Land Rover Malaysia today introduced the 2011 model year Range Rover 5.0 litre Petrol Supercharged – primary enhancements to the vehicle include Terrain Response upgrades and external styling refinements.

The range-topping 510 hp and 625 Nm supercharged LR-V8 mill – first seen last year – continues on, as does the ZF 6HP28 six-speed auto transmission. Performance figures include a 0-100 kph time of 6.2 seconds.

The 2011 model get additions to its award-winning Terrain Response system, in the form of Hill Start Assist and Gradient Acceleration Control.

The HSA feature on the Range Rover is always available and not selectable. Meanwhile, GAC is designed to provide safety cover on severe gradients when the driver does not have Hill Descent Control engaged.

By pressurising the brake system, GAC slows the car to a limit determined by the throttle position when the car is descending a slope in the driver’s intended direction of travel – this includes descending the slope forwards in drive or rearwards in reverse. Otherwise, such as descending while facing up the gradient with Drive selected, the system restricts speed to 5 kph for up to 20 seconds, allowing the driver to regain proper control.

Cosmetic enhancements for the exterior come in the form of new 20-inch alloy wheels with a sparkle finish as well as a ‘Nobel’ grille mesh for the front and sides, while the cabin gets illuminated treadplates for the front doors and a harman/kardon Logic 7 hi-fi surround system, replete with 14 speakers.

Luxury being the buzzword, the vehicle comes dressed in European leather trim for headlining and door casings as well as sumptuous perforated Oxford leather seat trim and a 12-piece wood veneer set.

The good news is that the price for the 2011 version remains the same, at RM798,888 (Peninsular Malaysia) and RM802,388 (Sabah and Sarawak), on the road excluding insurance.

Gallery after the jump.
[Read more...]

We’re in Pavilion KL now, where Land Rover Malaysia has kick started the pre-launch marketing campaign for the new Range Rover Evoque. To be launched here in the fourth quarter of this year, Land Rover’s latest product will be priced between RM300k and 400k. It’s a big ballpark, but Land Rover Malaysia will be trying hard to price it at the lower half of that scale.

Launched at last year’s Paris show as a three-door ‘coupe’, Land Rover uncovered the five-door version at the LA show – both variants will be brought to Malaysia. There will be two engine choices for us to choose from – a 240 bhp 2.0 litre Si4 turbocharged petrol engine with direct fuel injection and twin VVT, and the SD4 2.2L diesel engine with 190 PS and 420 Nm. The SD4 is already in Malaysia powering the facelifted Land Rover Freelander.

As for the pre-launch efforts, it’s part of a global campaign for the Evoque called ‘HELLOEVOQUE’, where the Evoque says Hello to major cities in the local language. For us, they’ve chosen the line ‘Salam Kuala Lumpur’ and there will be two wireframe installations that will be placed around the city – a blue one which depicts a three-door version and a five-door one, which will be in green.

Designed by London artist Benedict Radcliffe, the life-sized wireframe is making its debut in South East Asia. If you remember, this Hello idea was also used on the test mules prior to its debut.

“We are extremely excited about the market potential and impact of the Evoque. It’s a game changer for the Range Rover brand as it defines a completely new segment in the SUV market. We are targeting a younger market who are style, technology and environmentally conscious. The Evoque offers a complete Range Rover experience in a smaller, more sustainable and attainable vehicle,” said Land Rover Malaysia MD Mohd Hazem Abd Rahman.

Besides the LRX concept car design, which is the obvious main selling point, we reckon that the Evoque’s unique cabin ambience is a main draw – it’s high tech yet luxurious. Click here to view our live gallery of the Evoque from the Paris show floor.

By the way, order books for the Evoque are now open. We hear that LR Malaysia has about 30 names in it already!

Land Rover (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd has updated the Land Rover Freelander 2 here in Malaysia for the 2011 model year, which brings our model up to date to the recently facelifted model that just started sale in UK in September last year. Exterior changes include a new front end look with a new grille and the tail lamps have also been updated. Wheels are now a huge 19 inches in size.

The new 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 now carries the SD4 suffix, which is one up over the TD4 version. The engine remains 2.2 litres in capacity but power is now up by 30 PS and 20Nm, which means peak output is now 190 PS and 420Nm. This engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic. The Freelander 2 features a system called “Terrain Response” which changes the behavior of the throttle, gearbox, and 4WD system to suit different terrains.

It also has a whole list of three letter acronym buzzwords for you to boast about – Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Electronic Traction Control (ETC), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Corner Brake Control (CBC), Roll Stability Control (RSC) and Hill Descent Control (HDC).

The 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 is priced at RM271,388 (Peninsular Malaysia) and RM274,888 (Sabah and Sarawak) without insurance. Other than the new Freelander 2, its larger brother the Discovery 4 has also been updated recently – it gained a larger (up from 2.7L to 3.0L) and more powerful 244 PS 600Nm engine in December last year. What’s more exciting is the announcement that the Land Rover Evoque will be coming into Malaysia in the later part of this year!