With the 2012 Geneva Motor Show kicking off, Land Rover exhibited its dynamic product portfolio. Along with the models scheduled to be launched in 2012, several special vehicles of the Land Rover brand gathered the attention of the audience. The DC100 Defender Concept vehicle, the 1,000,000th Land Rover Discovery and first time displayed Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept were the main highlights.
Being the worlds first premium convertible SUV, the Evoque Convertible Concept received positive response at the show. After the success of the Range Rover Evoque, the company has developed this new concept, which also reflects its ability to recognise new market segments. Roll Over Protection System [ROPS] and fully retractable premium roof are the main features of this soft-top concept vehicle. With a four-seat set up and drop down tailgate, the car very well blends versatility and capability. Although, the company does not have any plans to start the production of Evoque convertible, Land Rover would be eyeing the reaction of the audience towards the concept.
At the JLR press conference while unveiling the exciting new concept, Land Rover Design Director, Gerry McGovern, said, "We believe that the Evoque lends itself beautifully to the idea of a convertible. From a pure design perspective, we have used Evoque's dramatic shape to create a distinctive and highly desirable proposition."
Making a pit-stop from its 50-day 8,000-mile 'Journey of Discovery', the land mark 1,000,000th Land Rover Discovery joined the Geneva Motor Show. In order to raise £1million for Land Rover’s Global Humanitarian Partner International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), special expedition is conducted. Some of world’s toughest terrain will be crossed during the expedition from Birmingham to Beijing. For executing a long-term water sanitation project in Uganda, this money would be utilised.
Introducing the 1,000,000th vehicle, Land Rover Brand Director John Edwards said, “The Land Rover Discovery is surely the most capable and versatile SUV in the world. It is our most awarded car ever with over 200 global accolades to date and sales last year up by 15%. "The 'Journey of Discovery' promises to be quite an adventure and I can think of no better way to celebrate a vehicle which has embodied the Land Rover spirit of adventure for almost a quarter of a century."
In order to exhibit Land Rover’s constant accomplishments in all-terrain ability and to cherish success of Discovery, heritage vehicles of the company from past 23 years of production, were made available at the shores of Lake Geneva, for special drives. A Series I Land Rover from 1957 and the first Discovery of 1989 production line were also available. A fully amphibious Discovery converted in 1990 for Cowes Week was driven into Lake Geneva to demonstrate Land Rover’s go-anywhere capability.
Red Land Rover DC100 concept, the last vehicle of the Land Rover stand attracted the audience with its new snow and ice accessories particularly designed for the Geneva debut. In order to tackle extreme weather condition, several technologies have been incorporated in the vehicle. Wade Aid sonar technology provided in the car helps in evaluating water depth and underwater terrain. For making assessment of surface conditions, automatic i-Terrain device is provided. The car maker has also installed a driver-activated spiked tyre system to deal firmly with slippery ice and snow. This system can be operated by the touch of a button.
