New Land Rover Freelander 2 "White & Black": Two More Special Edition Models for the UK

It seems like Land Rover's marketing division has nothing better to do these days than to reveal special edition versions of the Freelander 2. Following the introduction of the "Sport" edition, the Brits announced the release of two new entry-level additions to the Freelander 2 range for 2010. Named "White" and "Black" for obvious reasons, the two new models will be on sale in the UK in January 2010, priced from £19,495 on-the-road.

The new Freelander 2 specials are available in an Alaska White and a Santorini Black exterior finish and both come with an Ebony cloth interior. Other standard features include start and stop system, 17-inch alloy wheels, load space cover and keyless starter button.

Both models are fitted with a six-speed manual 2.2-litre diesel powertrain, which is claimed to deliver a combined fuel economy of 42.2mpg UK which is equal to 35.2 mpg US and 6.7 lt / 100 kilometers.

Land Rover Freelander gets 'Sporty' with New Special Edition Model

Beginning in January, Land Rover will expand its British lineup with the introduction of the Freelander 2 Sport. But don't get carried away as there's nothing really 'sporty' about this Freelander 2 other than the extra equipment and special colors. The Freelander 2 Sport will be available with two derivatives, one with leather upholstery and the other with a cloth / leather interior, and two exterior shades, Santorini Black and Lago Grey.

Both derivatives feature specific 19-inch limited edition diamond-turned alloy-wheels, a unique two-tone interior in contrasting Ebony and Storm together with a rear spoiler, color-keyed exterior trim and matching door handles and mirror casings.

In addition, the Sport emblem is embossed on the front and outer rear seat head restraints, with Storm colored stitching on all seats and Ebony interior carpet mats with contrast piping featured throughout.

The Freelander 2 Sport will be offered only with the 2.2-liter TD4 diesel power unit. The manual model comes with standard Stop/Start technology delivering an 8% improvement on CO2 emissions compared to the previous manual diesel Freelander 2, from 194g/km to 179g/km, while fuel consumption is reduced from 37.7 to 42.2mpg UK.

The new special edition model is priced fin the UK from £26,695 on-the-road.

Limited Edition Range Rover Holland&Holland by Overfinch with a Year's Supply of Booze Feels Just Like Home

Land Rover customizer Overfinch has teamed up with British sportgun and rifle maker Holland & Holland to create a limited production Ranger Rover. Based on either the 5.0-litre 503HP Supercharged or TDV8 diesel versions of the new 2010 MY Range Rover, the Holland & Holland features a raft of exterior and interior enhancements. On the outside the special Range gets 20-inch alloys (22's are optional) fitted with all season Mud & Snow tyres, special cast exhaust outlets and various tidbits from Overfinch's depot such as the headlamp and tail light treatments and the bumper trims.

Buyers can choose from four unique shades including Holland & Holland's Tintern Green and a two-tone paintwork, similar to that of a Rolls-Royce Phantom.

But it's the interior that makes this version special. For starters, all Holland & Holland Overfinch vehicles will be strict four-seaters as the cars get a unique center console with an integrated refrigerator and a storage compartment, which fits between the individual rear seats.

The entire cabin including the seats, doors, upper and lower dash board, centre and rear consoles and even the cubby box lid, have been dressed in top-grade leathers with contrasting stitching. According to Overfinch, it takes over 150 man hours just to trim the car while if buyers select the optional aviation-style quilted leather or Alcantara headlining, it takes even longer.

Being a Range Rover and everything, Overfinch trimmed the interior with a thirty one piece wood veneer kit that is available in the choice of Olive Ash Gloss, European Burr Walnut with special diamond pattern inlay, Matt Gunstock Walnut and Piano Black Lacquer with silver inlays.

Moving towards the rear, the Range Rover's boot gets a bespoke 'cupboard' - more like your great, great grandma's cabinet- hand-crafted in veneers to match the interior woodwork. It comes with three drawers fitted to carry eight further matching Holland & Holland crystal tumblers and flutes, shotguns, a cleaning kit for them as well as cartridges and the bag in which to carry them.

Production will be limited to 100 units annually with prices starting from £120,894 (about €130,000 or $196,000 US) for export, and £139,650 OTR in the UK.

If it makes you feel any better -for the price, that is, Overfinch said that it will replenish all six types of drinks (Pol Roger Champagne, Balvenie single malt whisky, Hendrick's single batch gin, Ivan the Terrible luxury vodka and Willow Spring Water), which are housed in the center console, for a whole year.

Range Rover LRX Small SUV Confirmed for Production, Sales to Start in 2011

Land Rover officially confirmed today that it will build a production version of the LRX concept. In spite of the fact that the prototype model made its debut at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show with the Land Rover badge, the production LRX will bear the Range Rover logo making it the smallest model in the luxury brand's line-up. The three-door crossover will debut in production form next year to mark the 40th anniversary from the launch of the first Range Rover in 1970, and go on sale in 2011.

Earlier this year, the Jaguar-Land Rover Group, now owned by India's Tata Group, secured a UK Government grant of up to £27 million ($44.4 million - €30 million at today's exchange rates) to help aid the development of the LRX.

Land Rover said that the new car will be built at the firm's plant in Halewood, on Merseyside, and will be sold in more than 100 countries around the world.

"The production of a small Range Rover model is excellent news for our employees, dealers and customers," said Phil Popham, managing director of Land Rover.

"Feedback from our customer research also fully supports our belief that a production version of the LRX Concept would further raise the desirability of our brand and absolutely meet their expectations," Phil added.

Gerry McGovern, Land Rover design director said: "The new vehicle will be a natural extension to the Range Rover line-up, complementing the existing models and helping to define a new segment. It will be true to the concept and have many recognizable Range Rover design cues including the signature clamshell bonnet, the floating roof and the solid 'wheel-at-each-corner' stance."

Land Rover said that more details of the new small Range Rover will be released next year.