Tata Motors subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover will introduce updated versions of its Range Rover Sport, and the Discovery 4 in October this year, as it progresses with its target of 40 new “product actions” over the next five years.
Both updated versions have gone on sale for delivery to customers from this October onwards. Earlier this week, the company commenced production of the Range Rover Evoque, a smaller, more fuel-efficient Range Rover targeted at an urban audience.
The vehicles
Both the 2012 Discovery 4 and the 2012 Range Rover Sport will have a new ZF 8HP70 8-Speed automatic transmission to improve efficiency and cut carbon emissions, and will be powered by improved 3-litre SDV6 diesel engines, as well as having improved interiors and new equipment.
They will also have add-ons such as a dual view touch screen, and an in-car heating system that can be programmed seven days in advance.
Prices for the Discovery 4 start at £37,995, and at £48,795 for the new Range Rover Sport.
“The enhancements to the 2012 Range Rover Sport will ensure this car retains its position as one of the most economical and dynamic high performance SUVs on the market today,” said Mr Colin Green, Land Rover UK Managing Director.
The launches come as Jaguar Land Rover significantly increases it's spending on research and development “to £1.5 billion a year from a previous target of £1 billion.
“They are moving in the right direction, constantly maturing their product and keeping them at a level which is competitive with the rest of the market,” said Mr Ian Fletcher, an automotive analyst at IHS Global Insight in London. “They are keenly making investments at the moment.”
Though the spending remains below the levels of the German luxury automakers “the ramp up signals the firm's intention to make further inroads in that market,” says Mr Fletcher.