Michael, Author at OVALNEWS.com - Always fanatical; Occasionally interesting Land Rover & Range Rover News

Preview of the Range Rover Evoque 8” Touchscreen? #rangeroverevoque

So the Evoque has been described as having the “Range Rover brand’s 8-inch(203mm) high-definition touchscreen display”, which I guess is new for the “brand’ because the current models I believe all have 7” screens. Anyway, I noticed that the new XJ touchscreen had a similar look to the quick shots we’ve seen of the Evoque, not identical but similar design language – the XJ has the 8” screen too.

So while doing a little searching around, I found that Jaguar actually has a Flash-based and what appears to be Windows only; emulator for their touch screen & HVAC controls.

http://www.jaguar.com/us/en/#/owner_support/touchscreen_simulator

So again, I realize it’s not identical to the Evoque’s but if the little things like this interest you like they do me, you may want to check it out:

One thing I did notice on the XJ that the Land Rover designers didn’t do, was try to eliminate as many buttons as possible. Which while a nice thing to do to clear up the clutter and confusion, some odd choices/compromises were made. Like the climatic seats, there seems to be a lot of tapping on the screen to set what you want – I realize going this way does add more options with less buttons, but on the other side, these changes now can’t be done without looking. Without a physical switch/button/knob, how much muscle memory gets trained? A hard button gets you to the screen but then it’s just a lot of tapping.

And then there’s the physical audio controls, instead of putting that musical note button next to Mode, why not put a Pause button? You could move the left transport control to the left once more and then add Pause button right in the middle. Of all hard buttons they replaced with this design, why do you need a hard button to set the Base & Treble – is it really used that often?

Then you’ve got those “Shortcuts” which seem to be for the most part not things that you may be changing all that often – Language? Animation preferences?

Sorry XJ, you’re an awesome car, it just seems the UI designers may need a bit more time for polish. Maybe the Evoque’s system is v2 for the new 8” JLR screens?

Either way, go check this out.

Michael2010-11-04T20:09:48-04:00November 5, 2010|

Now this is what Autobiography means… #rangerover

As a real customization option for the Range Rover, the Autobiography program has been something they’ve had in the UK for many years, going back at least a generation.

If you don’t already know, here’s the description of the UK Autobiography program:

An Autobiography is one of those rare opportunities in life to say precisely what you want to say. With Range Rover Autobiography, you have the freedom to express you own distinct taste through wide choices of optional colors and materials creating a vehicle that is an individual as its owner. The Autobiography program is available when you specify The Range Rover Supercharged, the naturally aspirated V8, or diesel as your vehicle order and can be tailored to your individual specification. Take as many liberties as you like. Paintwork, seats, rugs, leathers, wood finishes, facia, steering wheel or perhaps an embroidered headrest. With Autobiography, there are no rules

So all this means is you really get to go crazy with customizing and tailor a Range Rover to your own unique ideas. None of this is cheap and as far as I’ve been able to find there’s no real public price list for the UK program. In the UK, it doesn’t take a completely custom design to get that Autobiography badge, key chain & sill plates – you just need to get an Autobiography paint finish, interior color change, wood package or bespoke commission.

In the U.S., we’ve had special editions through the years that get certain Autobiography options with no real customization – the 2008 Westminster being one of them, along with the various anniversary editions. It’s on these special editions we’ve been seeing more of the exterior trim painted body color, something they offer in the UK, but not here. They usually get that two toned leather interior too, and they use one of the special wood trim options.

Starting in 2009, Autobiography became available in the US, really more of an option package. For 2011, it’s a $21,485 package that you can only add to the Range Rover Supercharged. It adds every option to the Supercharged model, gives you a full leather interior with more color choices(including the two tone options, but nothing like the UK), upgraded rear seats, special wheels and a few more items. You can go with one of the special paint choices which cost between $9,500 & $14,500. And you have three special wood trim choices, which go for $2,300. There are packages for the Sport now too, but I’m talking about Range Rovers here.

So we are getting closer to the actual Autobiography program here in the US but still nothing like the levels of customization they offer in the UK. In the pictures below, you can see pictures from the 2005 UK Autobiography guide, a hard cover book that really shows you what’s possible.

My main question is, why can’t we get this here? Are we too large of a market? Would it be too overwhelming for the Land Rover Special Vehicles people? Or do we just not care about customizing like this in the US and the marketing people have decided it’s not worth it? And how much extra work goes into a US Autobiography vs. a UK model? Does the US model get any special finishing by the Autobiography division?

I’m not looking for any of these crazy color combos, but it would be nice to have more options.

It is a great time for US Range Rover buyers, there are more options & features then ever before; hopefully it will open the door for a real Autobiography program here.

Michael2010-11-04T07:43:00-04:00November 4, 2010|

YouTube feature–Land Rover-Bred in the Bone

Great 2 part video – HUE166 is featured and even some center steer shots, I’ve never seen before. The first part focuses on the first 10 years of Land Rover, the second part shows us the NEW for 1958 Series 2.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Michael2010-10-17T19:41:13-04:00November 2, 2010|

The Evoque, the fireplace & OneLife on the iPad #rangeroverevoque

So Land Rover UK has created their OneLife magazine as a free new app on the iPad:

They always like to add in a lot of “lifestyle” content to these things and nothing is different here with an article on Bhutan with “Range Rover” references sprinkled throughout. And there’s also one about a father and son team in the Freelander 2, here’s their video (it’s also available in the app itself):

But along with those articles, we usually do get some real info that doesn’t always show up in other places. We hear from Ratan Tata, current JLR owner with some good insight. And from the actual designers & engineers on the Evoque team. It was there that we learn from the Chief Program Engineer, David Mitchell that:

They’ve adapted the LRX feature where by the lights on the instrument clusters change from blue to red depending on which sport dynamic mode it’s in.
They call the center stack the “fireplace”, which also has an ambient glow – now for this one I’m not totally clear on – did he mean the area that’s lit up behind the HVAC controls? Or the storage area between the armrest and the Terrain Response controls? He mentions it’s where you’d keep sunglasses or other odds & ends.
Finally, when unlocking the vehicle, there is a glow from underneath – is this an enhancement to the puddle/approach lamps or real ground effects? – UPDATE – I missed this in the original PR: “Approach the car at night, and you will also see a bold vehicle graphic alongside the front doors, illuminated by the ‘puddle lights’ which shine from the mirrors.”

So overall, they did a really great job on this issue and I recommend you check it out.

Here’s a link to it again:

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/onelife-magazine/id396905875?mt=8#

I’ve got a little more to say about it, but will follow-up in another post since it’s a different topic.

Michael2010-11-04T20:11:30-04:00November 1, 2010|

A new engine version, new Limited Edition and fresh features enhance the Range Rover Sport for 2011

Always fanatical; Occasionally interesting - Land Rover & Range Rover News

About Michael