In a recent Consumer Reports comparison involving compact luxury SUVs, the BMW X3 scored the highest out of all of the contenders, which really should be no surprise. After racking up a total of 80 points in CR’s road test, the BMW X3 beat the second place contender—the new Range Rover Evoque—by 20 points.

Check out more news on the BMW X3.

“The X3 does an impressive job of combining sporty handling, a lavish interior, and surprising fuel economy,” said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center. “Although the stylish Evoque has won lots of accolades in the press, including North American Truck of the Year, our more thorough testing reveals quite a few flaws.”

The reasons why the Range Rover Evoque placed second, despite it being noted for its sexy looks, included a cramped interior, a stiff ride, artificial-feeling steering, and troubling emergency handling. And this comes as a bit of a surprise because the Evoque has been pretty well-received across several prominent news desks. For instance, the Evoque was one of AutoWeek’s Best of the Best, Top Gear UK Magazine’s and Jeremy Clarkson’s choice for Car of the Year, and Motor Trend magazine’s SUV of the Year as well as North American Truck of the Year.

- By: Chris Chin

Because Land Rover is owned by India auto conglomerate, Tata Motors, and much anticipation is being built around their Defender replacement, reports are now saying that the next generation Defender will be built in Pune, India.

Additionally, more details have popped up in the same reports, which say that the Defender will continue to employ a simpler body-on-frame design versus a unibody. The platform is said to be based on the T5 ladder chassis, which currently underpins the Range Rover Sport and Discovery SUVs.

Parts are also said to be shared with the new Tata Aria SUV and these plans come under Land Rover’s intent to keep the Defender affordable.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: AutoCar

Project Kahn focused strictly on the interior and exterior, with no power upgrades included in this kit. On the inside, the team says they have a number of customization options to choose from, but have not offered up any pictures as of yet. Touch screen navigation and aluminum pedals are included, but for styling upgrades the British tuner is offering up a selection of materials and colors for the seats, headliner, door panels, and dash.

Check out more news on the Range Rover Evoque.

Exterior mods include a two-tone paint scheme, with one color for the body and another for accents that include headlamp trim and side vents, plus the roof. A set of 20- to 22-inch alloy wheels come in several styles with yellow coated break calipers, and the windows are tinted.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Next month’s North American International Auto Show at the Coba Center in Detroit will be missing a few brands, and among the absent will be Jaguar and Land Rover.

With a growing market in India, the brand’s owners, Tata Group, opted to go to India’s New Delhi Auto Show and the invitation-only event on Jaunary 8 at the Gallery at the MGM Grand Hotel.

“We decided to show them next in the Delhi Show in January as part of our effort to build our brands in this growing market. Therefore, without anything new to show in Detroit this year, we felt it most efficient to not participate in the show,” Jaguar and Land Rover spokesman Stuart Schorr said in a statement. “Jaguar Land Rover recognizes the Detroit Show is a world class exhibition, but for 2012 we will not exhibit there.”

So far, the automaker’s concepts have done well, with the Land Rover DC100 and DC 100 Sport SUV, and the Jaguar C-X16 concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

By: Alexandra Koken

Source: Free Press

The 2012 North American Car and Truck of the year finalists have been revealed, at the Automotive Press Association luncheon in Detroit. After being voted on by a group of 50 full-time automotive journalists, finalists in each segment have been revealed.

In order to be eligible for the award, North American vehicles must be new models or existing models that have undergone significant change

Last year, the North American Car of the Year went to the Chevrolet Volt, and the North American Truck of the Year was the Ford Explorer. This year’s winners will be revealed at the Detroit Auto Show next month.

Let us know what you’re pick is.

Check out the complete list of finalists after the jump.

2012 North American Car of the Year Finalists:
• Ford Focus
• Hyundai Elantra
• Volkswagen Passat

2012 North American Truck of the Year Finalists:
• BMW X3
• Honda CR-V
• Range Rover Evoque

- By: Alexandra Koken

Dubbed the HFI-R, the tire company chose to showcase its hard-to-miss set of ruby red ‘M-Power EvoRed’ tires on the crossover. The tires are crafted mostly form silica for improved fuel economy. Sized at 255/30R20, they hug a set of 20-inch O.Z. Racing wheels, as well.

A coat of Titanium Fluid Metal paint covers the body in a satin finish, with gloss black accents on the door handles, grille, pillars, and roof. A kit has also been fitted to the body made of carbon fiber for the front apron, front and rear bumpers, side skirts, rear diffuser, and wheel arch extensions. Stock parts have also been changed out for the stock boot handle, bottom door guards, air intakes, and mirrors.

Check out our Top 10 things you need to know about the Range Rover Evoque.

Performance upgrades start with the Si4 2.0-liter turbo engine modified to run on different fuel types, and puts out 300-hp and a 620 mile range using both fuel tanks added for a hydrogen and gas mix. The fuel tanks also cut out fine particle emissions and drop CO2 emissions by up to 30 percent. Brakes have been upgraded with a set of Tarox B360’s that include 10-piston calipers.

On the inside, the Evoque is covered in carbon, leather and Alcantara, and the seats and door panels are stitched in red with a diamond pattern.

Click here for more news on the Range Rover Evoque.

This eye-catching makeover excelled with the attractive interior, and the red tires make for a unique addition.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Word on the street is that Land Rover is planning a larger Range Rover Evoque known so far as the Grand Evoque. The model is being considered due to the success of the current Evoque model, which recently won the 2011 Top Gear Car of the Year award and the 2012 SUV of the Year award by Motor Trend.

Check out our Top 10 things you need to know about the Range Rover Evoque.

Land Rover has a goal of taking itself into new niches and a plan to launch no less than 40 new models over the next five years.

Insiders say that growing sales of the BMW X and Audi Q SUVs and crossovers have also encouraged Land Rover to broaden its lineup and develop a model that sits between the Evoque and the Range Rover Sport.

Click here for more news on the Range Rover Evoque.

The model will most likely be built on the same LR-MS chassis as the existing Evoque, which was actually developed from the Ford EU-CD platform.

The Range Rover Grand Evoque is expected to launch sometime in 2015.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoCar

While the Fisker Karma won Top Gear Magazine’s Luxury Car of the Year award and James May’s Car of the Year Award – the new Range Rover Evoque was named by the editors of the magazine as their 2011 Car of the Year. The new Evoque came top in the SUV category of the awards and was also chosen by Jeremy Clarkson as his favorite new car of 2011.

Check out our Top 10 things you need to know about the Range Rover Evoque.

“The Evoque beat stiff competition from the BMW 1 Series M, Mclaren MP4 12c, Ferrari FF, VW Up! and Kia Picanto to scoop the coveted Car of the Year title,” Top Gear said in a statement. “The awards are officially announced in the December issue of BBC TopGear Magazine, which is on sale in the UK now. With 29 international editions, BBC TopGear is read by an estimated 12 million people worldwide.”

Click here for more news on the Range Rover Evoque.

“Judging the Top Gear Magazine cars of the year takes a lot of time, coffee and shouting,” said Editor-in-Chief, Charlie Turner. “But, strangely, when it came to the choosing the overall winner, the yelling softened to agreement. Universal approval from the most opinionated minds in the industry is almost unheard of. Which gives you some idea of just how good the Range Rover Evoque, TopGear’s 2011 Car of the Year, really is.”

The Range Rover Evoque has also won Motor Trend’s 2012 SUV of the Year award.

Refresher: The 2012 Range Rover Evoque is powered by a 2.0L Si4 turbo (aka 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged Ford EcoBoost) making 240-hp. Mated to a 6-speed automatic, the 2012 Range Rover Evoque 5-doord goes from 0-60 mph in the 7 second range. Prices for the 2012 Range Rover Evoque 5-door start at $43,995 and $44,995 for the Range Rover Evoque coupe.

- By: Omar Rana

The all-new Land Rover Defender is planned for production in 2015 but to get a little hint of what you can expect the company has released the DC100 and DC100 Sport Concepts. Some of the UK media had the chance to get behind the concept and take it for a spin and our friends at AutoCar were one of them.

Check out their review after the jump.

Click here for more news on the Land Rover DC100.

Refresher: The Land Rover DC100 Concept and the DC100 Sport Concept are powered by a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder diesel engine with hybrid compatibility. The engine is mated to an 8speed transmission with Intelligent Stop / Star and Intelligent four-wheel drive with torque vectoring and Driveline Disconnect.

- By: Omar Rana

Startech focused on enhancements for the daily driver, upgrading both the three- and five-door versions of the new crossover. Performance enhancements are almost completed for both the 2.0-liter SI4 engine, and the diesel motor.

On the outside, the model gets a front and rear apron with quad tail pipes, and a roof wing. The suspension is lowered by 30mm and a set of colored alloy wheel options are available, sized either 20- or 22-inches.

Click here for more news on the Range Rover Evoque.

The interior space on the Evoque gets a lot of attention from Startech, with leather upholstery covering the doors and seats, Alcantara trim, aluminum foot rest and shifter, and either carbon fiber or wood trim for the seats.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Both preview of whats to come for 2015′s Defender generation.

The changes for the upcoming show include a rear-deck-mounted storage rack for the convertible, and the hardtop gets a two-tone paint job with a blue body and white roof. The cars will also be getting larger tires versus the large rims and low profiles that debuted at Frankfurt.

Land Rover’s design director Gerry McGovern says this is “the beginning for a four-year journey” to get the next Defender just right. Expect many more changes in the future.

All Photos Copyright © Omar Rana - egmCarTech.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Welcome to our 5th post on top 10 most important things you need to know about a certain car. Today, we’re turning our focus to a brand new SUV/Crossover from Land Rover – the Range Rover Evoque.

Click here for our other Top 10 things you need to know lists.

Top 10 things you need to know about the 2012 Range Rover Evoque:

1. It’s the smallest, lightest, most fuel-efficient Land Rover / Range Rover ever built.
2. Victoria Beckham had a hand in the design of the Evoque and will soon get her own special-edition model.
3. It’s available as a coupe with 3-doors or a traditional model with 5-doors.
4. Buyers can choose from a range of contrast color roof options or a panoramic sunroof.
5. Power comes from a 2.0L Si4 turbo 4-cylinder making 240-hp at 5,500 rpm with a maximum torque of 251 lb-ft at 1,750. Engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with Drive Select, an advanced rotary gearshift.
6. 0 to 60 mph comes in 7.1 seconds with a top speed of 135 mph.
7. EPA rated fuel-economy comes in at 18/28 mpg (city/highway) and a combined 23 mpg.
8. Range Rover is apparently planning a convertible model for the Evoque lineup.
9. The Evoque has won many awards across the world including AutoExpress‘ Car of the Year and Motor Trend’s SUV of the Year.
10. Prices start at $43,995 for the Range Rover Evoque 5-door and $44,995 for the Range Rover Evoque Coupe.

Click here for more news on the Range Rover Evoque.

- By: Omar Rana

Startech fitted the crossover with an attractive and noticeable body kit, a sports exhaust, a interesting set of 21-inch wheels with size options for 20- and 22-inches, and its has been dropped by 35mm all around.

On the inside, the Startech Range Rover Evoque comes with modification options to coat the it with Alcantara and premium leather and carbon fiber or wood trim inlays.

Performance upgrades are still in the works, but expect to see them upon release.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Opting to focus its efforts on India’s New Delhi Auto Expo, Jaguar and Land Rover have made the decision to skip out on this year’s Detroit Auto Show.

“Jaguar Land Rover recognizes the Detroit Show is a world class exhibition, but for 2012 we will not exhibit there,” says Stuart Schorr, JLR’s Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs. “This decision was driven by the fact that since our newest concept vehicles were featured at the Frankfurt show and will be featured at the upcoming Los Angeles Show, we decided to show them next in the Delhi Show in January as part of our effort to build our brands in this growing market. Therefore, without anything new to show in Detroit this year, we felt it most efficient to not participate in the show.”

Since India’s Tata Motors has acquired Jaguar Land Rover, it seems practical that the brand focus its efforts on the expanding Indian market. Currently, there is not word on the company’s plans for the 2013 show.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: AutoBlog

Land Rover may be going a new direction with a line up of performance models and that’s got us all kinds of excited

John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director, has commented that it is under heavy consideration and that the brand has “room for performance products.” The brand’s Range Rover lineup currently has existing supercharged models, and the Evoque may have a high-performance version in the works, already. While the Evoque can technically take on more power with no trouble, Land Rover has not made any  official comment.

It was recently rumored that a 300-hp Evoque is in the works.

Click here for more news on the Range Rover Evoque.

Markets for the Land Rover are expanding in China, a factor that will play a significant part in the brands upcoming moves. Edwards says “We need to think about the extension to the Evoque that will work best in China. We might go for more luxury.”

Refresher: The 2012 Range Rover Evoque is powered by a 2.0L Si4 turbo (aka 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged Ford EcoBoost) making 240-hp. Mated to a 6-speed automatic, the 2012 Range Rover Evoque 5-doord goes from 0-60 mph in the 7 second range. Prices for the 2012 Range Rover Evoque 5-door start at $43,995 and $44,995 for the Range Rover Evoque coupe.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: Inside Line

At the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Land Rover unveiled the DC100 Concept, a study that hints at the future of the Defender SUV, which will arrive in 2015. According to Global Brand Director John Edwards, the new Defender ‘must be capable, usable and abusable and appropriate for the Third World market.’

Edwards said that with the new Defender, Land Rover wants to go back to its roots. He said “sometimes we talk too much about the NAS [North American specification] 90 Defender and surfer dudes, and not enough about the Red Cross, Zambia or the Australian Outback.”

While Land Rover has yet to officially confirm the new Defender for the North American market, it will show an updated version of the DC100 at next month’s 2011 LA Auto Show, to see what the U.S. public things about the SUV.

Check out our original post on the Land Rover DC100 Concept.

“I had predicted we’d get a lot of reaction and that some of it would be negative,” said Edwards. “I was involved in the development of the [2000] Mini and when I showed the R50 concept to the owner’s clubs, some of them wanted to kill us. That is what you must expect. Overall, the reaction to DC100 reinforced what we wanted to do and told us that we’re pretty much on the right track.”

Refresher: The Land Rover DC100 Concept and the DC100 Sport Concept are powered by a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder diesel engine with hybrid compatibility. The engine is mated to an 8speed transmission with Intelligent Stop / Star and Intelligent four-wheel drive with torque vectoring and Driveline Disconnect.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Inside Line

The very first cars were steered with a tiller, but in 1894, a man named Alfred Vacheron took part in the Paris-Rouen race with a Panhard 4-hp model, which had been fitted with a steering wheel. Ever since, that has been believed to be one of the earliest adoptions of the steering wheel principle.

Many years later, the steering wheels as evolved in many ways – adding cruise control buttons and other multifunctional buttons that allow you to control a lot of features in a vehicle. We don’t know about you but the first and foremost thing we look for in an interior of a car is the steering – it has to fit perfectly in our hands and be very comfortable (fat and juicy steerings preferred). Hey, let’s be honest here, your hands spend most of their life on a steering wheel – well, that’s if you have a license.

Either way, we decided to put together a list of Top 10 Hot Steering Wheels We’ll See in 2012 and most of them turn out to be steering wheels found on high-performance sports cars and supercars. The only two steering wheels on our list that don’t appear on a high-performance car are the 2012 Hyundai Veloster Steering and the 2012 BMW 3 Series M Sport Package steering wheel.

Circle through our image gallery to see our Top 10 List.

- By: Omar Rana

Motor Trend announced today that it has chosen the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque as its 2012 SUV of the Year. The news comes after 10 days of introductions for each of the contenders fighting for the title the year.

“The Evoque quickly emerged as the stand-out vehicle of this year’s field during our testing,” said Angus MacKenzie, Editor-in-Chief of Motor Trend. “Its performance against the award criteria was very strong. With its dramatic styling, refined on-road manners, and impressive off-road ability, the Evoque sets the benchmark for the fast-growing compact luxury SUV class. Land Rover has a worldwide hit on its hands with the Range Rover Evoque.”

Click here for more news on the Range Rover Evoque.

The Range Rover Evoque was chosen after it beat 9 other contenders in 6 other criteria - Advancement in Design; Engineering Excellence; Efficiency; Safety; Value; and Performance of Intended Function.

Click here to read Motor Trend’s write up on its 2012 SUV of the Year.

Hit the jump for the video.

- By: Omar Rana