2013 Land Rover LR2: The Evoque’s sensible sibling

For 2013, Land Rover's compact LR2 gets a more efficient engine and a tech upgrade, but can it compete with the more stylish Range Rover Evoque?

Land Rover’s chic Evoque is an attention-getter, but it’s not the only compact SUV in Land Rover’s stable. The company still makes the LR2, formerly know as the Freelander, which offers a more traditional (and more generic) take on the small 4×4. The LR2 gets what Land Rover calls a “premium overhaul” for 2013.

Over the years, the original Freelander’s styling has morphed to accommodate Land Rover’s new styling cues. The 2013 LR2 continues that trend with some slight tweaks; only current LR2 owners will be able to spot the differences. It gets new LED headlights with detailing that vaguely echoes the Evoque’s and LR4’s. The grille also gets some extra brightwork, and the 17-inch wheels have been redesigned.

The real news is under the hood. The 2013 LR2 gets the Si4 GTDi 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four from the Evoque. Despite being smaller than the 2012 LR2’s 3.2-liter inline-six, the new four-banger is more powerful (240 hp and 260 lb-ft versus 230 hp and 234 lb-ft).

With two fewer cylinders, the new engine should also be more efficient. The current LR2 returns 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway in EPA testing. The Si4 returns 19/28 mpg city/highway in the slightly lighter Evoque.

The 2013 LR2 also gets a few interior upgrades as well. A redesigned center console features a seven-inch touch screen, and owners can crank tunes through a new sound system from Meridian.

The LR2 jumps on the voice recognition bandwagon with Land Rover’s “Say What You See” system, which uses visual prompts for drivers to select with voice commands. Other convenience features include “passive start,” which allows drivers to start the car remotely (the LR2 doesn’t even have a conventional ignition key) and an optional rear view camera.

These changes should keep the 2013 LR2 fresh, but will they make it a competitive entry in the luxury small SUV segment? Unlike the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLK, and Audi Q5, the LR2 has the off road abilities of a Land Rover. Unfortunately, so does another compact SUV.

The LR2’s nemesis may be the Evoque. Despite its less-butch looks, the Evoque has proven to be a competent off-roader. Under the skin, the LR2 and Evoque are very similar; they share a chassis (and now) an engine. However, The Evoque’s styling definitely makes more of an impression; it’s the perfect fashion item for Westchester or Los Angeles, where most of these SUVs dwell anyway.

The LR2’s upright roof makes it slightly larger, and much easier to get in and out of. So it makes more sense for families or people who want to use their SUV for more utilitarian purposes. In other words, the 2013 LR2 is the sensible counterpart to the Evoque.

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

2013 Land Rover Range Rover gets tweaked styling and a lighter, aluminum body

Land Rover threw out the rule book with the Evoque, but the changes to its flagship Range Rover for 2013 are more conservative.

Not everyone needs to save fuel. For those who can afford an uncompromising blend of off-road performance and luxury, the Land Rover Range Rover really is in a class of one. For 2013, Land Rover is giving this brute a refresh.

After the shockingly different Evoque, the company obviously felt that major changes to its flagship model would be too much. The 2013 Range Rover retains its classic boxy profile, but with a few adjustments. The front end used to be upright, but now it’s more rounded to bring the Range Rover in line with the Evoque. The formerly square headlights and taillights now have little tails, again, copied from the Evoque.

The 2013 model still looks like a Range Rover, and that’s why the Evoque styling cues don’t exactly jibe with the rest of the body. The vents just below the headlights look out of place too, like they were stuck on at the last minute to make the massive front bumper seem smaller.

Styling aside, the 2013 Range Rover gets several mechanical updates that should make it a more capable vehicle. The body may look the same as the 2012, but it’s completely new. Land Rover scrapped the old model’s steel monocoque for an aluminum one, which will save weight and improve fuel economy. The company says 2013 Range Rovers are 39 percent lighter than 2012s; a U.S.-spec model should be about 700 pounds lighter than last year’s model.

Under the hood, the 2013 Range Rover retains the 5.0-liter naturally aspirated and supercharged V8s from the 2012 model, with the same 510 and 375 horsepower, respectively. However, both engines are hooked up to a new transmission: an eight-speed automatic replaces the old six-speed.

The 2013 Range Rover sends its power to all four wheels through an electronic two-speed transfer case. It also gets a revised air suspension system, which can raise the SUV’s ride height on command for off-road driving.

What sets the Range Rover apart from other luxury SUVs is its off-road prowess so, Land Rover will continue to offer its Terrain Response system in 2013 models. The system automatically adjusts the traction control, throttle response, and other settings based on the surface the vehicle is traveling over.

All of this will be controlled from a restyled interior. Like the exterior, the 2013 Range Rover’s interior combines traditional Range Rover design elements with some bits of the Evoque. The small Land Rover’s leather-wrapped dashboard, floating touch screen, and gear knob (first seen on the Jaguar XF) will make their way into the Range Rover. The 2013 model is also more spacious, with an extra 4.7-inches of rear legroom.

The 2013 Range Rover isn’t a dramatic departure from previous models, but there wasn’t much that needed changing. It will be officially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September, and it will hit American shores in December, or possibly January 2013.

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com