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June 27,
2007
This Week:
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Successful Range Rover updated for model
year 2008
Enhancements to the Range Rover for
2008 add a series of further luxury touches and practical new
features, including four-zone air conditioning. The improvements
are expected to help maintain the strong market performance of
the Range Rover, with sales in the first four months of 2007
already 19% up worldwide over last year.

"That increase is largely due to the
huge popularity of the acclaimed TDV8 diesel that we introduced
to the Range Rover line-up last year," says Phil Popham, Land
Rover's managing director. "The engine's great combination of
performance and fuel economy has not only powered overall Range
Rover sales, but also shifted our diesel/petrol mix, especially
in Europe. Most Range Rover customers who would previously have
bought a V8 petrol now choose a TDV8 instead, which offers
petrol-like refinement but with 32% better fuel economy."
The list of changes for 2008 is headed
by the introduction of four-zone air conditioning, which enables
rear seat passengers to control their individual heating and
ventilation. This is neatly complemented with 'climate control'
windscreen and side glass which is now available in conjunction
with automatic rain and headlight sensing. The special glass
cuts infrared heat transmission into the vehicle, reducing heat
build up when the vehicle is parked in the sun, for example, so
allowing the air conditioning to function faster and more
effectively on drive away.
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A redesigned rear seat armrest provides extra
stowage space (including a dedicated location for the optional rear seat
entertainment remote control) and there is additional leather trim on
the heating and ventilation unit and centre console.
There are now a total of seven real wood
veneers to choose from, all sourced from sustainable forests, and
additional wood veneer elements have been applied to the rear of the
centre console. A matching wooden gear knob has also been introduced on
some models. |
The attention to detail extends to new
tread-plates and revised graphics on the touch-screen and instruments. A
new interior colour becomes available, called Storm, as well as two new
exterior colours, Alaska White and Lucerne Green, and a fresh set of
"designers' choices" for recommended interior and exterior combinations.
There is also a new, highly polished 20" alloy wheel design.

"We are keeping the Range Rover offering fresh
with regular changes: some are major, like the TDV8 engine last year –
which, incidentally, will now be badged on the back of the vehicle –
while others are about the detail, such as those coming in for 2008,"
says Phil Popham. "And this approach seems to have continuing appeal for
our customers, as we're on track for one of our best ever sales years
with the Range Rover."
Photos: Land Rover
(June 20, 2007)
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