2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Video

Where does an 800-pound gorilla sit? Anywhere he wants to. Well, if the big fella takes a seat in the all-new 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, the luxury SUV will see no net weight gain compared with the previous model. Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays, who got to monkey with the Range Rover Sport during its debut at the 2013 New York International Auto Show, notes that this version shed 800 pounds through liberal use of lightweight aluminum, boosting quickness and fuel efficiency for 2014.

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Also new for 2014 are a supercharged V-6, an auto terrain response setting that senses surroundings and adapts to it, and a platform shared with the Range Rover making it more evocative of its namesake vehicle. Check out the video below.

Nine-Speed Transmission to Debut on 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

Land Rover is making a major shift in transmission technology with its new nine-speed automatic, which the British automaker will demonstrate at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show in March. Land Rover told Kicking Tires that the newly developed transmission, a first for passenger vehicles, will be available on the 2014 Range Rover Evoque.

Increasing the number of gears from six to nine will help reduce emissions and improve efficiency, Land Rover said in a statement. The automaker said the nine-speed transmission's smaller steps will also improve acceleration response, as well as shift quality and refinement.

"A higher top gear improves efficiency by lowering engine speed, which also improves comfort and reduces noise when cruising at highway speeds," Land Rover said.

The nine-speed — developed with transmission-manufacturer ZF — will also complement the all-terrain capabilities for which Land Rover is known, the automaker said. The lowest speed is geared lower than the existing six-speed's lowest and is designed for off-road use, towing and steep gradients.

Recall Alert: 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque and LR2

Land Rover is recalling 70 model-year 2012 versions of the LR2 and Range Rover Evoque SUVs due to problems with the vehicles’ brakes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The affected vehicles were manufactured on June 11, 2012, and have rear brake caliper bolts that have been insufficiently tightened (check your vehicle’s build date on a sticker on the driver-side doorjamb). This could lead to a loss of brake function and an accident.

Land Rover will notify owners starting on Jan. 18, 2013, and dealers will replace the affected parts for free. Owners can call Land Rover at 800-452-4827 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

Related
Research the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Research the 2012 Land Rover LR2
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Auto-Parking System Challenge

By James R. Healey, USA Today and Kelsey Mays, Cars.com

The simple act of parking your car is the focus of extraordinary technology. Backup cameras and warning sensors have become old hat. Surround-view cameras are slowly arriving, and the big step is cars that parallel-park themselves.

Well, sort of; they find a parking spot that's big enough and they do the wheel work. You still must operate the accelerator and brake pedals to be sure you get out of the traffic flow quickly and then don't whack the parked car ahead of or behind you.

Lexus introduced auto-parking in the U.S. on its 2007 LS 460 full-size sedan. That system had a high gee-whiz factor, but was cumbersome to use. It's gone now — discontinued after the 2012 model. Almost nobody bought it, so Lexus "removed that option," spokesman Bill Kwong said.

Though the luxury brand has axed auto-parking, mainstream Toyota still sells the feature as a Prius v option. It's also available as a stand-alone feature ($395) on the $24,000 Ford Focus Titanium. Auto-parking no longer is strictly a luxury item, though that's where it's mainly found.

Auto-parking systems become mainstream

Now that these systems are working themselves into the mainstream, USA Today and Cars.com wanted to find out if today's parking systems work better than the original Lexus setup, and thus are more likely to become popular.

Land Rover Evoque's Puddle Lamps Chase Away Creepy Feelings

Does anyone else hate creepy, dark parking garages at night? Anytime I walk to my car at night in the airport or a theater parking lot, scenes from horror movies and "20/20" relentlessly play through my head. Is someone following me? Is a creepy, knife-wielding boogie man lurking in the dark shadow underneath my car?

Maybe I'm overly paranoid, but others must feel the same way, which is why automakers came up with puddle lamps. These lights shine down from the side mirrors to illuminate the area right in front of the door. Or it's to avoid a small pool of unseen water. Whatever.

Land Rover's new Range Rover Evoque added a touch of class to its puddle lights.

What You Really, Really Want: A Posh Range Rover Evoque

At the Beijing auto show, Land Rover announced a new special-edition Evoque, created with a partner who matches the compact crossover in style and glamour: Victoria Beckham.

The British fashion designer and former Spice Girl collaborated with Land Rover's design team to style the Range Rover Evoque Victoria Beckham Special Edition. Styling cues specific to the coupe include hand-finished matte gray paint, unique 20-inch gloss-black forged alloy wheels and rose-gold exterior and interior trim. Sport seats are trimmed in semi-aniline Vintage Tan leather with contrast baseball stitching and matching leather on other interior surfaces.

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept at the 2012 New York Auto Show

• Looks like: Land Rover is testing the popularity of its new Evoque with a convertible variant
• Defining characteristics: The fact that it’s a Land Rover convertible sums it up
• Ridiculous features: If you thought a two-door SUV was silly, consider a convertible version ridiculous
• Chances of being mass-produced: Not likely; Land Rover says this is strictly a design study

Fresh from its debut last month at the Geneva International Auto Show, the Range Rover Evoque convertible concept makes its U.S. entrance in New York.

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The convertible is based on the coupe version of the new-for-2012 Range Rover Evoque compact SUV, the smallest in the automaker's lineup. The concept seats four and features a power-retractable soft-top and a rollover protection system. The concept rides on 21-inch Titan silver wheels, and the exterior is finished in metallic Causeway Grey paint. Specifications weren't available, but Land Rover says "the new convertible body style has been achieved with minimal changes to weight and torsional rigidity."

Land Rover Eyes Convertible for Evoque

Although Land Rover's new, eye-catching compact SUV has been on the market for only a few months, it looks like a convertible version may soon join the lineup.

Can a droptop really add to the Range Rover Evoque's popularity? Maybe. At the very least, the automaker is keeping the buzz about its newest vehicle alive. The Evoque recently won the North American Truck of the Year award, and its sales are gaining momentum.

Cars.com Family Reviews the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

Sleek and stylish, the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is a compact crossover that can’t be missed, according to Cars.com Family contributor Sara Lacey. Its turbo four-cylinder will make any mom or dad happy to run Saturday errands in it, but the tight legroom in the backseat might have the kids complaining more than usual.

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Review

Naughty or Nice: Headlights

Designers and engineers have a tough task when combining headlight styling and function. The lights must look good as the focal point of the car’s front design, but the driver still needs to see the road. Here are two examples of the opposite ends of the lighting spectrum. 
 
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