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2004 New York Auto Show: Land Rover
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| 2005 Land Rover LR3 |
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| Updated |
Mar 17, 2005 19:41:50 |
| Rating |
 243 ( -28 -11.52% ) | | Author | Christian Wardlaw |
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Description:
During the Land Rover LR3's introduction at the 2004 New York Auto Show, a simply edited film depicted a speed skater on an oval rink interspersed with images of the LR3 negotiating the same oval rink at speed. The message? This is a responsive Land Rover that retains the brand's traditional go-anywhere capability blended with sharp-edged athleticism.
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Matthew Taylor, Land Rover managing director, calls the new 2005 Land Rover LR3 "the purest expression of a 21st century Land Rover, equally at home in the rough as on the smooth." We assume he's talking about smooth road, which would be a first for a mid-priced, mid-sized Landie.
Replacing the outdated Discovery and getting a new name only in North America, the 2005 Land Rover LR3 will be the company's volume product, making this "the most important new model launch in our history," according to Taylor.
From the outside, the LR3 clearly takes its design philosophy from the outgoing Discovery, but the styling details obviously evolve from the Land Rover Range Rover. The familiar stepped roofline remains, as does the asymmetrical rear window. Squint, and you can even see shades of the Honda Element in the LR3's slab sides and large expanses of gray plastic cladding.
Despite a fully independent, height adjustable air suspension, and a unibody structure, the 2005 Land Rover LR3 is a true off-roader, equipped with the company's new Terrain Response technology. By twisting a rotary knob on the dashboard, the driver can select from five different terrain settings: normal, grass/gravel/snow, mud/ruts, sand, and rock crawl. From there, Terrain Response coordinates with the LR3's ride height, engine torque response, hill descent control, traction control and transmission to provide just the right amount of capability for the situation.
"Awash in technology," Taylor notes, the Land Rover LR3 also includes a navigation system and adaptive headlights that swivel to illuminate around curves at night. The permanent four-wheel-drive system features infinitely variable front and rear locking differentials for maximum traction under any conditions.
Sure, the LR3 is an off-roading champ, but what about its performance on pavement, where most people drive most of the time? Land Rover claims that the LR3 represents a vast improvement over the Discovery, thanks in part to its stout 300-horsepower, 4.4-liter, Jaguar-derived V8 engine and six-speed automatic "intelligent shift" transmission.
Remaining from the Discovery is an optional seven-passenger seating arrangement, a commanding driving position, stadium rear seating, and a large greenhouse with steep side glass for excellent outward visibility. And now that a spare tire isn't hung off the rear door anymore, seeing the cars (or the trail) behind you is less problematic than before.
Honestly, improving upon the Discovery was a chimp's challenge. If the 2005 Land Rover LR3 proves as rewarding to drive as the recently re-vamped Range Rover, this British maker of boulder bashers will have just one remaining zit to pop in its lineup - the Freelander.
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