NEWS

The King is dead, long live the King!

With over 50 years of evolution, JLR has announced the arrival of the 5th generation Range Rover which takes the marque to a whole new level of luxury and sophistication.

On sale later in 2022, the new Range Rover is rammed with new tech, from 4-wheel steering to power assisted doors as well as two wheelbases. In standard form the new Range Rover comes with five seats, but opt for the long wheelbase, that adds and an extra 200mm between the axles, and you can specify a third row of seats making it a seven seater.

Powering the 2022 Range Rover will be two plug-in hybrid options. The first, badged P440e, combines a 3.0 litre straight six turbocharged petrol engine with a 38.2kWh battery and a 141bhp electric motor for a total combined output of 434bhp and 620Nm of torque.

The second option, badged P510e, offers more power from its 3.0 litre petrol engine but uses the same battery and electric motor, taking the total combined output to 503bhp and 700Nm of torque. This package offers a 0-62mph time of 5.7-seconds and in EV driving mode a top speed of 87mph.

The shared electrification across both plug-in choices means hybrid Range Rover variants can travel up to 62 miles on a full charge, with Land Rover claiming a real-world zero-emission range of 50 miles and CO2 emissions of less than 30g/km.

Rapid charging capability at up to 50kW is included, so you can expect that 80% top-up will take less than an hour; a full charge takes five hours.

Also to feature in the engine line-up is Mild-hybrid tech, with a 394bhp 3.0 litre petrol (0-62mph in 5.8 seconds, 29.7mpg combined and 215g/km of CO2), as well as two diesel options. The 3.0 litre straight six-diesel D300 (296bhp), and D350 (345bhp), offer up to 37.2mpg with CO2 emissions from 198g/km. Want something faster?

That’ll be the new 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol unit with 523bhp and 750Nm of torque. Using the Dynamic Launch system you’ll find yourself at 62mph in just 4.4 seconds, while top speed is limited to 155mph. As before, all powertrains are mated to an eight speed automatic gearbox with low-range capability, but as a first, the new Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system can decouple the front axle on-road between 21mph and 100mph to improve efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 4g/ km.

Inside the new Range Rover, just like the external design, has become a whole lot sleeker. Up front you’ll find Land Rover’s latest Pivi Pro infotainment system with a gently curved 13.1” touchscreen on the dash.

Apparently, 90% of tasks are accessible in just two steps from the home screen, and there’s also more connectivity than ever before, with over-theair software update capability, Spotify, Amazon and Alexa integration, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with wireless connections, all alongside up to 8 USB-C charging sockets.

For ultimate luxury buyers can opt for the SV Signature Suite, which only comes in four-seat configuration and adds a raised centre console that flows through to the rear of the car. This houses a retractable table in the centre, as well as a fridge for drinks and two crystal champagne glasses in between the rear seats.

Because you don’t see many Range Rovers off-road, it’s perhaps easy to forget that they’re still the ‘off-roader’ to beat. Along with the six off-road pre-sets for the Terrain Response 2 system, there’s also a Wade mode, which raises the body to give a 900mm wading depth, while the next-generation suspension set-up allows for up to 510mm of wheel travel to help boost off-road ability.

There's so much more information that I could give you, but I’d fill the entire magazine, so head over to Land Rover's website and whilst you are there why not have a go at configuring your perfect Rangie https://www.landrover.co.uk/vehicles/new-range-rover/index.html Priced from £94,400 in the UK, the new Range Rover is available to order now.

INEOS to create Hydrogen powered concept vehicle

INEOS Automotive, which will begin production of its petrol and diesel-powered Grenadier in July 2022, is also backing hydrogen as a clean energy solution for future versions of the vehicle. As part of this, the business is delighted to confirm that it is to partner with powertrain engineering specialist, AVL, to build the Grenadier FCEV Concept, a hydrogen powered car which will begin on and off-road testing by the end of 2022.

Thanks to a partnership agreement signed in November 2020, the Grenadier FCEV Concept will use fuel cell technology from Hyundai Motor Company.

Sir Jim says, “Electric cars are ideal for city centres and short journeys. But hydrogen is much better for longer journeys and heavier loads and that requires immediate investment in hydrogen distribution and hydrogen filling stations.” He went on to say that “We believe that hydrogen is the fuel of the future and INEOS is determined to take a leading role in its development. When used in a fuel cell, hydrogen only produces water and is the UK’s best chance of reaching its carbon reduction targets”.

Hydrogen is a fabulous, clean source of energy that can be used as both a raw material for industry and as a power source for transport and the home. It has a massive role to play in lowering the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions and INEOS is committed to playing a leading role in the hydrogen revolution.

INEOS already produces and uses 400,000 tonnes of low carbon hydrogen every year, the equivalent of replacing up to 2 billion litres of diesel, so it knows how to make, transport, store and use it. Being a user and producer of hydrogen puts INEOS in a unique position at the heart of green hydrogen development, and the company has announced that it intends to invest €2 billion in new production of green hydrogen across Europe.

Cooper Tire Europe announces Timeless Garage collaboration

Cooper Tire Europe has announced a new collaboration with Timeless Garage, a classic vehicle restoration and customisation specialist based in Portugal.

Timeless Garages’ latest “resto-mod” project is based on the Series 1 Mitsubishi Pajero, and six vehicles will be modified in total and all have been sold in advance.

The Timeless Garage Pajero comes equipped with the Cooper Discoverer STT PRO P.O.R. (Professional OffRoad) tyres. They boast Armor Tek3 construction for added tyre durability and puncture resistance; alternating shoulder lugs to enhance traction in mud and soft surfaces; and 3-2 Inner Tread Ribs to reduce noise and increase stability.

Founded in 2016 and based in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, Timeless Garage restores and customises classic cars to exacting specifications, enabling customers “to reinterpret the source design and create something that is unique”.

Previous projects include modifications to icons such as the Porsche 911, Alfa Romeo GT and MGB Roadster, along with an ever-growing list of off-road vehicles including classic Land Rovers and Toyotas.

This exciting new collaboration will see Cooper Tire Europe supplying Timeless Garage with more products from its extensive 4x4 and PCR (Passenger Car Radial) ranges for future projects.

Tyson Ballard, CFO & Partner, Timeless Garage, said, "We knew from day one that Cooper tires were the best fit for the Pajeros. ....We have been testing these tyres for months and are amazed at how durable they are."