Land Rover Previews Its Environmental Future & Reveals a New Global Broadband TV Station

Land Rover Previews Its Environmental Future & Reveals a New Global Broadband TV Station

NEW YORK, April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Land Rover presented a glimpse of its future environmental technology at the 2006 New York International Auto Show as well as introducing an all-new customer communication tool entitled Go Beyond TV.

The concept -- called Land_e -- showcases some of the alternative technologies that Land Rover is considering adopting on its vehicles in the near future.

Land Rover also used the New York Show as an opportunity to announce details of its Go Beyond TV -- the industry's first broadband television station offered by a single auto manufacturer. Go Beyond TV will feature Land Rover dedicated footage along with lifestyle and adventure content via external partners.

"We are in the midst of very exciting times for the Land Rover brand," said Richard Beattie, executive vice president, Marketing and Sales, Land Rover North America. "Currently, we have a very desirable product line-up. But as always we are looking towards the future and Land_e is a reflection of some of the environmental technologies that we are considering introducing in the near future on our vehicles."

Land_e Showcases e-Terrain System

The concept on the Land Rover stand at the New York Show is entitled Land_e, but the technologies it is showcasing are called the e-Terrain System and consist of practical solutions enabling Land Rover vehicles to maximize class leading on- and off-road performance while still meeting environmental goals.

Highlights of Land_e include the integrated starter-generator (ISG) which slows the engine to stop automatically when the vehicle comes to a halt. The engine restarts automatically -- quickly and smoothly -- when the driver demands. In addition an integrated electric rear axle drive is incorporated with the ISG. This allows the vehicle at low speeds to use a 100 percent emission-free electric rear drive. While off-road, both mechanical and electric power can be fed to all four wheels. This hybrid system improves the vehicle's capabilities as electric engines produce good low end torque and can supplement the low down power of gasoline engines.

Even greater fuel economy is achieved by an innovation that automatically disconnects the propshaft and power take off when they are not required. Land_e also uses a new Powershift gearbox. A semi automatic transmission allows full automatic operation and manual gear changes without power interruption, which eliminates the need for a torque converter. Land_e also incorporates an additional mode to Land Rover's Terrain Response(TM) system that optimizes on-road fuel economy even further.

Land_e and the technology it showcases are designed to be able to use E85 ethanol to provide energy sustainability and further reduce emissions. In all, the e-Terrain System technologies incorporated into Land_e target an improvement in the combined fuel economy figure for a compact SUV of up to one third.

Go Beyond TV

Land Rover is the first auto maker to offer their own broadband TV station, making it yet another example of Land Rover's innovation. This lifestyle oriented station is accessible 24/7 anywhere there is access to a broadband connection.

The Go Beyond web site, from which Go Beyond TV is accessed, will feature a magazine format and profile individual stories of adventure, similar to the adventure and lifestyle programming of Go Beyond TV. Both media outlets will showcase a mix of adventure and the lifestyle associated with it - focusing more on the Land Rover brand spirit than the automobiles themselves.

"Go Beyond is about going beyond personal boundaries and experiencing adventure in its many forms," said Beattie. "As part of our vision, we are launching Go Beyond as an avenue for our owners and potential customers to experience our brand anywhere they have a broadband connection."

The link to Go Beyond TV can be found on http://www.landrover.com/.

For more information on Land_e or Go Beyond TV, please visit http://www.media.landrover.com/.

Land Rover North America is part of Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover with headquarters in Irvine, California. Land Rover established operations in the U.S. in 1986, and now imports and distributes Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and LR3 vehicles manufactured by Land Rover in Solihull, England. Land Rover's worldwide operations are wholly owned by Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan. For information about the Land Rover retailer nearest you, call 800- FIND-4WD or log on to http://www.landroverusa.com/.

Vehicle specifications and features are subject to change. For the latest Land Rover pricing and product information, contact Land Rover North America Corporate Communications at (949) 341-5800. Land Rover-related press releases and electronic photos of the company's products are available on-line in the Land Rover section of Ford Motor Company's news media website (http://media.landrover.com/).

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Source: Land Rover

CONTACT: Deborah Sandford, +1-949-341-6184, or mobile: +1-949-510-0529,
dsandfor@landrover.com, or Nicole Marshall, +1-949-341-6809, or mobile:
+1-714-296-7534, nmarsh15@landrover.com, both of Land Rover

Web site: http://www.media.landrover.com/
http://www.landroverusa.com/
http://www.landrover.com/

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