Land Rover Releases Stylish 2011 Defender X-Tech Limited Edition

Land Rover has launched a new special edition version of its iconic 4x4 model, the 2011 Defender X-Tech Limited Edition. To be revealed for the first time at the this week's Brussels Motorshow, the Defender X-Tech sprinkles some tasty cosmetic enhancements on the standard model.

Available in both three-door [90] and five-door [110] hardtop variants, the X-Tech models are offered in a silver or bronze exterior finish with a Santorini Black roof and unique gloss black 16 inch Saw Tooth alloy wheels.

The X-Tech Land Rover's interior is upgraded with new trim and is available in Ebony, while the seats offer the addition of leather side bolsters. In addition, the center console is finished in the same color as the exterior while the package also includes a set of matching floor mats.

Power comes from a 2.4-liter turbo diesel engine delivering 122-horsepower and 360Nm of torque with 90 percent of peak power on tap from less than 2,200rpm to over 4,350rpm.

Land Rover said the Defender X-Tech Limited Edition will go on sale from March 2011, with prices in the UK starting at £24,995.

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Project Kahn Unwraps Range Rover RS500 with 500HP Cosworth-Tuned V8 Diesel

UK-based tuning firm Project Kahn has unleashed its latest creation based on the diesel-powered Land Rover Range Rover. The comprehensive tune covers both the interior and exterior styling as well as the 4.4-liter V8 diesel, courtesy of renowned engine tuner Cosworth.

On the outside, the Range Rover RS500 gets redesigned bumpers, the rear featuring a diffuser, lowered side skirts and a quad tail pipe exhaust system developed by Cosworth. Certain components are painted in silver and form a nic contrast with the black paintjob and tinted windows. The RS500 rides on 22-inch RSX alloys with a multi-spoke design.

Inside, bespoke black quilted leather with silver stitching wraps the seats, glove box and dashboard. There's also aluminum decor on the doorsills, center console, gear lever, air vents and steering wheel. Manufactured in Italy with original Land Rover parts, the new steering wheel has a motorsport-inspired contour and promises to offer a better grip.

The final piece of the RS500 puzzle is the Cosworth performance upgrade, which squeezes 500 horsepower out the 4.4-liter V8 diesel engine, up from the standard version's 313 hp and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque.

By Csaba Daradics

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Tata to create 700 jobs in the UK

Indian car maker, Tata recently announced a £ 700 million investment plan with the creation of 600 jobs at Jaguar Land Rover. It is also launching a new programme to recruit new graduate engineers in September. That's great news for the Midlands.

I have no idea why but unlike other companies, there is absolutely no news about this in both the Jaguar or the Land Rover sites. Only got to read bout it in the local newspaper.

The Tata, Jaguar, Land Rover Deal in the news

Lord Bhattacharyya, who founded the Warwick Manufacturing Group at the University of Warwick says “How often do two such icons come up for sale at the same time? Land Rover is now sustainably profitable and you are about to see a renaissance of Jaguar,". Read "Tata, Jaguar and Land Rover. Now what?"

Analysts think it's not a good deal. "Tata's Jaguar Deal Worries Analysts".

Investors are apparently worried as well with the company falling a few points on the Bombay Stock Exchange. "Tata Motors plunges 5 pc post JLR deal".

Definitely Tata will face several management challenges. Read "Can Tata Rev Up Jaguar?"

Tata, Ford, Jaguar and Land Rover

It's official - Ford has sold Jaguar and Land Rover to the Indian Tata Group for $2.3 billion (approx. £1.15bn). Read the BBC report: Tata buys Jaguar in £1.15bn deal
and the Tata Group's press release: Tata Motors enters into definitive agreement with Ford for purchase of Jaguar Land Rover.

Tata doesn't expect any "significant changes" to Jaguar or Land Rover employees' terms of employment, meaning that jobs are safe. The deal is expected to be completed by the end of the summer.

Wonder whether the Indians can finally make Jaguar profitable again.

Tata set to take over Jaguar, Land Rover

Tata Motors, a subsidiary of the Indian Tata group is set to take over British luxury marques Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford.

Ford stands to make around £1 billion (about $2.05 billion / Rs 8,000 crore) from the sale.

Tata won over two other bidders , namely, Indian car company, Mahindra & Mahindra and American private equity group, One Equity.

If it works out, this will be the first time ever that an Indian company has taken over a Western auto company.

Jaguar dealers in the US are worried that the take over might hurt the brand image. Ken Gorin, chairman of the Jaguar Business Operations Council, reportedly said:

I don't believe the US public is ready for ownership out of India of a luxury car make...

Read "Tata hits image problems in the U.S."

Ford selling off Jaguar and Land Rover

According to news reports, Ford has decided to get rid of it's two UK luxury brands -Jaguar and Land Rover. This is probably part of it's restructuring programme. This news comes as a surprise because Ford had invested heavily on these two marques and they are doing OK. Jaguar was bought in 1980 for £1.6 billion.

Read the CNN report here.

According to the Economist, this is the latest sign that

the turnaround at the world's third-biggest carmaker is not going well.

Workers at the Jaguar's Whitley plant (their HQ) here in Coventry are quite worried about their job security. As much as I hate to say it, the fact is that making cars here in the UK is no longer cost effective. This news follows Peugeot's decision to close their Ryton plant.

Latest news indicates that Cerberus, the private equity group that just bought Chrysler, has indicated interest in the companies. However, Cerberus has declined to comment. Read the report here.

Tags: binley car industry coventry ford jaguar land rover

Small off-roaders improve safety

Last Friday, Euro NCAP released the test results for two new small off-roaders, the Land Rover Freelander 2 and the Suzuki Grand Vitara.

The Land Rover Freelander 2 achieved the maximum award of five stars for adult occupant protection. It is the first small off-roader to achieve such a result.

On the other hand, the Suzuki Grand Vitara achieved a reasonable four star score in adult occupant protection.

However, it did better than the Freelander 2 in pedestrian protection than, becoming only the third small off-roader to be awarded three stars. This is the highest pedestrian rating so far awarded in this category.

Summary of Results

Land Rover Freelander 2
Occupant Protection: 5 stars
Child Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 1 star

Suzuki Grand Vitara
Occupant Protection: 4 stars
Child Protection: 3 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 3 stars

Tags: Euro NCAP Land Rover Freelander 2 Suzuki Grand Vitara