Land Rover has launched a special edition version of the Range Rover Sport for the German market. As its name clearly suggests, ‘das’ Range Rover Sport Black and White is available exclusively in Santorini Black or Alaska White with matching interior trim, and just 200 units are being produced for sale. Customers can choose between two diesel engines, a 190HP V6 or a 272HP V8 with prices set at €74,310 and €83,910 respectively. Continued

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Facing increasing consumer and government demands for greater fuel economy, Land Rover has responded by introducing the Freelander 2 TD4_e at the Paris Motor Show. Featuring a number of fuel saving technologies, the new model aims to improve mileage while reducing emissions.

To make it the most fuel efficient Land Rover to date, the TD4_e is outfitted with Start / Stop technology. The technology works by turning off the engine when the vehicle is stopped, then restarting the engine automatically when the clutch is depressed. The TD4_e also includes a new indicator light which displays when shifting to a higher gear would allow for more fuel efficient operation. Other changes that were made in order to maximize fuel economy include recalibrated engine software and low rolling resistance tires.

Compared to the Freelander 2 TD4 manual, the new model produces 8% less CO2 emissions while fuel economy improves 3.8 mpg to a total of 41.3 mpg. In mid-2009 Land Rover will add Start / Stop technology to all Freelander 2 TD4 manual models as standard equipment.

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Edmiston, a luxury yacht brokerage and sales company has joined forces with Land Rover to create a program that will see top yacht designers crafting one-off-a-kind Range Rovers inspired from the world of luxury yachts. The two companies will kick off the program with the “Superyacht Range Rover Design Competition” in which seven top yacht designers took part, including Bannenberg, Tim Heywood, Andrew Winch, Terrence Disdale, Ken Freivokh, Redman Whiteley Dixon and Martin Francis. The winning design will be unveiled during the Monaco Yacht Show in late September. Edmiston states that visitors to the show will be able to place their orders for any of the exclusive Range Rover designs that even include a two-door cabriolet version. Delivery time will be between three and six months with prices ranging from €200,000 to € 800,000 or about or $300,000 to $1.2 million.

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Land Rover’s luxury mud-plugging image isn’t fairing well in an era of high gas prices and eco concerns, so its rolled out two new technologies at the London Motor Show to prove that the automaker has its eye on a sustainable future.

Two LR2 prototypes are on hand featuring a parallel hybrid system mated to a turbo diesel engine. Testing is currently underway and so far, LR has seen a reduction in CO2 emissions by up to 20 percent. The Electric Rear Axle Drive (ERAD), originally shown on the LRX concept, can deliver power to all four wheels through a 288-volt electric motor producing around 150 lb.-ft. of torque. When complete, the system is expected to proliferate across the Land Rover line-up, along with a new lightweight architecture and a refined start-stop system, under the banner of e_Terrain Technologies.

The second development is the Crankshaft Integrated Starter Generator (CISG), which incorporates an electric motor into a dual clutch transmission, giving a boost in torque and starting the diesel mill.

Both systems aren’t going to be ready for primetime for a few more years, but Land Rover’s start-stop technology should find its way to production sometime next year. Continued

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Representing a-no-expenses-spared tuning proposition, the Range Rover Country Pursuits Concept (CPC) made its debut today alongside the SuperSport II at the Salon Prive Luxury and Supercar Show in London. The Range Rover based CPC sports an exclusive mica pearlescent Aubergine paint colour combined with a bodykit comprising one piece front and rear bumpers, side valances, roof spoiler and special exhaust tails along with new 20 or optionally, 22-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, Overfinch dressed the Range Rover’s cabin with bespoke Nappa leather in special Light Avocado with Cordovan (Aubergine) accents and hand crafted Olive Ash veneered centre console, door accents and drinks tray. For those of you who like hunting, Overfinch also modified the Range Rover’s luggage compartment by adding a special removable gun box with Olive Ash veneered front and 3 sliding drawers which will hold a bespoke gun case, cartridges and crystal glass drinking set.

In terms of performance, Overfinch upgraded the 4.2 litre Supercharged V8 engine that now develops 470Hp (from 396Hp). Additional mods include the high performance Brembo braking system with silver Overfinch branded callipers and the enhanced on road/off suspension system.

Deliveries of the Overfinch CPC are set to begin in October with prices starting from £123,495 or $246,000 for the diesel variants and £143,950 or $287,000 for the 4.2 Supercharged V8.

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Making its UK debut at the Salon Privé Luxury and Supercar Show on 2nd July at the Hurlingham Club in London, the SuperSport II by Overfinch is based on the Range Rover Sport. The aggressively styled SuperSport II features a 10 piece bodykit combined with 20 or 22-inch alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance tires. Other amenities include a new sports steering wheel, a sports instrument panel with red needles and coloured brake callipers. Continued

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Britain’s Autocar says that Land Rover will follow up the introduction of the production 3-door LRX with a more practical 5-door edition as well. We loved the compact and sporty LRX concept, and we’re glad Land Rover is going to produce a 3-door that should closely mimic its appearance. That said, the word that it’ll also be joined by a 5-door is completely unsurprising, as the additional entrances make the LRX a more appealing suburban recon vehicle. After all, it’s a lot easier to haul the kids to ballet class and Little League when they have doors of their own to clamber in and out of. Autocar’s sources also told the pub that a hybrid drivetrain — a key element of the concept car — is also expected to find its way into the mix, given current concerns regarding fuel economy and vehicle emissions. Look for the LRX to debut in 2011. If the production car winds up being anywhere near as good-looking as the concept, there should be no shorta

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