Our photographers have captured the latest spy photos of the upcoming Land Rover Range Rover, including photos of the new SUVs interior. The photos below show what appears to be a significantly larger LCD screen in the center of the dash.

The all-new Range Rover is expected to shed significant weight compared to the current model thanks to an all-aluminum structure. Look for similar engines to the current lineup, including the big 5.0-liter V8 and a supercharged version, as well as the addition of an eight-speed automatic transmission to further improve fuel economy and acceleration.

And to further help grow Land Rover’s green image, we expect to see the launch of the brand’s first hybrid. Recently Land Rover previewed its electric technology with the Range_e Concept using a diesel engine mated to a hybrid electric drive, although it’s expected that the production model will use gasoline power instead.

GALLERY: 2013 Range Rover

News that Jaguar and Land Rover won’t exhibit at this year’s North American International Auto Show can be taken as a sign of the diminished importance the Detroit show now plays on the global stage.

There’s more to this story, however, as the reason the two luxury brands will be absent is due to a conflicting schedule with the Auto Expo show in New Delhi, India. While India’s importance as an emerging market can’t be downplayed, the decision has less to do with growing economies and more to do with the fact that JLR parent company Tata Motors, is from India.

In addition, JLR has little new to show a western audience, having already revealed the Jaguar C-X16 and Land Rover DC100 concepts, first at the Frankfurt Motor Show and then at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

JLR has confirmed that executives will still be cruising the show floor. After all, the Range Rover Evoque is on the shortlist for the 2012 Truck of the Year.

[Source: AutoNews]

See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Detroit Auto Show Preview here

Autocar UK is reporting that Land Rover is currently planning for a bigger Range Rover Evoque model, slotting a vehicle in between the Evoque and its Range Rover Sport sibling. Success of BMW‘s X-models and Audi‘s Q-models has encouraged Land Rover to expand its Range Rover brand.

Possibly called “Grand Evoque”, it should be based on the same LR-MS architecture currently found on the existing Evoque, but Land Rover should be giving it a distinctive aesthetic design of its own to set it apart from the standard Evoque. Stretching the underbody by about 12-inches would give the Grand Evoque plenty of extra room, possibly for a third row of seating.

Speculation also continues with possible powerplants, with the larger Evoque powered by new four-cylinder engines that Jaguar Land Rover is developing. Rumor has it that a 1.8L turbo is in the works capable of producing as much as 170-hp per liter while a diesel variant would be capable of 133-hp per liter. There is also a possibility of a hybrid model for the larger Evoque.

[Source: Autocar UK]

If you’re stuck on what to get the Land Rover enthusiast in your life, why not surprise them with a Land Rover Experience, an ice hat or a collapsible kettle? These are just a few of the new offerings at Land Rover Gear’s online shop.

One of the coolest ideas is the Land Rover Experience. These driving adventures are available in Great Britian and give the lucky recipient the thrill of driving off-road in a Land Rover.  Choose from full or half day courses, or a night drive. Prices range from £195 ($305US) to £365 ($570US) for a full day’s drive.

Great for stocking stuffers, Land Rover also has a collapsible kettle for space-conscious campers, as well as a foldable dog bowl. If you’ve got a little money to burn, you can get the new Land Rover bicycle, with models available for all types of riders. And for the “greenie” on your list, you can wrap up a colorful rug made from recycled yarn.

Check out all the Land Rover holiday ideas at the Land Rover Gear online shop.

Continuing along with the trend of adding awards to its roster, the Range Rover Evoque has been bestowed with another. Top Gear magazine in the UK, has named the baby Rover as it’s “Car of the Year.”

Following the announcement, the Evoque was taken on a “reward trip” across the wilds of North Africa, namely the desert and mountains of Morocco – talk about celebrating in style.

In addition to garnering top honors from the magazine, Top Gear‘s resident  ”motor mouth” Jeremy Clarkson, also labeled the Evoque as his favorite vehicle of the year, beating out such contenders as the Ferrari FF, McLaren MP4-12C and BMW 1 Series M coupe.

[Source: Autoblog]

Startech, a sub-division of famous Mercedes tuning house Brabus, is showing off a custom Range Rover Evoque at this year’s Essen Motor Show. The project originally debuted at the Dubai International Motor Show earlier this month, and has now made its way over to Europe to Essen for its home crowd.

The tuning package from Startech is available for all three- and five-door models of the Evoque and was developed to make the crossover more capable on the road, rather than focusing on the Evoque’s somewhat non-existent off-road capabilities.

For aesthetics, Startech outfits the Evoque with a new front apron, roof wing and rear apron that sports a new rear diffuser and wickedly cool quad exhaust tips. Ride height is lowered by 1.2-inch thanks to a suspension kit while Startech offers a variety of 20- to 22-inch wheels with custom color combos for the client.

On the inside, Startech offers a plethora of custom interior modifications including a sport steering wheel, aluminum pedals, foot rest and shifter, leather upholstery and Alcantara headliner. Startech also announced that they’re working on more horsepower for the 2.0L SI4 powerplant first, and will develop a power kit for the diesel engine shortly thereafter.

For more information and to discuss the Range Rover Evoque, please visit our Range Rover Evoque Forum.

GALLERY: Startech Range Rover Evoque

Tata Sons has named Cyrus Mistry as its next CEO, as current CEO Ratan Tata prepares to retire. The unmarried, childless Tata named Mistry as CEO of the holding company responsible for Tata’s numerous divisions, among them their automotive sector which owns Jaguar and Land Rover, along with the namesake Tata Motors brand.

“The appointment of Cyrus P. Mistry as deputy chairman of Tata Sons is a good and far-sighted choice. He has been on the board of Tata Sons since August 2006 and I have been impressed with the quality and caliber of his participation, his astute observations and his humility,” said Tata, in a statement.

Mistry’s father is Tata’s largest individual shareholder, with an 18 percent stake in the Indian conglomerate. He is currently head of another Indian corporation, the Shapoorji Pallonji group, and will assume full responsibilities in December, 2012 when Tata steps down.

[Source: Automotive News]

The way to a girl’s heart is through expensive automobiles – at least, that’s what Justin Bieber is betting on. In an attempt to impress his girlfriend Selena Gomez, the Canadian singer dropped more than $160,000 on a customized Range Rover.

The Range Rover, a ‘Project Kahn’ car, comes with an $80,000 sound system, leather interior, modified paintwork and a Cosworth engine.

“Justin loves his motors even though he’s barely old enough to drive”, a source told The Sun newspaper. “His girlfriend Selena Gomez will be well impressed with his latest. It’s the business.”

Bieber’s new ride is being shipped from Bradford, West Yorkshire, which is in Northern England to his LA home. The ‘Project Kahn’ operation boasts a star-studded clientele, which have included England soccer star Wayne Rooney and TV star Katie Price.

[Source: Toronto Star]

Discuss this story at EvoqueForum.com

First unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Land Rover has announced it will showcase both the DC100 and DC100 Sport concepts at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this week. More than just a regional unveiling, this announcement is an indication by Land Rover that it is looking to offer the next-generation Defender (which the concepts were created to inspire) in North America.

“The Defender has always been at the heart of the Land Rover Brand and single-handedly defines our go-anywhere, can-do sprit. Our ambition is to create an all new Defender for a global market that remains absolutely faithfully to its original DNA: tough, versatile, durable and capable. At the same time, it will be developed for the 21^st century and adaptable for the needs of future generations,” said John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director.

“Our intention is to introduce the all new Defender in the middle of the decade – there’s a lot of work to do to meet these dates and our concepts are just the start of the journey.  We are here in LA to showcase our DC100 and DC100 Sport concepts and start to actively explore the possibility of bringing the future Defender to North America.”

Of note, Land Rover describes the DC100 Sport as “bursting with California cool,” while also commenting that both concepts have been designed with hybrid versions in mind – ideal for North America. The unique hybrid system includes a “Driveline Disconnect” system that physically (not electronically) disconnected the rear axle to significantly improve fuel economy.

GALLERY: Land Rover DC100 Sport

GALLERY: Land Rover DC100

See AutoGuide’s complete LA Auto Show Preview here

A new range of performance models from Land Rover may be on the horizon, bringing a sub-brand to the British luxury SUV manufacturer. Land Rover execs are reportedly considering the possibility of developing the equivalent of the “R” sub-brand currently found in Jaguar, their sister company. Rumors are that a high-performance Evoque variant is being developed to join a fleet including the supercharged Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.

The high-performance Evoque could have upwards of 300-hp though Global Brand Director John Edwards would neither confirm or deny that such a model is currently under development. What he did confirm is that they are looking deeply into expanding the Evoque model line and that the market is China will play a big role in determining which route Land Rover will go. Either way, we can look forward to an extension to the Evoque model with either more luxurious amenities or more performance.

[Source: Inside Line]