TaTa's plans for Land Rover...

[ANDYD]

I was curious to find out any news on Ta Ta's LR plans....
Apart from the latest news that Land Rover is laying off 198 workers and going to a four-day-week, I found this in Autoweek...

2009
--Facelifted Ranger Rover, Range Rover Sport: These models will get the new 5.0 V-8 from the Jag's. They will also recive redesigned interiors with revised IP, switchgear, and interior trim.

2010
-Facelifted Land Rover LR3: Just like the RR, the LR3 will get a facelift and an interior revamping. The Focus is on much higher interior quality, particularly the IP and the center console. We also expect the 380hp 5.0 V-8 to appear.

2011
-Land Rover LRX(Project L513): This will be the most significant new model in the early stages of Tata's ownership, as Land Rover extends its range to 6 models. LR is striving to retain as much of the concepts interior as possible to fill the vehicles role as the companys urban chic car and to compete against the Mini.
A hybrid model is planned. A major question is the name-LR1 coule be too entry level, but LR4 could be too upmarket.

2012
-Seven Seat Land Rover LRX(Project L486): LR is planning a new model, possibly with 7 seats and possibly a spinoff of the LRX.

2013
-All new Range Rover(Project L405): Thirteen years after Ford bought LR, the flagship that relaunched the company will be replaced. Expect the size to grow but the styling to become sportier and less utilitarian. bentley levels of luxury are planned, making a $200,000 RR a possibility. Aluminum body construction and hybrid powertrains will keep weight and emissions down and fuel economy up.

2014
-All new Range Rover Sport(Project L494): created as a variant of the range Rover, the new Sport will also switch to an aliminum body.
-All new Land Rover Defender: This is not confirmed, but for developing countries, Tata is eying a 4x4 with simple, robust engineering similar to past Toyota Land Cruisers.

2015-16
--All new Land Rover LR3: It will be time for the 7 seat LR3 to be replaced, but the platform is unknown. Could this be a variant of the new Defender?

[Bill E.]

Hey Andy,
Pardon my negativity but how the hell does "380hp 5.0 V-8" fit with the ridiculous new "Our Planet" program where it is stated "Land Rover started the 'Our Planet' campaign to reduce gas emissions". The development outline for Land Rover seems completly out of touch with any enviromental reality, high luxury, Bently-like finish and interiors, $200,000 price tags? What the F@#$? I always love the bit about promising a new defender just around the corner! Always at least 5 or 6 years off in the future and always some question about North American distribution. I can hear the excuses already;

Oh sorry we can't reasonably adapt that platform for airbags,

Oh our sales indicate that North American customers want fat ass luxo boats,

Oh our demographic stateside dictates higher level noise reduction requirements,

Oh studies have shown that North Americans prefere automatics

Oh we are continuing to maybe think about possibly not bothering to introduce a clean version of a diesel into Canada depending on availability of engines and platforms from who ever will own the company at that time!!!!!

OK OK I'm finished, man do I need a vacation.

[Doc Tari]

You need to join us on the November Whipsaw snow run this weekend! I'll bet the $200K, Bentley-interior RR is not as nice for winter camping as the Tiki-Tent...