Land Rover: New Cars 2012
The big event for Land Rover over 2011 was the hugely successful launch of the Range Rover Evoque with a large order book already in Australia. Land Rover Australia has told CarAdvice that many of the orders already placed for the ‘baby Range Rover’ involve personalising the Evoque with various exterior and interior options.
RANGE ROVER EVOQUE eD4
Vehicle type: Luxury SUV. Timing: Mid-year
Range Rover will offer a two-wheel drive version of the Evoque, called the eD4, which will mean an entry-level price of $49,995. As the least expensive Range Rover ever offered, there should be plenty of interest in the model. Our only concern would be in relation to the supply numbers; will the factory be able to meet the potential demand?
RANGE ROVER VOGUE
Vehicle type: Luxury SUV. Timing: Nov/Dec
Range Rover will launch an all-new Range Rover Vogue in quarter four of 2012. Powertrains for the new Range Rover are expected to be a combination of carry over engines from the current model, as well as hybrids (including a diesel hybrid). The new platform might also be based on that of the Jaguar XJ.
Expect the new Range Rover to have been on a serious weight-loss program with the benefits of reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
DEFENDER 2.2 TDCi
Vehicle type: Medium SUV. Timing: January
Land Rover Australia will launch a 2.2-litre turbo diesel Defender that is EU5 emissions compliant. Despite the new engine’s reduced displacement, it put out the same power and torque as the outgoing 2.4L diesel engine (90kW & 360Nm). It also comes with a particulate filter (DPF) and uses less fuel than the current engine.
Top speed is also slightly improved at 145km/h and power is to all four wheels via a GFT MT six-speed transmission.
FREELANDER 2 (UPDATE)
Vehicle type: Compact SUV. Timing: TBC
Land Rover is expected to release a minor update of the Freelander2 towards the later half of 2012. There is also talk of adding a two-wheel drive variant to the range, but that is still not confirmed for Australia.
DEFENDER CONCEPT No.2 - 4X4. Timing: TBC
The DC100 (Defender Concept) is believed to have been killed off by Land Rover management for not being 'tough enough' so expect a new concept to appear in 2012.