In an effort to reduce production costs and simplify the overall manufacturing and R&D process, Jaguar Land Rover is looking to move from its current setup of six platforms to just two. How is this possible, you might be asking yourself, especially looking at the varied models the company now produces, from the Jaguar XK luxury sports car, to the simply massive Range Rover.

According to a report by AutoCar, it wont be all that difficult and just because there will be only two platforms, it still doesn’t mean most vehicles will ride on exactly the same architecture. In fact, it will be quite the opposite, with JLR using platforms that can be adapted for different sized vehicles with different purposes. The first platform will be a steel structure and will be offered in three lengths for the Freelander range, while a new aluminum platform will underpin the XJ and XF as well as the Range Rover. A thinner version of this aluminum structure will then be used for the XK as well as a new XE roadster model.

[Source: AutoCar]

Land Rover will debut its newest and smallest model at the Paris Auto Show later this year based on the LRX concept first shown at the Detroit Auto Show back in 2008. Originally thought to be a 2011 model, Automotive News is reporting that it will arrive in late 2011, likely as a 2012 model year vehicle.

According to an older press release released by the automaker the upcoming LRX (if that is in fact its name), will be, “the smallest, lightest and most efficient vehicle the company has ever produced.”

While on one at Land Rover has confirmed as much, it is expected to be a full hybrid model, possibly using a diesel engine when it launches for the U.S. market. Diesel hybrids aren’t offered much because of the expense involve in both hybrid and diesel technology, but its likely that Land Rover sees its customers as the sort who could afford to pay extra for impressive fuel economy.

It’s also not clear if the LRX will be a fully off-road capable SUV or use a car-like crossover platform.

[Source: Automotive News via Autoblog]

Land Rover is currently developing a diesel hybrid version of its Range Rover Sport model with a targeted sales date in 2012. A small fleet of five vehicles is expected to be road-ready and testing next year.

Currently Range Rover has an excellent luxury and off-road image, but a terrible reputation when it comes to miles per gallon and emissions. Land Rover says this new hybrid Range Rover should emit just 100g/km of CO2, which is far less than the only other hybrid in this segment, the Lexus RX450 at 148 g/km of CO2.

The diesel engine used would be the same 3.0-liter unit used in the current Range Rover Sport diesel model, that makes roughly 245-hp and 443 ft-lbs of torque. It would be mated to a 25kW electric motor and would be a full hybrid setup capable of running on either gasoline, electric power or a combination of both. It will also have an electric-only range of 20 miles.

No estimates of fuel-economy were given, but the current diesel RR Sport averages 30.7 mpg (in the European cycle), so we expect at least a 5 mpg improvement on that.

The high-tech ERAD electric rear axle that that is expected in the LRX model will not be a part of this hybrid package. As for the LRX, it will debut in 2011 and mark a fresh new start for Land Rover as it begins an up-hill battle to re-brand itself as an environmentally responsible automaker.

[Source: AutoCar]

Land Rover has now officially confirmed that it will build an SUV based on the LRX Concept, which debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 2008. The new model will debut in 2010 as a 2011 model and rumors have suggested it will arrive on June 17th, the 40th anniversary of the original Range Rover.

Land Rover is keeping quiet about any details but has said that the new model will be, “the smallest, lightest and most efficient vehicle the company has ever produced.” It is expected that a hybrid drivetrain will be offered.

“The production of a small Range Rover model is excellent news for our employees, dealers and customers,” said Phil Popham, managing director of Land Rover. “It is a demonstration of our commitment to investing for the future, to continue to deliver relevant vehicles for our customers, with the outstanding breadth of capability for which we are world-renowned.”

Official release after the jump:

Jaguar Land Rover owner Tata Motorsw says it will close either a Jaguar or Land Rover factory in England by 2014. The decision as to which of the company’s three U.K. plants will be shuddered has not yet been made, but Tata has said which two are on the chopping block.

The first candidate is the Jaguar facility in Castle Bromwich and the second is a Land Rover facility in Solihull. The plan is to consolidate the two facilities over the next five years, with a decision being made in the next 12 to 18 months. Currently JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) employs 5,000 staff in Solihull, 2,000 in Castle Bromwich and 1,800 at the Halewood plant (pictured above) in northwestern England. There is no word on how many jobs will be cut, but Tata did say that800 additional jobs will be created in Halewood when production starts on a new small crossover based on the LRX Concept.

JLR suffered considerable losses during the recent economic downturn, with reduced demand meaning that JLR production facilities were only working at 60 percent capacity. So far, in order to meet the decreased demand the automaker has cut production by over 100,000 units while cutting 25,000 jobs.

[Source: Automotive News]

Land Rover’s smaller, fuel-efficient SUV model based on the LRX Concept, is expected to debut next year as a 2011 model. Several drivetrains will be offered including a hybrid powerplant – a first for Land Rover.

The date for the unveiling is expected to be June 17th, which will mark 40 years since the original Range Rover was unveiled. With a focus on fuel-economy, the new model will help brand a new identity for the company which is known so well for huge engines and incredibly heavy platforms.

The LRX will be based on the Freelander with a hybrid version most likely using an electrically driven rear axle to assist a front-drive gasoline engine, to deliver grip and performance, as well as fuel-economy.

[Source: AutoCar]

The acquisition of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) by Tata Motors Ltd. from Ford continues to hurt the Indian automaker as the two British brands recorded a combined net loss of $1.11 billion in 2008.

As a sign of the troubled economic times, in 2007 the two automakers managed a total net profit of roughly one billion dollars.

Tata has worked hard to cut costs across the board and has introduced several new models which it hopes will boost sales, especially now that the auto-sector (and the economy) seems poised for recovery. New models include the significantly revised 2010 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport as well as the LR4 (pictured above). And in the Jaguar division JLR recently lunched a new flagship XJ, which leaves behind the traditional Jaguar design for a more broad-based look that the automaker hopes will help it compete with higher-volume German rivals.

In order to keep operations running in the short term Tata is currently working out a loan agreement with the British government, the value of which is reportedly worth around $290 million. The money is all but guaranteed, however, the British government would like a short 6-month term to re-pay the loan, whereas Tata is asking for 12 months. The British government is also seeking a spot on Tata’s board, to ensure its money is being spent wisely.

[Source: Automotive News]

Tata Motors has posted its first annual loss in eight years due to a significant drop in demand for vehicles from its newly acquired Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) unit. The Indian automaker, also known for manufacturing the world’s cheapest car (the Nano), posted a net loss of $520 million for its 2009 fiscal year, with a $504 million loss at JLR.

In the 10 months since Tata bought JLR from Ford Motor Co., the division moved just 167,000 units – compared to 246,000 units during the same 10 month period the year before.

Tata’s Vice Chairman Ravi Kant told a news conference that the automaker was continuing to search for ways to cut costs and he did not rule out job cuts and plant closures.

Tata’s fiscal calendar ended at the start of March, and Tata says JLR has posted better numbers since then.

[Source: Reuters]

Land Rover recently secured a $38 million grant from the U.K government to investigate building an environmentally responsible vehicle, likely to be based on the LRX Concept that debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 2008. And according to a recent report in the U.K.’s AutoExpress, Land Rover has given the project the green light.

The upcoming smaller SUV will be a sporty model and feature a full hybrid powertrain, meaning it will be able to run on electric power, gasoline power, or a combination of both. Electric power may even be able to be split between axles, and distributed to either side of the SUV in order to obtain maximum grip.

The vehicle is still at least two years away from being introduced to the market, but other hybrid-like technologies are expected to make their way into Land Rover models before then. For starters, Land Rover is currently developing a start-stop system that will shut off the engine when at a stop light or in traffic. A regenerative braking system is also in the works, that would see energy from braking stored in a battery and then either used to power on-board electronics or even be used to help power the SUV.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Replacing the popular Land Rover LR3 model for the 2010 year is the evolutionary LR4. Looking in many ways quite similar to the previous model, the LR4 is more refined (particularly on the inside) while still keeping all the functionality that made the LR3 so good.

“The outgoing LR3 has well over 100 international awards to its name.  But for the new LR4 we’ve found ways to improve virtually every aspect of the vehicle’s design and engineering – some subtle, some major,” says Phil Popham, Land Rover Managing  Director.

Under the hood is a new 5.0-liter V8 engine (originally designed for the latest Jaguar models). This new powerplant can be found in the 2010 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport as well, and makes 375hp and 375 ft-lbs of torque, an increase of 25 percent more power and 19 percent more torque over the outgoing 4.4-liter engine. Acceleration to 60 mph is rated at 7.5 seconds. 

The new V8 makes use of variable camshaft timing and direct-injection technologies to deliver added performance. And thanks to a new six-speed automatic transmission, power delivery is smoother than ever before. 

The 5.0-liter engine is rated at a maximum towing capacity of 7,716 lbs.

The on-road driving dynamics of the LR4 are much improved thanks to new shocks and a lower center of gravity. Compared to the LR3, the LR4’s center of gravity is reduced by 1.65-inches up front and 2.44-inches in the rear. Highway dynamics are also improved due to the more luxurious front end design, which reduces lift on the front axle at highway speeds by as much as 50 percent. That new front fascia also features stylish LED lights.

To assist with slowing the hulking LR4 is a new set of brakes with twin-piston front calipers and 14.2-inch rotors with rear single-piston calipers with 13.8-inch rotors. 

A major area of improvement is the interior of the LR4. It has been completely reworked with a new dash, center console and new seats. 

“The new interior not only has a much more premium look and feel, it’s also gained improvement to its functionality.  The new console inclines towards the driver, the switchgear and controls fall more readily to hand, and new LED ambient lighting helps make the cabin a more pleasant and more easily used space after dark.  We’ve made the interior environment more premium too, with smoother surfaces, softer materials and close attention to critical details such as stitching,” says Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Design Director.

Other highlights on the 2010 LR4 include keyless entry with a push-button start, Tow Assist, Gradient Release Control and a Surround Camera system that uses five separate cameras to help make parking easier. 

GALLERY: 2010 Land Rover LR4

More on the Land Rover Discovery LR4 after the jump: