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Last update 08/19/08

Land Rover Shows Facelifted LR2

Jaguar Land Rover North America LLC (the new name of the company, no longer "Land Rover North America") showed this facelifted LR2 at Pebble Beach Aug. 17th. For '09 the 'Freelander 2' (LR2 over here) gets new optional 19-inch wheels, new carpeting colors, clear side repeater lenses, and new interior and exterior colors. (Do they have anything other than black, silver, or white? Like actual colors?)

Also new is an 'HST' body kit includes a mesh grille, unique bumpers and side sills, and dual exhaust tips.

'JLRNA' is offering existing LR2's on a no cash down lease for $499/month. That's not much of a deal, but they need to do something to move more units. They aren't flying out of the showrooms. Land Rover US sales were down 47% in June 2008 vs. June 2007. What do you think, new wheels, colors, and clear sidelights going to change any minds on buying one? Hey, it's quick, cheap, and it can't hurt. But where's the hybrid or the clean diesel version?

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Ditching The Land Rover For Something More Economical?
Well, Maybe That's Not Such A Good Idea
By Ron Lieber andTara Siegel Bernard, with Vikas Bajas
August 2, 2008, New York Times

Your neighbors may turn up their noses, but keeping your gas-guzzling sport utility vehicle, or buying one coming off a lease, may be a smart move.

The fact is that not many people want your big vehicle right now, if Friday’s new auto sales data are any indication. Total S.U.V. sales were down 43.3 percent this July from a year ago, according to Autodata, an automotive information services company in Woodcliff Lake, N.J. As for used vehicles, while they almost always fall in value over time, Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst at Kelley Blue Book, says that the rate of depreciation on large S.U.V.’s over the last six to eight months has been about twice what is normal. Given the plummeting demand for big vehicles and the rise in gas prices that is responsible for the market turmoil, it is probably tempting to ditch your own large vehicle and trade down to something smaller. But many experts suggest sitting tight, for a variety of reasons. Here are some questions to consider if you are tempted to get rid of your gas guzzler, and some tips for figuring out whether it may be more financially sensible to hang onto it for a little longer.

WHAT IS THE TRUE COST OF A TRADE-IN?
If fuel prices are behind your urge to drive a smaller vehicle, here is what you need to consider if you own a bigger one that you want to get rid of. First, how much does fuel cost you now, and how much would it cost with a new car? Then, how much could you get for your old vehicle — and how much more money would you need to come up with to acquire a new one? Philip Reed, senior consumer advice editor at Edmunds.com, was on the tennis court a month ago when a friend asked him what he ought to do about his Ford Escape S.U.V. “I said, ‘You probably don’t want to hear this, but your best thing is to keep driving it,’ ” he said. Mr. Reed and his colleagues huddled to come up with a way to help consumers do the math, and the result is the new “Gas Guzzler for Gas Sipper” trade-in calculator at edmunds.com/calculators/gas-guzzler.html. You select the vehicles in question, your location, the local price for gas and the number of miles you drive a month, and the calculator tells you how many months it will take for the fuel savings to equal the money you would need to acquire the new vehicle. The calculator may actually underestimate how often it makes sense to hang onto a gas guzzler, since it does not account for sales taxes or the immense hassle of having to deal with all of the registration paperwork.

IS A SMALL CAR PRACTICAL?
You will be tempted to play with the Edmunds.com calculator by swapping your hulking Chevy Suburban for a tiny Honda Fit or an itty-bitty hybrid of some sort. But let’s get back to reality for a moment. It is nice to fantasize about tripling your fuel economy, but you might have a trailer to tow or perhaps you are larger than average and are not comfortable in small cars. Say you need to haul three rows of people but still want to save on gas costs. So you trade in your 2005 Ford Expedition for a 2008 Toyota Highlander hybrid with a third row. It will take more than 15 years to break even on that deal, driving 1,500 miles a month, according to the Edmunds.com calculator. The numbers may work better if you get a used car instead. Tex Pitfield, whose company, the Saraguay Petroleum Corporation, delivers fuel to gas stations, airports and elsewhere, has done the math himself on his 2003 Lincoln Navigator. “I can’t justify trading it in,” he said. “It’s going to cost me more to trade it in than it will to keep driving it.”

WHAT IS YOUR LARGE VEHICLE WORTH?
The answer is, probably much less than you think. About 36 million S.U.V.’s were sold in the United States in the last decade, according to Autodata. Plenty of people are blindly putting them up for sale or trading them in right now. Used S.U.V. prices were down 12 percent for the months of May and June, compared with the same period a year earlier, according to J. D. Power and Associates data. But certain models had even sharper declines. For instance, the price of the Ford Excursion was down 27 percent, Hummers fell 25 percent, while Suburbans dropped 24 percent. Take a standard 2005 Ford Explorer in good condition with 50,000 miles on it, for instance. According to Kelley Blue Book, a dealer might give you a stunningly low $6,740 when trading it in now. Selling it to a private party might net you $10,000, if you are lucky. In theory, a dealer would spiff it up and try to sell it for $14,315. But a bargain hunter might be able to find a sales lot full of Explorers coming off a lease and pay many thousands less. By that same token, if your lease is up on that Explorer, you may be able to negotiate a rock-bottom price if you want to buy it. The only good news on the falling value of your S.U.V.? “It seems to correlate with the rise in fuel prices,” said Mr. Nerad at Kelley Blue Book. “So it’s probably mitigating somewhat even as we speak.” If you still owe money on the loan on your vehicle, there is also the ugly possibility that you may owe more on the loan than the vehicle is actually worth. You will want to check the residual value of it on sites like Kelley Blue Book to see.

WHO ELSE WANTS A SMALL CAR?
Lots of people. Sales of vehicles with four-cylinder engines represented 47.2 percent of all new vehicle sales during June, up from 38.4 percent of all new sales compared with the year-earlier period. “They would be even higher if they were available,” said Charlie Vogelheim, vice president of automotive development at J. D. Power and Associates. Take the Honda Civic: On average, there was a 16-day supply of these vehicles at the end of June, versus a 32-day supply a year ago (meaning it would take 16 days to sell existing inventory off a dealer’s lot), according to Autodata. There was a nine-day supply for the Toyota Prius, down from a 17-day supply last year. There was a 41-day supply for all new cars in June, down from 49 days last year. “The consumer can expect to pay a higher price today for a compact or subcompact than they would have a few months ago,” said Ron Pinelli, president of Autodata. “There is more demand. The dealers aren’t discounting as much, if at all."

EMOTIONAL OR RATIONAL DECISION?
“If you’re selling an S.U.V. or trading it in, you’re selling an asset at the low ebb in its value and trying to buy an asset that’s been bid up in value,” says Mr. Nerad of Kelley Blue Book. “In stock market terms, this wouldn’t be a propitious time to make that kind of trade.” As for fuel costs, the way Mr. Nerad sees it, people tend to view the cost of a fill-up as their cost of owning the car. So if filling the tank has gone up to $75 from $50, it seems as if the cost of owning the vehicle is up 50 percent. Do not fall into this trap. Your insurance bill has probably stayed the same. So has your car payment. Maintenance costs do not change when fuel prices do, either. Take a deep breath and consider staying put, no matter what your neighbors may think.

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New LR2 LWB?

Autoweek revealed the next US model Land Rover in their July 7th issue. Author 'Julian Rendell*' used a Land Rover press release and the above artists concept to describe a 7 seater version of the LR2. This was also reported by Scott Evans in Autoblog (UK based) back in June, as being based on a stretched 'Freelander 2' platform. We know this vehicle in the US as the 'LR2'. Either way the internal project number is L486.

The Autoweek article reports a 2012 launch date for the LWB, and both publications suggest that Land Rover is toying with the model name 'Ventura' for the LR2. LR US likes the alphanumeric system currently being used (maybe because the last 'Ventura' was a GM product based on a Nova platform by Pontiac?) and it just seems logical to us to use 'LR2 LWB' to be consistent with previous models.

The Autoblog article correctly suggests that new SUV's using conventional technology would be an unlikely choice for US distribution in the current economic environment. The Autoweek article suggests that it will be a US model. 'For now' the current I-6 and Terrain Control would be the driveline used until hybrid technologies can be developed. We believe this: Land Rover has never been timely in delivering product to the US. The UK versions use a 2.2 diesel which would undoubtebly get better mileage than the current model, but a stretched LR2 using the current I-6 could only see reduced performance and mileage with the additional weight. Americans want clean and fuel efficient vehicles, but not slow ones.

What we can't understand is why this could be considered a viable product in the US in 4 years? The LR2 will be 6 years old by then, and US sales performance has been 'nominal'. We were wondering if LR2 will make it through next year due to slow sales, and currently it seems unlikely it will still be here in 4 years time. Freelander 1 never had a fair chance in the US because it was so late in finally getting to the market: it missed its window by a good 3 years. Could be that history will repeat itself here.

In the meantime Mercedes is launching their 50 state Bluetech diesel technology later this year, and licensees like Jeep will benefit greatly from the clean burning and super fuel efficient technology. The hip luxury SUV will be the Bluetech, like Prius was for the commuter car. You can see Al Gore smiling from here. Status is everything when it comes to luxury SUV sales. Range Rover, look out.

From everything we have seen the LR2 is proving to be a reliable product, unlike the Freelander that preceded it. There is nothing really wrong with the current model except for its somewhat high price tag ($35k) and average mileage figures (16-23). That's Ford Explorer territory. The new Chevy Tahoe hybrid gets the same highway mileage but can do a lot more work (like towing) for a little more than $10k more, which is like $100/month on the financing. And you can show off how green you are.

The appeal of the LR2 comes in when off road ability and bad weather control are an issue. For its size and price it does very well as a 4x4. No doubt that LR's excellent Terrain Control makes it the best choice for a few discerning customers. But unless there is something else in the mix it will never be a volume seller in the US. With people reconsidering their options and the willingness to pay more for advanced technologies, we'd suggest that Land Rover launch a stretch LR2 with either a hybrid or a clean diesel.

'Julian Rendell' previously wrote this up as of Nov. '06:
Autoweeks predictions for 2006-7:
LR2 global launch 2007: (no one noticed)
Revamped not-for-U.S.-sale Defender arrives 2008: (it's a nice truck)
Possible two-door LR2 or a RR Sport arrive 2010:
(2 doors don't work in a US sport ute: use the success of the Freelander 3 door as an example)
Range Rover facelift (look for this even earlier), LR2 facelift, and LR2 LWB debut 2012:
All-new Range Rover premieres, debuting 'Premium Sophistication' design 2013:
All-new LR4/Discovery 4 premieres, debuting 'Premium Adventure' design 2014:
All-new Defender debuts as a global model, including U.S. 2015:
Third-gen LR2 arrives 2015.

Further reports have Land Rover developing diesel hybrid technology by 2010. This is rumored to debut in the LR'X', a concept study vehicle smaller than LR2. While rumors persist that this model will see production, there are no company timelines that show this. We remain skeptical that it will make it to production.

Again, from 'Julian Rendell' (*we don't know who he is and we can't find a bio on line. We suspect it's a 'nom de plume' for a LR employee. If anyone knows who 'Julian Rendell' is we'd love to know and we'll post his bio here, but until we know who he works for we'll keep his name in quotes):

"New Land Rover hybrid models will go on sale in the UK within five years. Engineers are experimenting with a range of technologies based around two new engines ­ a 3.0-litre version of today's 2.7-litre V6 diesel and the all-new direct-injection 5.0-litre V8, to be launched late next year. A micro-hybrid using stop-start technology and based around the 3.0-litre V6 diesel will be the first to be launched in the Land Rover Discovery 3, Range Rover Sport, Jaguar XF and Jaguar XJ in 2010. On its own it could boost the fuel economy of the four vehicles by up to 10 per cent.

"An eight-speed ZF gearbox is key to this development. It features a completely new approach to the internal design of an auto, itself a fuel-saving feature, and a separate hydraulic reservoir that makes the 'box compatible with stop-start devices unlike today's six-speed ZF unit. Land Rover is looking at a hybrid solution using its rear-mounted 'Electric Rear Axle Drive' electric motor. Longer-term JLR plans to develop green technologies have won government financial backing under the Low Carbon Vehicle programme. These are likely to result in production developments over the next five to 15 years and include the REHEV (Range Extended Electric Vehicle) for a plug-in hybrid, a new flywheel-based energy recovery system."

The 'Premium Adventure' and 'Premium Sophistication' concepts represent radical changes from contemporary design. While dramatic looking there are concerns about manufacturing and development costs. Ford posted their biggest quarterly loss in the second quarter of 2008, over 8 billion dollars in a 3 month period. Ford is under contract to supply Land Rover's product development for the next 5 years or so. However, if Ford is broke where will the money come from for product development and to retool the factory for these radical design changes?

It is our opinion that any talk of new vehicles past facelifts should be considered very speculative. Economic forces might prevent some of these grand ideas from getting off the drawing board. But we are pulling for the diesel hybrid technology getting into a Defender for US sales. First though LR will need a diesel capable of passing CA emission standards, and as of this date they don't have one.

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New Product
Range Rover Classic Tail Light Side Lenses

Not really a 'new' product per se, but they did suddenly disappear on us last year. Both Genuine and aftermarket sources dried up, and before long folks were left with dwindling stocks of used ones to choose from.

BP has located a source to make new ones for us, and we have both left and right sides now in stock. The principle difference is that the new ones do not have the reflector in the center panel. If you'd like to replicate that function, a piece of aluminum tape (available at all hardware stores) can be cut and stuck in to that center panel, which would work better than the original. The red color of the plastic is very close to original. Right side shown above.

Lots of folks want to keep driving their Classics, and keep them in top condition. We understand. We were even able to keep the price about where they were.

Rear side lenses, Range Rover Classic:

$48.00 each
specify left or right

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Extreme Lifter Wear
Pushrod V8's
Range Rover Classic, Range Rover 2, Discovery 1, Discovery 2, Defender

Here at BP we've been selling V8 parts for over 20 years, and all of a sudden we're selling dramatically more lifters than we ever have before. Generally they just flat wear out: the pictures above show a new one on the right, and a severely worn one on the left. These used to last the life of the engine.

We believe this is a result of removing ZDDP from engine oil. Virtually all motor oil is being reformulated to take this zinc product out so that catalytic converters will last longer. The zinc provides protection for components under high pressure, such as a liter on a camshaft. If the zinc is reduced or removed this will happen: the additive was created specifically for flat tappet cams. Modern engines with overhead cams are less effected, so this does not apply to RR3, LR3, LR2, or Freelander. It also does not apply to Series trucks with their roller lifters. And the oil you bought last time may have been fine, but the next batch will be reformulated.

If a lifter pits or galls like this they will also wear out the cam lobe, creating a pretty expensive repair.

When changing your oil make sure that (1) it contains ZDDP or (2) add an additive that restores ZDDP levels. BP sells Red Line's Engine Oil Supplement, which is concentrated ZDDP and will not add viscosity to the oil. Part number 80202, $11/bottle, one per oil change. And be sure to use an oil filter with an anti drainback valve!

If you're thinking this is some 'snake oil' deal where we get an extra few bucks out of you and it doesn't really do anything, that's fine. We have plenty of camshafts, lifters, and gasket sets ready to go. Like the old commercial said, 'you can pay us now, or you can pay us later'. Honestly, we don't care where you get it, just make sure you do. Other products that restore ZDDP are STP and Z-Max.

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Remember the older Michelin ads where babies were flying around in tires? This fellow is a good deal happier than they were, his tire is attached to a Land Rover! Thanks for sending this, Keith.

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