F450, Ferrari’s upcoming successor to the F430 supercar, has been spied out-and-about in testing, with these new spy shots revealing a revised rear diffuser and exhaust, modified from the Scuderia version.
There have been no images yet of the production-ready F450, but these shots offer the clearest indication yet of what we’re likely to see from the new supercar’s rear end.
2010-ferrari-f450-spy-shots-rear-diffuser
While at first glance the rear of this mule appears almost identical to that of the F430 Scuderia, the modified centre section of the diffuser would seem to indicate a new centralised exhaust outlet – not unlike the Lamborghini Murcielago, the Bugatti Veyron, and the upcoming Lexus LF-A.
If this is the case, the twin exhausts above the diffuser might prove to be disconnected fakes; a decoy.
2010-ferrari-f450-spy-shots-side
The 2010 Ferrari F450 is powered by a 4.5 litre V8, with an expected output of over 375kW delivered through a high-performance variant of the seven-speed gearbox used in the Ferrari California convertible.
Beyond performance, the F450 is also expected to be Ferrari’s first production model to utilise eco-friendly materials, with weight-saving and a greener image the driving forces behind this new move.
F1: Mosley Prepared To Listen; Schumacher Enters Budget Cap Debate
Ferrari California, Michael Schumacher
SEVEN TIME WORLD CHAMPION Michael Schumacher has become the latest big name to weigh-in on the budget cap row threatening to jeopardise the future of Formula 1.
With the FIA set to announce the 13 participants for next year’s championship on Friday, the sport is facing a proverbial race against time to find a solution and halt the prospect of a breakaway series.
Speaking in an interview on Ferrari’s official website, the German claims the FIA and President Max Mosley should relent to the demands made by the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) and deliver a solution that suits the manufacturers.
“You cannot see F1 without Ferrari or the other manufacturers who have participated for so long. I really believe that somehow they must find a solution – and the solution can only be that it suits those teams that have built up F1 to the state that it is now,” Schumacher said.
“At the end of the day, if you think Ferrari, the name is so important, it is so big in this sport. It became big due to the sport but it actually grew the sport at the same time.”
Schumacher with Brawn GP boss Ross Brawn.
Schumacher with Brawn GP boss Ross Brawn.
While Schumacher acknowledged the need for teams to cut costs in the midst of an economic crisis, he said the FIA’s demands are unreasonable.
“It is not a very exciting situation that we are facing - especially the sport that I have participated most of my life in and that I really love. To see what is going on there, it is not very great,” he said.
“You cannot expect drastic changes to be accepted by such important manufacturers. Yes, you have a target, yes, you want to reduce costs, but you have to do it step by step, you cannot turn the world around in one day – that is impossible.”
Schumacher’s comments arrive after Reuters reported that Mosley encouraged FOTA members to submit an unconditional entry by Friday, promising to engage the disenfranchised outfits in discussions regarding the future of the sport.
f1_max-mosley_01
Mosley said the FIA is unable to hastily amend the regulations before the end of the week and that any proposed changes to the rules would require the approval of all participants officially entered into the 2010 championship.
“Once we have a list of confirmed entries, we can make changes - provided we have the necessary unanimous agreement. You therefore have the option of participating in this process as a confirmed entrant, or not,” he said in a letter addressed to the teams.
“It is of course up to you, but the simplest way to ensure that all entrants run under the same rules would be if everyone entered under the cost-cap rules as published and then all entrants co-operated to agree modifications to those rules which would make the proposition workable for all parties.
“We have already canvassed the views of some of the likely new entrants regarding the proposed measures and the feedback is broadly positive, so a solution should be relatively simple to achieve.”
SEVEN TIME WORLD CHAMPION Michael Schumacher has become the latest big name to weigh-in on the budget cap row threatening to jeopardise the future of Formula 1.
With the FIA set to announce the 13 participants for next year’s championship on Friday, the sport is facing a proverbial race against time to find a solution and halt the prospect of a breakaway series.
Speaking in an interview on Ferrari’s official website, the German claims the FIA and President Max Mosley should relent to the demands made by the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) and deliver a solution that suits the manufacturers.
“You cannot see F1 without Ferrari or the other manufacturers who have participated for so long. I really believe that somehow they must find a solution – and the solution can only be that it suits those teams that have built up F1 to the state that it is now,” Schumacher said.
“At the end of the day, if you think Ferrari, the name is so important, it is so big in this sport. It became big due to the sport but it actually grew the sport at the same time.”
Schumacher with Brawn GP boss Ross Brawn.
Schumacher with Brawn GP boss Ross Brawn.
While Schumacher acknowledged the need for teams to cut costs in the midst of an economic crisis, he said the FIA’s demands are unreasonable.
“It is not a very exciting situation that we are facing - especially the sport that I have participated most of my life in and that I really love. To see what is going on there, it is not very great,” he said.
“You cannot expect drastic changes to be accepted by such important manufacturers. Yes, you have a target, yes, you want to reduce costs, but you have to do it step by step, you cannot turn the world around in one day – that is impossible.”
Schumacher’s comments arrive after Reuters reported that Mosley encouraged FOTA members to submit an unconditional entry by Friday, promising to engage the disenfranchised outfits in discussions regarding the future of the sport.
f1_max-mosley_01
Mosley said the FIA is unable to hastily amend the regulations before the end of the week and that any proposed changes to the rules would require the approval of all participants officially entered into the 2010 championship.
“Once we have a list of confirmed entries, we can make changes - provided we have the necessary unanimous agreement. You therefore have the option of participating in this process as a confirmed entrant, or not,” he said in a letter addressed to the teams.
“It is of course up to you, but the simplest way to ensure that all entrants run under the same rules would be if everyone entered under the cost-cap rules as published and then all entrants co-operated to agree modifications to those rules which would make the proposition workable for all parties.
“We have already canvassed the views of some of the likely new entrants regarding the proposed measures and the feedback is broadly positive, so a solution should be relatively simple to achieve.”
2011 BMW 1 Series Prototype Spied
2011_bmw_1_series_spy_shots
BMW’S VENERABLE 1 Series has been with us for a while now, and a replacement is set to arrive in showrooms sometime late next year. But while its release is still a way off, development mules are already running about Europe; giving us a few clues as to what to expect.
BMW’s trademark “whirlpool” camouflage cloaks most of this test car, however it appears the 1 Series hatch’s basic proportions will carry over unchanged.
It’s difficult to discern any major changes in the sheetmetal, but it seems the sharp character line that runs along the current car’s flanks will be applied to the new 1 Series.
2011_bmw_1_series_spy_shot2
Judging by the straight-edged rocker panels (removed in these shots), styling may be slightly less organic than that of the current 1 Series.
As for the nose - the most polarising feature on the current car - BMW is keeping that a closely guarded secret, opting to cover the prototype’s snout in a customised bumper cover and headlight enclosure.
The 2011 1-Series’ mechanical package has yet to be confirmed, but current rumours say a range of turbocharged three and four-cylinder motors are in development, as well as a twin-turbo four-pot for a 1 Series Supersports model.
Bodystyles will cover the same range offered by the current model, with a sedan and three-door shooting brake also rumoured to be in the offing.
BMW’S VENERABLE 1 Series has been with us for a while now, and a replacement is set to arrive in showrooms sometime late next year. But while its release is still a way off, development mules are already running about Europe; giving us a few clues as to what to expect.
BMW’s trademark “whirlpool” camouflage cloaks most of this test car, however it appears the 1 Series hatch’s basic proportions will carry over unchanged.
It’s difficult to discern any major changes in the sheetmetal, but it seems the sharp character line that runs along the current car’s flanks will be applied to the new 1 Series.
2011_bmw_1_series_spy_shot2
Judging by the straight-edged rocker panels (removed in these shots), styling may be slightly less organic than that of the current 1 Series.
As for the nose - the most polarising feature on the current car - BMW is keeping that a closely guarded secret, opting to cover the prototype’s snout in a customised bumper cover and headlight enclosure.
The 2011 1-Series’ mechanical package has yet to be confirmed, but current rumours say a range of turbocharged three and four-cylinder motors are in development, as well as a twin-turbo four-pot for a 1 Series Supersports model.
Bodystyles will cover the same range offered by the current model, with a sedan and three-door shooting brake also rumoured to be in the offing.
Renault-Nissan Confirms Recharge System For EV Range
2008-renault-ze-concept
THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE REVOLUTION is well under way.
To bolster its position as one of the leaders of the emerging propulsion technology, Renault-Nissan has announced the first details of the recharge system to be used on its forthcoming electric vehicle range.
When Renault’s first EV goes on sale in Europe in 2011, owners will be able to recharge their cars in one of three ways. Regular and quick recharges will be available by simply plugging the car in whilst parked, for those in a real hurry though a complete battery swap will also be available in under three minutes.
nissan-ev-02-test-car
A regular charge will see a depleted battery fully charged in between four to eight hours, depending on the outlet voltage.
Quick charging the battery will restore 80 percent of the batteries charge in just 20 minutes.
Battery swapping would be done in a fully automated process as displayed by the likes of Better Place, who is currently in talks regarding the setup of a network of recharge points and swap stations along Australia’s East Coast.
better-place-renault-ev
While customers would own their vehicles, Renault-Nissan would own the high-cost battery packs which will be leased to vehicle owners.
Public and private business will provide recharge and battery swap facilities which would be billed on a similar system to a mobile phone. A fixed fee for a set distance with the option to add additional kilometres to the traveling range as required.
Renault will have its first electric vehicle, a production version of the Kangoo ZE concept ready for sale by 2011. Nissan will offer an EV of its own in Europe the following year.
Nissan Australia confirmed to The Motor Report that its first EV model will also arrive in Australia in 2012.
better-place-battery-swap-station
Subaru’s All-Electric Stella and Mitsubishi’s i MiEV electric vehicles have already hit the roads in Japan and Mitsubishi has complied the i MiEV with Australian Design Rules, pending head office approval of the vehicle for sale in Australia.
While there is no word yet on how replaceable the batteries of those models are, both could potentially be launched here soon and with the help of re-charge suppliers, the electric dream may not be far off becoming a reality in Australia.
THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE REVOLUTION is well under way.
To bolster its position as one of the leaders of the emerging propulsion technology, Renault-Nissan has announced the first details of the recharge system to be used on its forthcoming electric vehicle range.
When Renault’s first EV goes on sale in Europe in 2011, owners will be able to recharge their cars in one of three ways. Regular and quick recharges will be available by simply plugging the car in whilst parked, for those in a real hurry though a complete battery swap will also be available in under three minutes.
nissan-ev-02-test-car
A regular charge will see a depleted battery fully charged in between four to eight hours, depending on the outlet voltage.
Quick charging the battery will restore 80 percent of the batteries charge in just 20 minutes.
Battery swapping would be done in a fully automated process as displayed by the likes of Better Place, who is currently in talks regarding the setup of a network of recharge points and swap stations along Australia’s East Coast.
better-place-renault-ev
While customers would own their vehicles, Renault-Nissan would own the high-cost battery packs which will be leased to vehicle owners.
Public and private business will provide recharge and battery swap facilities which would be billed on a similar system to a mobile phone. A fixed fee for a set distance with the option to add additional kilometres to the traveling range as required.
Renault will have its first electric vehicle, a production version of the Kangoo ZE concept ready for sale by 2011. Nissan will offer an EV of its own in Europe the following year.
Nissan Australia confirmed to The Motor Report that its first EV model will also arrive in Australia in 2012.
better-place-battery-swap-station
Subaru’s All-Electric Stella and Mitsubishi’s i MiEV electric vehicles have already hit the roads in Japan and Mitsubishi has complied the i MiEV with Australian Design Rules, pending head office approval of the vehicle for sale in Australia.
While there is no word yet on how replaceable the batteries of those models are, both could potentially be launched here soon and with the help of re-charge suppliers, the electric dream may not be far off becoming a reality in Australia.
F1: FOTA In Talks Over Breakaway Series
f1_f1-flag
THE FORMULA ONE TEAMS ASSOCIATION has reportedly commenced discussions with MotoGP organisers Dorna over the prospect of launching a breakaway Grand Prix series.
Spanish newspaper AS has reported that the teams are looking to lay the foundations for a rival championship if FIA President Max Mosley refuses to back down on his demand the teams submit an unconditional entry for 2010.
Dorna Chief Executive Officer Carmelo Ezpeleta is said to be interested in FOTA’s proposal, leaving the future of Formula 1 in a perilous state.
f1_jarno-trulli
During the Turkish Grand Prix weekend, Toyota driver Jarno Trulli warned the formation of a breakaway championship could be inevitable after the drivers moved to support FOTA in its battle against Mosley.
Drivers contracted to FOTA aligned teams unanimously backed the organisation’s decision not to bow down to pressure from Mosley, with concerns beginning to emerge over the legitimacy of new teams seeking entry for next season.
Trulli believes the FIA is wrong to introduce new outfits at the expense of the more established members of the Formula 1 paddock, claiming it will diminish the value of the sport.
“All the drivers have the same feeling: to follow FOTA and respect above all the work they are doing on the coming rules and the running of Formula 1 in a serious way for the future,” he said.
“Mosley must understand that there are some things that cannot happen. You can’t try and bring in other teams that maybe have never had any idea about what it takes to compete with the cars and in a championship of such a high level.
“I know that in the next week something should budge, must move, otherwise there will inevitably be a split.”
f1_fernando-alonso
Two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso has been one of the most vocal critics of the FIA’s decision to introduce a budget cap, and until recently was effectively the lone voice of dissent among the driving fraternity.
With FOTA having worked feverishly to develop a compromise, Alonso said the responsibility of finding a solution now rests with the FIA or it faces the prospect of a rival championship.
“I prefer to race in any other category before the new F1. If the manufacturers cannot sign up for F1 and they organise a parallel championship, that would be the most interesting,” he said.
“Then you would see the technology and the fastest cars in the world and, in the end, that’s where the drivers want to be.”
THE FORMULA ONE TEAMS ASSOCIATION has reportedly commenced discussions with MotoGP organisers Dorna over the prospect of launching a breakaway Grand Prix series.
Spanish newspaper AS has reported that the teams are looking to lay the foundations for a rival championship if FIA President Max Mosley refuses to back down on his demand the teams submit an unconditional entry for 2010.
Dorna Chief Executive Officer Carmelo Ezpeleta is said to be interested in FOTA’s proposal, leaving the future of Formula 1 in a perilous state.
f1_jarno-trulli
During the Turkish Grand Prix weekend, Toyota driver Jarno Trulli warned the formation of a breakaway championship could be inevitable after the drivers moved to support FOTA in its battle against Mosley.
Drivers contracted to FOTA aligned teams unanimously backed the organisation’s decision not to bow down to pressure from Mosley, with concerns beginning to emerge over the legitimacy of new teams seeking entry for next season.
Trulli believes the FIA is wrong to introduce new outfits at the expense of the more established members of the Formula 1 paddock, claiming it will diminish the value of the sport.
“All the drivers have the same feeling: to follow FOTA and respect above all the work they are doing on the coming rules and the running of Formula 1 in a serious way for the future,” he said.
“Mosley must understand that there are some things that cannot happen. You can’t try and bring in other teams that maybe have never had any idea about what it takes to compete with the cars and in a championship of such a high level.
“I know that in the next week something should budge, must move, otherwise there will inevitably be a split.”
f1_fernando-alonso
Two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso has been one of the most vocal critics of the FIA’s decision to introduce a budget cap, and until recently was effectively the lone voice of dissent among the driving fraternity.
With FOTA having worked feverishly to develop a compromise, Alonso said the responsibility of finding a solution now rests with the FIA or it faces the prospect of a rival championship.
“I prefer to race in any other category before the new F1. If the manufacturers cannot sign up for F1 and they organise a parallel championship, that would be the most interesting,” he said.
“Then you would see the technology and the fastest cars in the world and, in the end, that’s where the drivers want to be.”
2010 Range Rover Vogue On Sale In UK In July, Australia In September
2010-Range-Rover-29
LAND ROVER HAS TODAY announced that the 2010 Range Rover will hit UK showrooms in July, and pricing for the UK Range Rover line-up is now available.
Aesthetically, the 2010 Range Rover features subtle updates to the body, including a revised grille and bumper, along with a new LED indicator system in the headlights.
2010-Range-Rover-8
2010-Range-Rover-7
Motivation for the 2010 Range Rover will be provided by a choice of a 5.0 litre supercharged V8, producing an agreeable 380kW (510hp) and 625Nm (461lb-ft) of torque, or a naturally-aspirated 5.0 litre V8 making 276kW (375hp) and 508Nm (375lb-ft) of torque.
Land Rover says that despite the Range Rover’s new supercharged V8 making a good 29 percent more power and 12 percent more torque than previous, fuel consumption is improved by 7.3 percent, using just 14.8 l/100km.
On the inside, there’s new leather trim to the headlining, pillar and door casings, and a new satin chrome-plated finish to the control buttons.
2010-Range-Rover-15 2010-Range-Rover-17
A dual-view touch-screen display screen rests in the centre stack, while a configurable 12-inch TFT screen – which Land Rover claims is the world’s largest – features, well, where the instrument cluster would usually be.
2010-Range-Rover-24 Your fuel allowance won’t be the only happy camper in the equation though, with emissions down 7.4 percent to 348g/km. (Camping enthusiasts can sleep under trees a little longer then.)
Rangey fans can also look forward to upgraded Terrain Response and Stability Control systems and a new surround camera system to improve the parking process.
The entry level Range Rover TDV8 Vogue will start at £64,695 ($131,500) in the UK, and features 19-inch alloy wheels, LED tail lights, multi-function touch-screen satellite navigation and iPod connectivity.
Following the Vogue is the TDV8 Vogue SE, with 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive bi-xenon headlights and Adaptive Climate Control, at £70,995 ($144,200).
The range-topping Autobiography rounds out the line-up at £75,695 ($153,800) for the diesel TDV8, and £79,995 ($162,500) for the petrol V8.
Land Rover Australia’s Marketing and Public Affairs Manager, Kevin Goult, confirmed to TMR that the Vogue will arrive in Australian showrooms in September, with pricing and trims to be confirmed closer to launch.
For more details on the new Range Rover line-up, click through to Land Rover’s press release.
LAND ROVER HAS TODAY announced that the 2010 Range Rover will hit UK showrooms in July, and pricing for the UK Range Rover line-up is now available.
Aesthetically, the 2010 Range Rover features subtle updates to the body, including a revised grille and bumper, along with a new LED indicator system in the headlights.
2010-Range-Rover-8
2010-Range-Rover-7
Motivation for the 2010 Range Rover will be provided by a choice of a 5.0 litre supercharged V8, producing an agreeable 380kW (510hp) and 625Nm (461lb-ft) of torque, or a naturally-aspirated 5.0 litre V8 making 276kW (375hp) and 508Nm (375lb-ft) of torque.
Land Rover says that despite the Range Rover’s new supercharged V8 making a good 29 percent more power and 12 percent more torque than previous, fuel consumption is improved by 7.3 percent, using just 14.8 l/100km.
On the inside, there’s new leather trim to the headlining, pillar and door casings, and a new satin chrome-plated finish to the control buttons.
2010-Range-Rover-15 2010-Range-Rover-17
A dual-view touch-screen display screen rests in the centre stack, while a configurable 12-inch TFT screen – which Land Rover claims is the world’s largest – features, well, where the instrument cluster would usually be.
2010-Range-Rover-24 Your fuel allowance won’t be the only happy camper in the equation though, with emissions down 7.4 percent to 348g/km. (Camping enthusiasts can sleep under trees a little longer then.)
Rangey fans can also look forward to upgraded Terrain Response and Stability Control systems and a new surround camera system to improve the parking process.
The entry level Range Rover TDV8 Vogue will start at £64,695 ($131,500) in the UK, and features 19-inch alloy wheels, LED tail lights, multi-function touch-screen satellite navigation and iPod connectivity.
Following the Vogue is the TDV8 Vogue SE, with 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive bi-xenon headlights and Adaptive Climate Control, at £70,995 ($144,200).
The range-topping Autobiography rounds out the line-up at £75,695 ($153,800) for the diesel TDV8, and £79,995 ($162,500) for the petrol V8.
Land Rover Australia’s Marketing and Public Affairs Manager, Kevin Goult, confirmed to TMR that the Vogue will arrive in Australian showrooms in September, with pricing and trims to be confirmed closer to launch.
For more details on the new Range Rover line-up, click through to Land Rover’s press release.
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