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Land Rover: LR3 2005 Land Rover adds the powerful, all-new LR3 to its 2005 model year line-up
Available in SE and HSE derivatives, LR3 offers the advantages of a powerful and responsive 300 hp 4.4-liter V8 engine, mated to a six-speed electronic automatic transmission. This transmission is intelligent—adapting its shift patterns to driving style and road conditions—and equipped with Command Shift™, allowing the driver full control over gear changes.
The LR3 introduces sophisticated new technologies that are a first in the industry. Among them is Land Rover’s patented Terrain Response™ system that optimizes drivability and control, as well as maximizing traction over a variety of surfaces. The driver simply chooses one of five terrain settings via a rotary knob on the center console:
Terrain Response then automatically selects the most appropriate setting for the vehicle’s advanced electronic controls and traction aids – including ride height, engine torque response, hill descent control, electronic traction control and transmission settings. Highly responsive on-road performance was a top priority for the LR3. The new powertrain uses a specially developed 4.4-liter version of Jaguar’s acclaimed AJV8, DOHC engine that develops 300 bhp @ 5,500 rpm. Changes for Land Rover use include increased displacement (up from 4.2 liters), more low-end torque - 315 lb. -ft. @ 4,000 rpm, enhanced dust- and water-proofing, and revised breathing to enable the vehicle to wade in up to 24 inches of water. For Land Rover use, the water and oil pumps have been re-engineered as has the oil sump to cope with wide ambient temperature ranges, operating environments and angles of operation. The engine is mated to an intelligent, six-speed, ZF automatic transmission with CommandShift™ and a two-speed transfer case with electronically lockable center differential. As with all Land Rover vehicles, the LR3 has permanent four-wheel drive with power being normally split 50/50 between the front and rear axles. A new approach to body structure achieves the benefits of a stiff monocoque combined with the strength and off-road articulation made possible by a traditional separate chassis frame. This Integrated Body-frame™ structure allows Land Rover to deliver all the comfort, refinement and on-road attributes of a monocoque, while continuing to set new standards in off-road performance. The combination of a tough frame mated to a rigid body structure provides occupants with a secure zone in the event of a collision, while also acting as a stable foundation for a suite of advanced dynamic control systems which give the vehicle its sure-footed confidence. The design of the chassis was evolved with safety in mind. Advanced computer design techniques enabled Land Rover engineers to simulate a variety of scenarios and to evaluate the collision performance of the design before any metal was cut. The body structure uses high strength steel in vital areas such as the A-pillar and roof cross members to provide occupants with a safety-cage. The complex design of the chassis frame, with its hydroformed construction, reflects this work in its contribution to the safety and crash performance characteristics of the new LR3. The front structure of the frame is designed to provide the collision load path with buckle points to control its collapse in the event of an impact. The load path is deliberately designed to take into account differential crash performance. The front structure is placed so as to impact another vehicle down low at its strongest point to minimize the effect of the collision. LR3 has extremely powerful four-wheel disc brakes and ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution EBD and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) to provide an automatic extra boost when a panic stop is detected. Emergency maneuvers and cornering control on slippery surfaces is made safer thanks to Dynamic Stability Control. The parking brake is set electronically using a lift tab on the center console. It operates a drum cast into the rear wheel disc rotors. If a crash cannot be avoided, LR3 is equipped with eight airbags on seven-seat vehicles and six on five-seat models. The driver and passenger airbags deploy in two stages depending on the severity of the frontal impact and work in harmony with the seat belts. North American vehicles are fitted with weight and seatbelt tension sensors that detect the presence of an occupant and deploy or inhibit the passenger airbag accordingly. The side impact protection system has a combination of seat-mounted thorax airbags for the front seat occupants and side curtain airbags for all rows. The use of lightweight materials including aluminum, magnesium and Boron steel has given LR3 great strength but maintains a GVW of 7,121 lbs. Complex door seals are fitted to improve refinement by controlling wind noise and dust ingress. Unique Land Rover design cues include its bold, geometric vertical and horizontal elements; its stepped roof (to boost headroom); its asymmetric rear tailgate (to reduce load height when the lower part of the tailgate is closed, and reduce ‘reach in’ distance when opened); the use of an air intake on only one side of the body (it’s all that was needed); and its large glazed areas. This vehicle was designed from the inside out so a great deal of attention was given to passenger comfort and ergonomics. Front row, bucket seats are fully electrically adjustable and are trimmed with leather upholstery. The second row bench seats three and is set higher in Land Rover’s "stadium seating" configuration. The optional front facing third row of seats is set higher so all passengers can see forward as well as upward though the Alpine windows in the rear roof section. The entire cabin has a light and airy feeling. When rear seats are folded they can be pushed down to make a flat floor more than six feet long and level from the new drop down rear tailgate to the back of the front seats. The cabin environment must be able to cope with a broad range of operating conditions, from the deserts of Dubai to the frozen tundra of Sweden. Automatic temperature control air conditioning is standard with separate controls for the left and right front seats. An optional rear heating and air conditioning unit is available for vehicles with third row seating. A 300-watt harman/kardon® AM/FM-stereo audio system with six-disc in-dash CD changer and nine speakers is standard in the SE. A 550-watt harman/kardon® LOGIC7™ digital surround-sound AM/FM-stereo audio system with six-disc in-dash CD changer and 14 speakers is standard in the HSE. A new state-of-the-art, touch-screen DVD-based navigation system is now available with both 2D and 3D map displays. Because of the continually increasing number of electrical requirements in a modern vehicle, and the need to carefully interface a number of electronic control units and processors, Land Rover engineers divided the electrical system into four main elements that are grouped according to the speed of transmission required. The system that links the in-car entertainment and navigation systems uses fiber optic cabling and is called the MOST® (Media Orientated System Transport) network. The LR3 also features adaptive headlights that swivel with the direction of travel to illuminate the road ahead. Park distance warning sensors for the rear of the vehicle are standard on HSE. Power assisted rack and pinion steering has a smaller turning radius than previous Land Rovers. Throughout the development process for LR3, designers and manufacturing engineers worked with the accessory engineers to create a well-integrated and production-grade range of accessories that fits well with the main design concepts. Not only does the accessory program include conventional items such as floor mats and mud flaps, but unique products that exploit the vehicle’s design features and fit the lifestyle of future owners. One such item is a day tent that encloses the rear hatch. There’s also a sliding load space floor, dog guard, cargo divider, woodgrain interior enhancements and body protection items. Pricing for the Land Rover LR3 will begin at $44,995 for the SE and $49,995 for the HSE, when it goes on sale this fall. Pricing includes a $665 destination and delivery charge. LR3 will be covered by a 4-year, 50,000 mile warranty, 6-year, unlimited mileage corrosion warranty and Land Rover’s 24 Hour Road Recovery plan. All pictures: Ford Motor Company
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