Vital statistics of Jaguar Land Rover’s all-new Defender family have been leaked online. The big news is that there will be three versions of the new Defender. The first two versions – the 90 and 110 – will be launched for the 2020 model year. What appears to be a series of screen slides, detailing the three-model Slovakian-built Defender family, the engine line-up as well as the trim and options have been covertly photographed and uploaded to Land Rover enthusiast forum Disco4.com. It’s not known where the leak took place, but it appears to be an internal JLR briefing. Like all future JLR models, the Defender family is based on the new aluminium MLB platform, which can be engineered as a conventional mild hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and a pure EV version. There’s no detail as to whether all Defenders will be mild-hybrids as standard and just one plug-in hybrid will be offered in 2020 and 2021. The Defender 90 is described in the slides as the ‘halo image icon’ of the Defender family and is aimed at ‘the young, affluent fun seekers’. The shortest Defender will be available in 5 and 6 seat options, which suggests that a three-abreast front seat is possible. The 90 is also a surprisingly compact machine, measuring just 4.323m long. It is marginally the tallest of the three versions, at 1.927m. The wheelbase measures a just 2.587m. All three Defenders are the same width at 1.999m, though there’s no detail on whether this is measured across the mirrors. Also on sale in 2020 will be the new Defender 110. Land Rover describes this as the ‘definitive’ model in the family. It will be available in 5, 6 and 7 seat forms. It’s aimed at ‘couples, the self-employed and adventurers’. The 110 is 4.758m long and has a rather longer 3.022m wheelbase and is a tad lower at 1.916m. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the Defender 130, which is destined for launch in 2022 and so unlikely to be seen testing until the very end of 2019. This is designated by JLR as a ‘Premium Explorer’ for ‘families and active lifestyle and travel’ and will come with eight seats. The 130 is a significant 5.1m long, although it has the same 3.022m wheelbase as the 110, suggesting a long rear overhang and substantial boot space. Under the bonnet of the 90 and 110 models, there will be a choice of three petrol and three diesel engines in 2020 and 2021 and all Defenders will come as standard with an autobox and all-wheel drive. The diesel units will be offered in D200, D240 (four cylinder) and D300 300bhp (straight-six) forms, with 0-62mph times of around 10.0secs, 8.3secs and 7.4secs respectively. It’s understood the D300 will be the only diesel engine offered in North American markets and arrives for the 2021 model year. Three petrol Defender engines – the P300, P400 and the P400e Plug-in Hybrid – will be on sale immediately. These are thought to all be straight-six units, and will be sold in the US, where many States use the same onerous ‘SULEV’ pollution regime as California. According to the leak, the plug-in P400 offers a torque boost from 400Nm to 645Nm and a 5.9sec 0-62mph time, Autocar understands. There will be three base models in the Defender line-up, the first-year production X, Standard and, for 2021, the X-Dynamic. The high-end X will offer a fixed spec and ‘limited options’ for 2021, before being offered with a wider spec for the 2021 model year. The Defender X will be sold in powerful P300 and P400e petrol forms in 2020, with the D300 diesel being added to a lengthened options list in 2021. The Defender ‘Standard’ will be available with the full range of engine options from launch, aside from the D300 which arrives in 2021. Customers will be able to select a further three specification levels: S, SE and HSE. According to the leaked presentation slides, the ‘Standard’ specification Defenders will get 18in wheels, LED headlamps, 8-way adjustable fabric front seats, a 140W audio system with six speakers, a 7in instrument cluster and a 10in touchscreen. ’S’ specification Defenders add front fog lamps, 12-way adjustable ‘semi-powered’ seats in ‘Performance’ fabric and a 12in digital instrument cluster. The SE gets 20in ‘Apollo’ wheels, Premium LED headlights with high beam assist, powered rear-view mirrors and a passive entry system, 14-way adjustable electric front seats, a 370W Meridian audio system with 10 speakers and automatic parking. Defender HSE models gets Matrix LED headlamps, 18-way adjustable Windsor leather electric memory seats with climate control and what JLR calls a ‘Drive Pack and Park Pack’. The launch ‘X’ model gets darkened 20in wheels and taillights, more highly-specced front seats and a ‘Co-Pilot’ pack. On top of this, JLR will offer four option packs (Capability, Interior Upgrade, Exterior and Convenience) as well as stand-alone options. Accessories – badged as Explorer, Adventure, Urban and Country – will also be offered by dealers. Clearly, JLR is looking to take advantage of the
Origin: Land Rover Defender: details of new Defender family leaked
Rover
Full profile of 2020 Land Rover Defender leaked in infotainment snapshot
The latest spy shot of the upcoming 2020 Land Rover Defender comes from an unlikely source: the vehicle itself. A photo of the vehicle’s infotainment system picturing what appears to be a full-on side view of the new Defender has been making the rounds on Twitter. Land Rover is known to project a profile of its vehicles on the display cluster like that, so thats legit.The All-New Defender! Someone managed to sneakily photograph the display cluster of the New Defender.#AllNewDefender #landroverdefender #landroverphotoalbum #landroverevolved #Defender2020 pic.twitter.com/H2TOTCr7u3 landroverphotoalbum (@landroverpa) June 24, 2019 The alleged Defender is pictured with a white roof and an interesting C-pillar seemingly built into the rear door. The Twitter account dedicated to Land Rover images also shipped these spy photos, potentially snapped by the sneaky-peeker. New Defender interior and suspension exposed. Theres a rampant automotive peeping-Tom lurkingVia https://t.co/UYyBXHjB1D#AllNewDefender #landroverdefender #landroverphotoalbum #landroverevolved #Defender2020 pic.twitter.com/COvVvJvQTr landroverphotoalbum (@landroverpa) June 24, 2019LR can’t seem to catch a break in keeping the machine a secret, because last week Smyths, a toy retailer in the U.K., accidentally put up an early online ad for the 2020 Defender LEGO Technic Kit. It was removed, but not before the Internet took ownership of the images and details. The kit includes a “detailed inline six-cylinder engine,” which hints at a similar powerplant in the actual model. The LEGO version also has the white roof, as well as round headlights and a single-bar grille. The 2020 Land Rover Defender is expected to be revealed intentionally and in full by the brand itself at or around the Frankfurt auto show in
Origin: Full profile of 2020 Land Rover Defender leaked in infotainment snapshot
New Land Rover Defender leaks online – in Lego form
Images have appeared online that appear to show the new Land Rover Defender completely undisguised – albeit in Lego Technic form. The Danish toy firm is gearing up to launch a new 2573-piece Lego Technic replica Defender, which was reported by Lego enthusiast website The Brothers Brick after being initially posted on the Smyths toys website. The model appears to be of the reborn new Defender, which the British firm is currently testing ahead of its launch later this year. Reportedly due to go on sale in October – shortly after the real Defender is unveiled – the Lego Defender will feature a working steering mechanism, four-speed sequential gearbox, three differentials and independent suspension. It will also be fitted with a working winch. The model is based on the short-wheelbase three-door Defender ’90’ variant. A five-door ‘110’ version of the real car will also be offered. While the real Defender has so far only been seen in camouflage livery, the model will be finished in an olive green. It will also be 420mm long, 220mm high and 200mm wide. The model is yet to be officially confirmed by Lego, although reports suggest is will be priced at £159 in the UK. Land Rover says that the new Defender has already undergone more than 750,000 miles of testing in some of “the most inhospitable environments” in the world. This has involved hot weather testing in Africa and North America, cold-weather testing at -40deg C, altitude testing at up to 13,000 feet and performance running at the Nurburgring. It is not yet known whether the pre-launch test programme Lego has conducted on the Technic Defender has been as
Origin: New Land Rover Defender leaks online – in Lego form
New 2021 Range Rover: first prototypes seen testing
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica} The next generation of Land Rover’s flagship Range Rover isn’t due for another two years, but we’re already seeing prototypes of the new car on British roads. Despite wearing bodywork of the existing model, which has been on sale since 2012, we can clearly see that the body has been adapted to fit over a modified platform with different suspension and exhaust components visible. Alongside this, we can see stretched rear arches and a cutout in the rear bumper, necessary to accommodate the slightly longer wheelbase of the new underpinnings. This prototype is registered as a petrol model, but there’s no indication of what capacity the unit powering it is. It’s safe to assume that Jaguar Land Rover’s all-new Ingenium straight-six will feature in the range, alongside a V8 rumoured to be adapted from BMW’s 4.4-litre unit as production of the outgoing ‘AJ’ 5.0-litre supercharged motor winds down at Ford’s Bridgend factory, closing next year. With competition from the Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan as well as upcoming, more mainstream models such as the BMW X8 , Land Rover’s task with the fifth-generation Range Rover is to create a vehicle that surpasses all of these rivals. It will attempt do so using not only its unique heritage but also technological advancements in powertrains, autonomous driving systems and infotainment. Last year the firm revealed that the upcoming Range Rover, alongside the next Range Rover Sport, will use an all-new aluminium-intensive architecture. To prepare for these models, its Solihull plant has gone through a major refit to accommodate the advanced technology that will be used in future Range Rovers. As a result, production of the Discovery has moved from Solihull to Jaguar Land Rover’s new plant in Nitra, Slovakia, also freeing up room for the potential production of the first electric Range Rovers. The new Range Rover platform will be significantly lighter than the current model’s D7u architecture, and the lightest of all Jaguar Land Rover platforms. Called Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA), the aluminium platform will be used on all future Jaguar Land Rover models ranging in size from the Jaguar XE to the Range Rover. By the middle of the next decade, next-generation versions of Jaguar Land Rover’s transverse-engined models are even expected to be switched to MLA too. MLA’s weight saving is crucial to allow for the extra heft of battery packs for electric and hybrid models, plus the technology and drivetrains that MLA has been designed to accommodate. It is understood the next Range Rover, codenamed L460, will closely the size of the current car, which is 4999mm long, 1983mm wide and 1920mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2922mm. That is slightly smaller than the Bentayga except in terms of height, where the Bentley SUV sits lower. The exterior design will be evolutionary, given the Range Rover’s iconic look and the company’s keenness to capitalise on this. The current generation is softer and less angular than the third-generation model, and this pattern is set to continue. Luxury rivals such as Rolls-Royce and Lagonda, Aston Martin’s revived marque, are readying electric models for launch, perceiving a perfect synergy between peaceful electric powertrains and luxury motoring. However, even though MLA can accommodate a fully electric drivetrain, as well as petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid variants, it is understood that the next Range Rover will not initially be offered with one. Instead, Land Rover wants the first electric Range Rover to be a stand-alone model. This will be a tall estate with more car-like qualities than other models in the line-up, and more limited off-road prowes. Electric variants of other Range Rovers will ubsequently be offered as part of normal model line-ups, including a version of the full-size Range Rover set for launch before 2022 and aimed chiefly at Asian megacities. While Land Rover readies an electric Range Rover, the new model will continue with plug-in hybrid technology recently introduced in an update to the existing Range Rover. The MLA’s plug-in hybrid set-up is understood to include an electrified back axle alongside a four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine, with the electric-only range increased above the 31 miles of the current P400e. There will also be changes to the pure-combustion-engined line-up. Currently, there are 3.0-litre V6 and 4.4-litre V8 diesels and supercharged 5.0-litre V8 and 3.0-litre V6 petrols – all sourced externally and all to be axed. The new straight-six Ingenium petrol and diesel units are being built at its engine plant in Wolverhampton. In the Range Rover, these will be mixed with 48V mild hybrid technology in most versions to improve performance and economy. Real-world testing of the straight-six diesels has shown NOx emissions to be no higher than 80mg/km – well under the limits of new regulations. Even
Origin: New 2021 Range Rover: first prototypes seen testing
You know you want this remote-controlled Lego Land Rover Defender
Lego’s Product Ideas are kind of like concepts in the automotive world — they’re one-off builds that are presented to the public to test the waters and gauge interest. If enough people are into it, Lego makes it a set and sells it officially. If not, well, hopefully it was fun to build. The latest Idea to get our attention is this Land Rover Defender using two electric motors driving all four wheels, and a remote control with which to control them. As the builder himself points out, there have been other Lego Defenders in the past, but none have included 4WD or a remote control like this one. The model is constructed on Lego’s Technic chassis, with the creator adding rear pendular suspension, and an L-motor on each of the axles. Apparently the Defender, which is constructed of around 1,800 pieces, one battery pack, and one infra-red receiver, “has a shape that lends itself to Lego very well.” The model currently has two small antennas connected to the roof which communicate with the remote, but the builder believes the model will work perfectly with the brand’s upcoming Technic power system. With the small electric motors geared down and power going to all four wheels, the mini off-roader moves deliberately over all sorts of tiny terrain. If you like the look of the model and wouldn’t mind taking a Lego Defender of your own through an obstacle course in your backyard, you can vote here to support the idea. At the time of publication, the project had 974 of the 10,000 Supporters required to trigger an official review by Lego in 302 days.
Origin: You know you want this remote-controlled Lego Land Rover Defender
BMW and Jaguar Land Rover will join forces on electric-car technology
A Jaguar I-Pace having its battery removedJaguar BMW and Jaguar Land Rover will collaborate on their next generation of electric cars, following similar moves by other automakers that have teamed up to share the burden of developing the expensive new technology. Jaguar Land Rover, owned by India’s Tata Motors, will cooperate on BMW’s fifth generation of electric drive technology, the companies said in a statement on Wednesday. It forms the backbone of a BMW electric model offensive set to start next year with the introduction of an electric X3 sports utility vehicle. The move follows Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ proposal last week to merge with Renault, creating the world’s third-biggest automaker. The deal would bring the Italian-American automaker into a global alliance that includes Nissan, maker of the pioneering Leaf, and Mitsubishi Motors. The world’s largest automaker, Volkswagen, and U.S. rival Ford are cooperating on building vans, a project that could extend to autonomous cars or sharing production platforms. The need for record spending on the technology coincides with a time of low profit and stagnating sales. BMW is currently working through a US$14 billion savings plan, while Jaguar is undergoing a 2.5 billion-pound savings program of its own and cutting 4,500 jobs. The carmakers will form a joint team of experts in Munich that will develop power units together. Both companies will still produce drivetrains in their own factories, they said in the statement. BMW was an early entrant into the electric-car market with the i3 hatchback, which began production in 2013, though sales haven’t taken off. Jaguar started deliveries of the all-electric I-Pace last year, one of a crop of premium SUVs being launched by traditional carmakers to take on the Tesla
Origin: BMW and Jaguar Land Rover will join forces on electric-car technology
Jaguar Land Rover and BMW join forces to develop electrified vehicles
Jaguar Land Rover and BMW have announced they will collaborate on the development of next-generation technology for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The two firms will jointly develop electric drive systems, otherwise known as EDUs, in a move which Jaguar Land Rover and BMW hope will significantly lower the cost of development in an area of growth that has been incredibly costly to car makers in recent years. This new alliance is one of many currently underway in the industry as manufacturers seek to make electrified vehicles more profitable. Most recently, Ford announced a $500m investment in EV start-up Rivian. No timeframe has been given for when the first fruits of the collaboration will be seen, but it’s likely to be in the next three to four years. Similarly, no volume expectations have been announced but given the need for economies of scale, it is set to be substantial. Both firms are ramping up their electrified line-ups. Jaguar Land Rover will launch a plug-in hybrid Evoque and Discovery Sport in the next 12 months, while BMW will introduce the electric iX3 next year, closely followed by the i4, an electric equivalent to the 3 Series. The announcement comes just weeks after Jaguar Land Rover reported a £3.6billion loss over its financial year amid persistent rumours of a possible takeover by PSA Group, a deal which has yet to be confirmed. The collaboration, which includes joint investment in research and development, engineering and procurement stems from both the success of Jaguar’s electric I-Pace and BMW’s long-established expertise, having built EDUs in-house since it launched the i3 in 2013. Jaguar Land Rover and BMW will work together to develop the EDUs with both developing systems to “deliver the specific characteristics required for their respective range of products,” said the statement. The EDUs will be made by JLR and BMW at their respective plants. For JLR, this will be the Engine Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton, which was confirmed as the home of the firm’s global EDU production earlier this year. There is not yet word on where BMW will build its EDUs, but there has been widespread reports that BMW is expanding its manufacturing base in Hams Hall, in the Midlands, which would mean it was in close proximity to JLR’s facility. The financial terms of the deal will not be disclosed. Jaguar Land Rover said the move supports “the advancement of electrification technologies, a central part of the automotive industry’s transition to an ACES (Autonomous, Connected, Electric, Shared) future”. Nick Rogers, Jaguar Land Rover engineering director added: ““We’ve proven we can build world beating electric cars but now we need to scale the technology to support the next generation of Jaguar and Land Rover products. It was clear from discussions with BMW Group that both companies’ requirements for next generation EDUs to support this transition have significant overlap making for a mutually beneficial collaboration.” BMW is yet to elaborate on its plans as part of the agreement. This is not the first meeting of Jaguar Land Rover and BMW. In 1994, BMW bought Land Rover but had limited successs so sold it to Ford in 2000. Ford later sold the brand to Tata Motors in
Origin: Jaguar Land Rover and BMW join forces to develop electrified vehicles
Jaguar Land Rover develops wheel that warms to help with navigation
There are acres of driver aids in modern vehicles to help the driver navigate their way through an unfamiliar city. Satnav led the way and is now supported by a cast of colourful heads-up displays, audible alerts and vibrating seats (hold your rude comments about that last one, please). Luxury automaker Jaguar Land Rover is working on a steering wheel that could provide another directional cue for drivers, one which doesn’t require taking one’s eyes off the road, citing driver distraction as one of the major contributors to road traffic collisions around the world. The company has a point—during your commute home this evening, take note how many drivers are eyeing their smart device, hoovering a Big Crunch, or talking into their phones while holding it horizontally like a slice of pizza. Jag says its “sensory steering wheel” can help address this problem. It uses heat to inform drivers where to turn, when it’s safe to change lanes, and warn of impending doom if another vehicle is trying to occupy the same spot in the space-time continuum. A steering wheel developed by Jaguar Land Rover could help keep drivers’ eyes on the road – by using heat to tell drivers when to turn left or right.#Technology #FutureMobility pic.twitter.com/iVbhgUHG6J Jaguar Land Rover (@JLR_News) May 29, 2019 An infrared illustration shows the left-hand side of the steering wheel getting warm as the driver approaches a scheduled turn as determined by the satnav. After rounding the bend, the Jag’s wheel returns to normal temperature. By using heat to tell drivers when to turn left or right, it eliminates the need for them to divert their eyes to a map screen on the centre stack. Interestingly, the video shows both the left and right sides of the wheel heating up when the route is plotted to continue straight ahead at an intersection. Company studies suggest temperature-based instructions could also be used for non-urgent notifications, where vibrations could be deemed unnecessarily attention-grabbing, for example as a warning when fuel is running low, or for upcoming events such as points of interest. Thermal cues can also be used where audio feedback would be deemed too disruptive to cabin conversations or media playback. Naturally, the company tosses around the words ‘autonomous’ and ‘mobility’ in the film, buzzwords wholly appropriate for this day and age if not this particular application. Your author thinks this invention would be great in a normal car, thank you very much. Of course, this leaves us with the question of what happens to a plain old heated steering wheel? Here in the Great White North, most drivers enjoy them more than a kid loves cake. You’ll have to drag mine from my cold (literally)
Origin: Jaguar Land Rover develops wheel that warms to help with navigation
Land Rover Discovery Sport revealed with new tech, familiar looks
Land Rover has revamped its best-selling model while keeping the status quo in terms of what buyers want. The looks haven’t changed a whole lot, which is good, because half of the allure of a Land Rover is the classic looks. Buyers can choose from 25 different exterior paints with a contrasting black roof, and add the Black Exterior Pack which includes Narvik Black detailing on the grille and fender vents, extending to the hood and tailgate lettering. R-Dynamic-spec’d vehicles will receive a small hint of a rear diffuser as well as a front bumper that is much more aggressive, and kind of reminds us of offerings from FCA’s sporty truck division. Shadow Atlas exterior accents and contrast stitching also pushes home the Sport’ vibe. Powering the Sport will be Land Rover’s venerable Ingenium series turbocharged four-cylinder, which makes a respectable 246 horsepower. To give it a bit of a kick though, Land Rover has added an all-new 48-volt mild hybrid system that bumps the power up to 296. The Discovery Sport is Land Rover’s volume model—it sells more of this little truck than anything else, but that doesn’t mean there’s a whole lot of compromise. You can still fit seven people in it, provided two of them aren’t big enough to ride a roller coaster, and there’s still Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to accommodate all your devices. ClearSight Ground View monitor also trickles down from higher-spec Landies, allowing you to see through the forward lower body panels. The 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport will hit dealerships in the U.S. this summer; Canadian pricing and availability have yet to be
Origin: Land Rover Discovery Sport revealed with new tech, familiar looks
Jaguar Land Rover posts heavy annual losses
Jaguar Land Rover has recorded an annual loss of £3.6 billion, but chief executive Ralf Speth says an ongoing cost-saving programme will transform it into a “leaner and fitter” company for the future. The pre-tax loss for the financial year that ended in March reflected a £3.1 billion write-down of the value of the business in the final quarter of last year, but also showed the ongoing impact of falling sales in China and continued uncertainty over Brexit. The firm’s annual revenue of £24.2 billion was down £1.2 billion year-on-year. Without the one-off write-down, Jaguar Land Rover’s annual pre-tax loss was £358 million. While annnual sales increased by 8.4% in the UK and 8.1% in North America, the sharp decline in China meant that its overall sales of 578,915 vehicles was a year-on-year decline of 5.8%. Jaguar Land Rover did post a £269 million pre-tax profit in the final quarter of the financial year running covering January-March 2019, although this was reduced to £120 million after redundancy costs, part of its ongoing transformation programme, were taken into account. The firm noted that it retained £3.8 billion of cash. Speth said that restructuring programme has already resulted in £1.25 billion of efficiencies, and made the firm “one of the first companies in its sector to address the multiple headwinds simultaneously sweeping the automotive industry.” He added: “We are taking concerted action to reduce complexity and to transform our business through cost and cash flow improvements. “Jaguar Land Rover is focused on the future as we overcome the structural and cyclical issues that impacted our results in the past financial year. We will go forward as a transformed company that is leaner and fitter, building on the sustained investment of recent years in new products and the autonomous, connected, electric and shared technologies that will drive future demand.” The financial results come in the wake of ongoing rumours that Jaguar Land Rover’s owners, Tata Motors, are considering selling the firm to the PSA Group. More updates to
Origin: Jaguar Land Rover posts heavy annual losses
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