There will be an entirely new mid-size premium SUV in Land Rover showrooms this fall. Named the LR3, it gives Land Rover a spacious, dynamically powerful, and thoroughly modern, four-wheel drive vehicle with inherent Land Rover characteristics. Engineered with conviction, this is the first vehicle totally developed by Land Rover following its purchase by Ford Motor Company in 2000.
The LR3 will have four-wheel independent suspension, permanent four-wheel drive with locking center and rear differentials, a 300bhp V8 Jaguar-derived engine, a new six-speed automatic transmission, two-speed transfer case and up to seven passenger seating. It has advanced electronic information and entertainment systems and a highly versatile seating system that can be converted into a flat load space.
"The LR3 joins Range Rover and Freelander to give Land Rover retailers a range of premium offerings, from compact to full-size, all with outstanding on- and off-road performance," said Richard Beattie, executive vice president, Land Rover North America.
The LR3 is a technologically advanced vehicle that is totally new from the ground up. The very modern styling reflects Range Rover and Discovery design cues. The new Integrated
Body-frame™ architecture uses aluminum, magnesium and Boron steel for light weight but very strong construction.
This is the most powerful Land Rover ever built with its Jaguar-based 4.4-liter, 300 bhp DOHC, aluminum V8 engine that’s been extensively modified for use in the most rugged off-road conditions. It’s mated to a six-speed, ZF automatic transmission and two-speed electronically shifted transfer case with locking center differential.
A state-of-the-art, six-speed ZF transmission provides fully automatic and CommandShift™ manual operation, even in Low range.
Exceptional breadth of capability was the goal when developing LR3. The permanent four-wheel drive system and fully independent, height-adjustable air suspension with available locking rear differential and powerful four-wheel disc brakes with ABS more than met their objectives.
An entirely new and patented system to manage the vehicle’s many electronic traction aids was developed. Called Terrain Response™, a single rotary knob on the center console matches engine, transmission, throttle and traction controls to driving terrain – from mud to sand, rocks to snow.
Advanced safety engineering includes up to eight airbags and steel safety-cage construction to protect vehicle occupants, while the Integrated Body-frame™ architecture has been designed to minimize the effect of impacts with smaller vehicles.
Text and photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company
