Land Rover DC100 On-Demand Spiked Tire System #landrover

Described by Land Rover:

Spiked Tires

Further allowing the concepts to adjust to changing conditions is a driver-deployable spiked tire system. This is operated by an electro-mechanical system mounted within the tire; activation of the technology permits air to inflate a secondary air chamber, filling pods moulded into the tread of the tire and which contain the spikes. The spikes rise just above the tread surface and fix into place for driving on packed snow and ice. When conditions have eased, the spikes can be retracted, obviating the need to carry two sets of tires or snow chains.

While all they’re showing now is some CG video, it’s exciting to see the things they’re thinking up!  Below you can see the shots showing a normal looking tire which instantly gets snow cleats!

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2011-09-19T08:07:00-04:00September 19, 2011|

Land Rover Link Clearance

Once again all the links I’ve been collecting for a few months that I just never posted or referenced.  It’s more for my reference but I figure someone may find something interesting here.

 

Quality Slips for All-New Models – New York Times had a specific call out to Land Rover:

Land Rover, a perennial bottom-dweller in quality surveys, was the most improved brand, though it rose to only 26th place on the list of 32 automakers.

The Range Rover Sport was also the most improved model, with 80 fewer problems per 100 vehicles.

Cool Hunting Video Presents: Making the Evoque

Range Rover at 40

Minding The Gap
In 1972, two Range Rovers tackled the British Army’s toughest-ever expedition: crossing the Darien Gap that links Northern and Southern America. This is a survivor’s tale

Land Rover Series 2 Rebuild Blog

Autoblog – 2012 Range Rover Evoque

Mad Vandals Fill Airbrushed Range Rover with…Insulating Foam

Carscoop – 2012 Land Rover Defender Updated with New 2.2L Turbo Diesel and Additional Option Packages

 

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2011-09-17T15:15:29-04:00September 17, 2011|

Land Rover DC100 Pictures & Official PR #landrover #dc100

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So they surprised us with the DC100 Sport and some cool new tech features.  I won’t debate as to whether some of this stuff is right for the next Defender, it’s a concept and on top of that, we’re not going to see it until 2015, so who knows what tech will be standard by then!

82 pictures in the gallery:dc100-gal

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LAND ROVER UNVEILS TWO NEW DEFENDER CONCEPTS AT THE FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW

The DC100 and DC100 Sport

“The entire Land Rover team is excited about the opportunity, and the responsibility, of creating the replacement for the iconic Land Rover Defender. Loved the world over for its simple, honest and distinctive design, we are determined that the new Defender will be true to its heritage while meeting the requirements of a changing global market. We plan to engage with existing and potential customers to help us finalize the details of the new vehicle.  One thing’s for sure, it’s going to be an exciting journey, and we can’t wait to get going.”

John Edwards, Global Brand Director, Land Rover

For over 60 years, Land Rover has been designing and building 4x4s that define capability, versatility and usability. Like no other vehicle, the Defender inspires affection and loyalty the world over. It is an eminently adaptable vehicle, serving people under all conditions whether they are explorers, ecologists, UN aid workers or Red Cross medics.

From just two principal platforms, the Defender has been put to every task and reconfigured in every way, from fire engines to tracked exploration vehicles. The only limit to the abilities of a Defender is the imagination of its owner. An estimated three-quarters of the nearly two million Defender models built are still in use.

The next chapter in the Defender story will unfold at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The two DC100 concepts unveiled there will build on the essential elements of Defender and allow Land Rover to discuss and inspire dreams of a future Defender.

At-A-Glance

  • Two new concepts from Land Rover investigate the future design possibilities of the iconic Defender.
  • Three-across front seat is inspired by early Land Rover vehicles.
  • Cutting-edge sustainable, hi-tech materials taken from luxury yachts, private jets and even spacecraft.
  • The concepts capture the flexibility, adaptability and configurability that have always been key attributes of Land Rover and continue in today’s Defender.
    • DC100 demonstrates the future of Land Rover capability and versatility.
    • DC100 Sport is an active expression of freedom and adventure.
  • The Terrain-i scanning device warns the driver of obstacles when off-roading and can suggest alternative routes.
  • "Wade Aid" uses sonar technology to assess water depth and advise the driver of optimum speed for water fording.
  • Intelligent next-generation Land Rover Terrain Response® system automatically optimizes the vehicle for any surface or terrain.
  • Driver-activated spiked tire system can be deployed at the touch of a button.
  • Future paint technologies will allow for self-cleaning and healing paint and bodywork.
  • Both concepts are based on the same lightweight, mixed-alloy platform.
  • Four-wheel drive with a transfer case.
  • Eight-speed automatic transmission
  • Intelligent Engine Start/Stop technology
  • Driveline Disconnect physically decouples the rear axle to save fuel when four-wheel drive is not required.
  • 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines with hybrid and plug-in capabilities.
  • Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Adventure key is a waterproof, lightweight alternative to the control fob.
  • Always-on connectivity and telematics allow for vehicle-to-smartphone, vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-base communication.
  • Built-in inductive charging stations throughout the concepts.
  • Land Rover confirms its global intention to launch a new Defender in 2015, with no current decision on whether or not the next generation Defender will come to the North American markets.

 

(more…)

2011-09-13T11:13:30-04:00September 13, 2011|

Land Rover DC100 – Terrain-i, Wade Aid, Deployable Spiked Tire System #landrover #dc100

Tomorrow will be the release day but here are a few bullet points that made it out before the big show – sounds interesting!  Full press release at bottom, and let’s hope we get a lot more details tomorrow.

  • Based on a lightweight, mixed-alloy platform.
  • Cutting-edge, sustainable, hi-tech materials taken from aerospace industries.
  • The Terrain-i scanning device warns the driver of obstacles when off-roading and can suggest alternative routes.
  • Wade Aid uses sonar technology to assess water depth and advise the driver of optimum speed.
  • Intelligent, next-generation, Land Rover Terrain Response system automatically optimises the car for any environment.
  • Driver-activated spiked tyre system can be deployed at the touch of a button.
  • Permanent four-wheel drive with an eight-speed transmission, Intelligent Stop/Start and a transfer case.
  • 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol and diesel engine with hybrid and plug-in capabilities.

 

LAND ROVER CONFIRMS ITS INTENTION TO LAUNCH A NEW DEFENDER IN 2015


Live Webstream of press conference and reveal 09:00 – 10:00 CET
Live Web-stream of the car reveal can be viewed here:
http://www.gginternet1.co.uk/tvcgroup/jaguar/120911/iframe.asp


TUESDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER: Land Rover today unveils a modern-day Defender concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The new Land Rover DC100 previews a potential future direction for a new Land Rover Defender. The Defender is one of Land Rover’s oldest and most iconic models and has been used by UN aid workers, Red Cross medic’s, police and military forces worldwide. The Defender is the bedrock on which the brand has been built and after more than 60 years of production, the model is getting a makeover.
The new concept marks the move of the iconic Defender into the 21st century market. The concept car builds upon the original models character but demonstrates the versatility and the future of the Defender. The design team aim to keep the Defender’s simple and honest style whilst meeting the requirements of an all-new global market.  
The new concept has been designed by the Land Rover Advanced Design team whose remit was to create a vehicle that would resonate with the commercial customer as well as the retail customer. Their aim was to create a model that is relevant to the 21st century.
With an all-new Defender planned for production in 2015, replacing this iconic model will surely be one of the biggest challenges in automotive history.

2011-09-12T12:09:44-04:00September 12, 2011|
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