Sometimes it takes more than just creating a good image or clever styling to win over auto shoppers. It’s more than just creating an effective marketing material to tout the car and set the mood.
But repairing the besmirched image is one heck of an undertaking. Take Land Rover, for instance. When the automaker introduced the compact SUV Freelander, it flaunted ideal on- and off-road performance. But it lacks a captivating style that could entice more shoppers. As a fact, the materials used inside the car were economy class. Also, the sport utility was reported to be having some mechanical problems. As a result, sales dramatically dropped.
The most potent solution that time was to use Volvo S80’s architecture and technology. At first look, the LR2 is a real Land Rover, not a freeloader. Open the door and the aroma of Land Rover leather wafts out and pulls you behind the wheel says Mark Maynard of The Paramus Post.
Here's Maynard’s LR2 Specs Box:
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE
Body style: compact, five-passenger SUV with full-time all-wheel drive and four-wheel traction control
Engine: aluminum, 230-horsepower, 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder with 234 foot-pounds of torque
Transmission: six-speed CommandShift automatic with Sport and Manual modes
0-60 mph acceleration: 8.4 seconds
EPA fuel economy estimates: 16 mpg city, 23 highway
Fuel capacity: 18.5 gallons
DIMENSIONS
Front head/leg/shoulder room: 40.2/41.9/57.6 inches
Curb weight: 4,255 pounds
Wading depth: 19.7 inches
Ground clearance: 8.3 inches
Tow capacity: 3,500 pounds with brakes
FEATURES
Standard equipment includes: push-button start and keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-trimmed seats, leather-wrapped tilt and telescopic steering wheel, power front seats, power tilt and slide sunroof with second pane over the back seat, split folding rear seat, power windows and mirrors, trip computer, nine-speaker (320-watt) audio with six-disc, in-dash CD changer, twin-pocket halogen headlights, front and rear fog lights, rear park distance control, rain-sensing wipers, 18-inch Continental 235/60R V-rated tires on alloy wheels
Safety equipment includes: seven air bags, including a driver's knee bag, dual-threshold front bags, side-impact front bags and side-impact curtains; dynamic stability control; roll stability control; cornering brake control; emergency brake assist; all-terrain anti-lock braking
PRICING
Base: $34,700, including freight; price as tested, $39,950
Options on test car: Technology package, $3,500, includes navigation system, 440-watt Dolby Pro Logic II 7.1 surround sound audio, Sirius satellite radio, rear-seat audio controls, Bluetooth phone mode; Lighting package, $1,050, includes bi-xenon headlights, adaptive front lighting, approach and puddle lights, memory driver seat and mirrors; Cold Climate package, $700, includes heated windshield, heated front seats and heated washer jets
The competition: Acura RDX, BMW X3, Infiniti FX35, Hummer H3
Where assembled: Halewood, England
PLUSES: Full Land Rover experience.
MINUSES: Small back-seat space; awkward push-button ignition; hesitant slow-speed accelerator uptake.
A Rover is never a Rover without the Terrain Response, powerful engine mated to an-equally efficient radiator. The latter is likened to the famed Land Rover Range Rover 4.2 radiator. LR2 is now on sale in the United States for a base price of $34,700.