I get excited when I hear about changes or improvements an automaker is planning.  Whether it’s a new engine, exterior, stereo system, etc, it shows brand loyalists that they are eager to try new things and appeal to all different demographics.  This is precisely what Land Rover is trying to do with the new Range Rover, Chicago drivers!

One area that Land Rover is committed to is finding vehicles that go easy on the environment, while keeping the same features and performance abilities that Land Rover and Chicago Range Rover enthusiasts have come to love!  In 2011, a new compact Range Rover will come on the market and will come in two wheel and four wheel drive options!  The 2WD option will only emit 130 g/km of CO2, so it will be the most fuel efficient LR/RR ever made.  Certainly a big accomplishment for the company!

The two-wheel drive will help make the new Range Rover Chicago lighter, which will reduce resources and materials used to manufacture the auto.   But, for those Range Rover owners who crave the four-wheel drive option for off road adventures, the 2011 model will still have that.  When I mentioned a two-wheel drive option to a friend who off roads with his Land Rover frequently, he looked like he was going to faint.  Lucky for him, he’s still going to be able to enjoy that!

Reports also claim that the 2WD model will be patterned after the LRX concept.  This vehicle debuted a few years ago at the Detroit Auto Show and it certainly has a more modern exterior design versus other Chicago Range Rovers!   The new option may get a “floating roof”, clamshell hood with it’s corners angled, and round LED headlights.  When I look at it, it’s less “boxy” looking than most standard Land Rovers seen on the roads today!

I give a lot of credit to Land Rover for working diligently to make their autos more environmentally friendly. The new compact SUV will be lighter, give off less CO2 and use less resources to engineer.  The 2WD drive may just be the ticket to getting a new LR/RR fan base!

It’s that time of year again for the dirtiest, most intense Land Rover enthusiast off road event put on by Patrick Land Rover.  Drivers were challenged to a number of different obstacles to push the limits of their Land Rover vehicles.  It truly was an off road experience.  Check out the video to see a full ride along and find out why we love seeing all of the drivers take on the challenge!

Land Rover models are selling really well, in different parts of the world.  This is great news for Tata Motors, the company that owns Land Rover.  The country where Land Rovers sell the best is the UK, where LR is based.  March 2010 was the best month of sales ever there: 11, 300 units were sold total.  That is a lot of Chicago Land Rover LR4 models to hit the roads in one month!

Sales are up in other countries too.  Other European Nations, such as Switzerland, Spain and the Netherlands, to name a few, contain dealerships that are selling an increased numbers of  Range Rovers, Range Rover Sports, Discovery 4′s and Freelander 2 models.   In China, sales of Land Rover models increased two fold, making it the third largest LR market, behind the UK and US.  It’s not surprising, Land Rovers/Range Rovers are great SUVs with so much to offer.

If you head to your Land Rover dealer Chicago today, what are some options for you to check out?  How about the 2010 Range Rover Sport?  This SUV starts out around $60k, and has many luxury features.   The powerful V8 5.0 Liter engine produces 375 HP and 375 pound-feet of torque.  It can seat up to 5 and has beautiful leather upholstery, creating a comfortable and classy ride.

Since the Range Rover Sport is a nice option for on road and off-road adventures, it has many safety features that will let you travel worry free.  For example, the Traction Control helps the RR move along well depending if you’re driving on pavement, sand, gravel, etc.  The brake assist and dual front and side airbags will keep driver and passengers safe in the event of an emergency situation.

Or, if you’re looking for something different, the Chicago Land Rover LR4 is also a quality automotive!  The LR4 comes with a 7 passenger seating package that adds a third row for optimal driving comfort.  Perfect if you have a large family, or end up being the one that frequently drives your daughter and her friends to and from the mall! It also has a powerful V8 engine and a great warranty program.  Like the Range Rover Sport, an LR4 owner will also get a luxurious interior and all of those safety and convenience features that make traveling fun !

Land Rovers are selling well all over the world.  Why wait, head to your local dealer today and see what all the hype is about!!

The 2010 Chicago Land Rover LR4 is for sale at your local dealer and it’s a great SUV for a family, someone who has a lot of “stuff” to haul around, or anyone really.  It has a lot of space, performs well, and is beautiful on the inside and out.  Let’s take a look.

Space and comfort wise, the LR4 is very good.  There are up to 3 rows of seating for 7 people.  Legroom for your passengers is ample, great for my Uncle Jim who is a bit of ‘burly’ guy with some knee issues, as he’ll need to stretch out.  With the rear seats folded down, there is 90.3 cubic feet of cargo space.  More than enough room to get everything in your LR 4 that you might need for your family road trip this summer!

Performance wise this SUV, sold at your Chicago used Land Rover dealer, is fantastic.   The engine is a 5.0-liter V8 engine that gives 375 HP and 375 pound-feet of torque.  This upgraded engine is a big improvement, it will help the LR4 reach it’s maximum driving potential.  The LR4 also has a direct-injection technology that amazingly does not affect fuel economy.  The Chicago Land Rover LR4 is a heavy duty SUV with a lot of body, so it definitely needs it’s powerful engine to get it going, both on and off road!

Design wise, the 2010 model is beautiful.  It still has that sort of “boxy, Land Rover design”, but it’s more modern looking.  Some new features you’ll notice if you pass by the LR 4 on your daily commute are the new paint colors, 19 and 20 inch wheels, and new headlamps that are LED.  Inside the cabin, high quality materials are used to construct the seats, steering wheel,and dashboard/center console control buttons.  The heated windshield is a different touch, but modern day technology seems to make everything possible these days.

Visit your Chicago used Land Rover dealer today to see the LR for yourself.  It is a big, high performance SUV that is a great option for the person who has a lot of people or possessions to lug around.

Over the past 60 years, Land Rover has been developing and changing their great vehicles.  Let’s take a look at how new and used Range Rover Chicago models have changed over the years.

In 1947, the idea of a Land Rover vehicle was born.  It was just after the war and the technical director for Rover Vehicles, Maurice Wilkes, caught wind that people were interested in a military type 4 X 4.  So, in 1948 the very first Land Rover went on display at the Amsterdam Motor Show.  It was made of aluminum and the body paint was left over from a fighter plane factory.  It also had a lightweight chassis and four wheel drive.  In fact, a used Range Rover Chicago model from 2007 that I recently came across still had the 4 wheel drive.  I guess they got something right early on!

Ten years later in 1958, a new model came out.  It was easier to drive, but still a durable auto.  A new 2.25 L petrol engine was a part of the model.  This is the model that made Land Rover a worldwide brand.  Orders came in from all over the world for this Series II auto.  In fact, the orders were from 70 different countries.

Through the 1960′s and 1970′s the models sold at your Chicago used Land Rover dealer were building on the last.  In 1967, the transmission was updated, as well as new carburetors installed.  In 1970, Land Rover released a great model that had off road capability, awesome towing capacity, and hydraulic disc brakes on all wheels.

In 1981, the first 4 door SUV was released and was well received.  In fact, it was so well taken by customers, that in 1984, the UK discontinued the two-door model.   Then, in 1986, the front end grille was updated and fog lights became a part of the body.

In the 1990′s some Limited Edition Models came to your local dealership.  For example, The Great Divide Edition was sold in 1990 and 1991.  Only 400 were manufactured and they were painted Alpine White, with the interior a Sorrell light brown leather.

Today, the models sold at your Chicago used Land Rover dealer are very luxurious.  They have beautiful interiors, powerful engines, and plenty of passenger and cargo space.  Keep a Range Rover in mind if you’re looking for something new!