Reviewed by Karl Peskett.
Land Rover looks to be adding a new model in the next couple of years, and it could even be a new Freelander.
The company will be going on a product offensive, adding a compact SUV option to all of its product lines. With three – leisure, luxury and utility – it’s unclear whether the new baby SUV will get a Land Rover or Range Rover badge, but Autocar is reporting that the new crossover will be 4.2 metres in length.
Initially, it’s thought that a compact SUV to sit under the Discovery Sport would be the best option, seeing as the transition from Freelander to Discovery Sport back in 2014 saw a jump in size. A smaller car to fill the gap below the Disco Sport could even sport the Freelander name, though it’s not something that has been set in stone. And given the unreliability of the Freelander, it’s probably not something we’d recommend.
Plans for a compact SUV have been in the pipeline for a while at Land Rover, however they were shelved over a concern about low profit margins. Sorry, Land Rover, that was a mistake. The huge explosion in compact SUV sales across most brands has seen to it that Land Rover will power ahead with those original plans.
In particular, the Audi Q2 and its success has made Land Rover much more likely to put its plans into action, and it appears that if it does go ahead, it would use a re-engineered version of the platform that underpins the Disco Sport and Jaguar E-Pace.
An SUV company adding more SUVs? Who would have thought it was possible….
Ute Challenger is a Defender
Meanwhile, Land Rover’s utility division – the people about to bring us a new Defender – will be adding a ute to its Defender line-up from 2020. Again, the company wants to cover all bases. The new ute will be another rung in the Defender portfolio, which will be unveiled later this year to coincide with the company’s 70th anniversary celebrations. Look out for that one – it’s going to be very interesting.
Land Rover has been obviously watching the utility market very closely, and has been swung by companies like Mercedes-Benz and its X-Class, plus Volkswagen and its high end Amarok (more on that below).
By 2020, the Defender will most likely be electrified, perhaps even getting a full electric drivetrain, but in some developing countries the infrastructure isn’t there to accomodate EVs. Thus, Land Rover will still offer both a petrol and/or diesel engine option, both of which will be from the Ingenium family. What will we get here? It’s difficult to say – watch this space.
It’s also said that there would be several trim levels with everything from a spartan utilitarian version for farming and building site-style applications, through to a full-on luxury version, similar to what the X-Class is marketed as.
Between a ‘Rok and a hard place
Speaking of utes, VeeDub has gone on the front foot, wanting to best both the X-Class and its V6 as well as the forthcoming Ford Ranger Raptor.
Its Amarok V6 TDI has been given a power bump, with its 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel now producing 200kW on overboost. The torque figure still remains at 550Nm, and the new, higher-output engine is now EU6 compliant.
Technically, the engine hits 200kW but the Amarok is actually rated as a 190kW motor. Doesn’t sound as good, though, does it? The power gets sent to a ZF eight-speed auto and then on to all four wheels using VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. And yes, they’re pretty handy off-road, as well as having the best payload space in class.
The new engine ute will arrive at dealers from the third quarter of this year. We’re also told that Australia is the world’s biggest export market for the Amarok.
The timing is interesting, given the Ford Ranger Raptor is about to hit showrooms, the X-Class has launched and Mazda is soon to update its BT-50. Dual cab ute sales are definitely not slowing.
Buick unveils a rather quick concept
Sure, it’s just a concept at this stage, but Buick has unveiled a sleek looking vehicle that gives a good look into its future. The key, though, is that it was revealed in China, where EVs are all the rage, thanks to strict emissions regulations.
The Chinese government also has some pretty decent incentives for manufacturers, which is why we’re going to see plenty of electric SUVs in the near future. But the Buick brand is very well received in China, so it makes sense that General Motors would push a concept like this in the brand’s most popular market outside the US.
And that’s why the “Enspire” SUV is going on show at Auto China 2018 at the end of April.
Buick says that the Enspire is “an exploration of Buick’s bold design ideas and innovative technologies for future mobility”. It’s said to get 5G wi-fi capability, plus an OLED display screen in augmented reality for the head-up display. Pretty cool, right?
It is, but the drivetrain is the best part. Especially if it makes it to production. Under the bonnet, so to speak, is what Buick calls an “eMotion” electric drivetrain setup, which runs power to all four wheels.
The system makes a colossal 410kW which is enough to shove the Enspire concept to 60mph (96kmh) in 4.0-seconds flat. Yes, folks, that’s definitely moving. Even more staggering is that it claims a range of 370 miles (595km) on a single charge. Around 80 per cent of its capacity can be charged in just 40 minutes. And it can be charged with both wireless and fast-charging setups.
Again, it’s a concept, but if Buick can bring this sort of tech to market soon, it’s going to be a game changer.
