Land Rover Celebrates 25 Years in North America and Debuts New Concept Vehicles and Limited Editions at The 2012 New York International Auto Show

MAHWAH, N.J., April 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Land Rover is thrilled to be celebrating its' 25^th Anniversary in the United States. To commemorate this milestone, Land Rover hosted a special celebration in conjunction with the New York Auto Show, and invited consumers to a custom built urban off-road adventure in the heart of New York City's meatpacking district. Participants drove off-road vehicles on a course built by Land Rover North America. 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120404/CL82060 )

Marking this anniversary, Land Rover will debut two new concepts and two new limited editions in New York. The Range Rover Evoque Convertible concept car and an updated expedition ready version of the Land Rover DC100 concept car will be make their North American debuts.

In addition, the Range Rover Sport Supercharged Limited Edition and the Land Rover LR4 HSE Luxury Limited Edition will make their debuts.

RANGE ROVER EVOQUE CONVERTIBLE CONCEPT

The Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept vehicle will explore the potential for a premium convertible SUV. This bold concept builds on the global success of the Range Rover Evoque. The concept is being shown to gauge reaction and to assess the potential for what could be another unique product from Land Rover.

The concept has been developed by Land Rover Design Director, Gerry McGovern and his team. Commenting on the concept, McGovern said: "The Range Rover Evoque lends itself beautifully to the idea of a convertible. This study is not a traditional convertible design execution - instead we have worked with the balance of the Range Rover Evoque's lines to retain its distinctive shape and create something that is unique and, we believe, highly desirable."

The soft-top convertible concept is based on the Range Rover Evoque Coupe.  It features a fully retractable premium roof system with a Roll-Over Protection System. The concept cleverly combines capability and versatility with a drop down tailgate and a comfortable four seat package. The vehicle has been developed with Land Rover DNA at its heart, retaining key characteristics including a sports command driving position and all-terrain capability.

LAND ROVER DC100 CONCEPT

Land Rover will feature an updated version of the DC100 Concept. The DC100 explores possible design directions for the future of the iconic Land Rover Defender. Land Rover is showing this concept in North America to gauge reaction and explore the possibility of bringing the Defender back to the U.S. market. This updated DC100 features expedition accessories including an air-intake snorkel for wading, a roof mounted equipment rack, and an integrated winch.

Capturing the rugged, dependable and adventurous spirit of the original, the DC100 concept is intended to explore the future of the Defender family; reinventing essential Defender design cues for the 21st century. These include short overhangs for extreme approach and departure angles, vertical panels, an upright windscreen, and strong shoulder line for visibility and ease of positioning. The honest Defender 'face' with its signature round lamps and prominent grille is featured, and a winch is incorporated to the fascia.

Core Land Rover attributes of capability and versatility are underpinned by a suite of innovative off-road technological aids that reduce the workload on the driver. Foremost of these is the next generation of Land Rover's acclaimed Terrain Response® system which will optimize the car for various conditions without driver pre-selection. In addition, a new Terrain-i system creates an intelligent map of the topography in front of the car and displays it as a 3D visualization. Terrain-i automatically helps to identify potential hazards and suggests alternative routes. In urban environments, the same system is able to help identify pedestrians and hazards.

A new Wade Aid system utilizes sonar sensors mounted in the bumpers and side mirrors to measure water depth. As with Terrain Response, Wade Aid will optimize the car for water crossings by closing body vents, raising the ride height, selecting a low gear and advising on the safest speed.

Sustainability has always been a Land Rover hallmark – more than three-quarters of the almost two million Defender vehicles made are still doing regular duty – and the DC100 concepts extend this commitment with new technologies that will reduce environmental impact. The first is an intelligent Twin-Solenoid Stop/Start system mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, both of which have been designed with future hybridization in mind. Second is a Driveline Disconnect system, which automatically disengages four-wheel drive. Unlike conventional systems, this system physically, rather than electronically, decouples the four-wheel drive to reduce friction losses but can reengage drive almost instantaneously.

2013 Range Rover Sport SUPERCHARGED Limited Edition  

The 2013 Range Rover Sport Supercharged Limited Edition provides drivers with a combination of luxurious interior appointments and sporting exterior design changes. With 510 horsepower at the ready, the Supercharged Range Rover Sport has extraordinary performance capabilities.

This new edition provides an extroverted expression of the vehicles' dynamic character. The exterior of the Range Rover Sport Supercharged Limited Edition receives sporting design cues. Red brake calipers and red exterior trim pieces complete the performance highlights.

This limited edition also creates a sporting environment inside the cockpit for the driver. Carbon Fiber interior trim, contrast color leather interior, and contrast stitching bring a performance atmosphere to the cabin. A 825-Watt Harman Kardon® 17 speaker audio system is included in the package.

With only 500 units produced for the US market, this limited edition will be available exclusively in Fuji White and Santorini Black exterior paints.

2012 Land Rover LR4 HSE Luxury Limited Edition

The Land Rover LR4 is a full-capability luxury SUV that deftly combines renowned off-road capability with premium on-road luxury and ride quality. A spacious third row offering seven-passenger seating makes it an exceptional option for family travel.

Introduced for the first time in New York, the new Land Rover LR4 HSE Luxury Limited Edition offers a sophisticated new take on the Land Rover LR4. The interior receives upgraded and expanded leather coverage in an all new Arabica color, including leather trim on the door tops, door pulls, arm rests and dashboard fascia. The leather is complemented with contrast stitched detailing, and a new Dark Zebrano wood veneer.  An exclusive perforated leather heated steering wheel is included.

The exterior of this edition is detailed with new bright silver and stainless steel finishes.  Each corner receives a 20-inch 10 spoke alloy wheel in a Sparkle finish. Lighting has been upgraded to Xenon adaptive front headlamps with cornering lamps.  In the interior, a Center Console Cooler Box, and an 825 watt, 17-speaker Harman/Kardon LOGIC7® Premium Audio System will be included as part of this package.

2012 Range Rover Evoque

The award winning Range Rover Evoque will be displayed.  Voted as 2012 North American Truck of the Year, and selected as the 2012 Motor Trend SUV of the Year, it has attracted over 90 accolades across the globe. The extraordinary design language and driving dynamics of the Range Rover Evoque have captured the public imagination. Demand has been so great, that the factory will be operating on a three shift schedule, 24 hours a day. With advanced lightweight design, and powered by a 240 horsepower 2.0 liter engine, it is the lightest and most fuel efficient Range Rover ever made, achieving a 28 MPG Highway US EPA rating**. The Range Rover Evoque is priced from $43,995*.

About Land Rover

Land Rover, the British maker of Land Rover and Range Rover sport utility vehicles, is renowned for providing its' clientele with some of the most luxurious and capable vehicles in the world. Every Land Rover and Range Rover is equally at home both on and off road, and in any setting; be it in the heart of the city, or traversing the countryside. Today's Land Rover lineup includes the legendary Defender, LR2 (Freelander 2), LR4 (Discovery 4), Range Rover Sport, Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque.  Land Rover designs, engineers, and manufactures their vehicles in the United Kingdom. Land Rover is fully engaged with sustainability initiatives and social concerns with continuous involvement in environmental and community programs.

About Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC

Jaguar Land Rover is a business built around two great British car brands that are designed, engineered and manufactured in the United Kingdom. Jaguar Cars Limited, founded in 1922, is one of the world's premier manufacturers of luxury sedans and sports cars. Since 1948, Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that define "breadth of capability" in their segments.

Jaguar manufactures all their cars exclusively in the United Kingdom, at the Castle Bromwich manufacturing plant in the British Midlands. Land Rover and Range Rover models are built in the United Kingdom at the Solihull and Halewood plants. Land Rover exports to 169 countries and Jaguar exports to 63 countries, with global sales for both brands exceeding 240,000 vehicles annually. The Jaguar Land Rover business employs 16,000 people in United Kingdom, including 3,500 engineers at two product development centers.

Headquartered in Mahwah, New Jersey in the United States, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC has offices across the USA and Canada and is represented by more than 330 retail outlets.

(*Price shown is MSRP. Excludes destination/handling, tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. Dealer price, terms and vehicle availability may vary.  See your local authorized Land Rover dealer for details.

** Actual mileage may vary)

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SOURCE Land Rover North America