Land Rover launches the LR2 - a new premium compact SUV

Coinciding with this year's first quarter sales, an increase of 39 per cent, the new LR2 is expected to help the company captivate an even bigger share of the luxury SUV market.

The LR2 is new from the ground up and sets a new benchmark for premium compact SUVs. The vehicle has a dynamic design, purposeful stance, smart and spacious interior and an abundance of advanced technologies that help it fit comfortably next to Land Rover's other premium SUV models: The Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and LR3.

"We integrated desirable elements from the rest of our successful range to develop the LR2. It's important that the design reflects the vehicles purpose and that purpose is to give our customers piece of mind whether they choose to take their vehicle on- or off-road,"

said Andy Gawthorpe, Managing Director, Land Rover Middle East.

"When we set out to design the new LR2 it needed to offer maximum functionality, great space and comfort for five adults and offer superb on-road and off performance capabilities. We've accomplished this and the whole design is simple, uncluttered more premium and we believe very desirable," added Gawthorpe.

The interior package of LR2 is about simplicity and solidity but also modernity with a real sense of flow and craftsmanship. It has generous head, shoulder and legroom, in both the front and rear. Large glass areas emphasize the spacious feel and complement the elevated 'command driving' position - a Land Rover hallmark - and 'stadium seating', where rear passengers sit slightly higher than front occupants, for a clearer view of the world outside.

Other features and options include: keyless starter button; bi-xenon headlamps; adaptive front lighting that swivel with the direction of travel to improve the driver's view of the road ahead, and a full colour touch-screen DVD satellite navigation system (HSE only).

A standard two-part panoramic sunroof increases the cabin's brightness and the premium audio system complete with 14 speakers, including a sub-woofer; is played through an in-dash six-disc CD changer giving top-level and a clear crisp sound quality. An auxiliary audio connection (for iPods and MP3 players) is standard on all vehicles.

The LR2's outstanding on-road performance and class-leading off-road ability is powered by a new 3.2 litre i6 engine that delivers 0-97kmph in 8.4 seconds. The vehicle is packed with the new technologies to improve both on-road and off-road performance like Land Rover's unique Terrain Response™ system - for easier off-road driving.

Terrain Response is activated with the flick of a switch. The driver simply chooses one of four terrain settings on the centre console. Terrain Response then automatically selects the appropriate settings for the vehicle's advanced electronic controls and traction aids. It's like having an off-road driving expert by your side.

Other interesting technologies include a new permanent intelligent all-wheel-drive system for superior traction and better on-road fuel economy, and the patented Gradient Release Control, which improves driver confidence and control when releasing the brakes on steep and slippery slopes.

Safety features include seven airbags - driver and passenger front airbags are designed to help provide head and chest protection and the front side airbags to protect against side impacts. Full-length curtain airbags in the roof side structure are designed to help protect against head injury and roll-over ejection for front and rear occupants. An inflatable knee bolster helps protect the driver against leg injury from the steering column.

The vehicle has already been crowned 'SUV of the Year' by the well respected BBC Top Gear team and awarded top five star rating in the European New Car Assessment Programme (ENCAP) for adult passenger and child protection safety categories.

The new LR2 is Land Rover's fourth new model in just four years, it joins the impressive line-up of The Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and LR3 that together have seen record-breaking sales performance around the world.