Land Rover Works On An Off-road Coupe

by Carol Mitchel

As Ford continues to secure its survival in the automotive industry, it is also planning moves for its precious brands. For its Land Rover brand, Ford is working on a off-road coupe. Yes, an off-road coupe.

The new off-road coupe will be introduced early next decade at around 2013 to replace the 2-door Freelander. A concept version of the car is expected to be introduced as soon as 2008. It is designed to cater to the demands of young drivers with complex driving demands.

In connection with the latest from Land Rover, its North America Division proudly pulled the curtain off its new premium compact SUV at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show. LR2, the new SUV from the automaker, joins the remarkable lineup of the automaker that includes Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and LR3. With said powerful lineup around, the automaker expects a bigger slice in the auto market share.

"LR2 combines the advantages of a premium sedan -- such as polished ride, accomplished performance and an attractive cabin -- with the attributes of a robust SUV," said Richard Beattie, executive vice president, marketing and sales, Land Rover North America. "With its tough go-anywhere ability, stadium seating, cabin versatility and spaciousness, we believe that no other compact SUV gets closer to blending these best-of-both-worlds abilities."

New from the bottom up, LR2 delivers superb on-rood and off-road performance. The car made use of upgraded parts Land Rover Freelander however; the automaker equipped it with exciting new features and function to make it tempting and satisfying for the enthusiasts.

The highlights of the new car include the brand-new 3.2-liter inline-six engine that generates 230bh and provides 0-60 mph acceleration in 8.4 seconds. Said engine is mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission, with Land Rover's CommandShift. These features contribute significantly in making the performance of the car livelier. The unique Terrain Response is made standard to the model. Said feature makes off-road driving easy and comfortable.

LR2's body uses a 5-door monocoque structure with a touch of fresh design language. However, its form bears the Land Rover's charm. A fully equipped LR2 will be priced from $34,700.

About the Author

Carol Mitchel is an executive assistant in one of the leading automotive magazine in Los Angeles, California. She is a certified car lover and loves extreme sports.