bq | R&D+TECH l JAGUAR LAND ROVER
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GCC
BIG,
POWERFUL AND SMOOTH
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Delivering a blend of refinement, performance and unmatched all-terrain capability through their vehicles is Jaguar Land Rover’s R&D strategy in a nutshell By Shereen D’Souza, Doha
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aguar Land Rover, led by TATA sons, is one of the world’s leading automotive brands and with their successful track record of increasing revenues over the past three years, JLR is all set for an efficacious 2014. As of one UK’s largest R&D spenders, they leave no stone unturned in ensuring a superlative ROI (return on investment). A major investor in manufacturing research and development - JLR is taking giant leaps on the road to continuous innovations and improvements. Revenues rose 17 percent to GBP 15.8 billion, while underlying earnings jumped by 19 percent to GBP 2.4 billion, representing a return on sales margin of 15.2 percent, according to the JLR 2012-13 annual report. The MENA region however outdid the company’s global performance with a 46 percent growth in sales, going to show their R&D investments are bearing fruit. In an interview with bq, Jaguar Land Rover Regional Office reveals: “Our investment in R&D and has driven unprecedented demand for our vehicles in this region and allowed us to deliver a 46 percent growth in sales for Jaguar Land Rover across MENA to the end of December, 2013. The huge growth rate was driven predominantly by the introduction of the Jaguar F-TYPE and All-New Range Rover Sport, which has won several awards including SUV of the Year and‘ Best Luxury SUV (see page 52 for review). Land Rover MENA sales were up 49 percent versus 2012, led by sales of the Range Rover, which is now the best-selling vehicle for the brand.”
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Qatar
DREAM MACHINE Range Rover Sport Supercharged, the best 4x4 maybe – Review
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aving driven all models of Range Rovers over the years, right from the two-door classic to the Sport Supercharged and Evoque models, I can easily say the 2014 Sport model is by far the best Range Rover I’ve ever driven. I have driven several similar class size SUVs in Qatar and this can definitely pass off as the best in its class. So what did I like when driving it through Qatar for a day? First, the stadium seating position behind the steering wheel is as it should be. High in the car with all big windows around you, to see what happens outside. Second, as usual I try to fit my camping gear in the back. The remote entrance from the cargo door is a must and all the gear fitted with room to spare. There is a power socket in the rear as well for the fridge.
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Roald Windrich
Vehicle specs
Off the tarmac, there is even more to play with, within the terrain response. There are two systems – the 4x4 info on the in-dash screen which tells you where your steering is located and how far in or out the suspension is
Make/model: Land Rover, Range Rover Sport V8 SC HSE Type: SUV Seats: 5 of which 4 with ISO fix for child-seats Engine: 5.0L V8 Supercharged 4x4: Permanent by 3 differentials mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox BHP: 510 Torque: 461 Fuel economy: 0-100 kph (sec) in 5 seconds Top speed (limited): 248 km/hr Suspension: Electronic air suspension with terrain response 2 Clearance: • Ramp angle 24.6 • Approach angle 31 • Departure angle 30.9 • Wading depth 85 cm Main features: • Dual view touchscreen • Park assist and park distance control • Climate front seats and rear seats • Keyless entry • Powered tailgate Price as tested: QR 525,000 inclusive of 3-year or 39,000 km service package Dealer in Qatar: Alfardan Premier Motors Co.
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Positives: V8, more than enough power to get around town Distinct, high Range Rover seating position Mirrors are a good size 5 all-round view camera system Self-park mode Negatives: Chrome in the interior reflects on the side windows Dash vent surrounding reflects on the windscreen Verdict: Bespoke 4x4; best in its class
Third, driving the Range Rover through town is an experience in itself. As you move away from your parking spot, the upfront side cameras peek around the corner for you to see if the road is clear while the side mirrors are big enough to see if all is clear behind and beside you. The 5.0 V8 has more than enough grunt to keep you moving, just a slight tab on the accelerator pedal and things move too soon too quick! The brakes are from Brembo, so that keeps things in check. Parking is an almost no-brainer with the park assist function. The Range Rover can detect if the spot is big enough and then steers itself into the open space. Once out of town, on the highway, the cruise control conveniently sets itself with steering wheel controls. The ride is quiet and comfortable, the in-dash screen comes with a split screen option so the driver can focus on navigation while the passenger can watch a movie on the same screen. On the tarmac, you can select from two different modes by the central mounted terrain response with two control knobs for the normal or dynamic mode. In normal mode, the Range does what it should do, handles easily and comfortably. In dynamic mode, the dials on the dash turn red instead of white and you feel the suspension stiffen and the steering as well. Negotiating roundabouts turns into a sport. The Range steers promptly, does not lean over and is easy to control. When you exit the roundabout and put the pedal to the metal, just hold on to feel a good push in your seat. Hitting the ideal apex line is almost necessary to keep things on the road. At any given point, there is more than enough power on tap; to me it felt there was no need for more. Off the tarmac, there is even more to play with, within the terrain response. There are two systems – the 4x4 info on the in-dash screen which tells you where your steering is located and how far in or out the suspension is. The five camera-view option allows you to see what is next to the car without having to look outside (not recommended though). I drove to Sealine to test how this SUV handles on the loose sand and I was impressed. You just dial in ‘sand mode’ with the terrain response knob, and the rear and centre differentials lock up. Going over light trails without deflating tyres is not an issue at all. While climbing one of the bigger dunes, you feel the wheels spin as the traction control is disabled till a higher threshold, but without effort it follows the trail up and if the trail gets rougher in between the little bumps on the bottom of the dunes, you can dial in the ‘ruts mode’ and the air-suspension will raise a fair bit for more clearance.
You can use the same mode if you’re driving over gravel tracks, like while driving to Zekreet or other remote places in Qatar. It takes some experience, but if you do get stuck, you can play between the different settings. For example, on loose sand, sometimes grass/ snow mode works better than sand/desert mode. It all depends on the local circumstances but it does make things a lot easier for the driver when compared to the older manual models. So what did I not like about the new Range Rover Sport. There are only a few things. The dash vents reflect on the black strip next to the centre mirror and the chrome on the centre box reflects on the driver’s window. I guess a piece of matt tape/foil would take care of this. About Roald Windrich For as long as he has had a driving licence, this 44 year old Dutch national has either driven or owned 4x4s. For years he was an active member of the Dutch 4x4 club and has organised several 4x4 trial and off-road events. He competed all over Europe in RTVs (Road Tax Vehicle) at club level and did pretty well. Back home in the Netherlands, he owns a 4x4 truck parts company where he modifies and overhauls 4x4s with a friend. “I’m pretty much a 4x4 gearhead so to speak. And like to try how far I can get with any 4x4 without breaking or damaging it.” Windrich’s been living in Qatar for 20 months now.
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Technological leaders While improving existing technologies, JLR is also making big strides in powertrain development, use of hybrids, electronics and entertainment, and driverless cars in the future. The company’s overall strategy to continually reduce CO2 emissions has taken shape with their latest innovation – the All-New Range Rover Sport which was launched last year - the fastest, most agile and responsive Land Rover ever built.
JLR is also making big strides in powertrain development, use of hybrids, electronics and entertainment, and driverless cars in the future. The company’s overall strategy to continually reduce CO2 emissions has taken shape with their latest innovation – the All-New Range Rover Sport which was launched last year - the fastest, most agile and responsive Land Rover ever built It was developed alongside the highly-acclaimed Range Rover and delivers the brand’s best-ever on-road dynamics together with genuine Land Rover all-terrain capability. JLR continually invests in technology and innovation in lightweight materials and structures. The All-New Range Rover Sport presents customers with an assertive and muscular exterior, more luxurious interior and exploits Land Rover’s first-in-class aluminium architecture. Jaguar Land Rover is already the global leader in the field of weight reduction, currently making four vehicles – the Jaguar XJ and XK, and the all-new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport – using revolutionary all-aluminium bodies which greatly reduce the cars’ weight and thus improve fuel economy. “Land Rover’s breakthrough lightweight suspension design and innovative dynamic chassis technologies gives the Range Rover Sport an all-new, first-in-class aluminium architecture to achieve a weight saving of up to 420kg. This transforms the vehicle’s dynamic performance, enabling it to blend agile handling with exceptional comfort, offering a unique mix of sporting luxury and a dynamic, connected driving experience, along with CO2 emissions reduced to 194g/km,” explains JLR’s regional office.
What’s in store for the GCC? “In May last year, we invested USD 1.5 million in an engineering test centre in Dubai to conduct extreme hot weather vehicle research, development and testing,” reveals JLR. This facility in Dubai will
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enhance testing of JLR future products and technology and an important part of all the rigorous environmental testing is to ensure their vehicles can withstand the harshest of conditions. Tata had initially conducted weather testing at another, smaller facility elsewhere in the emirate. The new engineering test centre is located in the Al Barsha district and is a 11,120 square feet facility. The engineering team at the centre will also test powertrains, chassis and heat and ventilation systems, as well as the off-road and sand driving capability of Land Rover’s unique Terrain Response system. “A Letter of Intent was signed between Jaguar Land Rover and the National Industrial Clusters Development Programme to determine the commercial viability of setting up a financially sustainable automotive facility. A detailed feasibility study is now underway to consider Saudi Arabia as a possible future location for a Jaguar Land Rover automotive facility,” says JLR. Demand in Qatar is high with a large segment of the local population displaying their taste for luxury, and Land Rover naturally has a loyal customer base. Alfardan Premier Motors Co., the local exclusive importers were even recently accredited by Jaguar Land Rover MENA as a certified body shop repair centre and approved aluminium specialist. The upsurge in the recent revenue numbers is proof that by constant innovation and producing efficient, performance focused vehicles, the premium automotive brand has managed to stay ahead in the race and cater to the high Qatari standards. “A new Land Rover Discovery Family was announced at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. Having completed new launches for the luxury family (Range Rover and Range Rover Sport) the time is right for us now to develop our leisure family of vehicles,” says the official at JLR. “The Discovery has 25 years of history in this region and has huge equity in terms of its core values of versatility and capability. It was only natural that we would look to develop this name plate to develop vehicles that take our brand to the heartland of the SUV customer within the leisure market.” Jaguar Land Rover attributes its continued success to its technological leadership and will continue to channel adequate resources to upgrade its capabilities, and stay ahead of the game. 2014 is slated to be a landmark year for JLR with the introduction of the F-TYPE Coupe, RR LWB, RRS-RS and the revelation of the new Land Rover (LR4) Discovery family.
Global test facilities Dubai, UAE Nurburgring, Germany Arjeplog, Sweden Phoenix, USA International Falls, USA.
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