| UK’s best-known manufacturer of 4x4 vehicles
has launched a drive to turn North America into its biggest single market
when the doors opened on the New York show.
As predicted the new Discovery 3 carries the prestigious Range Rover face. the more angular looking new Discovery 3 will boost Land Rover global sales when it’s launched in the biggest SUV market in the world, the US
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Land Rover expects the new Discovery 3 to boost its sales substantially when it is launched in the world, the US
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The ambitious bid for a greater share of the world’s most lucrative
sales area for SUVs came as Land Rover executives unveiled the model they
claim will set a fresh benchmark in the rapidly-expanding premium off-road
sector.
“A true Land Rover benefits from a clarity of purpose and conviction
that is evident from clean design, versatility and outstanding driving
performance – and that sums up our car. We think it is great to
drive on-road, best-in-class off-road and all set to win us a lot of new
friends on this side of the Atlantic,” managing director Matthew
Taylor told AE.
Speaking on the eve of the show at a special preview event staged at the
Chelsea Art Museum, Taylor revealed the new Discovery 3 model is to spearhead
the next phase of Land Rover’s development by leading the campaign
for greater sales over the next few months.
Representing the most significant opportunity for growth since the company
became part of Ford PAG, the Discovery – to be called LR3 in the
US – is expected to trigger a record expansion in Land Rover registrations
here.
“By the end of next year, we believe LR3 will allow our North American
operations to overtake the 46,000 annual registrations we achieve in the
UK. The explosion in the SUV market has created huge potential here, and
I think our reputation as a dedicated manufacturer of premium 4x4 vehicles
deserves better than the tiny share of sales we enjoy at present.
“The competition may be tough, but our company has a great heritage
and produces great vehicles. And with this car, we’re introducing
some great innovations,” said Taylor.
As we reported exclusively from the Detroit show, the Discovery rides
on the new T5 Integrated Body-frame structure developed under a substantial
investment programme made by Ford immediately following its acquisition
of the company from BMW.
Initially shown on the Range Stormer concept, T5 heralds a new era of
cost-effectiveness because it will underpin a variety of models over the
next few years. It is also claimed to give the Discovery the comfort,
refinement and on-road attributes of a monocoque while also setting standards
in off-road capability.
Styled to have a smoother profile than its predecessor, which was originally
launched in 1989, the new car has a more sporty appearance. But the bodywork
retains a stepped roof to maximise headroom and has a significantly larger
glass area. “We’ve brought it up to date, but it remains a
Land Rover – it was an absolute priority that no-one could mistake
this vehicle for anything else,” said design director Geoff Upex.
The new Discovery will be the first production vehicle to use the patented
Terrain Response system, also previewed on the Range Stormer. As well
as maximising traction, the new system is claimed to optimise driveability
and comfort by allowing the driver to select one of five terrain settings
via a rotary switch on the centre console.
Land Rover’s PAG partner Jaguar also chose the New York event to
unveil the ultimate version of its XJ range, the long wheelbase model.
“The car will not be available until the fall, but the fact that
eight of every 10 we make will be sold here makes it vital we give it
maximum exposure to this market,” said Aston Martin, Jaguar and
Land Rover North America president Mike O’Driscoll.
“Clearly, the biggest Jaguar ever built will be well suited to US
tastes, but in addition, the lightweight construction of the car means
our customers will be driving the most dynamic full-size luxury saloon
on the market. At the very aggressive pricing strategy we are planning,
this is a no-compromise Jaguar with terrific potential.”
Expected to account for half the global XJ volume, the new car has been
developed to offer more effective competition to Mercedes-Benz and BMW
and has the longest wheelbase and overall length in the premium F-segment,
with an extra 125 mm in both areas compared with the standard model. It
also has a 7 mm higher roofline.
Significantly, extra weight of only 24 kg over the standard car allows
the LWB to offer similar economy, emissions and performance figures.
“Our car is easily the lightest in the class. It has an advantage
of around 100 kg over its nearest rivals, so it has all the agility and
driving dynamics that have already won praise in the standard version.
It sets fresh standards,” said O’Driscoll.
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