Built for the Urban Jungle

MANILA, Philippines - One of the oldest and most respected four-wheel drive brands in the world, Land Rover, unveiled a trio of fresh new vehicles in the 2010 Discovery 4, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport at the Rockwell Power Plant Mall Plaza last week. LRPhils Motors, Inc., the Philippines’s sole authorized distributor of Land Rover vehicles, was in full force with Executive Director Marc Soong serving as the event’s “master of ceremonies”. Along with the motoring press, several members of the Land Rover Club of the Philippines led by its president, Atty. Robby Consunji were also in attendance.

Discovery 4: The Best in Comfort and Function

The new, fourth generation of Land Rover’s supremely versatile seven-seat vehicle gains a new name: Discovery 4 to go with its powerful and highly efficient new TDV6 diesel engine, fresh exterior identity and more premium cabin. The class-leading capability is extended even further with dynamic improvements for both road and off-road driving, and Land Rover has added a battery of user-friendly new technologies and features.

Star billing on the Discovery 4 goes to the highly efficient and refined new LR-TDV6 3.0 twin turbo diesel engine which delivers better fuel economy and emissions than the previous engine. The torque output increases: up 36 percent to 600 Nm – making it the highest torque output of any 6-cylinder production diesel in the world.

Land Rover engineers have also transformed the on-road ride and handling for the new Discovery 4, and even improved on the near-legendary off-road capabilities of its predecessor. The comprehensive changes include new suspension components, revised steering, larger brakes, improved traction control, and enhancements to the award-winning Terrain Response system, which helps optimize the vehicle for virtually all on-road or off-road driving situations.

The iconic exterior design has been updated, most obviously with smoother and simpler surfaces at the front, including a new, more aerodynamic bumper. The sportier new lights help give the vehicle new character, and include LED technology front and rear. The sophisticated new front headlights include High Beam Assist, switching on or off, as conditions require.

The interior is completely redesigned, with a transformed dash and center console, new seats and an array of new, user friendly features.

Range Rover: Luxury and Comfort at Its Best

Powerful new engines, revolutionary interior technologies and enhanced driving dynamics reinforce the position of the 2010 Range Rover as Land Rover’s most complete luxury 4x4. Land Rover’s flagship has been comprehensively updated to deliver more refined and efficient performance, along with the ultimate in interior comfort and craftsmanship.

Pride of place on the Range Rover goes to the new 510 horsepower supercharged LR-V8 petrol engine. The engine was developed in-house by the Jaguar Land Rover powertrain team, with the requirements of the Range Rover in mind from day one. The popular diesel derivative continues to be powered by the acclaimed 272 horsepower 3.6-liter TDV8.

The Range Rover also benefits from upgrades to the design and under-the-skin enhancements. These improvements include subtle exterior revisions, featuring changes to the headlights, grille and bumper which enhance the classic Range Rover style with more contemporary detailing. The interior benefits from more luxurious materials and finishes which add further refinements to the premium interior ambiance. More significantly, the 2010 Range Rover uses some revolutionary new interior technologies which enhance the experience for driver and passengers alike.

The vehicle is the first to feature “dual view” infotainment touch screen technology which allows the driver and passenger to view different images simultaneously. This means that the passenger can enjoy a DVD movie while the driver views vital information about the vehicle, all on the same screen.

Another dramatic innovation is found in the instrument cluster. Here, traditional physical instruments are replaced by a fully configurable 12-inch TFT screen which presents all essential driver information via cleverly designed “virtual” dials and graphical displays.

Range Rover Sport: Pure Passion

The Range Rover Sport reaffirms its status as the most exciting and dynamic member of the Land Rover range with a comprehensive package of engineering and design changes for the 2010 model year. The vehicle’s stylish new appearance signals the transformation under the skin, which includes two powerful and efficient new engines: the LR-TDV6 diesel and LR-V8 5.0-litre supercharged while retaining the LR-TDV8 diesel engine.

The Range Rover Sport’s stylish, muscular exterior has been updated to provide a cleaner, more sculpted feel. Striking signature LED headlamps combine with a new two-bar grille, front bumpers and wings to create a more sporting and aerodynamic stance. At the rear, new light clusters and a revised bumper design mirror the smoother front end. The interior has been comprehensively redesigned, using higher quality materials, soft-touch finishes and superior craftsmanship to create a premium environment which is truly worthy of the Range Rover brand.

A comprehensive program of chassis system modifications has transformed the Range Rover Sport’s on-road dynamics as well while also delivering a substantial improvement in its off-road capabilities. The introduction of new systems such as Adaptive Dynamics, working in conjunction with the existing Dynamic Response and the addition of the road-focused Dynamic Program to the Terrain Response system help enhance agility and ride quality. The Terrain Response system has also been improved to ensure that off-road capability is kept at the expected class-leading level.

The Land Rover Terrapod

In typical Land Rover fashion these three new vehicles were pressed into service by being put into their paces in a challenging obstacle course. Debuting also at the launch event is the “Terrapod”, a unique contraption that allows test drivers to try out the breadth and depth of the current Land Rover vehicles in a safe and controlled environment. The highly compact course is made up of different obstacles and is completely engineered in the Philippines based on designs used in the United Kingdom.

All in all, the Terrapod has four obstacles, each highlighting a capability of Land Rover vehicles. These include “Slide Slope” which shows the stability of Land Rovers when engaged in a 25-degree incline; the “Walking Holes” which exhibits the vehicle’s ability to transfer power to the wheels that has the most traction as well as its air-suspension system; the “Up and Over” a 30-degree slope that highlights the Terrain Response system and its dynamic stability control settings, hill descent control and class-leading approach/departure angles; and lastly, the “See-Saw” that proves the chassis strength of Land Rover vehicles as well as its balance.

For LRPhils Motors, Inc., the goal of the Terrapod is to allow Land Rover clients to experience the capabilities of their vehicles without the hassle of going out of town. At the same time, they want to transform the Land Rover experience into a truly family affair where children and even grandparents can try out the different vehicles together. To this end, the Terrapod will make its public debut along with the 2010 Land Rover vehicles at the Manila International Auto Show from April 15-18 at the World Trade Center.