Land Rover North America and the American Red Cross announced today that Land Rover in the United States will raise funds throughout the coming year to support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

Land Rover's G4 Challenge will raise funds across global markets for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. During 2008/09, each of Land Rover's G4 Challenge supporting markets will participate in activities designed to contribute to their country's Red Cross or Red Crescent society and its specific needs.

The Land Rover G4 Challenge is recognized as one of the world's top off-road driving and adventure events. The 2008/09 Challenge encompasses teams from 18 countries and will culminate with finals in Mongolia in mid-2009. The final Challenge winners will have the honor of donating a Land Rover on behalf of their team to their country’s national Red Cross or Red Crescent Society.

Land Rover, over the course of the next two G4 Challenges, will generate over $2,000,000 worldwide for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Funds raised by Land Rover in the U.S. will go directly to the American Red Cross's Disaster Relief Fund. The Disaster Relief Fund allows the Red Cross to provide desperately needed emergency assistance to victims of all disasters, small and large. The fund provides for free assistance, not only to victims of major disasters like the recent Central United States floods and tornadoes, but also to smaller, local disasters, like house fires.

“Land Rover is proud to announce this partnership with the American Red Cross,” Chris Marchand, executive vice president of marketing and sales for Land Rover North America, said. “Working with an organization such as the American Red Cross and specifically its Disaster Relief Fund allows us to provide much needed timely support to those most in need across the U.S. This effort is very much in keeping with Land Rover's history of supporting preparedness and response to disasters around the world."

"When disaster strikes, the American Red Cross is there for people, providing them with help and hope. We can only carry out this lifesaving mission with the support of partners such as Land Rover,” said Jeffrey T. Towers, chief development officer for the American Red Cross. “We are thankful for Land Rover’s support of our Disaster Relief Fund. A strong fund enables us to change lives in communities across the nation.”

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like floods and tornadoes by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

For more information on the Land Rover G4 Challenge visit www.landroverG4challenge.com.

Source: Land Rover

Tennis champion and Land Rover brand ambassador, Maria Sharapova, hosted a pool party at a private Malibu canyon estate to celebrate Land Rover’s 60th Anniversary. The event took place as part of Land Rover’s “Choice of Experts” tour, held at the Villa De La Vina estate, a Spanish-style home with picturesque canyon views, nestled in the Santa Monica mountains of Malibu.

Arriving at the event in a Range Rover, Maria Sharapova posed for paparazzi before driving away in a Land Rover LR3 to test her off-roading skills at a nearby ranch. At the driving course, Maria was able to negotiate the Land Rover LR3 through a series of steep inclinations and articulated turns.

Maria then returned to the estate where VIP guests – including actors Sarah Chalke (Scrubs), Jaleel White (Dreamgirls) and Travis Van Winkle (Meet the Spartans) – enjoyed an interactive cooking demonstration by Gourmet magazine and a design workshop with an Architectural Digest expert. The poolside celebration also featured gourmet food and music by a San Francisco-based DJ.

Source: Land Rover

Jaguar and Land Rover have announced the appointment of Robin Colgan as the new Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa region.

Robin Colgan takes over from Andy Gawthorpe who had been with the company for almost five years. Robin has over 13 years experience working with Jaguar and Land Rover internationally in markets like the UK, Mexico, New Zealand and France.

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According to a report in the Financial Times, Land Rover and Jaguar are working on new models that will enter the £100,000-plus segment with products on par with Bentleys and Aston Martins. Land Rover's news today that they are moving full speed ahead with new hybrid systems as well as lightweight architectures all but confirms a new aluminum Range Rover, which could likely spawn a lightweight Range Rover Sport too. You can read the entire article at the LINK..

Land Rover has donated 60 vehicles to the British Red Cross, which will be used for special projects such as delivering supplies and emergency services to remote areas all around the world. HRH The Prince of Wales who is President of the British Red Cross officially received the Land Rovers during a garden party held at Buckingham Palace.

In a press release the Chief Executive of the British Red Cross, Sir Nicholas Young said, “We are absolutely delighted to be accepting these 60 vehicles from Land Rover on behalf of The British Red Cross and Red Cross Red Crescent Societies around the world. It is a fantastically generous way for Land Rover to celebrate its 60th birthday, and the 100th anniversary of our own Royal Charter, and will make a very real difference to some of the hundreds of thousands of people the Red Cross supports globally each year. Often those who are most in need are in the places which are hardest to reach; these vehicles will help make sure our staff and volunteers can continue to reach the most vulnerable.”

Dumpling Productions Ltd. has produced this video showcasing some of the projects in which these Land Rovers will be used. The video is about 8 minutes long.

Gerry Judah's largest and most impressive Central Display structure will feature at the 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed from July 11-13. Positioned directly in front of Goodwood House, the eye-catching 40 ft raw steel rock structure - featuring five Land Rover vehicles (one of each nameplate) and designed in celebration of the company's 60th anniversary - was unveiled last night by Lord March at the official opening of this year's event.

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Months of dedication and team work paid off today for students from Chase Terrace Technology College, Burntwood, when they were crowned the winners of Land Rover's TrackNAVCHALLENGE 2008, held at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon.

Launched last year, TrackNAVCHALLENGE is a competition aimed primarily at 14-18 year olds. Teams of 4-6 are tasked with designing and building a radio-controlled 4-wheel drive vehicle that emulates what a full size Land Rover can do.

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A collection of 60 photographs that represent the spirit of adventure has been brought together for a special exhibition at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) in London, to celebrate Land Rover's 60th anniversary this year.  The exhibition, called Portraits of Adventure, runs from 22 July to 3 August.

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New flywheel hybrid technology is being developed for applications in road cars by a group of leading British companies.

The project, funded by the Technology Strategy Board, is being led by Jaguar Land Rover and managed by Prodrive with advanced technology from Flybrid, Torotrak, Xtrac and Ford.  Ricardo is examining alternative flywheel concepts in parallel with this project.   During the two year programme, the group will develop the new technology and build a demonstrator vehicle equipped with the system.....

Related: Years of Hybrid development might come to fruition

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Tim Battley of the British 4x4 Centre recently contacted us to let all our readers know that this classic Land Rover is to be auctioned for charity. It's been fully restored to showroom condition including a galvanized chassis as well as other remanufactured components such as the heavy duty bulkhead, doors, grille and panel assemblies.

In addition, the brakes have been upgraded and the remanufactured engine now runs on unleaded fuel. The entire restoration cost well over £22,000 and was built as a showpiece to demonstrate the high standard of craftsmanship that they offer.....

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