The TOTAL Economy Run remains to this day the only credible test for the man in the street of the comparable fuel efficiency of all makes and models of cars competing against each other over the same route, distance and under the same set of regulations.

Amazingly, three-fifths of the vehicles that entered this prestigious event were diesel-powered, with Class M (four-wheel drive SUV's / double cabs) commanding the lion's share of entries – seven in total. Among them was the Lazarus Motorsport duo of Andrew Fuller and Peter van der Beek driving the latest diesel-powered Land Rover Discovery 3 HSE TdV6.

After 1,000 kilometres and two day's of tortuous testing in the North-west Province - from Zeerust to Rustenburg and everywhere in between - saw this Pretoria-based crew scoop the honours against some stiff competition including a Mitsubishi Pajero, a pair of SsangYong Kyrons, Kia's Sorento, and a brace of Mahindra Scorpios.

An ecstatic Andrew Fuller, Dealer Principle for Land Rover Centurion remarked, "We are enormously impressed with the Discovery 3. This is the first time that we have entered this competition and we are extremely happy with the result. With fuel prices escalating at a rapid rate, buyers are looking for fuel efficient vehicles. The Discovery TdV6 has proven its competitiveness in this field."

With a result like this, Land Rover is justifiably proud of its achievement at the Economy Run.

Details about the event at http://www.totalmotorsport.co.za/economy_run.htm

The engineering team of Land Rover designed an extensive testing programme involving the most demanding and arduous procedures ensuring that the new LR3 breaks all boundaries and redefines limits in the luxury 4x4 sector.

'We wanted to test the car in Dubai in order to check its performance in the harsh desert conditions and the extreme summer heat' said Andy Gawthorpe, Managing Director, Land Rover Middle East & Africa. 'A landscape covering sand, wadi and mountains provided a perfect base for measuring and tuning the vehicle's ability to climb sand dunes, and for checking its general off-road ability. We also put to test the efficacy of the new and advanced air-conditioning system to ensure it keeps the occupants cool and comfortable even in temperatures as high as 50 degrees C.'

He added, 'The Middle East is a very important market for Land Rover and we wanted to ensure that the vehicle meets all performance parameters defined to make the product extremely capable for all on and off-road conditions and is relevant for our consumers in this region.'

'Our testing programme also included some of the world's toughest terrains covering sticky mud, frozen wastes, rivers and rugged rocks from across the globe and undoubtedly the new LR3 emerged from the ordeal unscathed' he said.

There has never been a Land Rover more thoroughly tested than the LR3. Land Rover's expertise along with the most thorough testing programme in the company's history has resulted in a product that has set new benchmarks in design and functionality.

The new LR3 promises the broadest range of capabilities in its sector and this combination of on-road and off-road ability was the reason the vehicle needed such a vigorous testing programme.

Engineers and designers have worked hand-in-hand to create this vehicle that is as flawless in its fit and finish as in the technology behind it. With its smoother lines and distinctive detailing - the LR3 takes the brand confidently into the 21st century.

Bold, distinctive, contemporary and similar to the Range Rover in design, the LR3 is the most technologically advanced Land Rover vehicle ever built that offers exceptional space, comfort and flexibility in a luxurious seven-seat cabin, providing the ultimate driving experience that makes it a world class winner.

Enduring one of the most demanding testing schedules, the new LR3 has emerged as a true winner being able to wade in water 700mm deep, climb and descend 45 degree gradients, remain stable when driving across a 35 degrees slope, and operate in temperatures as extreme as minus 40 degrees C and plus 50 degrees C.

The LR3 is a vehicle of great significance and conviction that points the way forward for the company. The launch of this innovative product is in line with Land Rover's 21st century strategy ensuring that all Land Rover models are sophisticated, premium, technologically advanced and suitable for all driving expectations and undoubtedly the all-new LR3 spearheads this groundbreaking revolution, taking the brand a step ahead of the rest.

Although the design of the new Freelander, which is to be launched at the end of 2006, will be more an evolution of the current model's styling this small SUV will get the same slab-sided look as the Discovery.

According to Auto Express the next Freelander will have a boxier rear end with larger light clusters.

The interior will also receive a serious upgrade with better quality materials and plastics. Auto Express says that the dashboard will house the controls for a simplified version of the Disco's Terrain Response System.

Apparently the new Freelander will share its underpinnings with the next Mondeo which means that the baby Landy will grow in size resulting in improved interior space.

Unlike the current Freelander range there will be no three-door version. The reason for this is because Land Rover is attempting to give the next generation a more upmarket image.

Ford will supply the Freelander's engine range which could mean that it will be more refined.

Courtesy www.wheels24.co.za 

Jaguar and Land Rover presented their new Global Dealer Apprenticeship Training scheme at the first Business Action for Africa forum on Wednesday (July 13) while the world's most powerful leaders were in Gleneagles for the G8 Summit.

The three-year programme was developed in consultation with Tshwane College in Pretoria to teach local staff throughout Africa to deliver the work-based learning model to young people.

UK business leaders attended the forum to improve private-sector partnerships and draft recommendations for the Commission for Africa's report that hope to end poverty through sustained growth of African trade and industry
Jaguar and Land Rover's apprenticeship scheme provides a learning programme with global standards
.

The scheme provides a learning programme with global standards to help young people in the developing world achieve recognised skills and increased employability.

Jaguar and Land Rover service operations director Stuart Clift said: "Education is the backbone of the global economy; Jaguar and Land Rover have a history of providing apprenticeship programmes for young people working at car dealers.

"We want to take that programme into key markets, especially Africa."

Earlier this year 40 Jaguar and Land Rover apprentices from dealers around the UK visited Kenya for two weeks as part of "Challenge Africa". They rebuilt a local school, repaired the village's only water pump and refurbished the Kenyan Wildlife Trust's Land Rover Defender.

For further information on the Land Rover and Jaguar Apprenticeship programme visit Land Rover Apprenticeships or Jaguar Apprenticeships.
http://www.landroverapprenticeships.com 

Courtesy www.motoring.co.za  

Gaydon, Warwickshire, 4 December 2003
Land Rover will complete the roll out of its Global Technical Reference (GTR) website this month, designed to provide users with instant, 24-hour access to detailed vehicle maintenance information.

The network launch has been staggered, beginning with a US specific technical database available to their Independent Motor Traders (IMTs) and the general public through the Internet. A service tailored to the equivalent users in the UK was available several months later. Land Rover employees and European IMTs gained access in September, while the worldwide dealer network can use the GTR site through an extranet from this month.

The GTR site offers users improved availability and access to all technical materials, from maintenance check sheets and body repair manuals, to vehicle inspection advice and service bulletins. This allows dealers and IMTs to respond quickly to service actions and new part updates, causing minimal inconvenience to the customer in the event of a repair. Previously such information was uploaded onto a CD and sent to users via post.

US and European legislation dictated the need to supply all emissions related technical information to the IMT and general public, but the GTR site has grown into a Land Rover solution for providing a wider resource of technical materials.

GTR is a subscription based system, providing information over a sliding cost scale depending on the period of subscription and the range of information selected. All charges made to the public and Independent Motor Traders are aligned with those made to Land Rover's own Authorised Repairers.

Land Rover Managing Director, Matthew Taylor, said: "Global Technical Reference contributes to Land Rover's commitment of improving customer satisfaction by connecting every dealer technician directly to the publications database. With 24/7 connectivity and direct database access, GTR will dramatically reduce publication lead times."

You can find the Global Technical Reference (GTR) website by using the following link:

www.landrovertechinfo.com

Solihull, West Midlands, 4 March 2004 
A customer who has purchased a new Range Rover every year for the past 27 years has today visited the Land Rover manufacturing plant in Solihull to personally take delivery of his new vehicle.

Mr Godfrey who lives in Holbeach, Spalding, has ordered a new Range Rover every year since the early 1970s – and every one has been white. Since taking ownership of his first Land Rover product, Mr Godfrey has travelled approximately 50,000 miles every year; therefore, he has driven in excess of 1.3 million miles in his previous 26 Range Rovers.

During his visit to the Solihull factory where the Defender, Discovery and Freelander models are also manufactured, the valued customer was given a guided tour of the Range Rover production areas. Firstly he visited the impressive £60m stamping facility that moulds the largest panels for the Range Rover. He was then given an insight into the body-in-white facility where the vehicle panels are assembled by the use of no less than 123 robots, each providing 6,350 welds for every vehicle. Lastly, he toured the final assembly line to see how the vehicle is fitted with its luxurious interior trim.

After seeing the Range Rovers being built, Mr Godfrey was then given an opportunity to experience the robust capabilities of the vehicle on Land Rover’s infamous off-road jungle track.

Phil Popham, Managing Director, Land Rover UK who handed over the keys of the new vehicle to Mr Godfrey said: “It has been a pleasure to meet one of our most valuable customers. We are delighted when customers continue to come back to our showrooms to buy another Land Rover, but when someone buys 27 over the same amount of years, we know we have achieved ‘customer satisfaction’.”

Moira Moses, outgoing MD of the Premier Automotive Group, which includes Land Rover, told Wheels24 that Land Rover is currently doing pre-production testing of the new Discovery in the Western Cape.

The car will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show and sales will start later this year. 

According to Moses the all-new Discovery will have a radical design and will be unlike anything seen before. It will also feature state-of-the-art 4x4 gizmos and Land Rover claims that it will the class leader... by far.

Moses told us that the Discovery will ride on an all-new Land Rover chassis.

Ford Motor Company's ownership of Land Rover also means that the 2005 Discovery will share parts with other Ford products. The Disco may get Jaguar's 4.2-litre V8 and another possibility is the 4-litre V6 from the Ford Explorer - as also used in the SA-built Ranger bakkie.

At the same time Moses said an all-new Defender will also be launched next year. From 2005 the current model, which has been around in much the same state since the late 1940s, won't meet European emissions and vehicle safety legislation.

Moses said there is a possibility Land Rover will still build the current Defender to sell outside Europe. The South African built Defender is also sold in other countries, including Australia.

The current model will probably be rebadged as the Defender Classic.

Courtesy www.wheels24.co.za