Land Rover To Embark Upon A 'Decade of Dieting'
In order to meet upcoming US fuel efficiency targets, many of automobiles will have to go on serious diet plans.
Land Rover, is no exception. Currently fielding a lineup of vehicles that’s among the heaviest out there, the iconic British brand plans to take drastic steps to cut the pounds. Launching the Range Rover Evoque has been the first step, with the second rumored to be the new, ‘lightened’ Defender, a concept of which is scheduled for introduction at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
This next generation of the ‘proper’ Land Rover, besides being lighter has also been apparently conceived with the North American market in mind. If it does indeed come here, it will mark the first time since 1997 that we’ve been able to officially buy a Defender on these shores.
Beyond that, Land Rover has committed to a goal of reducing curb weights of its SUVs by as much as 1100 lbs over the next 10 years, via the use of lighter materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber instead of traditional steel.
[Source: The Detroit Bureau]
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