At the North American launch of the all-new Land Rover LR3 SUV, I quickly got a sense that this was a big deal for Land Rover.
The LR3 is the first Land Rover developed under the stewardship of the Ford Motor Company, which purchased the British marque from BMW in 2000. The LR3 is one of only nine models introduced by the company since it was formed in 1948, and the first to be launched in an urban setting in downtown Montreal.
With over 100 SUV nameplates available, the LR3 is entering a very competitive arena with traditional SUV buyers moving towards more car-like vehicles faster than the price of gas can rise at the pumps. Despite its Solihull, England plant recording the worst quality scores in the industry, Land Rover still wants to broaden its line-up and double North American sales within the next few years.
Effectively replacing the aging Discovery model (the LR3 label is only being used in Canada and the U.S.) the new model needs to be outstanding.
"And we think it is", confided executive vice president of Land Rover North America, Richard Beattie. He signified the LR3 as "a true Land Rover, benefiting from its "clean design, versatility and outstanding driving experience".
Externally, you might mistake the LR3 with the granddaddy Range Rover. Believe me, the likeness is intentional.
Bold, geometric vertical and horizontal elements; the LR3's 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 are all what LR3 design director, Jeff Upex, considers unique Land Rover design cues retained from the initial concept sketches.
Mr. Upex emphasized that the LR3 was designed from the inside, prioritizing passenger comfort and ergonomics with a fold-flat interior and optional seating for up to seven full-size adults. The second row bench seats three and is set higher in Land Rover's "stadium seating" configuration.
Land Rover claims the LR3's interior roominess betters such mid-size premium SUV competitors like Lexus's GX470. Much of this packaging success can be attributed to what Land Rover calls its Integrated Body-frame body structure, unique to Land Rover, and putting to rest any rumours that the LR3 is based on a Ford Explorer.
Combining the benefits of a stiff monocoque, normally found in cars, with the strength and off-road toughness made possible by a traditional separate chassis frame, the LR3's structure allows Land Rover to aspire to sedan-like on-road attributes, while continuing its expected high standards in off-road performance.
To qualify Mr. Beattie's claim that the LR3's on-road composure was on a level with its off-road capabilities, Land Rover had us battle morning traffic in Montreal as a way to get to The Land Rover Experience Driving School (see below), a three hour drive west of Montreal near Montebello, Quebec.
On-road, the LR3 was very responsive, due largely to the most powerful Land Rover engine ever. All LR3s come with the new 4.4-litre derivative of Jaguar's 4.2-litre V-8 engine that develops 300-horsepower and 315 pound-foot of torque in the LR3.
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With over 100 SUV nameplates available, the LR3 is entering a very competitive arena with traditional SUV buyers moving towards more car-like vehicles faster than the price of gas can rise at the pumps. Despite its Solihull, England plant recording the worst quality scores in the industry, Land Rover still wants to broaden its line-up and double North American sales within the next few years.
Effectively replacing the aging Discovery model (the LR3 label is only being used in Canada and the U.S.) the new model needs to be outstanding.
"And we think it is", confided executive vice president of Land Rover North America, Richard Beattie. He signified the LR3 as "a true Land Rover, benefiting from its "clean design, versatility and outstanding driving experience".
Externally, you might mistake the LR3 with the granddaddy Range Rover. Believe me, the likeness is intentional.
Bold, geometric vertical and horizontal elements; the LR3's 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 are all what LR3 design director, Jeff Upex, considers unique Land Rover design cues retained from the initial concept sketches.
 |
Land Rover claims the LR3's interior roominess betters such mid-size premium SUV competitors like Lexus's GX470. Much of this packaging success can be attributed to what Land Rover calls its Integrated Body-frame body structure, unique to Land Rover, and putting to rest any rumours that the LR3 is based on a Ford Explorer.
Combining the benefits of a stiff monocoque, normally found in cars, with the strength and off-road toughness made possible by a traditional separate chassis frame, the LR3's structure allows Land Rover to aspire to sedan-like on-road attributes, while continuing its expected high standards in off-road performance.
 |
On-road, the LR3 was very responsive, due largely to the most powerful Land Rover engine ever. All LR3s come with the new 4.4-litre derivative of Jaguar's 4.2-litre V-8 engine that develops 300-horsepower and 315 pound-foot of torque in the LR3.