So here we see the first alternate version of the DC100’s we saw in Frankfurt. There is supposed to be something similar for the LA Show this week. I have to say from certain angles, I really like, from others, I don’t.
Official PR:
Today (November 10, 2011) Land Rover’s DC100 concept makes its Middle Eastern Debut at the 2011 Dubai International Motor Show. The DC100 concept explores the possible design and technological direction of the new Defender.
Evolved since its unveiling at Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the DC100 concept now features off-road optimised 20-inch alloy wheels with Cooper all-terrain tyres. It is finished in a distinctive colour combination of Fuji White paint with a Santorini Black roof.
The DC100 reinvents the essential Defender design cues for the 21st century. These include short overhangs for extreme approach and departure angles; vertical panels, upright windscreen and strong shoulder line for visibility and ease of positioning and of course the honest Defender ‘face’ with its signature round lamps and prominent grille, incorporating a winch.
For more than six decades Land Rover has been leading the way in developing engineering solutions that give all its products an unrivalled ability to tackle the toughest terrain while remaining comfortable, refined and undemanding of their drivers. The DC100 is no exception, previewing an entire portfolio of cutting-edge technology that will allow the future Land Rovers to go even further beyond.
The core attributes of capability and versatility are underpinned by a suite of innovative off-road technological aids that work seamlessly together to reduce the workload on the driver.
Foremost of these is the next generation of Land Rover’s acclaimed Terrain Response system which will automatically optimise the car for any conditions without driver pre-selection. It does so by combining data from myriad sensors assessing wheel slip, suspension travel, steering angle, brake and accelerator inputs with information provided by HD cameras mounted in the front of the car. These analyse the visual spectrum of the terrain ahead of the car and compare it with images stored within a predictive neural network to identify surface conditions.
The Terrain-i system creates an intelligent map of the topography in front of the car and displays it as a 3D visualisation similar to those used in fighter planes. Terrain-i is able to automatically analyse the environs a full 360-degrees around the vehicles, identify potential hazards and suggest alternative routes. In urban environments the same system is able to identify pedestrians and other hazards with great accuracy.
Further innovations are targeted at specific conditions often encountered during both on and off-road driving. Wade Aid utilises sonar sensors mounted in the bumpers and wing mirrors to measure water depth and inclinometers to assess whether the level is increasing or decreasing, displaying all the information to the driver in an intuitive graphic. As with Terrain Response, Wade Aid will optimise the car for a water crossing by closing body vents, raising the ride height, selecting a low gear and advising on the safest speed.
Another tool for tackling rapidly changing conditions is provided by a torque vectoring programme which automatically and instantly directs torque to the wheels with most grip, creating an infinitely adjustable traction control system for both tarmac and off-road driving.
Sustainability has always been a Land Rover hallmark – more than three-quarters of the almost two million Defenders made are still doing regular duty – and the DC100 concepts extend this commitment with new technologies that will reduce their environmental impact. The first is an intelligent Twin-Solenoid Stop/Start system mated to the latest eight-speed automatic gearbox, both of which have been designed with future hybridisation in mind. Secondly is the unique Driveline Disconnect system which sends power to the front-axle only unless conditions demand all-wheel drive. Unlike conventional systems, this physically, rather than electronically, decouples the rear-axle to reduce friction losses but can reengage drive almost instantaneously
Just more of the same,
Land RoverRange Rover likes to tout their 12” LCD instrument panel that is nothing more then a digital version of analog gauges with some very, very, very slight tweaks and really absolutely no advantage. It will neither show you what’s playing on the audio system nor give you any navigation hints, mostly it’s just two “dials” with a large black void in between.With the video showing what is possible, they really better impress us with the Range Rover Next’s technology.
And I know this is practically a repeat post, but again still not holding my breath!
There’s no Range Rover news that gets me more excited then new interior shots!!
A modified Evoque style steering wheel, some kind of rotary control in the center and some wood trim appears to be peaking out on the left.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/111110237870/2013-range-rover-spied-with-interior-details
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1049859_2013-range-rover-spy-shots
As I’ve complained about many times before, the 12” TFT virtual gauge cluster that appeared with the 2010 Range Rover refresh, had better of been a beta test. I believe it was a test of the technology that provided us a taste of what may come in the future. In reality it provided nothing more then something to impress people with, the first time they see it, they can’t believe it. Then when they hear it actually doesn’t do anything more then that, they all say the same thing – gimmick!
So today I read and watched about the new system Cadillac has coming and it just blew me away.
And here’s my hope, what we are seeing right now in our 2010 – 2012 Range Rovers is just a proof of concept and when generation two appears in the next Range Rover, it had better be a leap beyond what we’re seeing from Cadillac, since they’re just starting with the technology, right?
But don’t worry, I’m not holding my breath.
