2012 Range Rover Sport Wins ALG Award for "Best Luxury Midsize Utility Vehicle"

Range Rover Sport continues its run of top residual value awards in the luxury midsize utility vehicle category. A Residual Value award reflects value and customer demand for Land Rover SUVs.

2012 Range Rover Sport

Jaguar Land Rover Canada is proud to announce the company's latest achievement - a Residual Value Award from ALG, the industry benchmark for residual values and depreciation data. The 2012 Range Rover Sport has been named the "Best Luxury Midsize Utility Vehicle".

The Range Rover Sport models enter the 2012 model year with subtle styling refinements, significant audio/infotainment technology upgrades and additional amenities.

"It is a true honor to receive this accolade," comments Jaguar Land Rover Canada President, Lindsay Duffield. "With all of our Land Rover models, we are dedicated to providing customers with value along with vehicles that combine top notch off-road capabilities and a strong sense of luxury."

The annual ALG Residual Value Awards recognize automakers' outstanding achievements in producing new vehicles that are predicted to retain the highest percentage of their original price after a three-year period for luxury vehicles. Awards are given in 19 vehicle categories and also for the two brands with the highest overall predicted residual values among all mainstream and all luxury vehicles. This year's awards are based on 2012 model year vehicles.

"The Range Rover Sport represents an unrivaled blend of off-road capability, on-road manners, and opulent trimmings," said Geoff Helby, Canada Regional Director for ALG. "Equipped with its full-size sibling's impressive naturally-aspirated and supercharged V8 engines, the Sport takes home its third award in four years."

Award winners are determined through careful study of the competition in each segment, historical vehicle performance and industry trends. Vehicle quality, production levels relative to demand, and pricing and marketing strategies remain the key factors that affect ALG's residual value forecasts.

2012 Range Rover Sport

Range Rover Sport models enter the 2012 model year with subtle styling refinements, significant audio/infotainment technology upgrades and additional amenities. The Range Rover Sport is powered by a 375 hp 5.0-liter V8 or a 510 hp supercharged version, and features advanced chassis control systems, uniquely blend high-performance on-road dynamics with traditional Range Rover off-road capability, along with the brand's renowned luxury.  The new compact Smart Key fob is smaller than before yet retains all functions, including lock, unlock, tailgate release and panic alarm. Steering wheel stalks are revised for easier use and higher quality appearance.

The 2012 Range Rover Sport is available in HSE, HSE with Luxury Package, Supercharged and top-of-range Autobiography models.

Pricing:*

• Range Rover Sport HSE - $73,650
• Range Rover Sport HSE LUX - $77,750
• Range Rover Sport Supercharged - $89,450
• Range Rover Sport Autobiography - $100,650

Source: The Auto Channel

Jaguar C-X16 Concept voted "Most Exciting Car to be Launched in 2012"

Jaguar C-X16 Concept Car

Readers of What Car? magazine have voted the Jaguar C-X16 Concept as the model they would most like to see launched this year.

The award for the ‘Most Exciting Car to be Launched in 2012′ was received by Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar Cars and Ian Callum, Director of Design from Chas Hallett, Editor-in-Chief of the What Car? magazine.

In his acceptance speech, Adrian Hallmark said the reaction to the Jaguar C-X16 car had been outstanding and he was grateful for the recognition. “We’re proud that the readers of What Car? share our enthusiasm for the Concept by voting in such numbers,” he said. “I would like to personally thank the readers and recognise the efforts of Ian Callum and our engineers in creating such an inspiring and beautiful sports car.”

On the Jaguar website, Hallmark describes the car the “compelling vision for a 21st century Jaguar sports car. It embodies the established Jaguar strengths of sensual design, animal-like agility and inspirational performance and combines these with attributes that set us on a course to create sustainable sports cars of the future.”

The C-X16 Concept is made using and aluminium structure and is also equipped with a hybrid drivetrain which enables it to achieve 0-62mph in just 4.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 186mph. The combined fuel efficiency of the concept is around 41mpg (17.5kmpl) while emitting 165g/km of CO2.



The prototype supercharged all-alloy V6 engine is capable of producing 280kW and 332lb ft (450Nm) of torque. Supplementing this is an electric motor producing 70kW and 235Nm (equivalent to 95PS and 173lb ft), available to the driver at the push of a steering-wheel boost button.

The VW up! was awarded the Car of the Year award with judges describing the small car as ‘the right car for the time’.

Source: The Manufacturer

Autoweek's Best of the Best Truck for 2012: Range Rover Evoque

Audi A7 and Range Rover Evoque

Land Rover North America today announced that the 2012 Range Rover Evoque was named Autoweek's "Best of Best" truck for 2011. This marks the second year Autoweek has named its "Best of Best" - vehicles that best exemplify the pinnacle of automotive perfection, from the perspective of the automotive enthusiast.

"We are honored that the newly launched Range Rover Evoque has been named Autoweek's 'Best of Best' truck for 2011," says Kim McCullough, Brand Vice President, Land Rover North America. "This award recognizes that the Range Rover Evoque, the lightest and most fuel efficient Range Rover, demonstrates our commitment to offering more sustainable models without compromising the true off-road capability and great design that our vehicles are recognized for."

Eligible vehicles are new - or substantially new - for the model year. Cars are defined as sedans, coupes, convertibles, hatchbacks and wagons. Trucks include pickups, crossovers, minivans and SUVs. The evaluations mirror as closely as possible to the Autoweek Reader Fantasy Camp Criteria, where the latest cars are tested and graded for drivetrain, ride quality, handling, exterior, interior design and fun factor.

"The Range Rover Evoque retains the luxury, refinement and off-road capability we've come to expect from Land Rover, combined with compact dimensions, carlike ride and efficiency that redefine the brand," said Wes Raynal, Editor, Autoweek.

The 2012 Range Rover Evoque is the lightest and most fuel efficient Range Rover ever produced. The vehicle stays true to the core values of Range Rover, providing premium levels of craftsmanship, luxury, performance and Land Rover multi-terrain capability while embodied in a more compact package. The Range Rover Evoque achieves a 28 MPG EPA highway rating and sends a message that the company is serious about sustainability and determined to deliver vehicles that are both relevant and highly desirable.



The Range Rover Evoque is available in two versions: a coupe and a five-door, with starting prices of $44,995* and $43,995*, respectively. Every Range Rover Evoque destined for the United States will be equipped with all-wheel drive and will feature a 240-horsepower, turbocharged, direct fuel injected, four-cylinder engine coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Range Rover Evoque has been engineered with Land Rover capability. It can wade in nearly 20 inches of water, operate at tilt angles of up to 45 degrees, and features the latest Land Rover Terrain Response® system, which has modes for sand, mud, ruts, grass, gravel and snow.

Source: Auto Week

Range Rover Evoque Award Tally Passes Half Century; List of all awards included

53rd award received: Prizes from across the globe boost Range Rover Evoque’s honours collection
Coveted 4×4 title: 4×4 Magazine hands 4×4 of the Year title to Evoque

The Range Rover Evoque has added more awards to its portfolio, taking the total to 53 since its recent launch in September this year.

Recent honours bestowed on the Evoque came from Britain’s 4×4 Magazine, which proclaimed the Evoque its 4×4 of the Year, and this was swiftly followed by the Car of the Year title from the Czech Republic, and Best SUV from the Brazilian automotive news agency Auto Press, taking to 15 the number of different countries to recognise the smallest, lightest and most efficient Range Rover ever produced.

Evoque’s half-century tally includes notable titles such as Car of the Year in the UK AutoExpress New Car Honours, Scottish Car of the Year, US Motor Trend’s SUV of the Year, BBC Top Gear’s Car of the Year, Car and Driver Spain Car of the Year, the Design Trophy from l’Automobile in France and a host of honours from Chinese organisations and publications.

For Land Rover global brand director John Edwards, keeping up with the awards is proving a welcome headache: “The speed with which the honours are being collected by the Evoque is breathtaking, as is their global nature. It is a fantastic achievement for all connected with the Evoque project and a great endorsement for the product.

“In addition to these formal titles, the Evoque is daily emerging on top in motoring magazine group tests around the globe, and is winning thousands of admiring new owners. We have now received in excess of 40,000 orders for Evoque, and what is particularly heartening is that many of those have come from customers new to the brand.”

The most recent British honour comes from 4×4 Magazine, whose editor Nigel Fryatt said that there was universal agreement among the judges “that the new Evoque points the way to what future 4x4s will be like, and in some respects that alone makes it a worthy winner.” 4×4 Magazine also awarded Evoque top honours in its Premium Plus class.

1. China Best Car in Class Award, Motor Trend, China.
2. Best Production Design, Autodesign and styling magazine, Czech Republic
3. Best Car 2011 SUV category, Motorpress Portugal and Autohoje magazine, Portugal
4. Most Exciting Car for 2011, What Car? Car of the Year Awards, UK
5. Anticipated SUV of the Year, Top 4×4, China
6. The Most Anticipated Import Car of the Year, Sohu Auto, China
7. SHAS most popular imported car, Dragon TV, China
8. Best Car for Urban Young, Elites International Finance News, China
9. Most fashionable car at AUTO SHANGHAI, Beijing Times, China
10. Car Design of the Year award – best production car unveiled in 2010, Car Design News
11. Stunning Design Award, Orient Car, China
12. Auto Express New Car Honours Best Compact 4×4, UK
13. Auto Express New Car Honours Car of the Year 2011, UK
14. Best SUV, Women on Wheels Women’s Car of the Year Awards 2011, South Africa
15. The Most Anticipated Luxury Car, Chengdu Business Daily, China
16. Car of the Year Design and Performance, Car China
17. Golden Steering Wheel Award for Best SUV, AutoBild, Austria
18. Fashion Style Award, Sina Auto, China
19. Best Compact SUV, Association of Scottish Motoring Writers, UK
20. Scottish Car of the Year, Association of Scottish Motoring Writers, UK
21. Autonis Design Award – Best New Design, Auto Motor und Sport, Germany
22. Best SUV, Autorevue, Austria
23. SUV of the Year Award 2011, Motor Trend, US
24. Urban Truck of the Year, Decisive Magazine, US
25. Star of the Show, 41st Annual South Florida International Auto Show (Miami), US
26. 2012 Automobile Magazine All-Star Award handover at LA motor show, US
27. Continental Irish Executive/Luxury Car of the Year 2012, Irish Car of the Year Awards
28. Best Luxury Compact Utility Vehicle, ALG Residual Value Awards, US
29. Best Luxury Utility Award, Auto123.com, Canada
30. Indian Import SUV of the Year, CNBC TV and Overdrive Awards, India
31. Car of the Year, Stuff magazine, UK
32. Best SUV 2012, Car & Driver magazine, Brazil
33. SUV of the Year Award 2011, BBC Top Gear Magazine, UK
34. Car of the Year, BBC Top Gear Magazine, UK
35. Import SUV over 30,000 Euro, Autozeitung, Germany
36. Best SUV 2012, Car & Driver magazine, Spain
37. Car of the Year, Stuff magazine, India
38. Auto Style Award, Auto Style Award, US
39. Best Luxury SUV of the Year, National Business Daily, China
40. Best Import Car of the Year, Guangzhou Daily, China
41. Best Import SUV of the Year, Top Gear China
42. Best Import SUV of the Year, Sohu.com, China
43. Best Luxury SUV of the Year, China Business News, China
44. Most Fashionable Import SUV of the Year, Southern Metropolis News, China
45. Most Attractive SUV of 2011, Xinhua News, China
46. Design Trophy, l’Automobile Magazine, France
47. 4×4 Car of 2012, Auto Club Bulgaria
48. Crossover Car of the Year, Bloomberg, US
49. 2012 4×4 of the Year, 4×4 Magazine, UK
50. Car of the Year 2012, Czech Republic
51. Best SUV 2012, Auto Press, Brazil
52. Car of the Year, Independent Online, New Zealand
53. Readers’ Choice 2011 – Launch of the year, Carro Online, Brazil

Source: 3D Car Shows

Range Rover Evoque wins BBC Top Gear Magazine's "Car of the Year" Award

BBC TopGear Magazine has named the new Range Rover Evoque as their 2011 Car of the Year. The Evoque came top in the SUV category of the annual awards and was also picked by TopGear TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson as his favourite new car this year.



The Evoque beat stiff competition from the BMW 1 Series M, Mclaren MP4 12c, Ferrari FF, VW Up! and Kia Picanto to scoop the coveted Car of the Year title. The awards are officially announced in the December issue of BBC TopGear Magazine, which is on sale in the UK now. With 29 international editions, BBC TopGear is read by an estimated 12 million people worldwide.

To celebrate the award, TopGear took a Range Rover Evoque on an African adventure through the souks, deserts and mountain passes of Morocco to fully experience the superb all-round capability and outstanding performance offered by this year’s winning car. The full story is featured alongside the Car of the Year Awards in all 29 international editions of the magazine.

The judging panel, headed up by BBC TopGear Magazine Editor-in-Chief, Charlie Turner, comprised members of the magazine’s editorial and road testing team, together with the three TopGear TV presenters, Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond.

Commenting on the awards, Turner said: “Judging the TopGear Magazine cars of the year takes a lot of time, coffee and shouting. But, strangely, when it came to the choosing the overall winner, the yelling softened to agreement. Universal approval from the most opinionated minds in the industry is almost unheard of. Which gives you some idea of just how good the Range Rover Evoque, TopGear’s 2011 Car of the Year, really is.”

As well as triumphing in the SUV and overall Car of the Year categories, the Evoque was also chosen by presenter Jeremy Clarkson as his personal choice for Car of the Year. Summing up his decision, he says:”There have been many great cars launched over the last 12 months….But these are just one-trick ponies. The Evoque is more than that. Its a pony that is also a racehorse, a shire horse, a dray horse, a show jumper and an easy rosette-winner in the dressage competition. Its brilliant. And its the Top Gear Car of the Year.”

The Top Gear Award represents the 34th international award for the Range Rover Evoque since its launch earlier this year. Land Rover Global Brand Director, John Edwards, welcomed the news saying:



“The Range Rover Evoque has generated an unprecedented response in all of our global markets and has been particularly successful in attracting new customers to the Land Rover brand. The TopGear Car of the Year award is further recognition that the Evoque offers a unique combination of distinctive premium design and outstanding performance underpinned by Land Rover’s legendary all terrain capability. The car’s success is testament to the skill and commitment of the design and engineering teams in delivering a vehicle that meets the original product vision.

The TopGear Magazine Award is certainly one of the most coveted titles in the industry and we are naturally extremely pleased and excited that Evoque has been crowned overall Car of the Year 2011.”

The Range Rover Evoque has been on sale in the UK since September and is available in two body styles (five door or coupé), with a number of engine and transmission combinations. The Evoque also offers the opportunity for a high level of personalisation with three distinct design themes and a wide range of options, accessories and colour choice.

The Evoque has this month also been recognised by a number of external industry bodies in the UK including Euro NCAP, who awarded a 5* safety rating and Glass’s and CAP Monitor who have predicted outstanding residual values. The Vehicle Certification Agency has also awarded the Evoque LCA certification for the comprehensive lifecycle analysis study carried out by Land Rover’s environment and sustainability team.

Source: 3d Car Shows

Jaguar Land Rover wins two awards at 2011 Middle East Motor Awards

Luxury automotive manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover MENAP has once again showcased its brand strength and product leadership within the region by winning two of the most important and prestigious auto awards at the Middle East Motor Awards, held at Expo Centre Sharjah, UAE in early November.

The MEMA for the 'Best Luxury SUV' was awarded to Range Rover for the second year in a row, beating off fierce competition with the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5. Jaguar scooped the award for the XJ in the 'Best Luxury Car' category, competing with the Audi A8 and Mercedes S class.

Official Patron of the MEMAs, Mr. Mohammad Ben Sulayem, presented the award to Jean Atik, Marketing Manager, Land Rover MENAP, who commented, "We are very proud to have received this award for the flagship and most luxurious SUV on our fleet, which is recognized by such an esteemed body as the Middle East Motor Awards. This award demonstrates our brand appreciation across the region and our efforts in building the ultimate vehicle that combines the ultimate in off-road capability with unparalleled luxury."

The Range Rover's 5.0-litre, 510bhp supercharged and 375bhp naturally aspirated LR-V8s deliver supreme performance and economy. Equipped with the latest direct fuel injection systems, these lightweight engines combine benchmark efficiency with outstanding levels of power and torque delivered from low down the rev range. 0-100kph is reached in the naturally aspirated car in just 7.6 seconds while for those who want the last word in performance, the supercharged V8 will rush to 100kph in a mere 6.2 seconds.



Justin Weaving, Sales Director, Jaguar MENAP, who received the award for the Jaguar XJ in the 'Best Luxury Car' category said, "This award for our flagship Jaguar XJ proves our commitment not only to design, innovation, and performance but also to the region, where the vehicle has received widespread appreciation and prestigious awards. The redesigned Jaguar XJ has already won over 20 international awards and generated rave reviews, and we are extremely honored to have been recognized by the MEMA in the luxury car segment."

The Jaguar XJ is truly a product of the 21^st century and is the clearest indication yet of the singular sense of purpose behind Design Director Ian Callum's vision for the future of Jaguar. The XJ benefits from the most advanced, powerful and efficient Jaguar powertrains ever. Powered by the 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 and 5.0-litre supercharged V8, the Jaguar XJ comprises of 470 and 510 horsepower versions of the supercharged engine.

Source: Zawya

Evoque named Best Luxury Compact Utility 2011 by Auto123.com

The Range Rover Evoque, the lightest, most fuel-efficient Range Rover ever produced was today announced the Best Luxury Compact Utility by the jury of automotive journalists leading automotive web portal, Auto123.com.

The award, in its third year, created to help consumers in the increasingly complex process of buying a new vehicle, and to highlight the best vehicles from the 2012 model year sold in Canada.

Priced starting at $46,995, the all-new Range Rover Evoque stays true to the core values of Range Rover; providing premium levels of craftsmanship, luxury, performance and Land Rover multi-terrain capability while embodied in a more compact package. The Range Rover Evoque also sends a message that the company is serious about sustainability and determined to deliver vehicles that are both relevant and highly desirable.

"This is an exciting vehicle for the Canadian market and we are thrilled the members of Auto123.com agree with us that it is a winner," said Lindsay Duffield, President of Jaguar Land Rover Canada. "We believe many Canadians who had not considered Land Rover before will want all that Range Rover Evoque offers."

The Range Rover Evoque will be available in two versions: a coupe model, which precisely mirrors the LRX concept design, and a five-door. The coupe and five-door are identical in overall length and width; however, the five-door has a 1.18-inch higher rear roofline.



The all-new Range Rover Evoque is designed and engineered to provide customers with the same comprehensive range of premium technologies they expect from a Range Rover vehicle, delivered in a more compact package. The broad array of Range Rover equipment comprises the latest technologies for controls, connectivity, comfort and convenience, including new high-end Meridian audio system and is powered by a new turbo charged 2.0-litre Si4 engine with direct fuel injection and twin variable valve timing generates 240 horsepower, as well as full-time intelligent all-wheel drive.

Built in the United Kingdom, and sold in 160 markets worldwide, the Range Rover Evoque will be manufactured in the UK, at Land Rover's multi-award winning Halewood plant in Merseyside.

Source:News Wire Canada

Jaguar Land Rover's RANGE_E Crowned SMMT 2011’S Best Automotive Innovation

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has won SMMT’s 2011 Award for Automotive Innovation for its prototype Range_e – the world’s first luxury Plug-in Hybrid Electric 4×4 with integrated V6 diesel engine.

Land Rover Range_e Concept

The award, sponsored by GKN Driveline, was presented to JLR’s Chief Engineer, Hybrids, Peter Richings at SMMT’s Annual Dinner by Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Norman Baker and Rob Rickell, Global Engineering Director, GKN.

The Range_e beat off stiff competition from companies across the car, commercial vehicle and supply chain sectors to win SMMT’s second annual award designed to showcase the importance of R&D and the role the UK plays in developing global automotive products.

Commenting on the announcement, Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive and chair of the five-strong judging panel said, “JLR has engineered and manufactured a highly-efficient and technologically advanced prototype vehicle that clearly demonstrates industry’s commitment to lowering vehicle emissions and creating exciting products for demanding consumers. This award champions industry innovation – promoting cutting-edge automotive engineering and design that the UK is famed for around the world.”

Receiving the Award, Peter Richings, Chief Engineer, Hybrids, JLR said, “Innovation and technology are the lifeblood of our business and we are delighted that our work has earned this recognition from our industry peers. Range_e demonstrates the advances we are making in cleaner and more fuel-efficient performance without compromising the performance and all-wheel-drive capabilities that are at the heart of our brand and we look forward to bringing its benefits to the market in the near future. The award for the Range_e project is testament to the range of skills, excellence and enthusiasm of not just our own engineers and designers, but the people in the research and academic organisations in the UK that have supported them.”



Sponsor of this year’s Award, GKN Driveline’s Engineering Director, Rob Rickell said, “GKN Driveline is once again proud to sponsor the award. As a UK company, we recognise that research and development of technology will result in innovative solutions satisfying our society’s demanding and ever evolving needs. By doing this successfully, we and others will have a positive impact on the environment, the communities and the economies in which we all operate. The finalists tonight demonstrate fine examples of developments that embody that spirit.”

The Range_e, which was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show this year, impressed judges with its four different modes of operation, ability to deliver emissions of 89g/km CO₂ and driving range of more than 20 miles in a pure EV mode.

On presenting the Award, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Norman Baker, spoke about the importance of recognising innovation within the UK’s automotive sector, adding that a collaborative approach across the commercial, business and government sectors was essential in encouraging new technologies and products to market.

This year’s Award was judged by a panel of senior industry figures, including Dave Salt, Chief Engineer, GKN Driveline, Ralph Hosier, Engineer and Motoring Journalist and Jon Beasley, Group Technology Officer,GKN. UK engineering of the Range_e has been undertaken at JLR’s Gaydon engineering site and UK fleet trials began in December 2010. Earlier this year, Land Rover announced its plans to launch the first diesel-electric hybrid in 2013.

Source: 3D Car Shows

All-New Range Rover Evoque Wins Automobile Magazine 2012 All-Star Award

Land Rover is proud to announce that the all-new 2012 Range Rover Evoque is an AUTOMOBILE Magazine 2012 All-Star adding to the newest Range Rover model's growing list of accolades.



"We're excited to have the 2012 Range Rover Evoque be named an All-Star by AUTOMOBILE Magazine," said Andy Goss, President, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC. "To receive the AUTOMOBILE Magazine honour and other recent SUV of the Year accolades demonstrates that the world is in fact ready for a smaller, more fuel efficient, luxury SUV."

"Easily the best work credited to designer Gerry McGovern's studio, the Range Rover Evoque is first and foremost a design triumph. The company has demonstrated an uncanny ability to find increasingly small and sometimes tiny holes in the market and fill them with capable off-road vehicles whose style expertly complements their serious substance."
- AUTOMOBILE Magazine contributing writer and columnist Jamie Kitman.

The prestigious All-Star awards recognize 10 vehicles chosen annually by the editorial staff of AUTOMOBILE Magazine.

The 2012 Range Rover Evoque is the smallest, lightest, most fuel efficient Range Rover ever produced. The vehicle stays true to the core values of Range Rover, providing premium levels of craftsmanship, luxury, performance and Land Rover multi-terrain capability while embodied in a more compact package. The Range Rover Evoque 4WD achieves 5.7 l/100km (2WD 4.9 l/100km) and sends a message that the company is serious about sustainability and determined to deliver vehicles that are both relevant and highly desirable.