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.

Funrover did an awesome breakdown & reimagining of the DC100 vs. the Defender we all know.  I highly recommend checking it out:

http://funrover.com/featured/what-makes-a-defender-iconic/

Great job guys!!

The thing I want to know is why does Land Rovers version have to look so much like a Japanese SUV?

This was a bit of a surprise tonight, I knew it was coming but figured it would be closer to the actual show.  It will take some time to get used to and right away I would prefer a stronger face with less LR2 DNA.  I just want to see what actually happens when 2015 rolls around, will we be getting a real utilitarian Land Rover or a cutsie Toyota.

LAND ROVER CONFIRMS ALL-NEW DEFENDER CONCEPT FOR FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW 2011

• Land Rover DC100 investigates the potential future direction of the iconic Defender
• Demonstrates the future of Land Rover capability and versatility
• Functional and purposeful design delivered by Land Rover design team, led by Gerry McGovern
• 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
MAHWAH, N.J., August, 30, 2011 – The Land Rover DC100, a modern interpretation of the iconic Land Rover Defender will make its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Land Rover also confirms today, that production of a new Defender is globally intended for 2015, with no current decision on whether or not the next generation Defender will come to the North American markets.
Commenting on the Land Rover DC100 concept car, Gerry McGovern, Director of Design, Land Rover said, "Replacing the iconic Defender is one of the biggest challenges in the automotive design world; it is a car that inspires people worldwide. This isn’t a production-ready concept but the beginning of a four-year journey to design a relevant Defender for the 21st century."
John Edwards, Global Brand Director, Land Rover added, "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," added Edwards.
The Land Rover DC100 concept builds upon the essential elements of the car’s character and allows Land Rover to open the debate and inspire people to dream about the Defenders of the future. The next chapter in the Defender story will unfold at 09:15 hrs (CET) on September 13, 2011 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Notes to editors
• Global media are invited to attend the Jaguar Land Rover Frankfurt Motor Show press conference at 09:15 CET (3:15 a.m. EST) on Tuesday, September 13, 2011. The conference takes place on the Jaguar Land Rover stand in Hall 5.
• A live webstream of the press conference will be broadcasted on www.landrover.com and www.interactivelandrover.com
• Full information on the DC100 Concept will be available on the stand and at www.medialandrover.com

Now going into its final year, these may be the final tweaks we see for the current Range Rover, first released in 2002.  A lot of this information had already been discussed online for a while but now it’s official.

And this the information for the UK Market, the North American press release still hasn’t happened.

· Introducing two new option packs – Vogue Silver and Vogue Black

· New 20" V Spoke Alloy Wheels

· Gloss Black head and tail lamp back plates

· Narvik Black front grille surround (Their website calls it Sumatra Black, typo?)

· Body coloured side vent surrounds and door handles

· ZF 8HP70 8-speed automatic transmission continues to partner 4.4 LR-TDV8

· Powerful 4.4 LR-TDV8 engine, 313PS, 700Nm torque, EU5

· LR-V8 Supercharged engine, 510PS, 625Nm torque, EU5

· LR-V8 naturally aspirated, 375PS, 510Nm torque, EU5

Here are some pictures with the press release to follow at the end.  Oddly, the few pictures they did give us don’t really show the exterior changes all that well.  I’m mostly talking about the new body colored door handles & side vents.  The color they chose was close to what the old door handles used to be, so the contrast is almost moot.  They really should have shown us a darker version, where it would clearly show the black door handles and side vents.  I’m going to stick a picture from the Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate, which did also have the body colored door handles and was shown in a darker color.

This last picture is from the Autobiography Ultimate, so you can see what body colored door handles look like since the official 2012 pictures do an awful job of it.

Update, I did find this shot but it’s lower-res.  The white door handles & side vents do show up better.

***

The 2012 Range Rover consolidates its position as the world’s most luxurious SUV with a host of style changes and feature upgrades, including new option packs for the Vogue and Autobiography models.

"The Range Rover always has been and remains the definitive, luxury SUV and one whose off-road performance matches its comfort levels and performance. New equipment levels, revised styling and generously specified option packs make it the one to beat in 2012," says John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director.

The Range Rover exterior has been enhanced for 2012 with detail styling changes. Headlamp and tail lamp back plates are now finished in gloss black, while the front grille surround is finished in Narvik Black. Door handles and side vents match the body colour to create a modern, integrated look and new 20" V spoke alloy wheels finished in mid silver sporting a Range Rover branded centre cap, round off the changes to the exterior.

The Grand Black wood veneers on the 2012 Range Rover now have a crisp inlay which reads ‘Range Rover’. Autobiography veneers are available in a choice of Burr Maple Prussian Blue, Anthracite Lined Oak or Ash Burl.

The Range Rover Vogue model offers a highly distinctive new look with unique tailgate badging, reflecting the customer’s choice of either the Vogue Silver Pack or Vogue Black Pack. Both derivatives include the widely acclaimed Logic 7, 1200W Harman Kardon High Dynamics Audio System, heated and cooled seats for each passenger, and an 8-inch Dual View infotainment screen – allowing the driver to view the navigation display whilst the passenger can relax watching a video.

Additionally, the Vogue Silver Pack offers a Supercharged Design Pack comprising of a bright noble finish to the front grille and side vents.

Customers opting for the Vogue Black Pack will sport the Exterior Design Pack. This includes revised front bumper with fog lamp surrounds, front grille and side vents in Titan finish, revised side sills, rear bumper and stainless steel exhaust finishers.

The Range Rover Autobiography now comes with three new option packs – Prestige, Dynamic and Technology – which can be ordered individually or in combination to offer customers the ultimate in Range Rover luxury.

The Prestige Pack includes extended Autobiography colourways, Grand Black veneers and reclining rear seats; the Dynamic Pack includes the exterior Design Pack with the addition of 20" Shadow Chrome alloy wheels; whilst the Technology Pack comprises Vision Assist, 4-zone air conditioning, the Harmon Kardon Logic 7 1200W audio system and rear seat entertainment.

The Range Rover engine line-up remains unchanged for 2012.

The powerful 4.4 LR-TDV8 – specifically designed for the Range Rover – develops 313PS at 4,000rpm and 700Nm torque at between 1,500rpm and 3,000rpm. With combined fuel consumption of 30.1mpg, this made it one of the most powerful and economical diesels in the world at its introduction in 2011. Combined with the super-efficient ZF 8HP70 8-speed automatic transmission it returns CO₂ emissions of just 253g/km.

The Supercharged LR-V8 remains one of the most uncompromisingly powerful and efficient petrol engines in its class, producing 510PS at between 6,000rpm and 6,500rpm with torque of 625Nm from 2500rpm-5500rpm. This immense performance, allows the Supercharged Range Rover to accelerate from 0-60mph in a mere 5.9 seconds.

The naturally aspirated LR-V8 is one of the most refined engines of its type, combining a silky smooth power delivery with unparalleled efficiency. Power output is 375PS at 6,500rpm with torque of 510Nm at 3,500rpm, reaching 60mph from rest in just 7.2 seconds.

All Range Rover engines conform to EU5 emissions regulations.

Recently we heard that some Evoque design cues are coming to the real thing.  I don’t have a problem with that as long as they don’t bring over the Sports Command Driving Position. That’s fine for the Evoque but would turn the Range Rover into a Mercedes-Benz GL.

I noticed the more raked windshield in the latest round of spy shots of the L405 Range Rover on the ‘Ring: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/18/2013-land-rover-range-rover-caught-on-a-ring-run/

So I did some very rough Photoshopping and here are the results

The blue overlay being the current L322 Range Rover.  I used the driver and front wheel for scale.  Again, I realize it’s very rough. Below you can see the two redish lines highlighting the A-pillars from both vehicles with the L322 being on the left and the L405 on the right.

Another item of interest is the how the roof does slope down, like the Sport or Evoque.  The L322 has a much more horizontal roof line.

One last shot I thought was interesting:

Looking quickly at that, it almost looks like a Rolls Royce Phantom!?!?  They really taped off a lot of the windshield

And finally a couple of profile shots:

A classic Range Rover design cue, the rear two-part tailgate was thrown out the window when they released the Range Rover Sport back in 2006, and that design continues with the new Range Rover Evoque.  Various Evoque literature has mentioned a “Social Seat", described as such:

Versatile luggage stowage systems are made possible with the addition of loadspace stowage rails. A strap with an Inertia locking reel, which works in a similar way to a seat belt, is one feature which prevents movement of items in the luggage area. The rails can also support a ‘Social Seat’.

For years, Range Rover owners have sat on the edge of their tailgate to socialise at outdoor events. Land Rover has taken note and customers can now fold out a seat which acts like an open lower tailgate, providing comfortable seating for two . Coupled with the powered tailgate, the ‘Social Seat’ offers additional flexibility and convenience.

So I had asked around about this but as normal, no one answered back, so I had no real info until this video was released:

And here is a link to the video, cued up to 1:08 – it’s quick but you’ll see it.

One last interesting point, this feature is nothing new, I saw this at either the New York or Detroit Autoshow back in 2005 on the Range Rover Sport, they call it a Sliding Loadspace Floor.  I’m the one making the jump and calling it the Social Seat, I could be completely wrong here and we still may not have actually seen the Social Seat.

Here it is on the Range Rover Sport: