I’ve had what I thought was an odd and isolated issue with the Surround Camera System in my 2011 Range Rover – from time to time and mostly at night, the reverse camera will go completely blue.

I’ve also seen it on the surround cameras too.  So I went to my favorite Range Rover Forums (http://rangerovers.net/forum/) and did a search.  Apparently it’s not as isolated as I thought and this post from a Range Rover Sport owner, aptly named it the Blue Screen of Death.  He even made a video:

In that post there is some great information and real Land Rover documentation on the issue.  The thing that really got me after reading everything is how much of an impact excessively tight cable bends can have on this system.  Here are some examples:

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I do completely realize that there are tolerances to everything and the cabling used here must not be the most resilient.  It’s just a little disappointing from a company that talks about the engineering that went into their iPod interface cable:

The dedicated iPod®/iPhone® point was designed with Apple, Inc. exclusively for Land Rover, to ensure the device won’t come loose from the socket, even in extreme driving conditions. iPod® and iPhone® are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

http://www.landrover.com/us/en/rr/range-rover/explore/hse/

Sorry, just another rant and I will continue to say, my current Range Rover configuration has to literally be one of the best vehicles currently on the road – see even after all that I still love you Land Rover.

So this is part 1 of a series of videos Land Rover Range Rover will be releasing showing the Range Rover Evoque process from behind the scenes.

For once, I don’t think Gerry McGovern actually used the word “desire” which was starting to really sound like a marketing gimmick.  But I do think he said a few things that made this post inevitable.  First the whole thing at about 2:40, the falling roof & rising beltline/waistline and how it’s “something we’ve never seen before” “exciting, dramatic, totally unique shape”, just have to call back to a post a did:

Is the Range Rover Evoque, the 2010 production version of the Range Stormer?

I know it’s just me, but for all they deny how the Evoque had nothing to do with the Range Stormer, I just have to respectfully disagree.

Then he goes on to say:

This isn’t supposed to be meant as an entry-level vehicle.  This is somebody who wants Range Rover, who wants the qualities that are intrinsic to Range Rover but they want it on a smaller scale.

I just don’t get that, it’s clearly an entry-level vehicle, and I’m not saying $20,000 entry level but it is an entry-level Range Rover.  It’s just hard for me to see someone in the market for a Range Rover going to the dealership and changing their minds from even a Sport to switch to an Evoque.  And don’t get me wrong, it’s growing on me with everyday, can’t wait to actually drive one.  I just think if you do want a Range Rover, there are more reasons then just the premium interior.  When he says, “smaller scale”, it sounds like they just needed to call this small car a Range Rover, no matter what so it sells better.  And it will be the entry-level model to get a new crowd in the door and they will sell a lot, can’t wait to see them on the road. 

And this is just my normal rant, I know they have to do whatever is necessary to sell more vehicles,

More Geneva 2011 releases, here the Evoque Coupe in Colima Lime

THE ALL-NEW RANGE ROVER EVOQUE ­– PERSONALISED TO SUIT EACH INDIVIDUAL CUSTOMER

· The smallest, lightest, most fuel-efficient Range Rover ever produced

· Class-leading sustainability with sub 130g/km* CO₂ emissions and outstanding fuel efficiency

· Four-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive versions available

· Versatile luggage stowage systems including tow hitch mounted bicycle carriers

· Dynamic and agile handling across all terrains, aided by Adaptive Dynamics featuring MagneRide™

· Class-leading all-weather, all-surface capability with legendary Land Rover Terrain Response™

· Innovative Range Rover technologies, including dual-view display for 8-inch touch-screen and Surround Camera System

· Vast array of personalisation options to suit customer needs

· Choice of coupé and 5-Door models with countless colour and feature combinations available

· Innovative ‘Pulse of the City’ campaign generating buzz ahead of launch

· Over 40 influential ‘City Shapers’ involved in exciting interactive on-line activities

· Evoque-inspired wireframe sculptures attract attention in major cities worldwide

· Sold in 160 countries worldwide, with deliveries from summer 2011

· Indicative pricing starting from £30,000

(more…)

More and more shots coming out of the interior themes – the personalization options really seem to be unmatched in the industry – hope this works its way up to The Range Rover as well.

The Geneva show has really given them a push to get more information out there.  Here we see the latest release of pictures highlighting the available exterior accessories.  I really like the 4-door in red.