Technology

 
Britain's Land Rover has successfully advanced its manufacturing processes in Solihull, England and now has some of the most advanced design, engineering and manufacturing facilities in the world. The infrastructure will support the all-new LR3, as well as other future Land Rover products later this decade.

Since acquired by Ford Motor Company four years ago, the Solihull manufacturing and Gaydon design and engineering sites in the UK have been extensively overhauled. A massive capital expenditure has modernized some buildings that pre-date WWII, as well as erecting new assembly halls and infrastructure to enable the company to build advanced new models of their legendary four-wheel drive vehicles.

The Range Rover, launched in 2002, was the result of more than a $1.4 billion investment at end of the 90's, and established a benchmark vehicle for the industry.

This fall, the all-new, premium mid-sized LR3, based on an entirely new platform, will go on sale. It is the first model to be completely developed under Ford ownership. Extensive use of computer assisted design and engineering was used in the development stages of this vehicle.

"The new LR3 is modern, premium quality, technologically cutting edge, and a huge step ahead for the Land Rover brand," said Matthew Taylor, Land Rover managing director. "It is the first production vehicle to get Land Rover's patented Terrain Response™ system, and we will continue to progress in the same direction for the development of future Land Rover products."

Terrain Response™ is a new electronically control system designed to allow the driver control by optimizing drivability and comfort, while maximizing traction. This breakthrough technology, along with optional touch-screen, optional voice-activated navigation, optional adaptive headlamps, intelligent shift transmission and an optional four-wheel drive information system, make LR3 ripe with relevant, user-friendly and purposeful technology.

While LR3 is a world-class four-wheel drive vehicle bristling with new technology and designed through unprecedented use of computer simulation, it is still a Land Rover and must be able to meet very stringent real-world challenges. Accordingly, it underwent thousands of hours and more than a million miles of real-time human testing - from Australia to the Arctic, Dubai to Denver, a blend of modern engineering and field proofing required to certify its Land Rover credentials.

NEW ENGINES
To better meet the power, economy and emissions demands of the marketplace, Land Rover has retired the 4.6-liter aluminum OHV V8 it has used in various displacements since it first appeared in the 1970 Range Rover. The LR3 will be powered by a 4.4 liter, 300hp light alloy, DOHC V8 engine derived from a Jaguar design and built on a new production line at Ford's Bridgend plant in South Wales. The new line is the result of a further $425 million investment that was initially announced in 2001. By the end of the decade, it's expected that Bridgend will be producing one million engines a year for various products.

"This is an example of the Premier Automotive Group sharing expertise across different parts of the organization, without compromising any of its brands," said Joe Greenwell, chairman and chief executive officer of Jaguar and Land Rover. "The new production line features the first moving assembly line section to be installed in any European Ford engine plant, allowing workers to move with the engine resulting in increased efficiency."

ADVANCED BODY ENGINEERING 
Another innovation developed by Land Rover for the LR3 is the Integrated Body-frame™.  A stiff but lightweight frame is constructed using hydroformed side-members, which are mated to a corrosion-resistant body structure that incorporates Boron steel, aluminum and magnesium.

This new type of vehicle architecture combines the torsional rigidity, car-like handling and refinement of a monocoque (or unitary) body with the strength and versatility of a traditional ladder-frame as used on many SUVs. Hydroforming uses high-pressure fluids rather than a press tool to shape the frame resulting in lighter weight, more intricate design options and much tighter tolerances.

In addition, hydroforming gives engineers and designers much more flexibility to change designs and produce several body styles from the same tools. This technology had rarely been used so ambitiously in vehicle design.

 "The high levels of investment and modern designs are paying off," said Greenwell. "Land Rover's sustained growth across the world reflects the ongoing technical and exterior enhancements to our products. The bottom line is that the premium SUV market is one of the largest and fastest growing segments in the US. We are firmly committed to successfully implement key Ford quality processes, flawlessly execute all of our launches and continue the improvement in total quality," he added.

Land Rover designs, engineers and builds three models for the North American market – Range Rover, LR3, and Freelander. The U.S. is the largest export market for Land Rover products with sales approaching 40,000 units annually sold through some 160 dealers. Worldwide, Land Rover has a presence in some 142 markets and will sell about 160,000 vehicles in 2004.

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Land Rover North America is part of Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover with headquarters in Irvine, California. Land Rover established operations in the U.S. in 1986, and now imports and distributes Range Rover, LR3 and Freelander vehicles manufactured by Land Rover in Solihull, England. Land Rover's worldwide operations are wholly owned by Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan. For information about the Land Rover retailer nearest you, call 800-FIND-4WD or log on to www.LandRoverusa.com.

Vehicle specifications and features are subject to change.