Whatever next.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpr...1b58039ff3

Talk about castration.  

Quote:

Land Rover is plotting the launch of the first front wheel drive model in its history, Auto Express can reveal.

The news was revealed by Land Rover boss Phil Popham. The first front wheel drive model will be the so called Compact Range Rover, due to be unveiled later this year.

There goes the unique selling point and automatic Land Rover ability... and the upmarket image of the Range Rover.

Why?

The upmarket image went with the RR Sport. It should have been a Land Rover Sport and they should have left the Range Rover the hell alone! 

Yes.

My quote on that article on the autoexpress site.

Quote:

That's a bold step. Land Rover risk flushing their unique selling point as a 4x4 only maker and the image of the Range Rover down the toilet. Addmittedly they already downgraded the Range Rover name with the 'sport', which is pretty much a Discovery in a dress for people that can't afford a real Range Rover, but this will just make Range Rovers 'common'. No thanks from a Land Rover owner and enthusiast.

Why?

Surely a wind-up!

More likely a way to get the average Co2 figure down for the manufacturer, while bringing in more cash.
It's EU or world rules that car makers have to get a certain Co2 figure across the range I believe in the future...

To go along with the likes of this

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic2156.html ====================================

"Open Mike Night " sounded like a lot of fun until i found out i was going to an Autopsy

And as it seems, Aston will also go with that aberration called Cygnet.....

But, as always, and specially in this world of ''economics are everything'' that was the only way expected to go.

Speaking to a friend, he called the cygnet a wonderfull idea. A cheap aston that everyone knowns is a 'toy'ota but which nevertheless would definetly buy.
Now, confronted by this, which brand wouldn't build it? The true fact is, most people don't care about brand values, front wheel drive, nr of cylinders, nothing. Just look at the way all manufacturers cut the number of cylinders from their cars and are still selling the rs's, m's, amg's. A name is all they need.

When the RRS came out, I liked it and even went to the dealer to have a look at one, and thought, this is great. Then I got into a FF TDV8.......
But, I can give some lee way to the RRS. The interiors are different, the general quality and look is way off, but it was not an ugly car, so it didn't bother and i let it fit into the LR brand without that much of a stir.

Now, LRX, front wheel drive RR's, my god......next thing they will be doing girl oriented cars....

Ahh yes, the Aston Cygnet, or, an even more ugly Toyota Aygo but costs 10 times as much! (probably)

And there's no v8/12 in it either  2006 Mercedes CLS
1991 Retro-style Mini
But really finding it hard to fight the urge for a S/C...

Saw this on a FB page today too:

"Sturgess Land Rover Breaking News! Land Rover will introduce a front wheel drive version of the new baby Range Rover next year. Land Rover are keen to assue customers it is not abandoning 4WD though as the baby Range Rover will be available in both 2WD and 4WD and is an addition to the range. The 2WD version will have dramatically reduced Co2 figures, sitting in the supergreen 120g/km bracket." Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

Mind you, the article doesn't refer to the FFRR, just the 'compact'. Looking at it , it would have been more apt to call it the Range Rover Sport Compact if anyhting so as to disassociate it with the FFRR which it certainly is not. Steve

Main car : FFRR L405 Vogue SDV8
Other car : Vauxhall Lotus Carlton
Past cars : FFRR L322 Vogue TD6 SE (Sept 2006 MY07) ; LandCruiser SWB ; 4-Runner ; Supras; XJS V12 LeMans

Any name with Range Rover in it will associate it to the FFRR.

When I bought my Vogue I realised how many people say they drive a 'Range Rover' and then it turns out to be a sport. They want the brand image, but at a cheaper price.

I read it to be the LRX, as that's being billed the baby RR, and seems most likely to have 2WD as an option for the young rich eco huggers. Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

I look forward to seeing some tightwad tree hugger stuck in the mud in their 2WD Rover. Who knows, once I've finished laughing I might even offer them a tow

As far as I'm concerned, LR should leave the sports car segment to sports car manufacturers just as, say, Porsche should leave building off-roading vehicles to off-road vehicle manufacturers.

Same goes for compact and mid sized autos. 
RRC 2Dr, RRC 4Dr,
P38, and 2 L322s
(wife thinks I'm nuts - prob right, too)