Toyota Introduces Updated 2012 Land Cruiser with V8 Turbo Diesel in theUK

After the recent presentation of the updated Toyota Land Cruiser in its home market of Japan and then in North America, the full-size 4x4 model has now been introduced in Britain where it goes on sale this March.

Available exclusively with a revised V8 turbo diesel and a single trim level, the 2012 Land Cruiser is priced at £62,285 on-the-road (equal to US$95,900 or €75,000).

On the outside, the large 4x4 sports a new fascia with a different bumper, grille and headlamps with LED daytime running lights, along with restyled taillights and exterior mirrors with LED turn indicators. Furthermore, the UK model gains new black roof rails, side mouldings with chrome details and new 20-inch alloy wheels.

The cabin gets new seats that are air conditioned/heated up front, a central cool box, heated steering wheel and improvements in the quality and appearance of the trims and finishes throughout.

The 2012 model is offered with the new Toyota Touch Pro multimedia and navigation system with a digital tuner, Bluetooth and a rear-view camera as standard, while the Japanese company offers an optional in-car entertainment package with two eight-inch seatback-mounted monitors that are said to be resilient to screen “jitter” when the vehicle is on the move.

Under the hood, the Land Cruiser's 4.5-liter turbocharged V8 diesel engine has been modified and now features a diesel particulate filter (DPF) along with new fuel injectors in the common rail system to comply with Euro 5 standards.

The V8 is rated at 268bhp (200kW) at 3,600rpm, and has a maximum torque of 650Nm (479.4 lb-ft) delivered between 1,600 and 2,800rpm.

Finally yet importantly, Toyota has introduced a slew of handling and driver-assistance systems. These include:

• Turn Assist, that reduces the vehicle’s turning radius when driving through tight off-road bends
• Crawl Control, with five speed settings for tackling steep climbs or descents
• Multi-terrain Select, with five selectable modes to tailor vehicle performance to different off-road conditions
• Multi-terrain Monitor, providing a 360-degree view of the area immediately around the vehicle via four external cameras
• Tyre Angle Display, displayed together with the predicted tyre path guidelines on the Multi-terrain Monitor, showing changes in steering angle between zero and 45 degrees
• Variable Flow Control power steering, with a unique, dedicated off-road setting

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Land Rover DC100 Concepts Gain a Red Hue for New Delhi Auto Expo

Given that since June 2008, Indian conglomerate Tata owns Land Rover, the presence of the British firm's DC100 concepts that preview a replacement for the iconic Defender at the 2012 New Delhi Auto Show was a certainty.

The Defender Concept 100 and Defender Concept 100 Sport, as the three-door hardtop and open-top versions are named respectively, are identical to the revised models launched at the 2011 Los Angeles Motor Show save for a couple of differences.

More specifically, they both sport a “Firenze Red” body color with a white roof for the fixed-top version and new-design alloy wheels, still at 20-inches in diameter and wrapped around in Cooper all-terrain tires.

Land Rover Director John Edwards commented: “Our ambition is to create an all new Defender for the global market that remains absolutely faithful to its original DNA: tough, versatile, durable and capable. At the same time, it will be developed for the 21st century and adaptable for the needs of future generations.”

Like the two previous versions that were displayed at last year’s Frankfurt and LA Motor Shows, both models are powered by 2.0-liter engines, the DC100 by a diesel and the DC100 by a gasoline engine that transmit power to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

The concepts also feature Land Rover’s Terrain Response system along with an array of new features, like sonar sensors that measure water depth and a 3D-mapping navigation system that can identify potential hazards and suggest alternative routes off road, and pedestrians and other obstacles in urban environment.

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Land Rover Unveils 2011 Freelander 2 Facelift

oday, the Land Rover Freelander swept away the cover 2, which benefits from a cosmetic makeover discreet enough, a revised turbo 2.2-liter engine available in two flavors, and for the first time in the history of the model, two-wheel drive version.

Chic in 2011 Freelander 2 has been updated in the revised front bumper assembly, front grill and the bottom line new bonnet, revised headlights and tail lights, full width tailgate appliqué and new 18 - or 19-inch light alloy wheels wheel models.

Inside, the limited changes to the revised instrument rings and four new seat styles with the option of a Premium package that includes leather upholstery Windsor, seat 8 / 6 electrically, and the carpet single origin center and covered storage.

The biggest change is in the engine compartment with the introduction of a revised 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel with variable geometry turbocharger again.

Euro 5-compliant diesel engine is available in two versions, with 150HP TD4 manual Stop / Start Tech standard transmission or automatic without the stop / start as an option, and SD4 190HP version with automatic transmission.

Land Rover, said the flagship 190 horsepower Freelander SD4 accelerates from zero to 60 mph (96km / h) in 8.7 seconds and a top speed of 118 mph more (190 kmh).

Following the path of Evoque Range Rover, the Freelander will be offered an alternative two-wheel drive more frugal - on dilution of a trademark the slogan is a four-wheel off-road capability ...

ED4 called Freelander 2, it comes with the engine 150HP 2.2-liter turbo diesel and the company says it will be the most efficient land Rover ever produced, with a combined fuel consumption of 47.2mpg UK (equivalent to 39.2mpg U.S. and lt/100km 6.0) and 158g/km CO2 emissions.

"The new Land Rover Freelander 2 SD4 moves in the market very popular and highly competitive for the unity of two-wheeled SUV," said Land Rover managing director Phil Popham. "The European market with two-wheel drive SUV, is 23 percent of the segment and we intend to compete strongly here.

"A 2WD option is a way to develop the efficiency of our vehicles while adding to the Land Rover range and broaden our appeal to a wider group of customers. We will continue to be the" world's best all-terrain vehicles "for customers that require 4WD, but also now offer an alternative, "said Popham.

The Freelander 2 is updated set to go on sale in Britain in late September with other markets to follow suit.

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Land Rover Brings Revised DC100 Concepts to LA Auto Show

Land Rover would like to know if there is an appetite for the next generation of Defender, which is presented with a couple of new conceptual models.

For this purpose, British, and the carmaker DC100 and DC100 was the hardtop sports convertible 4x4 tests this week in Los Angeles Auto Show to measure the reactions of customers' and to consider the possibility of bringing the Defender, the U.S. market.

"Our goal is to bring all new Defender in the middle of the decade - there's plenty to do to meet these dates, and concepts are only the beginning," says John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director. "We are here in Los Angeles for DC100 and DC100 present our concepts Sport and begin to actively explore the possibility of bringing in the future Defender of North America."

THE show some of the concepts have barely updates because their world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011. Both iterations DC100 is now riding a new 20-inch alloy wheels shod with Cooper tires off-road, while the hardtop model has already been completed, Land Rover signature combination of "Blue Heritage", painted white ceiling Candy Weiss .

In addition, Land Rover has a DC100 is equipped with accessories such as the treatment of a raised air intake "snorkel" for Wade and a roof rack.

In concept form DC100 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine, even though DC100 Sport gets a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, both models included permanent four-wheel drive has eight gears and the next generation of Earth system Terrain Response rover. The British company said that both engines have been designed in mind for future hybridization.

"Our ambition is to create a brand new Defender to a global market that is absolutely true to its original DNA: tough, versatile, durable and capable of," said Edwards. "It would also be developed for the 21st century and adapted to the needs of future generations. "

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