Range Rover redesigns are in the works

Land Rover is launching its all-new Range Rover Evoque compact SUV this month.

The Evoque will be followed by a redesign of the Range Rover, expected in 2013, and a redesign or re-engineering of the Range Rover Sport, expected in 2013 or 2014.

Land Rover may revive the Defender nameplate for the U.S. market. The Defender was last sold here in 1997.

Land Rover LR2: No changes are expected for three years.

Land Rover LR4: A redesign is due in 2015 or 2016.

Land Rover Defender: A concept version of the new Defender was shown as the DC100 last month at the Frankfurt auto show. The redesigned Defender goes on sale in overseas markets in 2015. Land Rover is considering bringing it to the United States.

Range Rover: A redesign is expected in 2013. The SUV will shift from a BMW platform to one developed by Tata Motors, which bought Land Rover and Jaguar from Ford Motor in 2008. The redesigned Range Rover will use an aluminum body structure similar to the new Jaguar XJ sedan.

Range Rover Sport: A redesign or re-engineering is expected in 2013 or 2014. The new generation is likely to use more aluminum to reduce weight.

Range Rover Evoque: The new three- and five-door compact SUV goes on sale this month. It is Land Rover's smallest offering at 165 inches long and its first front-wheel-drive vehicle.

The Evoque, which shares a platform with the LR2, has a base price of $43,995 for the five-door and $44,995 for the three-door. Both prices include destination. It will compete with the similar-sized Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLK.

The SUV is powered by a Ford 2.0-liter, direct-injection, turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 240 hp. A hybrid is expected in 2013.

(Source: Automotive News)