I haven’t owned a Land Rover for a while so I still have the mind set of this car predominantly being for farmers or people that live in the countryside. However as the Land Rover was featured on the Top Gear Bolivia Special over Christmas my opinion has changed. In addition the programme got me thinking about this car and the ranges offered. Even though the Top Gear footage is probably staged it raised a good point about its reliability. In my experience they are reliable and offer fantastic value for money.

The Land Rover was launched in 1948 and I am particularly fond of this 4×4 because for a time the manufacturing was based in Gaydon, Warwickshire which isn’t too far away from where I live. In recent times various owners of the brand name name such as MG Rover Group and Ford have struggled to finance this 4×4. Now that Tata own the brand name it will be interesting to see what happens to this 4×4. Over the years there have been several versions of the Land Rover such as the Defender, Freelander, Discovery, Range Rover Sport and a Range Rover. It is probably best to purchase a second hand approved model. This is mainly because it is a lot cheaper than buying a new 4×4. For example a used Land rover Freelander that is 6 years old is priced at around 6,000 which is very reasonable but models at this price usually have a fairly high mileage. However this is still great value because back in 2004 it cost anywhere from 27,000 to 48,000 depending on the model purchased. There are a few competitors such as the Toyota Land Cruiser, Mitsubishi Shogun and many others on the market but on the whole the Land Rover range performs well.

Most of the Used Land Rover model ranges are spacious and obviously work impeccably well off road which is what they are designed to do. The problem I have with this type of car is the fuel consumption and overall costs. This is mainly due to the fact the UK government over the past few years have increased road tax for cars with higher fuel consumption. However the overall drivability and the fact that this car is a multi-purpose vehicle will outweigh other less desirable things about this car. Overall this 4×4 is very desirable and is a fantastic vehicle if you need it for off road purposes or everyday travel.

Well it’s snowing folks across the UK and it has been for several weeks now. In Scotland it has been the coldest winter in over 30 years. As many county councils are beginning to run out of salt to grit the roads it begs the question which car is best to own in severe weather conditions. With some reports suggesting that over 40% of the UK’s workforce were unable to get into work in the past few days due to the treacherous driving conditions, this suggests it is a financial issue for industry as well as safety that are important to consider. One of the best vehicles to own in these icy conditions is a Land Rover.

A used Land Rover is great value for money if you take into account the starting price of a new model. For example a used 2001 Freelancer can cost anywhere from around 6,500. If you consider the starting price for a vehicle of this type then this is excellent value for money. There are several different types of Land Rover such as the Freelander, Discovery and Defender which all offer different features the customer may desire.

Over the past few years Land Rover and most other 4×4 vehicles have come under criticism because of the environment. This is mainly due to its relatively high fuel consumption due to the size and weight of the vehicle. However fuel consumption is an easy topic to target. In fact most 4X4s are built in a robust way in order to survive for 20 years. In my experience the Land Rover is a reliable vehicle which is great news if you are looking to purchase a used Land Rover. This vehicle offers a fantastic driving experience.

The Land Rover 4×4 is an excellent vehicle if you live in the countryside but this has also become a popular vehicle for a person with a young family. This is probably because it is a comfortable ride compared to other 4×4 (loosely demonstrated on Top Gear Bolivia Special shown a few weeks ago) and there is plenty of room to accommodate the weekly shop, pets and the kids all at the same time. The vehicle looks great, with a robust and powerful image yet still looking understated. Ok, so compared to small superminis the fuel consumption isn’t the best in the world but would you expect it to be considering the size and weight difference?

In order for you to really experience the driving performance of the 4×4 vehicle I suggest test driving a used Land Rover. This will allow you to decide for yourself if the range of Used Land Rover models available is right for you.

It appears that car thieves have changed their habits. Gone are the days when only high-end prestige vehicles like Audi, BMW and Mercedes were stolen to order, now the thieves have their eyes on your average family car!

A recent survey by Tracker has revealed that car theft by keys has risen to a massive 80% for the first quarter of 2010, that’s up by 6% compared to 2009. The study has also revealed that car thieves are now targeting lower value vehicles in order to meet the demands of the competitive car market. Stephen Doran, managing director of Tracker Vehicle Recovery Services explains.

“The recession is taking its toll on thieves too and we have seen them adjust their targets to suit buyers, making lower value vehicles just as valuable to them as the fancy sports cars.”

Tracker’s recent results show that the highest value stolen vehicle for 2010 was the Mercedes CL63 AMG worth a whopping 120,000, whilst the lower value vehicle recovered was a Ford Sierra worth just 1,000.

So, what are the top ten most commonly stolen and recovered cars? Well, it appears some things never change with the luxury BMW X5 crossover remaining in the top spot, followed closely by the Land Rover Range Rover and BMW M3. Its good news if you own an Audi TT though, the roadster has slipped down the popularity ladder to be overtaken by the Land Rover Defender.

Don’t breathe a sign of relief too quickly though. Tracker warns that your standard average family car is now high on the list of desirable targets.

“While the top ten results features prestige brands, this doesn’t tell the whole story, as thieves will target vehicles across a range of values, especially as today’s market means car buyers are looking for bargains” comments Doran.

So how can you protect yourself and your beloved vehicle? Many car owners are now investing in a car security system such as a GPS vehicle tracking system. A car tracker works by using GPS technology to pinpoint your vehicles exact position and detects any unauthorised movements with its inbuilt movement sensor. Some car security systems even send out a security guard to wait with your stolen car until your vehicle is recovered. These car trackers can be quickly and easily installed by an approved fitter.

Has your car made it onto the top ten list? Check it out…

Top Ten Stolen & Recovered Cars for 2010:

1. BMW X5
2. Land Rover Range Rover
3. BMW M3
4. Land Rover Defender
5. Mercedes Benz MI
6. Audi RS4
7. Mercedes Benz SLK
8. Mercedes Benz CLK
9. Audi TT
10. Audi Q7 / Porsche 911 / Porsche Boxster / Subaru Impreza

Land Rover gave its news Discovery a minor facelift along with relatively low-key updates. Already on its fourth generation, Land Rover’s highly versatile luxury SUV gets a more powerful and highly efficient engine that goes well with a new exterior identity and a stately interior. The model that it is replacing boasts of more than 100 international accolades under its belt, so much is expected from the Discovery 4. However, Land Rover confidently said that it is up to the challenge. Let’s find out why.

Land Rover came up with two engine variants for its new Discovery line up. First up is the LR-TDV6 3.0 litre twin-turbo diesel capable of generating 180kW of power and 600Nm of torque. It gobbles 8.9 percent less fuel as it is now rated at 9.21/ 100km on the combined cycle. It is also more eco-friendly with an 8.3 percent cut in CO2 emissions. The LR-TDV6 just spews 243g/km. Revving up the power, the 5.0 litre naturally-aspirated V8 punches out 276kW of power and 510Nm of torque, with fuel economy rated at 13.9/100km and CO2 emissions pegged at 326g/km. The revised engines are paired to a new six-speed adaptive shift automatic gearbox.

The interior has been completely redesigned and has a more premium look and feel than its predecessor. It features a modified dash, leather trimmed centre console, new electric leather seats, and a host of new amenities that include metallic air vents, gear knob and speaker trims; a HD radio; a new five-camera ‘surround’ system for easier parking; an audio-video DVD navigation system; and a premium audio package composed of 14 speaker stereo, a CD player, input for iPod, an aux input socket for MP3/USB, and a subwoofer. Push button start and keyless entry are standard across the range.

Land Rover also gave the new Discovery an extensive upgrade to the chassis and suspension systems. The steering has been revised, larger 360mm brakes have been installed and refinements have been made to the Terrain Response system. The British automaker also made notable improvements on its renowned Hill Descent Control (HDC) system by integrating a Gradient Release Control feature. This means that the system will kick in automatically when HDC is activated and controls acceleration and brake pressure on steep declines. Additionally, Land Rover fitted its new Discovery with the innovative Trailer Stability Assist to reduce engine torque and automatically initiate light braking while towing to minimize towing-related mishaps.

Safety-wise, standard across the new Discovery range are dual driver and front passenger, driver and front passenger side and head, and rear passenger head airbags; Electronic differential control, Emergency Brake Assist, Hydraulic rear brake boost, Hill Descent Control, improved Understeer Control and Roll Stability Control. Other features include All-terrain Anti-Lock Braking System, Electronic Parking Brake, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Dynamic Stability Control and Electronic Traction control.

Overall, the new Land Rover Discover is the perfect car and a superb SUV that can put other fancy SUVs to shame. It has the perfect mix of features and enough power that can make every trip feel less like a cruise on the moon’s surface and more of a smooth and comfortable ride.

Land Rover Freelander 1 – Starting the Compact SUV Craze

The first generation Freelander from the Rover Group was a product of market research conducted in the late 80s. It pointed to a potential market demand for compact all-terrain 4×4 that characterized the emerging SUV popularity of the period. The Rover Group lost no time to undertake a classified product R&D in the early 90s codenamed CB40, after the Canley Building 40 where the project was being hatched.

Rover was looking to get some funding from its business partner Honda which promptly declined because they were already developing their own compact SUV program that would hatch the CR-V in 1997. Rover decided to go for the project on its own and after BMW bought the group in 1994, its autonomy was assured and hardly did BMW get itself involved in the project.

In 1997, the Land Rover Freelander 1 was launched eventually becoming Europe’s best-selling 4×4 until 2002, when the Group was already under Ford Motors.

Freelander Models

For almost 10 years, from 1997 to 2006, the first generation Freelanders had just two basic models – the 3-door softback semi-convertible SUV and a 5-door Estate SUV. But it’s interesting to note that the 3-door model also had sub-models that included a hardback and commercial van versions.

Both would come in various edition trims with the 3-door E, S and SE variants and the 5-door models coming in E, S, SE, HSE, Sport and Sport Premium trims. In 2004, the Freelander had a major facelift in the Mark 1 version sporting a new interior and external updates like a new front face and rear.

Under the hood, the Freelander came in different inline 4-cylinder engines starting with the 1.8-liter Rover K-series badges as 1.8i but not sold in the US. Then there’s the 2.0-liter Rover L-series badged1.8 Di between 1997 and 2001 that was replaced by the BMW M47 diesel badged TD4 from 2001 until its production end in 2006.

At the same time, the 2.5 liter Rover V6 petrol engine badged V6 came out. With all engine configuration, the Freelander was offered with either 5-speed automatic or manual transmission which dominated the early releases. The automatic Tiptronic gearboxes came with the V6 and enjoyed a large following among SUV enthusiasts.

The Freelander K series had been problematic as its head gasket/cylinder liner often failed while its engine block was considered made of poor alloy build causing many of the liners to “drop” in the blocks causing the gaskets to fail. Overheating in the K-series also caused head-gasket failure and prompted Rover to update an underpowered engine to the more popular 2.0 liter L-series.

The Land Rover Freelander 1 was a capable off-road 4X4 that earned some credentials in a number of endurance races like the Camel Trophy and the Land Rover G4 Challenge. But while the first generation Land Rover Freelander 1 enjoyed hill descent control as well as Traction Control which used ABS to control each brakes to give excellent off-road handling, it was generally considered a compromise as it didn’t have low range gear selection or center locking differential found in other Land Rover models.

But it was excellent in city driving as most SUV users rarely ever pushed their beloved SUVs in rural dirt and mud roads. It had it last production run in 2004 mainly due to the lack of V6 engines.

Land Rover Discovery – The Real Deal 4×4 Living Legend

The Land Rover Discovery is a living legend. Project Jay, as it was first called back in the day, the car if is the mostly awarded 4×4 in history. It is the only vehicle that has received 97 international awards for just one production 4×4. After reading this article there will be no question why this cool 4 wheel drive is so popular around the globe. It suits anyone, and everyone.

The different Discovery models range from the latest Discover 4 or LR4 right back to the 1994 models, so there is plenty to talk about. This article will focus on the Discovery 3 and 4, which is most likely to be the vehicle that you are looking into buying.

To start with the Land rover Discovery 3 model was built between 2005 to 2009, with a 5 door SUV style. Engine options were the two liter Ford AJD-V6, PSA DT17, TDV6, the four liter Ford Cologne V6 and the “big one”, the 4.4 liter Jaguar AJ-V8- a car that really took off road adventure to the extreme.

The transmission of the car was 6 speeds, with both manual and automatic options. The wheelbase is 113.6 inches with a curb weight of 2,461 kilograms.

The Land Rover Discovery 3 was introduced as a new design, sharing very little with its predecessor the Series II. Although it kept the key design features of the Discovery, the stepped roofline and steeply raked windscreen.

In the United States the Discovery was marketed as LR3 because of negative quality associations with the Discovery brand just like the Discovery Series II which was rebranded as the LR2.

One of the most exciting features of the Discovery LR3 was the all new Integrated Body Frame, or IBF. This was a great development as the previous series were based on a traditional, strong ladder frame chassis. The old frame was great for an off road experience but were heavy and hard to drive on the road. The alternative to the strong ladder frame system is the Monocoque system which is more rigid providing a better road, high speed driving experience.

The IBF claims to combine these systems by providing a Monocoque system for the engine bay and passenger compartment while the gearbox and suspension lies on a ladder chassis. How well this worked depends on who you speak to, but one thing sure, it definitely is a heavy car. The extra weight of the Land Rover Discovery probably was the reason it was the first Land Rover to be produced with a rear locking differential.

The other big feature in the land rover discovery 3 was the full independent suspension or FIS. This was an air suspension system which allowed the ride height of the vehicle to be modified by simply pumping or deflating the system. This provided a more versatile vehicle that could be raised when off road and lowered for a more comfortable, and safe, handling. However, many car owners felt that this feature caused the vehicle to bottom out when taking the car off road. An attempt to solve this issue was made by installing a cross linked air suspension system that mimics a beam axle.

These features were included to adapt the new model to a changing 4×4 market. Off road performance was no longer a priority as more and more users were using 4x4s nearly exclusively on the road and demanded a smooth and comfortable ride. This is precisely where the LR3 stands out, providing refined on road manners while still being a “REAL 4X4″ with hardcore off road performance.

So guys that just about sums up this great run around. Great for on road, off road, anywhere you want to get. An all around runabout car. A never ending list of awards, which I’m sure will continue well into the future. If you have the cash, you should bag the car!

With the apparent success of the Discovery 1 for the 10 years of its life starting in 1989, the Rover Group continued the product marque with what it said were 720 new innovation differences that would define its Land Rover Discovery 2 line.

It was introduced in the autumn of 1998 in Europe and a year later in the US. From a distance, once really can’t distinguish between the two. But that was superficial. A closer look and the difference in the interior and exterior body parts become obvious to improve its looks though compromising its utilitarian qualities.

Enhanced Discovery 1

Every body part on the Discovery II had been reworked as a 5-door SUV with the rear section extended to improve loading space than what the first Discovery had. But this caused unnecessary overhang that adversely reduced its all-terrain performance.

Its diesel engine was streamlined with the Defender engine to use the same 2.5 litter Td5 direct injection inline 5-cylinder. It got better torque at lower revolutions than its Tdi predecessor. People mistook the Td5 to be a BMW engine but it was a Rover L-series engine used in the marque’s passenger cars developed by Rover itself.

The 4.0 liter V8 engine used in the previous Discovery models was likewise updated with a revised intake system that didn’t provide any improved power. But it was fitted with electronics to better manage its hydraulic anti-roll bar system using ACE (Active Cornering Enhancement). In addition, self-leveling air springs were fitted in 7-seater models.

In 2001, after BMW sold the Rover Group to the Ford Motor company a year earlier, the Discovery II marque continued to get enhanced. The gear train with the locking differential was removed as its traction control and a newly designed Hill Descent Control made it redundant. But because its removal did not provide the same level of smoothness and control, the 2004 models saw its reinstatement as an optional features buyer can have for an added cost, though it comes standard in the top end HSE and SE models.

Special Models

A few Discovery II special edition vehicles came out based on the 5-door body variant with the windows made opaque to impart a van-like look. The last improvements over its 5-year lifespan were hardly substantial and were more cosmetic both inside and out.

The Discovery II’s final production run in 2004 saw only two new facelifted models coming out in the UK market using the base model “Pursuit” and the high end “Landmark” models that offered genuine leather seats, twin sunroofs, ACE, heated windscreens and six-disc CD changers.

In addition, they now sport rear self-leveling suspension systems as standard features. The last revision came with the added interior climate control, roof bars, alloy wheels and a marine ply board with rubber mat in the rear loadspace as standard specs. The last Land Rover Discovery II left the production line in late May 2004, giving room for the more advanced Discovery III for Europe or LR3 in the US markets.

The weather in the United Kingdom just lately has been absolutely horrendous with temperatures dropping as low as minus twenty in certain areas. Because of this there has actually been a need for 4×4 vehicles like the Land Rover Range Rover.

People who own these large lumbering 4×4 vehicles have long been accused by environmentalist that there is little to no need for these excessively big automobiles. But try explaining that to the people who got stuck on the M62 at the beginning of January. The Range Rover has been the king of the off road vehicles for a long time and with good reason. The car has everything that you would need to survive in difficult and trying conditions and the new version for 2010 has a host of Land Rover accessories to make owning one even more appealing.

One of the key Land Rover accessories that you can buy for your new vehicle in 2010 is the side steps, yes that’s right it doesn’t come as standard. If you want to have a little step that you can step up on to it will cost you extra. Likewise if you want to update the standard wheels on your Range Rover then you will have to splash out some more cash on one of the many Land Rover accessories.

If you want to use the car for something practical like towing or carrying then you will need to get the extra Range Rover carry package install on your vehicle available through the Land Rover accessories available for 2010. This is often the part of purchasing a new car that frustrates and angers most clients. It is almost like your car is a Ryanair ticket. You start out with a set price and then slowly but surely increase the budget with each of the Land Rover accessories that you add on to your prized possession.

One more thing you might want to purchase out of the Land Rover accessories package is the Lamp guards, it should help to keep some of the smaller stones away from chipping the lights. However, when you have added all those accessories onto your vehicle you are looking at a sizeable investment. Then Gordon Brown will come along and charge you an extortionate amount of money for car tax and you might be starting to look at reasons to justify why you need this monster of a vehicle. Well if that thought does pop into your head, consider what type of driving you do and make an educated decision, but if you end up buying a Citroen Saxo and get stuck on a Motorway in the next snow shower, don’t blame me.

Covering the broadest possible market segments with various products lines has always been the marketing strategy of automobile makers unless you are just targeting a certain niche like the upscale sports dominated by Ferrari or the luxury upscale limousines like the Rolls.

Among SUVs, you have a number of Japanese, American and European makes competing for world markets. The Land Rover has been a traditional brand that had its roots in 1948 and has been the most recognized brand as a multi-purpose all-weather all terrain utility vehicle. Its presence is everywhere, from the military forces in many countries, to expeditionary land transport as well as in the more mundane agriculture and industrial settings.

It wasn’t until the late 80s and early 90s that the phenomenon of SUVs took hold on the Land Rover to start marketing a more updated series of vehicles that are at once all-terrain all-wheel drive sporty with the creature comforts associated with urban driving on city roads. With that, the Rover Group Plc introduced the Land Rover Discovery 1 – the first in a series that redefined the Land Rover as an SUV for th90s and beyond

A Cheaper Range Rover by Design

The Discovery was born from a vehicle project code-named “Project Jay” with the specific objective of coming out with a new Land Rover model based on the chassis and drivetrain of the upscale Range Rover but at a lower price point to attract a larger budget conscious market and to keep the Japanese SUVs at bay. First unveiled in the UK markets in 1989 as a 3-door model with the larger 5-door variant appearing the following year, the Discovery also came out in the Japanese markets as the Honda Crossroad between 1989 and 1999 resulting from the technical partnership with Honda Motors. The partnership ended when BMW buying the Rover Group in 1994.

A 3rd party design consultant ware hired – the Conran Design Group in London, to help the Rover team design a more suitable interior for an all-terrain 4×4 to be positioned more as a cheaper lifestyle alternative to Range Rover. It ended with some remarkable designs that in 1999 won a British Design Award for its custom sunglass holder that’s uniquely positioned at the center of the steering wheel.

Most of its interior specs had been holdovers from a Range Rover design mock-up. Its interior structure is basically that of a Range Rover with various functional design elements like its switchgear and instrument panel taken from the Montego and Maestro Rover series. Its exterior also borrowed design elements like the headlamps from the Freight Rover and the taillights from its Maestro van.

Behind the hood, the Discovery 1 was offered with either a 2.5 liter Tdi diesel or the 3.5 liter V8 engines. In 1994 it was introduced in the US modified to comply with the strict US motor vehicle requirements. Improvements were further added like Bosch electronic emissions control, a more comfortable ride, a stronger R380 gearbox, larger headlights and a second set of lights on the rear bumper.

Other improvements were done to comply with newer European road safety standards. In 1995 a more powerful 3.9 litter V8 from the Range Rover SE model was used. Its 1996 models and onwards were fitted with 4.0L engines had a few improvements that included a larger, cross-bolted main bearings, revised intake, pistons and a new distributorless engine management system called GEMS. 1998 saw the end of the Land Rover Discovery 1 life cycle to be replaced by the Discovery 2.

Do you want to know more about Land Rover? This prestigious brand has been around since 1978 when it was founded as a subsidiary company of British Leyland. British Leyland was established in 1968 and became partly nationalised in 1975. The growing name of their new subsidiary meant that they changed their name officially to the Rover Group in 1986. Originally, Land Rover began as a model of car rather than as an entire brand, but the name became synonymous with the overall company. It began as a product range of four-wheel drive vehicles which could be driven on all terrains. They became a hit with farmers and those who lived in rural areas, where the giant wheels and resilient handling meant that they could make their way out of even the deepest mud puddles.

First designed in 1948, the car was inspired by the army vehicles of the Second World War, particularly the American Jeeps that would carry military personnel across rugged terrains in mud and snow. The first prototype was made and nicknamed ‘Centre Steer’ with a lightweight rustproof body. Their cars have been known to withstand the test of time and are renowned for their resilience with the company once boasting that nearly three quarters of their vehicles were still in usable condition. They launched Series I at the Amsterdam Motor Show and Series II was launched ten years later in 1958. Series III hit the showrooms in 1971 with the introduction of the Discovery model in 1989. Their most recent introductions have been the Range Rover Sport and the use of Jaguar engines in new models.

Second only to the Jeep brand, Land Rover leasing and buying is still as popular as ever with city and country drivers alike. It is one of the most popular and trusted brands of four by four cars available on the UK market today.