Report: Land Rover gearing up for all-new Defender

Filed under: SUV, Land Rover, Off-Road

Land Rover Defender SVX

Land Rover Defender SVX – Click above for high-res image gallery

There’s something deliciously old-school about the Land Rover Defender. The product of continuous development since 1948 and produced in its current form since 1983, the Defender is to SUVs what the Porsche 911 is to sports cars: unapologetically faithful to its original form. But while the iconic Land Rover is still the very embodiment of the go-anywhere vehicle, the company is reportedly preparing to give it a complete overhaul.

Initial reports pertaining to the development of a new vehicle typically come with few details because inside sources remain tight-lipped. In this case, it appears that there are no details to be divulged simply because Land Rover hasn’t decided what they’ll be yet. At this point, according to British reports, JLR is intensively studying what is needed before it goes ahead with development – which strikes us as a smart course of action when you’re dealing with replacing a vehicle as legendary as the Defender.

All we know at this point is that the new Defender is likely to feature a highly adaptable chassis on which will be built a wide variety of body types, from convertibles to wagons to pickups. After Land Rover does finally decide on the way forward, it is expected to unveil a concept sometime in early 2013 before it can begin production in 2015.

Gallery: Land Rover Defender SVX

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Land Rover gearing up for all-new Defender originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panoz Abruzzi makes on-track appearance, gearing up for competition

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, MISC, Racing

Panoz Abruzzi on the track at Petit Le Mans – Click above for high-res image gallery

Panoz recently revealed its long-awaited new sports car, the Abruzzi, at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France. We finally have a better look at the Abruzzi on our own home soil thanks to a surprise on-track appearance at Petit Le Mans a few weeks ago.

The Panoz Abruzzi is powered by a front-mounted V8 engine producing 640 horsepower and over 600 pound-feet of torque, while it’s styling is derived from pre-war classics such as the 1935 Delahaye.

It has been five years since Don Panoz and his racing team have experienced a win in the American Le Mans series. They plan to change that next year when they enter the Panoz Abruzzi into the 12 hours of Sebring using the race-prepped version, which also got some track time at Road Atlanta. While the race version didn’t compete in the Petit Le Mans, it was shown off during the parade lap as well as in the Panoz Motorsports booth.

Gallery: Panoz Abruzzi on the track at Petit Le Mans

[Source: American Le Mans]

Continue reading Panoz Abruzzi makes on-track appearance, gearing up for competition

Panoz Abruzzi makes on-track appearance, gearing up for competition originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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