2013 Land Rover LR2 Review - Video

There’s something that a little boy and the Land Rover LR2 have in common: They never met a puddle or hill that they didn’t think had their name written all over or in it. And in most cases they can wear mud pretty well, even if it doesn't seem like their parents want them running through the mucky stuff.

But turning to the LR2, does it duplicate the efforts of its sexier, fashionista brother, the Range Rover Evoque, now that both offer the same more powerful and more fuel efficient four-cylinder turbo engine?

Lining up behind the Evoque
A five-passenger crossover with a hint of ruggedness, the 2013 Land Rover LR2 is helping to make the Ford-developed 2.0-liter turbocharged engine one of the most widely used contemporary powerplants in existence. Seen in a variety of applications ranging from the Ford Fusion to the Jaguar XF, the 2.0 manages to have just the right amount of testosterone to act like the rest of the folks at Land Rover’s big boy table.

The baby Land Rover’s version makes 240 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 250 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm. For those keeping track, that’s an increase of 10 ponies and 16 lb-ft, respectively, over the outgoing six-cylinder.

Fuel economy increases to 17/24 mpg, which is a big bump over the old six but still shy of the more svelte Evoque's 20/28 mpg.

The engine is coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission with normal and sport modes plus a manual-style gate. Befitting the Land Rover badge, it is all coupled to a full-time four-wheel drive system with a Haldex rear differential that automatically splits power between the rear wheels. Heavily biased to the front wheels under normal conditions, power nearly instantly transfers rearward when needed.

The LR2’s Terrain Response system remains one of the core features of the entire Land Rover brand, even though this little 'ute does without a two-speed transfer case. Now operated by a button controller on the center console, Terrain Response varies engine, transmission, traction and dynamic stability controls as well as changing settings for general driving, grass/gravel/snow, mud and sandy terrains. And lest anyone suggest otherwise, the LR2 is also equipped with Hill Descent Control for moderated downhill maneuvers.

At first glance
Newly updated, the look remains the same with the addition of updated headlamps, new wheels and other minor trim enhancements. Lovers of a two-box design strategy will not be disappointed. The short front and rear overhangs help to facilitate the angle of attack that the LR2 is capable of while going up or down a hill, and the sealing around the doors help to keep the more liquid of elements at bay. We know they are not the same vehicle, yet still can’t help but see similarities between the LR2 and Ford’s circa 2012 Escape.

Inside the smallest of the Land Rover set, the interior begins to approach the refinement found in the Evoque. A pair of standard sunroofs allows light in, while a new center console features a seven-inch touch screen as well as a Meridian audio system. A rearview camera helps HSE-trim LR2s with hitch-assist for one-person trailer hitching with up to 4,000 lbs. of towing capability. We've never seen an LR2 lug anything, but the Brits enjoy hooking up their “caravans” for weekend outings.

Road warrior
Cruising through Mont Tremblant’s frozen tundra proved an exercise in finesse and tiptoeing. For those of us used to dry, well-laid asphalt, prepping for the slush and snow is not a light undertaking. Our LR2 was equipped with enough safety features and nannies to make sure the shiny side stayed up in all but the most extreme cases.

The steering was well-modulated with good road feel. A well-sorted unit, it provided a firm rudder to steer the small SUV over icy patches, which crackled with each gentle rotation of the tire. We found the Terrain Response system just as easy to operate with buttons as with the previous dial. The settings were especially useful when called on to climb a hill, go over moguls, or ford a stream.

The interior was not “church mouse quiet,” which was probably due to the loudish nature of the mud and snow-rated tires. The 2.0-liter engine offered substantial motivation and torque to help it get out of dicey situations, a vast improvement over the old six-cylinder despite the modest power increase. Such was the case when going around a sweeping right-hander, and the tail decides it needs to hang out for just a moment.

An increase in throttle straightened the LR2 out and we were quickly on our way.

Leftlane's bottom line
Now more than ever ready to channel your inner road warrior, the LR2 is loaded with its share of Land Rover DNA for off-roading and on-roading to the local mall.

Newly refreshed with contemporary restyling and interior fitments, the Land Rover LR2 features a higher quality feel than ever before, which should keep it competitive against rivals like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLK.

2013 Land Rover LR2 base price, $37,250.

Land Rover Kills Evoque Cabrio

Land Rover is apparently rethinking the idea of following down the same road as the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet.

If you read our Top 5 list from a few weeks ago on convertible crossovers and thought, “this has got to stop”, we’ve got good news for you. According to reports, Land Rover has nixed the idea of putting its Range Rover Evoque convertible concept into production. The concept debuted in Geneva in 2012, ostensibly to gauge public opinion, but it evidently was not favorable. Instead, according to Car and Driver, Land Rover may introduce a large opening sunroof to the Evoque, letting the air and sun in while keeping the roofline in tact.

Auctions: eBay Find of the Day: 1987 Glenfrome Facet hides its Land Rover identity well

You'll get to keep your Car Guy membership card even if you haven't heard of Glenfrome of England. The company was founded in the 1970s and made some noise in the 1980s with rebodied Land Rover Range Rover creations that were, to be charitable, weird as hell. The mid-Eighties marked out a high-water point for the coachbuilders, as Glenfrome turned out six-door limos, open-backed and stair-equipped versions for reviewing military exercises (no kidding) and the utterly inscrutable Glenfrome Facet that you see before you.

Nothing makes sense about this eBay Motors listing for a 1987 Glenfrome Facet Convertible. Nothing. Its styling suggests the historically and biologically impossible progeny of a Lamborghini LM002, an IsuzuAmigo and a Volkswagen Schwimmwagen. Its pedigree suggests that it should be in the deepest reaches of some Saudi's car warehouse, not parked in a driveway in South Carolina. And its rose metallic paint over burgundy leather interior does not conceptually jive with the Desert Storm tribute on its spare tire cover. Based on the pictures here, we're guessing that the digital camera employed is from roughly the same vintage as the vehicle, too.

Rather than fight it, however, we've decided to treasure the uniqueness of finding this "Crown Prince of Saudi" Range Rover redo up for sale right here in the US. Though far from vouching for the provenance of the Facet, we suspect that this vehicle is so rare and weird that is must, almost certainly, be the real deal. Whether or not that likely validity makes it worth $52,000 (the current Buy It Now price on the listing) is another story entirely. Caveat Emptor.

Kahn Design Land Rover Defender XS90 Chelsea Wide Track

Once again, A. Kahn Design has presented a new Land Rover Defender portfolio, the Kahn Defender XS90 2.2 TDCI – Chelsea Wide Track. The designer has already showed us the Military Edition Land Rover Defenderwhich was a trail of bravery.

This time, the designer has enhanced the brake calipers finishing them in liquid red, front and rear wide wings with integrated vents and bolt apertures. It also features extended wheel arches in satin black, front and rear wing vent mesh inserts while the roof is in satin black. The bonnet vents come with mesh, diamond LED B6 headlamps and the front grille that has Kahn branding.

Other detailing on the exterior includes the Kahn prototype wing blades, side vents with mesh with hardwearing mud flaps. It comes with a Chelsea Truck Company spare wheel cover and undercar Kahn logo projection floor light. The Kahn cross hair exhaust system takes care of the airflow business; it’s centered round a radical design and interconnected in order to coalesce design.

The interior lives to the name Kahn Design, a bespoke touch that incorporates complete front and rear racing seats in black leather with Harris Tweed inserts and silver stitching. The steering has billet machined leather and the rev counter facia is in red. Other add-ons include a Kahn Design fire extinguisher, front and rear cabin floor mats, vented foot pedals in machined aluminum, interior entry LED lights for rear cabin and Churchill time clock facia insert in red.

The Land Rover Defender was then set on Kahn wheels specifically the 8 X 18 inch RS Defender wheels in satin black fit all original center caps.