Auto News

AutoGuide News Blog


The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.
 |  May 13, 5:09 PM

Mansory Range Rover _ BMW X6_hi-res.jpg

Southern California tuner, RTW Motoring, is proud to announce their North American distributorship of Mansory products by presenting the wide body tuning package for the Range Rover Sport and BMW X6.

RTW Motoring is offering these conversions at their one-stop shop location and is providing delivery of vehicles anywhere in North America. Of course if you don’t have a Range Rover Sport or BMW X6 but want some Mansory goods for your luxury ride, RTW Motoring can also take care of you.

The complete tuning package for both vehicles include a wide body conversion and aero kit. RTW Motoring professionally installs and paints all aero kits in-house and will outfit your ride with a set of Mansory wheels, more specifically 23-inchers for the Range Rover Sport and 22-inch packages for BMW’s X6.

Those wondering just how wide the conversion is, the Range Rover Sport features a 2.36-inch wider front and 3.15-inch rider rear, while the BMW X6 is more aggressive in the front becoming 2.75-inch wider while the rear addition is similar to the Range Rover Sport at 3.15-inch.

No pricing was announced from RTW Motoring.

Continue Reading…

 |  Apr 05, 9:37 PM

platinum_motorsport_epic_video.jpg

Platinum Motorsports is known for bold luxury and exotic builds, and to really put the spotlight on what they’ve done over the recent years, they’ve put together a video of epic proportions. Taking some of their finest projects and hitting several Los Angeles landmarks while armed with a video camera, Platinum Motorsports has released this video that will make any luxury and exotic lover drool.

The video mainly highlights a Lamborghini LP640 with a matte Reventon Grey paint job, along with a Mercedes-Benz SL550 with a Black Series widebody treatment sporting the same shade. In addition, their Premier 4509 widebody Bentley GT Mulliner also steals the spotlight in matte white and we see glimpses of several Range Rovers.

Obviously the point of the video is to spotlight what Platinum Motorsports specializes in, but we can’t help but wonder how awesome Transformers would be if they had these cars in the movie; or what would happen if Fast and the Furious met Gone in 60 Seconds and had a bastard child.

Check out the video after the jump:

Continue Reading…

 |  Apr 05, 11:17 AM

IMG_3882.JPG

The hotly anticipated Range Rover Evoque has been priced in the United Kingdom and will start at £27,955, or about $45,000, for a front-drive, manual gearbox equipped 5-door model. At the other end of the spectrum, a fully loaded, AWD 3-door model with the 6-speed automatic, will cost an eye-watering £44,320 or about $71,000.

Of course, car prices in Britain are much higher than North America, so a direct comparison isn’t possible, but for reference, a Land Rover LR2 in Britain starts at roughly $35,000 (for a far less generously equipped trim level than our base model) and the LR4 starts at about $58,000, nearly $10,000 higher than our starter LR4.

The Evoque is being positioned as a Range Rover for urban dwellers, with an emphasis on aesthetics rather than off-road capability. Interior and exterior customization will be a big part of the vehicle’s selling features, since the 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and car-based chassis will make it far more crossover-like than anything sold by the venerable British brand.

[Source: AutoExpress]

 |  Mar 30, 1:34 PM

Although the destroyed Chinese Lamborghini will forever linger in the minds of car enthusiasts bemused by the antics of spoiled owners, a Range Rover driver decided to take a less apoplectic approach and simply returned his Range Rover by towing it to the dealership with two donkeys.

Dissatisfied after his Rover broke down 6 times in one year (requiring a new engine as well), the unidentified man towed the car (worth $304,604 in China) to the dealer after its 7th breakdown and demanded a refund. The situation was apparently not resolved, but at least it gave the internet something to laugh at on a Wednesday morning.

[Source: TheTycho]

 |  Feb 15, 11:59 AM

The Evoque shown above is an attractive, compelling vehicle, designed to attract equally attractive and compelling owners. But its full name is the “Land Rover Range Rover Evoque,” a name straight out the Department Of Redundancy Department, and sure won’t help you attract Victoria Beckham, who helped unveil it back in July of 2010.

This is Land Rover’s problem. Officially, the Evoque is an offshoot of the Range Rover, whose full name is the Land Rover Range Rover. Both SUVs wear the LAND ROVER badge on the back. As does the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, an offshoot of the Land Rover Range Rover. Land Rover is planning a smaller Evoque, which–if it was called the Sport, for example–would be officially known as the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Sport.

Clearly, something needs to be done.

Hence, why Land Rover is planning Range Rover as a separate brand, focused on luxury while Land Rover handles the “utilitarian” models the company is known for. But the issue, according to Land Rover product manager Skip Pavlik, is “in flux right now.” Whether or not the Land Rover badging would still be present on the Range Rover, he couldn’t say. But if the idea to separate the Range Rover brand from Land Rover takes off, both will be aimed at different consumers, sold within existing Jaguar/Land Rover dealers, and allow the Evoque to focus on prestige and on-road driving.

Is it all an issue of brand marketing? Sure, perhaps. But try going down to the DMV and filling out “Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Sport” on the registration forms.

[Source: Autoblog]

 |  Feb 10, 3:57 PM

l32211leextloc01ba32e.jpg

Now that the Range Rover has become the luxury SUV of choice for the merely rich, the Land Rover crew is forced to step up for their uber-wealthy client base and create something over the top. Enter the Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition, a truly opulent SUV for the developing world plutocracy.

The biggest changes occur inside, where the rear bench is jettisoned in favor of 4 individual bucket seats. A center console made of aluminum hosts a cooler and drink tray with Apple iPads impregnated into the front seat headrests. The cargo area is fitted with a teak surface, while Kalahari wood veneers accent the highest grades of leather upholstery. Outside, new wheels, special badging and specific grille and door handle trims help set it apart from plebeian versions of the Range Rover.

Powertrain options include a 5.0L supercharged V8 or a 4.4L turbodiesel mill mated to an 8-speed ZF automatic. Pricing has yet to be announced but will be revealed at the Geneva Auto Show.

Hit the jump for the official press release

Gallery: Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition

l32211leextdet02ae58b.jpgl32211leextloc01ba32e.jpgl32211leintdet09c2879.jpgl32211leintdet13d1877.jpgl32211leintstu01ed14c.jpgl32211leintstu03f4dd4.jpg

Continue Reading…

 |  Feb 09, 2:42 PM

Ask any auto manufacturer and they will say that one of the most important car markets at the moment is China. With their population and economic growth, China is now one of the largest car markets in the world, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

Want proof? Jaguar and Land Rover have decided to open another 40 dealerships in China this year, bringing the total number to 100.

Jaguar/Land Rover opened a flagship store in Beijing last month, and expects to sell 400 vehicles a year from this facility. Another new showroom in the city of Tianjin has also opened doors, and should move about 200 vehicles a year.

In 2010, Jaguar/Land Rover sales doubled in China, with Jaguar moving 2700 vehicles, while Land Rover moved an astonishing 23,500 vehicles, suggesting SUV’s are the preferred mode of transport for the rich.

(Source: Autocar)

 |  Feb 02, 12:48 PM

SonataTurbo_408

The Ford F-150 and its 8-cylinder bretheren may have a lock on America’s auto market, but rising gas prices and improving technology have helped the once-pedestrian 4-cylinder engine dominate the automotive world, with 65.4% of cars built in 2010 powered by a 4-banger. About 18 percent of light trucks were similarly equipped.

While we lost one of the best 4-cylinders ever in 2009, when the Honda S2000 finally ended production, top-notch inline-4s entered the mainstream this past year, as turbocharging and direct-injection helped everyman cars like the Chevrolet Cruze, Hyundai Sonata and even the Range Rover Evoque punch way above their weight in terms of fuel economy and horsepower, while down on displacement. Look for this trend to continue as oil is now over $100 per barrel, and consumers have found satisfaction without having to go to 6 or 8 cylinders.

[Source: Ward's Auto]

 |  Dec 29, 5:14 PM

If you’re a regular reader of AutoGuide, you’ll know that we’re big fans of the Range Rover Evoque. It looks better in person than it does in pictures, and the car-based chassis, coupled with an EcoBoost 4-banger is just right for 99% of Range Rover customers and their urban driving.

But there would be no 2-door Evoque if it weren’t for the grandaddy of the brand, the original Range Rover. Before 1981, all Range Rovers were two-door vehicle, with spartan interior and a Buick-derived V8, a far cry from the lush, four-door, BMW and Jaguar powered versions that exist today.

Bring A Trailer, one of the best classic car sites on the internet, found this example being sold in New Hampshire for $6500. This one is only for the brave, but it’s likely more reliable than the current crop of Ranges, and will certainly stand out from the nouveau riche crowd that pilots them. Did we mention it’s a manual?

[Source: Bring A Trailer]

Get more Range Rover Evoque News and Reviews at RREvoqueForum.com

 |  Dec 13, 1:22 PM

IMG_3884.JPG

Land Rover will skip the hybrid powertrain version of their new compact Evoque crossover and instead apply the new technology to their truck-based LR4, a company spokesman said.

“Our approach to Evoque is more viable for the company and customers because hybrid technology on a relatively small car would load the price and add weight. That technology is better suited to larger cars, probably from Discovery upwards,” said Land Rover’s John Edwards.

Land Rover is also expecting a majority of buyers to opt for four-wheel drive, due to the brand’s strong off-road heritage. The level of conquest buyers is also expected to be between 70 and 80 percent – and quite honestly, with a vehicle this good looking, we wouldn’t be surprised if this prediction came true.

[Source: Auto Express]

 |  Nov 25, 7:31 PM

Overfinch, a Range Rover tuning outfit favored by sports stars and other celebrities, has gone bankrupt after trying to find a buyer. Rival firm Project Khan is rumored to be a front runner for Overfinch.

The company’s expertise goes beyond just big bodykits and wheels. Overfinch is famous for creating the first automatric transmission Range Rover, and the firm even won the 1981 Paris-Dakar rally. But their engineering sucess couldn’t keep them from insolvency.

Lisa Hogg of administrator Wilson Field said: “In the past 18 months, Overfinch has incurred significant one-off non-trading costs which have hit cash flow.

[Source: AutoExpress]

 |  Nov 08, 2:22 PM

They’ve finally done it. After 40 years, Land Rover has finally reached the magic, one million production target for the original luxury off-roader, the Range Rover.

And to mark the occasion, the actual one-millionth example to roll off the Solihull assembly line in the UK – a black Vogue Autobiography edition, will be donated to British Charity Help for Heroes.

As the name might suggest, this charity was created to help those members of the armed forces wounded in combat with assistance upon their return back to Britain. It’s one of the fastest growing foundations in the United Kingdom and the donated Range Rover, which will be auctioned off for charity, is set to bring in the equivalent of more than $150,000 when it goes under the hammer.

Help for Heroes will receive the black Range Rover at a handing over ceremony as part of  the BBC’s Top Gear Live, held at the Earl’s Court Exhibition Center in West London. Personally receiving the keys on behalf of the charity will be none other than Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson, who also happens to be a patron of Help for Heroes.

Press release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

 |  Sep 22, 11:25 AM

1246809214621076441.jpg

Land Rover‘s new Range Rover Evoque two-door SUV is on a publicity blitz ahead of its deubt at the Paris Auto Show, and details are begging to emerge.

Rather than the usual 8-cylinder powerplant, the Evoque will use a 2.0L Ecoboost 4-cylinder, dubbed the Si4, which makes 240 horsepower.  Land Rover will likely have to resort to some creative marketing to sell customers on the idea of a 4-cylinder, even if it’s likely more than adequate for urban driving.

A 2.2L turbodiesel has also been announced, but power figures haven’t been announced yet beyond the 187 horsepower number. The torque figures will be far more important, and expect this engine to be sold in most of the Evoque’s 160 world markets, but not the United States.

Gallery: Range Rover Evoque

1140029937621646894.jpg1246809214621076441.jpg1276622602503324499.jpg14245791912122577552.jpg1427689310434171307.jpg17266318541908112664.jpg1794982060462255005.jpg18019931061727886513.jpg20115924081805837849.jpg685751338747504549.jpg686365973500634412.jpg6870233631762736431.jpg739890489114592996.jpg8910153282113815033.jpg914489398796560182.jpg938216603335119558.jpg

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue Reading…

 |  Sep 19, 5:40 PM

kahn_rover_7.jpg

For those who got their hands on a limited edition Land Rover Range Rover Sport Autobiography, Kahn Design has just put together a tuning package for you. Already bored of the 510-hp from the supercharged 5.0L V8 engine? Turn over to Kahn Design and get that bumped up to 600-hp. Plus, Kahn also offers a 10-piece body kit, making your limited edition vehicle even more special.

Kahn’s RS600 kit adds 90-hp to the Range Rover Sport Autobiography courtesy a “performance upgrade” – which we think is just code-speak for an ECU retune. A Project Kahn Super Sound exhaust is also bolted on for a deep rumble and probably contributes to the 90-hp increase.

On the outside is an extensive 10-piece body kit, transforming the visuals of the Range Rover Sport Autobiography to something much more aggressive and sporty. But the luxury remains inside, with a quilted leather interior, glove box and dashboard. The steering wheel and gear shift are also reupholstered in leather. And to make things a little more exciting, the gauge cluster receives an electric blue treatment.

Finishing off the entire package is fancy set of Kahn 22-inch RS wheels with tires. No pricing is mentioned, but we’re guessing if you got your hands on this limited edition luxury SUV, you can easily toss a few tens of thousands of dollars towards personalizing your autobiography.

GALLERY: Kahn Design Range Rover RS600

kahn_rover_1.jpg kahn_rover_10.jpg kahn_rover_2.jpg kahn_rover_3.jpg kahn_rover_4.jpg kahn_rover_5.jpg

Official press release available after the break.

Continue Reading…

 |  Sep 02, 5:53 PM

Day2 002.jpg

MINI is apparently starting work on a two-door variation of the Countryman SUV, with a vehicle that would be similar in concept to the just announced Range Rover Evoque.

BMW managers have reportedly been inspired by the success of the BMW X6, and have faith that the desire for a couple-like crossover is strong in various demographics. With the Countryman facing competition from the Nissan Juke and upcoming offerings from Ford, the small, premium 4-door crossover segment could give way to a 2-door category as well. A suicide door with 4 doors may also be used for practicality reasons, but company insiders appear to be pushing for only 2 doors.

While the Countryman Coupe hasn’t been greenlight, the car is expected to arrive in 2013.

[Source: Autocar]

 |  Aug 17, 2:18 PM

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Range Rover, parent company Land Rover is launching the most opulent SUV in its history, with the Range Rover Autobiography Black Limited Edition.

Buyers may not be able to say that name three times fast, but the Autobiography Black Limited Edition will let buyers be swaddled in the monochromatic hue, with black exterior paint, “diamond turned” 20″ alloy wheels, a chrome grill, and a special interior with either red or ivory accents to accompany the black leather appointments. The Autobiography Black logo is embossed on the rear- armrest, key fob, door sills, and the owners manual cover, while black lacquer adorns the dashboard, center console and door panels.

The Autobiography Black comes with all the top bells and whistles, including a 1200 watt harmon/kardon stereo system, heated and cooled seats and Range Rover’s Jaguar derived 5.0L supercharged V8 putting down 510 horsepower. The Autobiography Black will retail for $122,950, ensuring its exclusivity as the top Range Rover.

[Source: Car and Driver]

 |  Jul 20, 10:56 AM

In a move that’s hardly shocking to North Americans, Range Rover insiders told Autocar that the all-new TDV8 diesel engine will not be offered in North America.

While the new TDV8 offers significant gains in emissions and fuel consumption over the previous diesel unit, it still fails to meet U.S. emissions standards, which are in line with the Euro 6 standard set to appear in 2014. Europe is still using the Euro 5 standard, which does not meet U.S. requirements. Fortunately, the next Range Rover TDV8, set to bow around 2014, is listed as “very likely” to come to the U.S. then”.

[Source: Autocar]

 |  Jul 08, 2:29 PM

Oh Posh, what don’t you do? Victoria Beckham, aka Posh Spice, has just added creative design director to her already impressive resume, as she’ll be designing the interior of the special edition Land Rover Range Rover Evoque.

Since being a pop star, model, soccer wife, yummy mummy, clothing designer and luxury style plate aren’t enough for this Brit, Victoria is set to put her name on the automotive world. The brand’s creative director, Gerry McGovern said, “Victoria understands luxury products. She is a Range Rover fan and has been a Range Rover owner for many years. Her fashion business is now in its third year and her designs are loved by critics and bought by many of the most stylish women in the world. I believe this appointment adds a new dimension to my design team as we continue to design products to appeal to a wider audience.”

The announcement came during the Range Rover’s 40th anniversary at Kensington Palace, at the same time the Range Rover Evoque was unveiled to the world.

“This is a very exciting collaboration,” Beckham said. “The classic British heritage of Range Rover and the effortless style, quality and beauty is something I truly admire and also what I hope to achieve with my own brand. I am honoured to take on this role and be part of the creative team.”

There are no prices attached to Posh’s special edition Range Rover Evoque, but something tells us that it’s not going to be a standard feature. Would you shell out the extra bucks just to say that your vehicle’s interior was designed by the one and only Mrs. Becks? And what do you think it will look like? We’re guessing a super slim design, accented by stilettos and Union Jack upholstery. Feel free to leave what you think the interior will look like in the comment section below.

[Source: Born Rich]

 |  Jun 29, 11:25 AM

Charles Spencer King, the engineer behind the Range Rover SUV and the Rover SD1 luxury sedan has died at age 85 after being involved in a traffic accident involving his bicycle and a van.

King famously set out to combine the best attributes of the Land Rovers of his day (rugged, off road ability) with the luxury features of a Rover sedan. In doing so, he created the Range Rover, the grandfather of the modern luxury SUV, and a product that has gone on to become an icon of luxury, off road performance and conspicuous consumption.

In addition to the Range Rover, King went on to help develop the Rover SD1 and the Triumph TR6, a car that helped spark America’s love affair with British roadsters.

[Source: Auto Express]

 |  Jun 17, 12:14 PM

The venerable Range Rover has been given a few upgrades for 2011, including an all-new 4.4L diesel engine displacing 309 bhp and getting 30.1 mpg. The new diesel is also coupled to an 8-speed automatic, which should filter down to the rest of the lineup soon. The new Range also gets a rotary knob similar to Jaguar’s, rather than a traditional gear selector.

Outside, new wheels and a new front fascia complete the mid-cycle changes. Some of the options should filter down to North America, but don’t expect the diesel to hit our shores any time soon.

[Source: AutoExpress]

 |  Jun 02, 9:17 AM

rr40heritage0373c78.jpg

On June 17th in 1970, the Range Rover brand was born as the Range Rover Classic rolled off the Land Rover assembly line. Forty years later and the luxury 4×4 brand is still going strong as Land Rover prepares to celebrate the introduction of a new model in the coming weeks (likely at a celebration on the 17th).

Surprisingly, for a vehicle with such a long history, the Range Rover has only gone through three model changes, including a lengthy first generation that stretched from 1970 all the way to 1994. The second generation model then arrived in 1994, being replaced by the current SUV in 2001. During the late ’90s and early ’00s the era of the luxury SUV emerged and yet despite vehicles like the Lincoln Navigator, BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne and Jeep Grand Cherokee (another legend), the Range Rover continues to be the hallmark for luxurious off-road-capable vehicles.

And with a storied past, the future of the Range Rover looks to hold far more for the iconic model, with new parent company Tata Motors making heavy investments in order to introduce light-weight new platforms and even hybrid technology.

GALLERY: 40 Years of the Range Rover

rr40heritage033f8a7.jpgrr40heritage0038fa3.jpgrr40heritage028d9f4.jpglr312d2.jpg7354c7.jpgrr40heritage0348e9f.jpg

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

 |  May 28, 12:29 PM

2010-jaguar-xkr-01

India’s Tata Motors is back in the black after rising demand for the Land Rover and Jaguar cars, as well demand in India for Tata products. The Tata group posted an overall profit of $543 million, compared to last year’s loss of $535 million. Tata was able to beat analyst expectations of a $321 million profit, thanks in part to Jaguar and Land Rover raking in their own profit of $46 million.

Land Rover recently fired 2,200 workers and hired a new manager away from General Motors Europe to help them back on the road to profitability. However, analysts are still skeptical about the economic conditions in Europe, and whether they are conducive to a recovery for the British luxury maker.

“Europe is in doldrums and that is a big worry for Tata Motors since it is a big market for Jaguar Land Rover,” said Umesh Karne, an analyst at BRICS Securities Ltd in Mumbai. “Until Europe stabilizes, Jaguar Land Rover will be under pressure.”

[Source: Automotive News]

 |  May 18, 2:47 PM

design_q_1.jpg

The whole term of VIP has really progressed over the last few decades. When it comes to automotive, there’s an entire VIP trend that outfits cars with a low-to-the-ground ride height and wildly aggressive wheels that poke beyond the fenders. This style, extremely popular in Japan, normally sees outfitted black vehicles with dark tint and even embroidered shades to conceal what’s inside.

But hey, if you’re out in the Middle East, VIP isn’t low to the ground or with privacy. VIP in the Middle East is taking a Range Rover and giving it wings, without the Red Bull. Design Q, a firm based in England, has done quite possibly the most outlandish luxury embellishment to a vehicle to date.

Let’s start with the elevated roof that extends the rear-seat space in addition to allowing the ridiculously absurd step-through door. The interior has been thoroughly up-ended with larger reclining seats, a drink chiller, cigar humidor, mini-spa center and (we quote) “many other highly desirable features”. We’re not too sure how many of those features listed above are highly desirable in any vehicle, save maybe the drink chiller. The idea behind Design Q’s stretched Range Rover is to allow VIPs to feel the same comforts in their vehicle as they do in their private jet. We can hardly sympathize with those that aren’t content with a standard run-of-the-mill Range Rover.

At the end of the day though, who are we to judge? Our definition of VIP is to have a charging station and a nice WiFi signal wherever we go. Or hey, we’ll just take one of those new fancy, schmancy iPads in our car. That’s probably one of those “many other highly desirable features.”

[Source: Design Q]

GALLERY: Design Q Range Rover

design_q_2.jpgdesign_q_1.jpgdesign_q_3.jpg

 |  May 17, 12:30 PM

jimholland

The trickle of informations surrounding Ford‘s next Explorer has been slow, but the Blue Oval released yet another teaser in the form of a portrait of the new car’s chief engineer posing with the new model. Jim Holland, formerly responsible for the 2002 Range Rover, gave an interview with the Detroit Free Press where he refuted claims that the switch to a crossover format would diminish the current truck-based Explorer’s towing capacity and off-road capability.

Holland talks about the similarities between the Range Rover, which also moved to a car platform despite decades of being truck-based. Holland said that the styling of the two cars will be similar, and that the Explorer will also have a terrain-management system, including a Hill Descent Control system similar to the Range Rover.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]