Land Rover Range_e review

Accurately controlled supply of torque means it can actually benefit off road use

This car is one of only five examples, with a production version yet to be confirmed

In theory it can hit 70mph without troubling its diesel motor

Only when accelerating on to a faster road through an uphill slip road did the diesel motor fire

Come 2013 you will be able to buy a conventional hybrid Range Rover

Rang_e produces 322bhp and 561lb ft of torque

Land Rover Rang_e
Price: na; 0-60mph: 8.0sec (est); Top speed: 124mph; Economy: na; CO2 emissions: 89g/km; Kerb weight: 2745kg (est); Engine layout: V6, 2993cc, turbodiesel, plus electric motor; Installation: Front, longitudinal, 4-wheel drive; Power: 322bhp; Torque: 561lb ft at 1350-3000rpm; Gearbox: 8-spd automatic

See also Super Sport Car

Jeep Compass facelift unveiled

Jeep has officially revealed its revised Compass off-roader model for 2011.

The facelifted model features include a new bonnet with "a subtle power bulge", a revised front grille and headlights and plastic body cladding "to fend off debris when driving in challenging weather conditions". The changes give the car the look of Jeep’s larger Grand Cherokee.

See the official pics of the new Jeep Compass :

Steering and suspension components have also been modified, and hill-start assist and side-curtain airbags added as standard.

A front-wheel-drive variant is offered alongside two all-wheel drive versions (Freedom Drive I and Freedom Drive II, which adds low-range gearing), with two petrol engines to choose from: a 2.0-litre with 156bhp or a 2.4-litre unit with 170bhp, both of which are coupled to a five-speed manual or a CVT gearbox.

No prices have been revealed by the company, but sales are expected to kick off in North America later this month.

Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDI 170 SE

Having tested two versions of the new Alhambra on the international launch, this is a chance to try both the car in the UK, and the third and final engine in the initial line-up.
The question is, though, do you need the higher-powered diesel? It adds 30bhp and 22lb ft of torque over the 2.0 TDI 140, but it costs £1230 and pushes emissions up to 154g/km and the benefit-in-kind tax up by one percentage point.

See exclusive test pics of the Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDI 170 SE

What’s it like?
On the road, the extra performance is obvious and useful, especially when accelerating at motorway speeds. However, the lower-powered engine is fractionally more refined. If you are likely to use the Alhambra’s maximum seating capacity often and go long distances, the trade-off is probably worth considering, but for lighter use the TDI 140 is the engine to go for.

Apart from some wind noise, the ride is pleasing and well controlled, if slightly nuggety on the 17in wheels fitted here. It’s not as engaging to drive as the S-Max/Galaxy but it still makes fine family transport.

Should I buy one?
At £26,500 (or £27,735 for the six-speed DSG model tested here), the 168bhp version of the common-rail 2.0 TDI is the most expensive Alhambra. The equivalent VW Sharan costs £28,955 and the Ford Galaxy £28,545, so opting for the Seat is not the bargain it once was.

However, within the current Seat range, the new Alhambra represents the closest proxy for a VW. Given that, more or less, you are getting the same solid-feeling, well constructed, versatile seven-seat MPV (both built in the same Portuguese factory), so £1200 is a worthwhile saving.

Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDI 170 DSG SE
Price: £27,735; Top speed: 127mph; 0-62mph: 9.8sec; Economy: 47.9mpg (combined); CO2: 154g/km; Kerb weight: 1665kg; Engine: 4 cyls, 1968cc, turbodiesel; Power: 168bhp at 4200rpm; Torque: 258lb ft at 1750rpm; Gearbox: 6-spd dual-clutch auto

Land Rover Freelander 2.2 eD4 150 HSE 2WD

What is it?
This is the new two-wheel drive Land Rover Freelander eD4. Under pressure to meet the demand for cleaner, Euro-5 compliant cars, the famous 4x4 marque has had to think the unthinkable and develop a two-wheel drive powertrain for its compact SUV.

Despite Land Rover’s all-wheel drive heritage it’s important for Land Rover to compete in the ever-increasing two-wheel drive SUV market. So, with no heavy AWD system and an improved stop-start and more efficient 2.2-litre engine the new eD4 manages to gets its CO2 figure down to a respectable 158g/km and 47.2mpg.

See the test pics of the Land Rover Freelander eD4

What’s it like?
The big question for fans of the marque is does it still merit a Land Rover badge (which incidentally is now circled in silver rather than gold) on the front? At the Land Rover Experience off-road driving course at Les Comes, Barcelona, I drove both this new front-wheel drive Freelander back to back with the latest 187bhp SD4 HSE auto all-wheel drive model.

This is the top-spec car (beneath this model sit the less powerful TD4 and eD4) and equipped with its Terrain Response and Hill Descent Control tackled terrain such as rocky and uneven tracks, steep inclines, ruts, ditches, extreme ascents and descents with aplomb, as you would expect from one of the most capable 4x4s on the market.

Then it was time to hit the rough stuff in the most fuel-efficient car that Land Rover has ever made. Admittedly the 2WD SUV needed much more coaxing, and occasionally it lost traction, but the lighter car still has an abundant 310lb ft (15lb ft more than the outgoing model) of torque, all of which helped the front-wheel drive car even plough through the water obstacle without missing a beat. The eD4 is still very much a Land Rover and has the same underbody protection, sump guard and great ground clearance as the 4WD model.

Of course, for the vast majority of buyers in the compact SUV market, such information is of little interest, as few cars ever make it that far off tarmac. Of more importance will be that the new eD4 manages 47.2mpg and only emits 158g/km of CO2.

The Freelander’s improved stop-start system helps contribute to this figure, and thanks to a bi-directional crank sensor and trigger wheel the system is able to establish the crankshaft position quicker, helping the car’s engine fire-up with 30 per cent better efficiency.

On the outside changes to the 2011 are pretty subtle. A new front bumper assembly gives the car a more planted look, and there’s a new front grille, too, which is available in either a dark or light finish. Headlamps are improved while the rear lights have a clear inner lens.

Inside not much has changed, there’s some new fascia finishes which help improve the cabin’s premium feel, but there’s still an expanse of hard plastics and much of the switchgear has a utilitarian feel to it.

On the road, the new engine’s Improved economy hasn’t affected performance, though, as the entry-level engine’s 0-60mph time remains at 10.9 seconds and on our short test drive the front-drive car handled and rode well on the Spanish roads. Steering was accurate and well balanced, but it still feels noisy at motorway speeds and its grip doesn’t seem diminished by only having front-wheel power; at lower speeds the 2WD seemed quicker to turn in.

Should I buy one?
Times are changing, Minis are no longer mini and come with all-wheel drive, while Land Rovers are fuel efficient but with only two-wheel power. It’s a confusing market place, and the new Freelander has lots of rivals.

An HSE trim eD4 will mean it has to compete with the X3, but BMW manages to make its all-wheel drive xDrive20d SE produce less CO2 and perform better at the pumps than the 2WD Land Rover.

A more entry-level Freelander has it competing with a 2WD Ford Kuga, or even the well-equipped and budget-priced Kia Sportage. But for some buyers it’s the Land Rover badge that they want on the front of their SUV, and in the eD4 the marque’s engineers still have an off-road car they can be proud of.


Land Rover Freelander 2.2 eD4 150 HSE 2WD
Price: from £22,000; Top speed: 112mph; 0-62mph: 10.9sec; Economy: 47.2mpg; CO2: 158g/km; Kerb weight: 1710kg; Engine type: 4 cyls, 2179cc , turbodiesel; Power: 148bhp; Torque: 310lb ft; Gearbox: 6-spd manual

Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi

Sportage is easy to drive, cheap to buy and interesting to look at

It is well-judged in terms of its driveability, equipment levels, pricing and cabin usability

Could be best in class if not for loose body con ltrol, light steering and poor fuel consumption

The Sportage never feels like a particularly rapid machine

Rear visibility is poor, so First Editions get a rear camera

Only a 2.0-litre, turbodiesel now, but a 1.6 petrol and 1.7 turbo are coming in December

Kia’s cabin is a pleasant place to be

Front and rear legroom is very good

The big, conveniently shaped boot can hold up to 564 litres with the seats up

It’s clear that there has been cost saving inside the Sportage

Rear-view camera is located in the rear-view mirror

The Version Of Limousines Hummer H2

APPEARANCE Hummer H2 is very different from most cars. Unique figure and dimensions of forcing people to look or just a glance.

If in standard conditions only giant SUV is capable of stealing the attention, how about the version of limousines? Hummer Surely this one is transformed into a monster that seized the attention of every person.

With a length of almost 9 meters, the presence of H2 Hummer Limousine is very striking. Extraordinary length to make Krystal Enterprises, body of a car company based in Brea, which makes claims Callifornia-SUV limousine is capable of carrying 15 passengers at once. That is 2 passengers in the front cabin and 13 others in the cabin behind him that luxury.

Passengers with an average height of 170 cm can sit freely in the 'living room' which features a circular sofa in it. Although passengers who sat in the middle facing sideways, so that little experience difficulty entering or exiting. But these obstacles a little relieved by the presence of an additional door on the right side of the SUV that had become the mainstay of this General Motors.

Generally a limousine, SUV super long is also equipped with luxurious amenities such as belonging to Hollywood celebrities. The smell of luxury in a burst of high quality leather interior.

The following four screens arable Bose audio, ready to present entertainment for passengers. Unfortunately the placement of monitors have finishing that looks a little rough. Stainless steel anchoring bolts that clamp frame monitors can easily be seen.

But the shortfall is reduced by the presence of a minibar complete with crystal glasses lined up neatly on the right side rear passenger space. The atmosphere grew glamor with colored lights that decorate the colorful interior. A touch of luxury that can obscure the lack of interior SUV is super long.

Vortec V8 engine with a capacity of 6162 cc at the heart of this limousine is still retained its authenticity. With bursts of power up to 393 hp at 5700 rpm and peak torque of 562 Nm at 4300 rpm, it is still sufficient strength to haul the car that most of the bus.

Of course, this petrol engine feels slow when compared with the regular version of H2. Naturally, because the elongation of the body is making its weight soared, so the engine power grab. To keep the power supply in the limo-SUV is still insufficient, add an alternator as a back-up power supply.

Well, have you prepared to be the center of attention ???????