It’s the first time that we’ve seen a prototype for the new Defender without diesel power. Autocar understands that it will be offered with both mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines in 2020, although with no visible charging port seen through the disguise, it’s likely that we have the former here. There is no indication of the engine size, power and efficiency offered by the new powerplant. However, it could make use of Jaguar Land Rover’s 2.0-litre turbcharged Ingenium petrol unit, one of the firm’s biggest sellers since the diesel market has suffered huge losses. Land Rover is keen to silence sceptics, particularly when it comes to the issue of electrified propulsion being used in a supposedly back-to-basics 4×4. However, the company insists that an electric motor allows maximum torque from step-off, and the torque delivery is more controllable, meaning a hybrid would perform better off road. At the same time, a similarly petrol-electric test mule for the Range Rover Velar has been spotted. It’s predicted that Land Rover will launch the luxury SUV with the same ‘P400e’ powertrain – mating a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with an electric motor for nearly 400bhp – as found in the Sport and full-size Range Rover. However, as with the Defender, the images don’t reveal a charging port, suggesting it’s either hidden from view or we’re looking at a forthcoming Velar with mild-hybrid system upgrades
Origin: Land Rover Defender and Range Rover Velar hybrids spotted
Rover
Jaguar Land Rover boss plays down PSA sale report – but doesn’t deny it
Jaguar Land Rover boss Ralf Speth has played down reports the firm could be sold to the PSA Group – but not refuted them outright. Quizzed on rumours linking the firms, with JLR owner Tata Motors reported to be considering an outright or partial shareholding sale, at the FT Future of the Car summit, Speth said: “There are lots of rumours flying around but I can’t confirm any of these discussions.” Asked if he and PSA boss Carlos Tavares had spoken, Speth said: “I have met Carlos Tavares at ACEA (the association of European car makers) meetings but we didn’t discuss anything about ownership”. Autocar first reported talks of a potential deal last month, while last week, the Press Association reported seeing a ‘post-sale integration document’ that has been circulated within JLR, highlighting the benefits of the company being sold by Tata Motors to PSA, which comprises Citroën, DS, Peugeot and Vauxhall/Opel. A source also told the PA that “things are moving quickly behind closed doors.” In reponse to that, Tata Motors re-affirmed a previous statement saying that “there was no truth to rumours that Tata Motors is looking to divest its stake in JLR.” A PSA Group spokesperson told PA that it was in “no hurry” to make any acquisitions, but added it would “consider” any oportunities that came along. Tavares has been open in recent months about his desire to expand the group, either through acquisitions or partnerships with other car firms. Tavares led PSA’s purchase of Vauxhall/Opel from GM in 2017. The Peugeot family, which owns the largest stake in the PSA Group, also recently said it would back future mergers or acquisitions, including with the FCA Group. In an exclusive interview with Autocar India recently, Tavares was asked about the firm’s interest in Jaguar Land Rover. He said that it would be good for PSA to have a luxury brand, and that the company was “considering all opportunities,” adding he would be interested “as long as it’s not a distraction.” Tavares said that there had been no discussions with Tata Motors about Jaguar Land Rover yet. He also said that “we don’t have a specific target but if there are opportunities, of course, we will consider it.” Asked further about adding a luxury brand that would sit about DS, Tavares said: “Why not? Why shouldn’t we discuss it? It depends on what kind of value creation we could generate.” Jaguar Land Rover has struggled in recent months, hit by falling demand for diesels and the decline of the Chinese market. Recent heavy losses, including an asset writedown, also caused the Tata Group to post a quarterly loss. Tavares cited PSA’s success in turning around Vauxhall/Opel, which posted its first profit in 20 years recently, suggesting it could have a similar impact on the strugging British firm: “With Opel, we have demonstrated that we can turn around a company that was in the red for 20 years, in 12 months. So this is something we know how to do.” Tavares said the group’s current focus was on its ‘Push to Pass’ strategic growth strategy to expand the company’s global presence, including expansion into the US, Russian and Indian markets. In a statement to Autocar India following its interview with Tavares, Tata Motors said that Jaguar Land Rover was not for sale. Following Jaguar Land Rover’s 2018 losses, Tata’s boss had previously affirmed its commitment to the
Origin: Jaguar Land Rover boss plays down PSA sale report – but doesn’t deny it
Used car buying guide: Rover Mini
Buy the right one and it’ll be great fun but buy the wrong one…” So says Richard Williams, a long-established Mini specialist. It’s advice that you could apply to any motor, but given that a good Mini is the definition of ‘fun’, to buy a bad one must surely be the definition of something verging on hell. The worst thing waiting for you in the flames is rust like you’ve never seen. Replacing corroded shells, panels, bulkheads, floors and sills is an expensive and fraught business, and having sorted one problem, you’re bound to find another, and another… Such a vehicle passed through auction recently. The 1985 C-reg Mini 1000 City E had done 89,000 miles and sold for £2530. The car’s former owner, its 11th, had bought it to rekindle youthful memories. It was in original condition, but by October 2017, he’d spent £800 on new sills, £1629 on other panel work and £1500 on mechanical and electrical repairs. “I realise I am no longer a Mini fan and neither am I prepared to carry on being a mechanic,” he said as the hammer fell. Not the most encouraging anecdote with which to start a Mini buying guide but it’s best you remove your rose-tinted specs now. Williams has: “I only buy garaged Minis, generally from retired folk who appreciate and know how to look after them.” The model goes back to 1959 but here we’re interested in the last-of-the-line Rover Mini, also called the Mk7, of 1996-2000. By 1990, the Mini’s venerable 998cc engine had gone, replaced by a 1275cc unit. In 1992, this got single-point fuel injection and then, in 1996, with the arrival of the Mk7, multi-point complete with distributor-less ignition, electronic management and a coil per plug. The old side-mounted radiator was moved to the front, the alternator was beefed up and a higher final drive ratio was fitted. As for the body, the wheel arches became more flared, the headlights got adjustable levelling and side impact beams were fitted. New seats and headlining, thicker carpet, new control stalks and trims, remote central locking, seatbelt pre-tensioners and a driver’s airbag completed the interior makeover. Versions included the standard 1.3i, the Cooper 1.3i and its sporty spin-offs, and specials such as the Paul Smith, Classic Se7en and Knightsbridge. It was all done in response to research that had found the Mini was popular among fashion-conscious, professional singles; perhaps the same research BMW drew on for its replacement. Today, a nice, garaged Mk7 looks better than ever. It may lack the cachet of a classic Cooper, say, or a standard version with sliding windows and a cable door opener, but you’ll pay less (although we found a 2001 Cooper Sport 500 with 500 miles for a stiff £28k) and have something that rides and goes that little bit better. Buy a good one, as opposed to a bad one, and its price will only go one way, too. How to get one in your garage An expert’s view : “I spend 90% of my time looking for good Minis and 10% selling them. I’m only interested in well-maintained garaged cars because that’s what people want and are prepared to pay for. For example, I had 17 very nice Minis two weeks ago and now I’ve only three left. You can buy far cheaper Minis than mine from around £3000 but you may need to spend at least as much again getting such a car to an acceptable condition. Then, when people research its MOT history and find it was once failed for rust, not even the expensive bodywork you’ve done will persuade them to buy it! Good ones are out there but you’ll need to look at five cars to find one worth having.” Buyer beware… ■ Engine: Oil smoke could be valve stem seals, a low-down rumble a distressed crank, a noisy idle a failing timing chain and mayonnaise around the oil filler a leaky head gasket. Check the condition of the oil and coolant levels, and for a recent oil change sticker. Let the engine idle and pray the cooling fan cuts in. Blip the throttle and watch for the engine rocking abnormally. ■ Transmission: Even a healthy gearbox whines on the overrun. Listen for worn synchromesh and feel for a tired clutch. A recent MOT will have checked things like split driveshaft gaiters but feel if CV joints are worn by turning the wheel to full lock and driving slowly in circles. ■ Brakes, steering and suspension: The ride should be bouncy but well damped, and the steering light and quick, the car changing direction in an instant. When braking, expect to pull up in a straight line and for the brake pedal to feel firm, not hard. Again, a fresh MOT should rubber-stamp most of these mechanicals. Try to separate trim rattles from suspension noises. ■ Body: Check the inner and outer sills, floor and rear subframe for rust. Ditto the front wings, door skins and the A-panel between the doors and wings. Use a magnet to locate filler and a screwdriver to lift and peer behind anticorrosion layers. Also, check the boot floor where the battery sits. Also worth knowing It may look like a
Origin: Used car buying guide: Rover Mini
Land Rover plots comeback with hybrid-led new model blitz
Land Rover will this autumn kick off an extremely significant two-year period of consolidation and expansion, following a turbulent 18 months, that will define the brand for the next decade. A great deal of the activity will relate not just to the launch of four new vehicles but also increased electrification within its line-up. Although the marque’s pure-electric vehicles are still some years away – with sibling brand Jaguar leading the group in this market segment – all new Land Rover models from late 2019 will be offered with the option of mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid drivetrains, allowing it to leave its diesel difficulties behind. Perhaps the most important addition during that time will be the all-new Mk5 Range Rover, imagined by Autocar above, which is expected to be unveiled in 2021. The mainstream version of the new flagship will be a plug-in hybrid based on an all-new aluminium platform, dubbed MLA. It has been designed to be much lighter than the current Jaguar Land Rover aluminium architecture, as well as accommodating conventional engines and/or electric drive. Autocar understands that there will be an all-electric Range Rover 5, but it will be targeted at city users, particularly in east Asia. The vast majority of sales, however, are expected to be of the plug-in hybrid version, which will combine the new straight-six Ingenium engine with twin electric motors – one assisting the front wheels and one driving the rear axle. Land Rover engineers hope that the combination of the new architecture and downsizing the engine will offset the weight of the battery pack, which will offer around 40 miles of pure-electric driving. A mild-hybrid Range Rover 5 will use a very similar set-up to the upcoming Range Rover Sport, so expect 300- 400bhp versions of the new straight-six Ingenium engine assisted by both a 48V electric supercharger and a twin-scroll turbocharger. Kinetic energy that would otherwise be wasted is harvested and stored in a small battery that, in turn, powers the engine’s electric supercharger. The upshot of this electrification push is that JLR should easily meet its 132g/ km EU CO2 target in 2021. This target is less stringent than the 103g/km applied to its Volvo rival because JLR is a smaller-scale manufacturer of large cars selling fewer than 300,000 vehicles in the EU. As such, the UK government successfully argued, it needs more leeway in meeting fuel economy targets. However, the EU fleet CO2 targets for 2025 (15% lower than 2021) and 2030 (31% lower) are far more onerous, and it’s possible an expanding JLR will lose its derogation, making large-scale sales of plug-in hybrids essential from 2024 onwards. And here, for once, JLR is confidently on the front foot, as its prepares to roll out the new MLA architecture. Elsewhere in the line-up, Autocar understands that the Range Rover Sport is getting a significant mid-life hybrid makeover now as a vote of confidence in its enduring appeal. Sales continue to be very strong and a replacement is thought to be at least three years away. Further out, it’s thought that the first globally targeted Land Rover EV will be the so-called ‘Road Rover’, which will be much lower and more aerodynamic than other Range Rovers. Despite JLR’s new ‘Project Charge’ cost-cutting efforts, Autocar understands the Road Rover is still on the company’s model cycle plan and will most closely compete with Porsche’s next-generation electric Macan and be twinned with the next-generation Jaguar XJ. The future, MLA-based Velar could also be offered in pure-electric form, but that next-generation model is thought to be more than four years away from launch, and remains at the planning stage. In the shorter term, the long-awaited Defender will be revealed to the public this year. It will be sold in mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid forms. Fears that a plug-in Defender, with an electrically powered rear axle, would be compromised off road are, Autocar understands, misplaced. An electric motor offers maximum torque from step-off and the torque delivery is far more controllable than with a conventionally driven rear axle, greatly improving off-road performance. There’s no firm news on a pure-electric version of the Defender, but it remains a possibility. However, a plug-in hybrid with 35 miles of silent and emission-free electric range could be as useful off road as in a city centre. In the immediate future, the new Range Rover Evoque, which rolls on a completely re-engineered platform and has received praise for its refinement and poise, is already available with a mild-hybrid set-up, assisted by a belt-driven starter/generator. Early next year, though, the Evoque plug-in hybrid will arrive using a three-cylinder engine, a 48V hybrid system and an electrically driven rear axle. The three-cylinder engine alone develops a healthy 197bhp and 148lb ft of torque from 1.5 litres. In addition, the electric motor on the rear axle
Origin: Land Rover plots comeback with hybrid-led new model blitz
New Land Rover Defender 2019: Release date, pictures, specs & price
Bräutigam added that he felt the time taken between the Defender going off sale in 2016 and relaunching could be a positive for the new car, including the likelihood that it will be offered with electrified powertrains as well as petrol and diesel units. “If we had wanted to recreate the existing car then we could have moved quicker, but it is our view that for an icon to remain an icon it cannot only look backwards, but must move forwards too. The new Defender will move the game on again, and having the benefit for some perspective in order to achieve that should be to our advantage. “The one thing I can promise you is that the new Defender will do all that our customers expect of it, without being a copycat of what has gone before. It is a car for the modern world, and that means that it must move the game on if it is to be relevant.” According to the DVLA database, the vehicle registered with the numberplate seen in our spy shots is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine. In one of the spy shots captured by our photographer, the window is wound down and a driver can be seen. It appears to be Nick Rogers, Jaguar Land Rover’s executive director of product engineering, although the firm refused to comment. The reborn Defender is being developed in at least two forms: a short wheelbase 90-badged model, and a larger 110 version. Autocar has previously revealed that the two wheelbase sizes will allow the firm to develop a whole family of vehicles, ranging from basic utilitarian machines up to luxurious high-end models. With prototypes now having been seen on public roads, at the track and in extreme weather environments, test mules of the new Defender are likely to be a regular sight on public roads as Land Rover hones the vehicle. The aim for the new machine is to offer the “biggest breadth of capability of any model to wear the badge”, with prices tipped to range from over £45,000 to £70,000. The previous Defender went out of production in January 2016, and the firm has been working since then to develop a successor. The original Land Rover Series I, from which the Defender is derived, launched over 70 years ago in
Origin: New Land Rover Defender 2019: Release date, pictures, specs & price
Jaguar Land Rover owner denies deal to sell firm to PSA is close
The owners of Jaguar Land Rover have denied reports that they are close to finalising a deal to sell the car firm to the PSA Group. The Press Association has reported seeing a ‘post-sale integration document’ that has been circulated within JLR, highlighting the benefits of the company being sold by Tata Motors to PSA, which comprises Citroën, DS, Peugeot and Vauxhall/Opel. A source also told the PA that “things are moving quickly behind closed doors.” In reponse, Tata Motors re-affirmed a previous statement saying that “there was no truth to rumours that Tata Motors is looking to divest its stake in JLR.” A PSA Group spokesperson told PA that it was in “no hurry” to make any acquisitions, but added it would “consider” any oportunities that came along. PSA boss Carlos Tavares has been open in recent months about his desire to expand the group, either through acquisitions or partnerships with other car firms. Tavares led PSA’s purchase of Vauxhall/Opel from GM in 2017. The Peugeot family, which owns the largest stake in the PSA Group, also recently said it would back future mergers or acquisitions, including with the FCA Group. In an exclusive interview with Autocar India recently, Tavares was asked about the firm’s interest in Jaguar Land Rover. He said that it would be good for PSA to have a luxury brand, and that the company was “considering all opportunities,” adding he would be interested “as long as it’s not a distraction.” Tavares said that there had been no discussions with Tata Motors about Jaguar Land Rover yet. He also said that “we don’t have a specific target but if there are opportunities, of course, we will consider it.” Asked further about adding a luxury brand that would sit about DS, Tavares said: “Why not? Why shouldn’t we discuss it? It depends on what kind of value creation we could generate.” Jaguar Land Rover has struggled in recent months, hit by falling demand for diesels and the decline of the Chinese market. Recent heavy losses, including an asset writedown, also caused the Tata Group to post a quarterly loss. Tavares cited PSA’s success in turning around Vauxhall/Opel, which posted its first profit in 20 years recently, suggesting it could have a similar impact on the strugging British firm: “With Opel, we have demonstrated that we can turn around a company that was in the red for 20 years, in 12 months. So this is something we know how to do.” Tavares said the group’s current focus was on its ‘Push to Pass’ strategic growth strategy to expand the company’s global presence, including expansion into the US, Russian and Indian markets. In a statement to Autocar India following its interview with Tavares, Tata Motors said that Jaguar Land Rover was not for sale. Following Jaguar Land Rover’s 2018 losses, Tata’s boss had previously affirmed its commitment to the
Origin: Jaguar Land Rover owner denies deal to sell firm to PSA is close
This new out-of-this-world Land Rover is for astronauts only
Land Rover’s most recently unveiled new model is a Range Rover Autobiography you can only buy if you’ve been to space. Sort of. The Astronaut Edition is based on a regular Range Rover Autobiography and mostly offers the same comfort and convenience features, but there are also a few touches to let everybody know you’ve seen the upper atmosphere—or at least, that you will, as a member of Virgin Galactic’s Future Astronaut Community. The community is made up of people who have signed on to be among the first space tourists on the suborbital spaceflights that Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic plans to offer in the next few years—yes, space tourism. It’s a thing now. Prime among the special features on the Land Rover are the Zero Gravity Blue paint, inspired by the beautiful effects of the night sky; aluminum door handles with the Future Astronaut Community constellation design; and a ‘DNA of Flight’ graphic on the seats, headrest and console. The puddle lamp when you open the door is even in the shape of the Virgin Galactic spaceship—how cute. The vehicle even has a custom-crafted cupholder that features pieces from the front landing skid of Virgin Spaceship Unity’s first space flight on December 2018. Land Rover vehicles have been part of daily life for the Virgin Galactic team since the launch of the partnership in 2014, says Gerry McGovern, chief design officer of Land Rover. The Astronaut Edition Range Rover is the next step on this journey and the chance for the Future Astronaut Community to celebrate our two brands’ shared values of pioneering spirit and true sense of adventure. This vehicle really will take them Above and Beyond. Two versions of the vehicle will be available, a 400e plug-in hybrid powertrain model; or a model with a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 that makes 525 horsepower. Astronauts with the Virgin Galactic Future Astronaut community can also choose to have their initials stitched onto the
Origin: This new out-of-this-world Land Rover is for astronauts only
No electric Range Rover Evoque planned, PHEV instead
An electric Range Rover Evoque won’t arrive to the line-up before 2025, as the brand focuses its efforts on hybrid technology in the mid-term. Jaguar Land Rover UK boss Rawdon Glover said that while “there will be a market for a small to medium-sized electric SUV”, it will not arrive before the next generation of its entry-level Range Rover. The second-generation Evoque launched earlier this year, seven years after the compact SUV was born, and thanks to a new platform, now accommodates mild hybrids as well as a plug-in hybrid. However, Autocar understands the platform can not accommodate a fully electric drivetrain, and so new architecture would need to be implemented for a third-generation model to house such a set-up. The PHEV, due in 12 months’ time, will be powered by a 197bhp three-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with a 107bhp electric motor. Glover described the Evoque PHEV as “fleet game-changer” for Land Rover and predicts it will make up more than a third of UK Evoque sales when it arrives early next year. Land Rover believes plug-in hybrid technology is a sensible middle ground for the Evoque, opposed to a fully electric variant, having seen success with the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport plug-in hybrids launched in 2017. Within the M25, one in two of those models sold are plug-in hybrid. Broader electric plans for Land Rover are unconfirmed, but an electric version of the flagship Range Rover is expected in under five
Origin: No electric Range Rover Evoque planned, PHEV instead
Range Rover gains 395bhp Ingenium straight-six petrol
Land Rover has added its new 395bhp Ingenium straight-six petrol engine to the Range Rover. It’s available to order now, priced from £83,655. First introduced on the Range Rover Sport, the new turbocharged Ingenium engines will gradually replace the ageing Ford-sourced supercharged V6s in use across Jaguar and Land Rover’s ranges. The 3.0-litre unit doesn’t abandon the supercharger, though, using an electrically powered version to provide a more instant response before the twin-scroll turbocharger spools up. It also makes use of a 48v mild hybrid system, boosting efficiency by supplying torque to reduce the engine’s workload. In the Range Rover, the engine produces 395bhp and 406 lb ft of torque, making the 2.3-tonne SUV capable of 0-60mph in 5.9sec and a top speed of 140mph. Land Rover quotes a combined economy figure of 30.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 212g/km. Land Rover has also updated the whole Range Rover line-up with new features. These include a smartphone pack featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the ability for the headlights to dim individual LEDs that could reflect back off signposts and ‘Tourist Mode’, which adjusts the headlight beam for driving on the left or right of the
Origin: Range Rover gains 395bhp Ingenium straight-six petrol
Land Rover makes good use of Defender durability testing by volunteering in Kenya
It may have been just an ordinary Tuesday for you, but Land Rover celebrated a major milestone on April 30, 2019. Because not only was it Land Rover Day—didn’t you know, it’s the 71st anniversary of the Land Rover’s debut at the 1948 Amsterdam Motor Show?—but it also marked the completion of 1.2-million kilometres of testing in the new Defender prototype by the brand. To ensure ultimate off-road readiness, these 1.2M klicks have been collected all over the planet. The brand even put together this graphic to demonstrate the extremes to which it’s taken the new offroader, and where. It has been ripped around the Nurburgring, subjected to -40 degrees Celsius cold in the arctic and 50 degrees Celsius heat in the desert, and seen altitudes upwards of 10,000 feet in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. But to honour (and hype) this latest milestone, JLR has released a new set of images of the camouflaged Defender hauling a** through the rugged Kenyan terrain, where it will complete its final phase of testing. The brand plans to put the 44 to the test while aiding the Borana Conservancy and the Tusk Trust, a 15-year partner, by transporting goods and people and helping with other such chores across the park’s 35,000 acres. “In addition to the extensive simulation and rig testing, we’ve driven new Defender 1.2 million kilometres across all terrains and in extreme climates to ensure that it is the toughest and most capable Land Rover vehicle ever made,” said Nick Rogers, Executive Director, Product Engineering, Jaguar Land Rover. “The incredible opportunity to put it to the test in the field, supporting operations at the Borana Conservancy in Kenya, with Tusk, will allow our engineers to verify that we are meeting this target as we enter the final phase of our development program.” The new Land Rover Defender is set to be revealed in full, peeling off the camo wraps, in September.
Origin: Land Rover makes good use of Defender durability testing by volunteering in Kenya
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