?Land Rover LR2 completely updated for 2013?
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Montreal, Quebec – The 2013 Land Rover LR2 has been completely updated, featuring a new, more efficient and more powerful engine, a stylishly redesigned interior and pleasingly revised bodywork. It joins forces with the award-winning Range Rover Evoque to provide enticing entry-level vehicles into the premium compact SUV marketplace.
The LR2 will be available in three levels of trim: the base LR2; a more upscale LR2 HSE; and the flagship LR2 HSE LUX. Pricing will be $37,250; $39,750: and $42,350 respectively. All will be powered by a new 240 horsepower 2.0-liter, DOHC, 16-valve , turbocharged, direct injection inline four cylinder engine that also produces 250 pound feet of torque.
The engine is in essence the same as Ford?s EcoBoost engine, which is mounted transversely up front and replaces the previous model?s 3.2-liter inline six cylinder,, saving 88 pounds. The driving force is delivered to Land Rover?s Full Time Four-wheel drive with Haldex rear axle differential through an Aisin AWF21 six-speed automatic transmission. The transmission also features a remote breather that?s routed above LR2’s water wading depth (19.7 inches of water). Revised clutches and low viscosity oil aid in improving efficiency, while adaptive shifting is available in both normal and sport modes. The transmission is programmed to hold low gears longer and to shift down more readily, assisting acceleration Revised clutches and low viscosity oil also improve efficiency while adaptive shifting is available in both normal and sport modes. In sport mode, the auto transmission is programmed to hold low gears longer and to shift down more readily, assisting acceleration when In sport mode, CommandShift? allows manual sequential gear shifts.
All LR2?s come equipped with Land Rover?s Intelligent Power System Management which features Smart Regenerative Charging, ensuring that whenever possible, the alternator only charges the battery while the vehicle is decelerating, recovering kinetic energy from deceleration, rather than consuming energy during engine operation. IPSM is part of Land Rover?s e_TERRAIN TECHNOLOGIES program that strives to continually improve every Land Rover?s efficiency.
The LR2 Land Rover gains a heightened visual appeal thanks to new exterior design elements that serve up a sportier and more purposeful image. Perhaps
the best way to describe it is to refer to it as a more affordable ?baby? Range Rover. Standard dual sunroofs increase the airy feel of LR2?s cabin, with the front section opening and sliding back over the second-row glass roof panel.
Inside, technologies from the Range Rover Evoque are now available in the Land Rover LR2 along with a new dashboard layout that includes a new center console and a new standard 7-inch color touch-screen. Optionally available are an 825W Meridian surround sound system with 17-speakers for a concert-like sound; a new new ?Say What You See? prompted voice command system that offers a screen guided and voice prompted voice interface; and a Rear View Camera with ?Hitch Assist?. A new instrument cluster with a 5-inch screen displaying primary vehicle-related information, such as temperature and fuel levels, gear positions and Terrain Response? mode, now sits between the dials across the LR2 model range, complemented with steering wheel toggle switches to operate the clearest of drop down menus and vehicle set-up details. Passive Start which replaces the key docking system, meaning that as long as the key is somewhere inside the car, the engine starts at the touch of a button. New colors have been added to both the exterior paint and interior trim choices.
The new LR2?s improved navigation system is now a faster, hard drive-based system, that comes with features such as ECO Route planning, Dynamic Zoom, Visual Lane guidance, POI (Point of Interest) management and repeat TMC traffic guidance. Waypoints may be managed and locations stored along with POI locations by name. Two different Meridian? audios systems are available.
During the international press launch, my driving partner and I were assigned an HSE LUX trim model finished outside in a soft metallic Blue, with a two-tone Gray and Charcoal interior. It was loaded and priced at $42,350.
SUMMARY: For those looking to go off-roading in stylish luxury on a budget, the 2013 Land Rover LR2 fills the bill quite nicely. The HSE LUX model is obviously the most desirable model, but the base LR2 trim level is nothing to sneeze at. The mechanicals are same through the entire lineup.
The first leg of our drive was on-road and took us from Montreal to Montebello, where we embarked on a lengthy off-road drive through a 65,000 acre forest preserve. The off-road didn?t involve extreme rock crawling, but there were
challenging portions that were encountered successfully without incident. Our off-road exercise was followed by an another on-road trek to the Mont Tremblant ski area.
Hill Descent Control, with speed which may be modulated through the Cruise Control proved to be a valuable asset when traversing steep, slippery downhill scenarios. Terrain Response proved equally valuable off road. The system works continuously, but special programs may be selected by the driver for challenging terrain conditions such as grass, gravel, snow, mud, ruts, and sand. On the LR2, there are four Terrain Response? settings, which the driver can choose via buttons: General Driving, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud and Ruts, and Sand.
The Land Rover LR2?s design was driven by functionality and equipped by an impressive inventory of safety related features including: ABS, EBA, CBC, DSC, RSC and 7 airbags. The narrow A-pillars contribute to outstanding all-round visibility. Hood castellations allow placing the vehicle more accurately on the road, but especially off the beaten path. The wheel stance and wide track result in agile handling and positive grip. Short front and rear overhangs and high underbody enhance off-road performance by maximizing approach and departure angles. while The body-side protection guards against stone chips and helps to keep sills clean.
The 2013 Land Rover LR2 is a worthy SUV for either on or off-road duty. It is easy on the eyes and easy on the pocketbook, especially considering its impressive content and capability.
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[wptabtitle] SPECIFICATIONS: Land Rover LR2 HSE LUX -2013 13 [/wptabtitle]
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| Base Price: | $37,250. |
| Price as Tested: | $42,350. |
| Engine Type and Size: | 2.0-liter, DOHC, 16-valve , turbocharged, direct injection inline four cylinder. |
| Horsepower (bhp): | |
| Torque (ft./ lbs.): | 250 @ 3,200 rpm |
| Transmission: | Aisin AWF21 six-speed automatic. |
| Drive Train: | Tranversely mounted front engine / Full Time Four-wheel drive with Haldex rear axle differential. |
| Suspension: | Front – MacPherson strut with lower control arm and anti-roll bar. Rear – Strut assembly with lateral and longitudinal links and anti-roll bar. |
| Brakes: | Power-assisted four wheel ventilated discs, ABS, ETC, DSC, EBD, EBA, CBC and Terrain Response. |
| Tires: | Continental CrossCountry 235/55 R19 105H mounted on 10-spoke alloy wheels. |
| Wheelbase: | 104.7 inches |
| Length Overall: | 177.0 inches |
| Width: | 86.5 inches |
| Height: | 68.5 inches |
| Curb Weight: | 3,913 lbs. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 18.5 gallons |
| EPA Mileage Estimates: | TBD mpg city / TBD mpg highway – pending final certification. |
| Drag Coefficient: | Not listed. |
| 0 – 60 mph: | 8.8 seconds / Top speed = 124 mph. |
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