Lunaz, a company specialising in producing electric versions of classic cars, announced that they are developing electric Range Rovers built in the 1970s, after receiving overwhelming response since they unveiled the electrified Jaguars, Bentleys, and Rolls-Royces.
The company, based in Silverstone, England will create an initial run of 50 of the luxury SUVs built in the ‘classic era’ between 1970 and 1994.
In response to feedback from these customers, electric classic Range Rovers by Lunaz will be offered in both ‘Town’ and ‘Country’ specification, with a full suite of features that augment a full electric classic off-roading experience for the first time.
The models will also be presented with increased focus on rear-seat and driver comfort, reflecting their dual use as either self-driven luxury vehicles or chauffeured cars. These cars will be available in both standard and long wheelbase.
According to Lunaz, every car will go through a full bare metal restoration and re-engineering process ahead of conversion to the company’s proprietary electric powertrain. This approach allows Lunaz to answer the questions of usability and reliability that detract from the experience of owning the most celebrated classic cars in the world
Within the cabin, the pure utility of the original interior design will be significantly elevated. This will be achieved by applying Lunaz’ design philosophy. This approach balances the integration of technology and usability within a classic architecture. It is executed with the highest quality materials from a palette that responds to traditional and contemporary tastes and lifestyles.
Material palettes that honour the textile interior that debuted on the original classic Range Rover will be offered as well as more traditional upholstery options executed in the very finest leathers and woods. Customers will be able to select from either the classic three-door configuration or the four-door models.
Usability is further enhanced with the inclusion of a full suite of contemporary technologies. Features including infotainment, air conditioning and entertainment screens are sensitively integrated into the existing design scheme to ensure the spirit of the original car is maintained.
Prices for classic electric Range Rovers by Lunaz start at £245,000 excluding local taxes. The first production tranche of 50 vehicles is currently being allocated with first customer deliveries anticipated for the summer of 2021.
Every car by Lunaz represents an individual customer build. This provides extraordinary scope for personalisation. Customers will be invited to work with Design Director Jen Holloway and her team to specify features to augment their own lifestyle requirements.
The ‘Country Specification’ could include modifications to storage areas or a boot space for the transportation of equipment and refreshments for field sports. For ‘Town’ cars, the creation of a bar area for rear-seat chauffeured occupants can be tailored to the customer’s favourite choice of beverage.
Sime Darby Auto Selection, a corporate multi-brand used car dealer under Sime Darby Motors recently launched its online used car store aimed at providing customers with a seamless used car buying experience.
Sime Darby Auto Selection’s online store enables customers to search from a wide range of high quality used cars – from used to nearly new vehicles.
Sime Darby Auto Selection has up to 300 used cars of multiple brands available for viewing, and they are not limited to Sime Darby Motors’ stable of franchise brands. Every used car undergoes a thorough inspection process to ensure it is in the best possible condition and quality.
The website comes with user-friendly features that enable scheduling of car inspections and appraisal appointments, service appointment and test drive bookings, as well as the latest promotions and events.
The website will debut a “Spin Car” feature which offers customers 360° interior and exterior view of vehicles, allowing customers to explore every detail of the vehicle they are interested in, from all angles.
The online store promises more features for customers convenience including loan calculators and booking transactions to enable placement of orders at any time, any day, without the hassle of visiting a dealership, in the near future.
Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia has officially launched the the new 2020 Range Rover Evoque luxury compact SUV in two variants:
Range Rover Evoque P200 – RM426,828
Range Rover Evoque P250 R-Dynamic – RM475,398
Looking more like a mini Velar, aesthetic improvements on the new Evoque include slimmer LED headlights and taillights as well as flush door handles.
The R-Dynamic variant features more exterior enhancements and exciting offerings including burnished copper accents on the front and rear bumpers, as well as front fender inserts that add to the vehicle’s unique appeal.
The new Evoque also boasts an All-Wheel Drive with Driveline Disconnect technology, which comes as a standard feature for both variants. The system allows the driver to fully disengage drive to the rear wheels when cruising to reduce frictional losses, and seamlessly re-engage in a fraction of a second, when conditions dictate a need for additional traction.
For more adverse conditions, the Terrain Response 2 system, which is also available as standard, is engaged to automatically adjust the vehicle’s driving character to match surface conditions. The Evoque also has the best-in-class wading depth of 600mm.
Other offerings of the R-Dynamic variant include the segment’s first ‘ClearSight Rear View Mirror’ that transforms into a high-definition (HD) video screen when activated. If rear visibility is compromised by passengers or bulky items, the driver can flip a switch located on the underside of the mirror to activate a camera feed from the top of the car to display the back end of the vehicle in crisp high definition.
The screen provides a 50-degree field of vision and superior visibility in low light. Exclusive for the R-Dynamic variant, the world’s first ‘ClearSight Ground View’ technology allows the driver to virtually see through the hood and under the front end of the vehicle by projecting a 180-degree view of the ground onto the vehicle’s upper touchscreen.
The new Evoque is also the first Land Rover model to feature Smart Settings, a system which uses artificial intelligence algorithms to learn the driver’s preference. The system applies the driver’s preference to automate comfort and driver-specific media settings throughout the drive.
The new Evoque “recognises” the driver from their key fob and phone with the use of ‘self-learning’ technology, enabling specific seat and steering column position set up upon approach. Up to eight driver profiles can be registered.
After a few journeys, the Evoque remembers the driver’s preferred temperature settings, media preference and commonly dialled numbers, depending on the time or day of the week.
The Land Rover InControl® Touch Pro Duo infotainment system is central to the vehicle’s digital interior experience, combining two sleek 10-inch high-definition glass touchscreens and a 12.3-inch driver display behind the steering wheel.
The result is a beautiful, ‘hidden until lit’ interior equipped with state-of-the-art digital interface. It comes standard for both Evoque and Evoque R-Dynamic variants.
Where infotainment is concerned, there is Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, and a Meridian Sound System with a total of 11 speakers including a subwoofer.
A longer wheelbase of 21mm yields an increase in the overall cabin size with improvements seen in the rear leg and knee room, as well as a larger glove box and centre console. The luggage space is also 10% larger (591 litres) and much wider, which makes it possible to fit in a folded pram or a set of golf clubs.
The space can be further increased to 1,383 litres when the flexible 40:20:40 second-row seats are folded. Lane Keep Assist, a new safety feature, helps the driver to stay in their lane by adding a necessary steering correction feature.
Under the hood, both variants get the 2.0 litre Ingenium turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, paired with a ZF 9-speed automatic gearbox. While the Evoque P200 produces 200 PS and 320 Nm, the P250 R-Dynamic kicks out 249 PS and 365 Nm of torque.
Further complementing the whole package is the brand’s Efficient Driveline AWD system with Driveline Disconnect function.
All Land Rover vehicles come with Land Rover Care, which entitles owners to 5 years of free servicing, 5 years warranty and 3 years roadside assistance for peace of mind.
In conjunction with this launch, Jaguar Land Rover is offering RM3,000 worth of accessory vouchers, that can be used to purchase the new Evoque original accessories, for a limited time only.
Accessories purchased come with a 5-year warranty. All vehicles distributed by Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia are compatible with the Malaysian climate, environment, fuel quality and meet Malaysian emission standards.
All Land Rover vehicles distributed by authorised dealers come with a ‘Land Rover Care’ programme, which is based on whichever comes first, ie, a 5-year Warranty or 150,000km, 5-year Servicing or 65,000km and 3-year Roadside Assistance. Please visit www.landrover.com.my for more information.
The Evoque joins the Range Rover Sport and Range Rover in offering plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options and it might just come to Malaysia if the National Automotive Policy 2018 (NAP) gives incentives for PHEV and low emission vehicles.
For this new Evoque PHEV, Land Rover will add a 300-volt plug-in hybrid will toward the end of next year. It will have an electric motor mated to a new 3-cylinder petrol engine that will reduce CO2 emissions to below 45 grams per km.
The Evoque’s all-wheel drive versions will be available with a 48-volt mild-hybrid that adds a belt-driven starter-generator to capture energy lost in braking and add electric assistance under acceleration.
The engine will also shut off below speeds of 17km/h to save fuel and reduce CO2 emissions. The most fuel efficient mild-hybrid diesel version has CO2 emissions of 149 g/km, Land Rover said.
Electrification is key to reducing JLR’s CO2 levels below the agreed 135 g/km average needed to avoid fines when the European Union introduce tougher CO2 emissions limits for new vehicles in 2020/21.
JLR’s average European emissions are currently at 178 g/km, the company said earlier this year. JLR said last year every new model will come with electrified options from 2020 onwards.
The most powerful option is a petrol version with an output of 296 hp. The Evoque will continue to be available with a 9-speed automatic gearbox. This new Evoque is not bigger than the model it replaces and features almost identical footprint. However, thanks to Land Rover’s new mixed-metal Premium Transverse Architecture, it provides more room for the passengers, especially at the back. The cargo space is some 6% larger at 610 liters growing up to 1,430 liters with the rear seats folded. Look out for its arrival here in Malaysia in the coming months.
