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2008 Land Rover LR2: A Well-Planned Luxury SUV with Plenty of Firsts
LR2, a completely new vehicle for 2008, joins the Land Rover lineup as the entry-level - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER, replacing - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. Developed in cooperation with Volvo, another Ford division, LR2 offers many drivetrain components taken (with refinements) from a Volvo production design. About the same size on the exterior as - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER, the LR2 competes in price and class with - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER and - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
Of a new design inside and out, the LR2 still remains easily recognizable, with its traditional body shape, high ground clearance and large sheetmetal seams, as a member of the Land Rover family. Interiors are finished at a luxury level with leather seats and sunroof listed among standard amenities.
LR2 offers a number of firsts for the Land Rover family, including an inline six-cylinder engine (set sideways) and monocoque body construction in a vehicle designed primarily for the North American market. The all-wheel drive train uses a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift capability.
Fully off-road capable, the LR2 is equipped with special power allocation settings for road surfaces like snow, sand or extreme trail driving. The 3.2-liter engine turns out a capable 230 hp, though trailer tow limits are set at a moderately low 1650 lbs. Land Rover claims 0-60 mph acceleration times in the highly acceptable 8.5-second range.
Step inside an LR2 and you get the immediate impression of high-quality materials and a well-planned, functional layout. Three large, round knobs operate the interior climate. A bigger, bright-finish knob in the center of the console may appear to add confusion to the control layout, but it simply twists to four settings that control power delivery over varying road surfaces (i.e. trail, sand, snow, hill, hard). Instrument gages directly in front of the driver are marginally well illuminated but could be brighter and larger for better viewing. Like all Land Rovers, the leather seats are first-class in appearance, comfort and support. Front seats offer adjustable arm rests, while rear seats fold down to increase the size of the flat-floor rear load space. And, true to its luxury-class reputation, this LR2 gives passengers a quiet interior, well shielded from ambient highway noises.
LR2 offers an impressive list of standard equipment extras, including dual sliding sunroofs, power leather front seats, rear obstacle sensing, cruise control and 18-in. alloy wheels. Safety is not an afterthought, either. The vehicle has seven air bags, including side curtains for front and rear passengers. A - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER is also standard. For diversions, buyers have a choice of an array of optional sound systems, one incorporating 18 speakers.
LR2 joins Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and LR3 in Land Rover's 2008 model lineup. Prices start at $34,700. Add $3500 for a Technology Package that lists a navigation system, satellite radio, Dolby Surround Sound and personal telephone with Bluetooth. —Jim Dunne

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Osnabrueck

For what it's worth (which is about $35,000 I suppose), the LR2 looks like a pretty attractive entry model for the Land Rover brand. The lines everybody wants are there, obviously subordinate to its siblings, but not compromised or watered-down. Thank God the "me too" Freelander is being put to pasture.

And while material quality probably won't be top notch, the interior design is absolutely superb. Everything looks clean and thought through with a definite touch of "Land Roverness" that is unmistakable. Dial design is very enlightened, and the instrument markings are clear and consistent throughout.

They may be jalopies, but the design department at Land Rover is certainly on point.

_HaNi_

It's looking good, now only if they made it more reliable than the current Land Rovers.

Osnabrueck

Ha! Land Rover is the undisputed dog of vehicle reliability, but yuppies still clamor for their vehicles. Sounds like a recipe for more of the same.

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