Has the BMW X3 finally met its terminator?
The premium small SUV market has really heated up since BMW brought the X3 to market a few years ago.
Now there are numerous companies trying to encroach into BMW's territory but no one has really dented their success.
Now there's one more entry into the market with the introduction and Land Rover thinks they have the winning recipe to make headway against the BMW X3.
Enter the totally new, Land over LR2...
We had a chance to put it to the test last week in beautiful Santa Barbara.
Is it a legitimate X3 killer?
Here are our first impressions of the new LR2 and our best of breed photo gallery of real life photos of the new SUV.
The good- The new skin of the LR2 is very handsome and resembles the studly Range Rover Sport and is better looking than the X3. Off road capability is best in class as you would expect from Land Rover. We tested in under a variety of conditions from snow to sand and it aced everything we threw at it. Interior is all business and every control is in the right place with clearly marked, easy to understand graphics and icons. Fuel economy was surprisingly good under hard conditions (We averaged 23mpg). Land Rover tells us residuals will be higher than the BMW X3 so look for aggressive lease deals out of the gate.
The Bad- Interior ergonomics aren't as good overall as the X3. The underseat cushion does not adjust to my liking and my knee was uncomfortable against the center console during the long drive.
The Ugly- Bluetooth pairing failed with my Blackberry Pearl
Conclusion- With all the buzz surrounding the mystique of the Range Rover and Sport in particular (Have you ever met a woman on earth that doesn't lust for the Sport?), we think the LR2 will provide a great entry point for those who want the look of the Sport but have limited resources to buy their dream SUV. Plus, it's ten thousand percent better than the last Freelander.
OVERVIEW
Land Rover's all-new premium compact SUV, the Land Rover LR2, is quickly approaching its North American on-sale date. The fourth new model launched from Land Rover in just four years, LR2 joins the impressive line-up of Range Rover (2002), Land Rover LR3 (2004) and Range Rover Sport (2005) that together have seen record-breaking sales performance around the world.
As the latest addition to the world's leading sport-utility vehicle manufacturer's line-up, LR2 sets new standards in its segment. New from the ground up, LR2 delivers outstanding on-road performance as well as the class-leading off-road capability of a Land Rover. A dynamic design, purposeful stance, smart and spacious interior, and an abundance of advanced technologies complete the LR2 package that is competitively priced at $34,700 in the U.S.
DESIGN
• A fresh and premium exterior, designed to reflect both on-road and off-road capabilities
• Long wheelbase and short overhangs help deliver purposeful SUV proportions
• Dynamic stance, chiseled lines and smooth, simple surfaces
• Distinctive Land Rover genes, including clamshell bonnet and stepped roof
• Watch-like detailing in the wrap-around headlamps and tail-lamps
"LR2 is a fresh and contemporary design, with its chiseled lines, chunky good looks and sporty energy."
- Gerry McGovern, design director
Chiseled lines, smooth and simple surfaces and interlocking elements were three of the key principles that guided the Land Rover design team as they crafted the all-new LR2. These combined well with the vehicle’s proportions – especially the height, long wheelbase, and short front and rear overhangs – to create the purposeful, sporty stance that the designers wanted.
McGovern and his team, including Earl Beckles (lead exterior designer) and Martin Buffery (lead interior designer), were also determined to develop a vehicle with clear family links to Land Rover’s successful LR3 and best-selling Range Rover Sport. From the LR3, according to Gerry McGovern, “We took the simplicity of the surfacing, the strong shapes, the bold and consistent graphics, and the strong rear D-post styling. Range Rover Sport inspired the flow of the wheel arches, a lot of the stance, and the dynamics of the waistline.”
INTERIOR DESIGN AND FEATURES
"The LR2’s cabin feels like that of a premium sedan - it’s comfortable, attractive, well equipped and spacious."
– Gerry McGovern, design director
The interior of LR2 is designed to be elegant and simply structured, a decision made early on by lead interior designer Martin Buffery, who describes it as ‘strong but not intimidating’. Yet the fascia still incorporates clear elements of the iconic architectural vertical and horizontal lines that characterize the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and LR3.
The upper part of the fascia has a soft-touch finish to give a premium appearance and pleasant feel. Switch gear is purposeful and moves with precision. Regularly used controls, such as fascia vents and major switch gear, are within easy reach and have a tactile finish. Upholstery and tufted carpets are high quality, while metallic and wood-effect finishes add further premium touches.
The instrumentation is clear and well displayed. The circular analog gauges are framed with metallic bezels and are neatly grouped directly in front of the driver.
SPACIOUS INTERIOR
The elevated driving position in LR2 – called 'command view' by Land Rover – improves visibility and helps the driver feel in control. There's abundant leg, shoulder and head room - even for the rear seat passengers.
‘Stadium seating’ places the rear seat passengers slightly higher than their front seat counterparts, so they too can enjoy the view. Visibility for all occupants is helped by the narrow front A-pillars, deep front and rear windows, and large side windows.
"There is a real sense of space in LR2," says Gerry McGovern. "You can stretch out, relax, and it makes the whole ambience so much more enjoyable."
COMFORTABLE SEATS
LR2’s seats offer good under-thigh and back support, plus strong side bolsters to give excellent lateral support. The front seat frames are similar to those of Range Rover Sport – big-car seats for a cabin that looks as though it belongs in a big car. The upright seating provides a comfortable driving position and increases usable legroom.
Six-way adjustment is standard on all driver seats, including height adjustment to take advantage of the generous roof space. The front passenger seat has four-way adjust. Electric power adjustment and armrests are standard on the LR2's driver and front passenger leather-trimmed seats. Two-stage seat heating is optional to provide reliable and rapid seat warming in cold environments.
The rear seat is wide enough to accommodate three standard adults, and includes a central armrest. An asymmetrically split design, it double-folds forward to offer a completely flat floor area.
LOTS OF LUGGAGE AND CARGO SPACE
The large cargo area provides plenty of space for luggage or sports equipment, from bicycles to golf clubs. A neat touch is the reversible load floor cover with carpet on one side and a water-resistant surface on the other.
Total luggage volume is 58.9 cu. ft. (1670 liters)* with the rear seats folded forward and
26.7 cu. ft. (755 liters)* when raised. The space was designed from the outset to be as versatile as possible. The high load-space floor avoids the need to bend down to lower items into the cargo area.
SOUND SYSTEMS
The sound systems offered for LR2 are headed by a top-level version that features Dolby® Pro Logic® II 7.1 Surround Sound, incorporating a 12x40 W amplifier. It is delivered through 14 speakers, including a sub-woofer, and the system incorporates a six-disc in-dash CD changer. It is also MP3 format compatible.
One rung down – but still highly impressive – is the LR2's standard system that includes an 8x40 W power output and eight speakers plus sub-woofer. Volume control is automatic, and changes with the car’s speed.
Rear seat headphone sockets are available, allowing rear seat passengers to listen to a different audio source from that of the front seat occupants.
An auxiliary audio input socket for the connection of an MP3 player, iPod, or other source is fitted as standard in the center console.
PREMIUM EQUIPMENT
LR2 is available with a wide array of premium-car equipment, as standard or as options.
Standard features include:
• Keyless starter button
• Panoramic dual-panel top-sliding sunroof
• One-touch up-and-down windows and one-touch-open and –close sunroof
• Front and rear fog lights and power headlamp washers
• Auto headlights and rain-sensing wipers
• Rear Park Distance Control
• Power leather seats
• 18" alloy wheels
• Cruise control
• Dual-zone automatic temperature controlled air-conditioning, with pollen filter and humidity sensor
Optional features include:
• High-definition color touch-screen DVD satellite navigation
• Bi-xenon Adaptive Front Lighting
• Bluetooth hands-free telephone system to integrate phone control and display with the vehicle
• 14 speaker Dolby® Pro Logic® II 7.1 Surround Sound system
• SIRIUS® Satellite Radio
"The design of LR2 had to reflect its balance of capabilities – as a great road car and a great SUV," says McGovern. "This was absolutely at the top of our minds. It could not be too overt a 4x4, in the way that LR3 is. It had to be tough – but not too tough. It had to reassure people trading up from premium cars. So this balance – tough SUV versus premium car – was crucial in the design language."
According to McGovern, SUVs are typically more geometric, more aggressive and harder-edged. Cars tend to be more organic – and friendlier – in form. So the LR2 mixes strong geometric shapes and flowing, car-like softness.