Land Rover introduces 2006 Models
Kuala Lumpur, Thursday (June 8, 2006) – Land Rover (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd launched its much awaited 2006 range comprising three premium luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) models – the Discovery 3, the new Range Rover Sport which is the fifth and latest model from the British marque; and the updated flagship Range Rover.
The Discovery 3 is available with two engine options. The TdV6, equipped with a 2.7-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine is priced at RM518,000 while the variant equipped with a 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine retails at RM538,000.
The high performance Range Rover Sport comes in three variants. The entry-level model with a 2.7-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine is priced from RM650,000 while the variant with the naturally aspirated 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine costs RM750,000 and above, depending on the specifications. The most powerful Range Rover Sport comes with a supercharged 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine and a price tag of RM998,000.
The updated 2006 Range Rover, mooted as the most complete luxury SUV in the world, also comes in three variants. The 3.0-litre in-line turbo-diesel engine model is priced at RM686,000 while the new, naturally aspirated 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine model is priced at RM818,000. The top-of-the-range Range Rover with a supercharged 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine retails at RM1,100,000.
The Discovery 3 is the core of the brand and epitome of what Land Rover stands for today. With a smart new look that brings it up to almost Range Rover status, the Discovery 3 has won more than 80 awards around the world since its introduction.
The Range Rover Sport, designed to complement the Range Rover, is an all-new concept that adds a sporting and dynamic dimension to the brand. A more performance oriented and driver focused vehicle that also carries the prestige of the Range Rover badge, the Range Rover Sport is targeted at successful individuals who may never have considered a Land Rover before.
The luxurious Range Rover, updated with subtle refreshment of its many instantly recognisable design cues and equipped with new and more powerful Jaguar-sourced engines, remains the flagship of the current Land Rover model line-up.
According to Land Rover Malaysia Managing Director Tengku Hishamudin Yusof, the launch of the three new models means that the brand now has a complete range of the latest Land Rover products on offer to the Malaysian market.
“We are aware that due to the tariff structure, the premium pricing of these fully imported models means that we can only target a very exclusive segment of the Malaysian market. We will focus on competing in the luxury segment where Land Rover appeals to confident and independent individuals who value an authentic brand with a strong heritage and very distinctive products,” he said.
Speaking at the launch press conference, Land Rover Asia Vice-President – Importer Markets, Roger Jory, said that the current model line-up is the strongest yet in the history of the brand.
“These are exciting times for Land Rover globally. In the 50-year or so period from 1948 to 2000, Land Rover introduced a total of just seven products. But in the short span of just five years from 2001 to 2006, we have already launched five new vehicles with another to come by next year. All these products are relevant to today’s lifestyles and justifiably premium,” he said.
Mr Jory added, “The Land Rover of today is no longer just the ‘Go anywhere’ vehicle of yesteryear. We are perhaps the only premium luxury brand that can offer the perfect combination of iconic design, enabling technology, on-road refinement and extraordinary off-road capabilities and durability with every product. But best of all, we have a heritage that makes Land Rover stand apart from the rest.”
The high acceptance by customers worldwide, of both the Discovery 3 and the Range Rover Sport has contributed to a record year for Land Rover in 2005 when it sold 185,120 vehicles globally, a 14% growth. The Range Rover Sport experienced a sensational debut with more than 30,000 units sold worldwide in six months while the Discovery 3 saw sales climb steadily throughout the year to more than 53,000 units.
All three models from Land Rover’s 2006 range are equipped with state-of-the-art features such as Hill Descent Control (HDC), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Electronic Traction Control (ETC), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Anti-lock Brakes (ABS). The Discovery 3 and Range Rover Sport are also equipped with the proprietary Terrain Response™ System.
