Range Rover Evoque launched in India at price of INR 44.75 Lakhs!

Tata owned Jaguar-Land Rover has just unwrapped the hotly anticipated Range Rover Evoque Crossover SUV for the Indian market, marking the SUV’s official launch in India. The Evoque will be pitted against the likes of the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5, although the Evoque’s price is significantly higher than these SUVs. The main reason for this is the fact that the Evoque will be brought into India as a completely built unit, straight from the Land Rover factory in Hailwood, UK, while both the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5 are assembled in India through completely knocked down(CKD) kits.

The higher price of the Range Rover Evoque SUV though might not deter prospective buyers from buying it as the sheer presence of the Evoque due to its radical styling dwarfs both the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5 quite comprehensively. The higher price will also mean that the Range Rover Evoque will be pitted against the Audi Q7, BMW X5, the Mercedes ML and the Volvo XC90. Even so, the Evoque’s imposing stance is what Jaguar-Land Rover will be banking on to bring in most of the sales even as CKD assembly of the Evoque is scheduled to happen in India, in the next 12 months or so.

Priced at a significant premium over the competition, the Evoque is Land Rover’s latest product and one which has seen extremely high demand from car markets across the world. So much so, that the Range Rover Evoque’s production is sold out for a full one year. Jaguar-Land Rover has however allotted a limited run of around 50 Evoques for the Indian market and it is from these cars that existing bookings will be serviced. Talking of which, JLR dealers in India report that the first lot has already been sold out through pre-bookings and the next lot of Range Rover Evoques will arrive only in 2012.

 The Evoque is built in two forms, three door and  five door versions, both of which will be available in India. The availability of the very sporty three door Evoque will give the SUV a significant competitive advantage  as the Evoque will be the only luxury SUV in India to be available in three door guise, thus carving out a very unique niche for itself. The three door variant of the Evoque will feature only the petrol engine while the five door version will be available with both petrol as well as diesel engine options.

Coming to the Range Rover Evoque’s engine range, the Crossover’s five door will be available with two engine options, one each in petrol and diesel fuel. The petrol engine is a 2 liter unit producing 240 Bhp of peak power and 340 Nm of peak torque.  This engine features turbocharging, direct injection and variable valve timing to ensure that it manages to stay frugal even as it delivers some blistering speed and acceleration. The diesel engine is a 2.2 Liter common rail, turbocharged unit capable of a peak power output of 190 Bhp and a peak torque output of 420 Nm.

Both engines are mated to a 6 speed automatic gearbox while full time all wheel drive is standard across the Evoque SUV range. The Evoque SUV is available in three variants each, Pure, Prestige and Dynamic, for the petrol and diesel engines. Across the variants, safety features such as ABS, airbags, ESP, TCS and automatic hill hold are available as standard. Land Rover’s much acclaimed Terrain Response system, which essentially tweaks the electronic drive gadgetry on the SUV to suit various terrains is also a part of the package.

Source: IndianCarsBikes
 

Jaguar Land Rover confirm Coventry as its new global HQ

COVENTRY has been chosen as the new global headquarters for Jaguar Land Rover as part of the firm’s plans for expansion.

Bosses at the luxury car manufacturer made the announcement on Wednesday as they officially unveiled the firm’s new head office in Whitley.

The decision forms part of JLR’s ambitious expansion plans announced earlier this year, which will see them invest £1.5billion a year for the next five years on new product developments and expanding its new engine range.

Other plans for the company include consolidating hi-tech engineering at its south Warwickshire plant in Gaydon, which will be designated a ‘Centre of Excellence’.

The new global headquarters at Whitley Business Park will bring together both brands – Jaguar and Land Rover – under one roof.

Bosses reckon it will attract automotive giants from around the world to Coventry.

The boss of Tata Motors – the Indian owners of JLR – Ratan Tata made a special visit to the city for the official opening, which was carried out by the firm’s chief executive Dr Ralf Speth.

Dr Speth said: “The opening of this new headquarters is more than just a normal opening, it signifies a new chapter in our successful business.

“We have ambitious and exciting plans for Jaguar Land Rover, which will see us invest £1.5billion every year.

“We are going to launch new products over the next five years and that means we are going to have to invest and invest heavily.



“We are investing in people, we are investing in infrastructure and as everybody knows we are keeping all of our plants and have announced a new engine plant in the UK.”

The new headquarters, which houses around 120 staff, including the Jaguar Land Rover board of directors, has 18 executive offices, conference facilities, a boardroom and media room, as well as a cafe for employees.

It will house the company’s corporate operations, including the legal team, HR, finance and sales and marketing.

Mike Wright, JLR executive director, said: “What we have here is the new global headquarters for the whole of Jaguar Land Rover, bringing together both brands.

“This is great news for Coventry, as we will see visitors coming to the new headquarters from all over the world.”

The news has been welcomed by business and council leaders across Coventry, who were invited to the official opening.

Denys Shortt, chairman of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Coventry being chosen as the global headquarters is very exciting.

“Obviously we are working on the Coventry Gateway project, which is adjacent to the headquarters and it will give this whole area a huge boost – particularly automotive firms which will be keen to relocate to the region to be near to JLR.

“I am incredibly honoured that Ratan Tata has chosen Coventry as the new global headquarters, it is fantastic news for the city.”

Jaguar Land Rover reported a 26 per cent increase in global retail sales for September – with China delivering another record month.

Source: Coventry Telegraph

Land Rover Discovery 4 Review: AutoExpress

British firm updates Land Rover Discovery for 2012 model year

Land Rover Discovery 4

Rating: * * * * *

If there’s one firm that knows a thing or two about building off-roaders, it’s Land Rover. However, the Land Rover Discovery 4 is also one of the best family casrs you can buy, which is why it was voted our Best SUV winner in our 2011 New Car Awards, despite facing stiff competition from a slew of newer rivals. But Land Rover isn’t resting on its laurels, and the firm has refined the Discovery for 2012. 

One area where the Disco package fell down was with its high emissions figures. But for 2012 Land Rover has introduced two power outputs for the 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbodiesel. The higher powered version has jumped from 242bhp to 252bhp, but emissions have dropped from 244g/km to 230g/km, bringing the Discovery into line with the most efficient off-roaders available. Even better than that, the entry-level diesel, which makes 208bhp, has emissions of 224g/km, which drops the Discovery down two road tax bands.

The new engine is only part of the story, as all cars also get an eight-speed ZF gearbox, which is more efficient than the seven-speed unit it replaces. It’s operated with a Jaguar XF-style dial selector that rises from the centre console, which is a neat touch.

Elsewhere inside, the touchscreen sat-nav system has been given a makeover with bolder graphics, there’s polished silver trim on the centre console and doors, and all models in the range now get a premium sound system that’s the same as the one found in the Range Rover Evoque.

The Discovery’s talent for carrying passengers hasn’t changed, and the cabin is big, airy and comfortable. There’s room for three adults in the back, while another pair of seats can be found in the boot, which further adds to the Discovery’s versatility.

On the road, the Discovery is a comfortable cruiser that’s capable of covering long distances with ease. You have a commanding view of the road ahead, while the new high-power diesel has plenty of punch to make light work of the Disco’s weight. In fact, the only time you’re really aware of the car’s size is under heavy braking.

The new eight-speed auto shifts smoothly, which makes the wheel-mounted paddleshifters somewhat redundant, and it kicks down quickly when you need extra power, although it does seem to do this quite frequently when you’re on the move.

Of course, where the Discovery really stands apart from other family cars is the fact that it can tackle virtually any terrain you throw at it. Simply switch Land Rover’s Terrain Response system to the setting you require, and the Discovery can go places where even rival SUVs would fear to tread.

Source: Auto Express

Jaguar XK face-lift review :What Car?

Jaguar XKR-S Face-lift

What is it?
Jaguar's high-performance XK coupe has been given a mid-life update that brings a series of styling revisions.

The headlights are slimmer than before, and now use intelligent LED technology. They sit atop a larger grille and a redesigned bumper. The changes, although minimal, improve the looks noticeably, giving the XK a flatter and more aggressive front-end.

The rear lights have also been tweaked, albeit more subtly, and there are new sets of alloy wheels to choose from. Owners will be able to further set their car apart from pre-face-lift models with a choice of five new colours.

Inside, a new set of seats offers increased support.

What's it like to drive? 
The engine and suspension remain unchanged on the standard XK, so you get the same mix of blistering performance and surprising comfort.

Even the entry-level car we drove is rapid, with 60mph coming in just 5.2 seconds. The 380bhp 5.0-litre V8 also snarls gloriously after even the smallest of throttle blips.

The only let-down on the performance front is the six-speed gearbox, which is smooth and unobtrusive on upshifts, but a bit jerkier on downchanges than is preferable. Paddle-shifters behind the steering wheel allow for more engagement if desired.

Elsewhere, the firm but well-damped ride and responsive and nicely weighted steering make for an engaging and enjoyable experience that doesn't compromise comfort at lower speeds.



What's it like inside? 
There is a glorious feel of quality to elements of the XK's cabin, with the leather steering wheel and the suede-like material of the headlining in our test car the particular highlights.

Sadly, the navigation and entertainment system, and the feel of some of the plastics are not quite of the same standard.

The rear seats are also pointless for anything other than a jacket or small bags as they have next-to-no head- and legroom and are strangely bucket-like in shape. However, treat the XK as a two-seater and there is plenty of room for adults up front.

Should I buy one? 
The XK does almost everything you could expect of a sporting coupe, and the visual alterations help it looks more like one as well.

With a high purchase price and poor running costs, the XK is not cheap to run, but it will not disappoint if you can stretch to it.

Rivals
BMW 6 Series Coupe
Porsche 911

What Car? gives * * * * *

Source: What Car?

Jaguar Land Rover chooses Delhi over Detroit

Jaguar C-X17 Concept from Frankfurt Motor Show 2011

This year, the 2012 Detroit Auto Show and the 2012 New Delhi Auto Expo in India will overlap for a couple days. The New Delhi show runs from January 7 to 11 and the Detroit show runs from January 9 to 22.

Auto brands will need to make a decision as to whether to attend North America's kick-off show or the show in India, the latter of which provides a channel into an important growing market.

While this decision might seem to favor Detroit, given the U.S.' place as the second largest auto market in the world and the Detroit show's prominence in that market, India is now the sixth largest market in the world for new cars and with a population of more than a billion, it has an awful lot of upside.

With the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show occurring less than two months before Detroit, automakers are gambling that they can have their U.S. presence and eat it too. At least that's what Jaguar and Land Rover are thinking.



Jaguar Land Rover communications chief Stuart Schorr has stated to Autoblog in an email: "... since our newest concept vehicles were featured at the Frankfurt show and will be featured at the upcoming Los Angeles show, we decided to show them next in the Delhi Show in January as part of our effort to build our brands in this growing market. Therefore, without anything new to show in Detroit this year, we felt it most efficient to not participate in the show."

In addition to that strategery, Jaguar and Land Rover are owned by Tata, an Indian automaker. Surely that helped play a role in the decision.

While the companies will miss Detroit, Land Rover has indicated it will bring a revised version of the DC100 concept to L.A. later this month. We also hope to see the Jaguar C-X16, which was debuted in Frankfurt.

Source: Motor Authority