New Car Review: March 2008

Monday, March 31, 2008

2008 Land Rover Freelander

Due to significant customer demand, Land Rover will introduce a commercial derivative to the Freelander 2 product line-up. It will be showcased for the first time at the Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC, Birmingham from April 15-17.

The Freelander 2 Commercial will be available in 'S' and 'XS' versions. The specification will be as a standard Freelander 2 at the respective trim levels, without rear seats and side airbags but with the addition of a full-height solid bulkhead with mesh panel, floor support frame, floor panel with lashing points, fixed rear side glass, rubber loadspace mat, tail door and side window guards and rear cargo lighting.

The 'XS' derivative benefits from Land Rover's acclaimed Terrain Response system, 17" alloys, powerfold mirrors, a full size spare wheel, front park distance control, part leather trim, automatic climate control and branded ICE.

"Since the launch of the Freelander 2 in November 2006, there has been high demand for a commercial derivative from our customers and dealers," commented John Edwards, managing director for Land Rover UK. "The Commercial offers supreme loadspace capability together with levels of ride, handling, comfort and equipment which will further re-define the compact 4x4 commercial segment."

The Freelander 2 Commercial goes on sale in the UK this month and will be priced from £20,775 on the road. As a commercial vehicle, it will benefit from being VAT and Company Car Tax exempt, adding to the appeal for business customers.

To arrange a test drive of or for more information on any of the Land Rover range please contact your local Land Rover dealership or log onto www.landrover.co.uk

The Little Engines That Would

These new vehicles are zippy and green, but are American drivers ready for cute?

By David Kiley

When Volkswagen (VLKAY) ran the headline “Think Small” in an ad for the Beetle some 45 years ago, it bestowed hipness on a car that was merely well designed, well built, and pint-sized. In the 1980s, makers of sport-utility vehicles started persuading everyone from Nascar dads to yoga teachers that they might want to drive into the mountains on a moment’s notice—even if they never got farther off-road than a pothole in the Whole Foods (WFMI) parking lot. In Europe and Asia, where everyone is fretting about road congestion and damaging exhaust, car companies now see profits in green avant-garde designs. And with gas prices heading north of $4.00 a gallon, such vehicles just might cut it in the jeep-loving USA as well.

Here are some of the designs that are in the drawing boards, already selling in dealerships and have come and gone.

Monday, March 31, 2008

2008 Land Rover Freelander

The Little Engines That Would

Sunday, March 23, 2008

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