Local prices, engine specs, performance, fuel economy data, reliability and safety listings for every car
sold in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait!
The original Land Rover started in 1948, and it has continued
to the new century under the Defender name with only minor upgrades. Whether
that is good or bad is largely dependent on what it is used for. It is
undefeatable off the road, but it is a joke on tarmac. The only engine available nowadays is a new 2.4-litre turbodiesel four with a new six-speed manual gearbox. A series of upgrades
over the years has seen the implementation of central
locking, electric front windows, better ventilation
system and an upgraded look. A new engine and interior are new for 2007. It is available with a choice of three wheelbase lengths
and a range of body-styles in its home country, but only the Defender 110 wagon
model is available here. Ideal for towing, climbing mountains or driving in the
wilderness, management of engine torque is
provided via a robust dual-range transfer box. The long travel of its suspension allows its wheels the articulation needed to
negotiate rocks, though we do wonder of its effectiveness in soft sand.
The LR2 is Land Rover's all-new replacement for the compact Freelander. This five-seater five-door joins the lineup as a 2008 model, and to achieve a balance between handling and comfort, it utilizes a Ford car-based platform. It supposedly retains Land Rover’s legendary off-road capability, but we are not so sure, with the absence of low-range gearing. Equipped with permanent intelligent all-wheel drive, the LR2 utilizes an electronically controlled center differential to vary the torque split between the front and rear axles as needed. The LR2 also features Terrain Response and the new Roll Stability Control system. It is powered by a 3.2-litre inline-six Volvo engine combined with a six-speed automatic transmission that features manual shifting. Equipment includes leather seats, power front seats, dual-panel sunroof, keyless starter button, front and rear fog lights, rear park distance control, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control. Options include touchscreen DVD navigation, bi-xenon adaptive front lighting, Bluetooth hands-free telephone integration and a 14-speaker Dolby Pro Logic II 7.1 Surround Sound system.
The LR3, also known as the Discovery 3 in some markets, was introduced as an all-new
V8 model in the middle of 2005 to replace the old Discovery. A new V6 model has been added to the lineup for 2006, lowering the price of entry.
The LR3 combines decent on-road performance with true off-road capability in a comfortable
full-size vehicle.
Powered by either a 4.0-litre V6 or a 4.4-litre V8, both mated to a six-speed
automatic, it incorporates some fancy electronic systems which select the best combination of traction, power, gearing, and braking to suit any type of terrain and surface, to put serious off-road trekking within the reach of more
ordinary enthusiasts.
The airy cabin can seat up to seven passengers with the optional third row, and the seats fold flat into the floor individually.
Safety equipment includes ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist,
and between six and eight airbags, depending on model.
All models are equipped with power mirrors, cruise control, keyless entry, CD
stereo and 18-inch aluminium wheels. Options include 19-inch wheels, leather seating, 240-watt Harman/Kardon audio system, sunroof,
rear park distance control, directional Xenon headlights, navigation and more.
Competitors:
Ford Expedition
GMC Yukon
Toyota Land Cruiser
Price Range
Dhs 145000 - 200000 (US$ 39500 - 54500)
Body Styles
5-door wagon
Weight (kg)
2415 -
2461
Version
Performance
Engine
Gearbox
Power (hp)
Torque (Nm)
Fuel Econ (l/100km)
0-100 kph (sec)
Top Speed (kph)
4.0 V6 4WD 4.4 V8
4WD
6A 6A
215 295
360 425
15.2 15.0
10.9 8.6
180 195
Good
Roomy
interior, off-road ability, ride quality
Bad
Fairly slow,
outer size, fuel economy
Land Rover Range Rover
The latest Range Rover got new Jaguar-derived engines and transmissions from 2006, improving on the ultimate luxury
4WD. The Range Rover offers real all-terrain capability combined with a beautiful
five-seater cabin reminiscent of true luxury cars. Now available with either a
4.4-litre naturally aspirated V8 or a 4.2-litre supercharged V8, all versions
come with a six-speed automatic, two-speed transfer case and high-tech off-roading
aids that few will ever use.
The Range Rover comes with an electronic Torsen center differential, all-terrain traction and stability control, Hill Descent Control and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS.
Standard amenities include three-zone climate control, a 12-way power driver's seat with memory, 10-way power front passenger's seat, rain-sensing windshield wipers, voice-controlled DVD navigation and Harman/Kardon digital surround-sound system with six-disc CD changer and 14 speakers.
Options include auto-dimming mirrors, adaptive front lighting, upgraded leather,
20-inch alloy wheels and a rear seat DVD entertainment package.
Fuel
economy, price, too many gadgets to go wrong?
Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Land Rover builds vehicles capable of traversing any form of
terrain, and although the Range Rover Sport is the most sporting road 4WD ever
created by the company, it loses none of its off-road heritage. Built on a platform derived from the Land Rover LR3, but with a thoroughly reworked suspension,
it comes with either a 4.4-litre naturally aspirated V8 or a 4.2-litre
supercharged V8, both mated to a six-speed automatic. Full-time four-wheel drive with a two-speed, shift-on-the-fly, electronic transfer case is standard, as is a locking center differential. Optional is a rear differential lock.
Standard amenities include dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, eight-way power front seats, power mirrors, windows and central locking, 13-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo with six-disc in-dash changer and auxiliary audio inputs, DVD navigation with voice recognition and
touch-screen display, sunroof, park assist and keyless entry.
Handling features include Dynamic Stability Control and Active Roll Mitigation, Hill Descent Control,
Terrain Response and air suspension.
Options include a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, 20-inch alloy wheels,
upgraded leather upholstery and adaptive headlights. Safety features comprise of front,
side and curtain airbags, ABS brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist; and all-terrain traction control.
