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James Bond stunt driver Mark Higgins enjoys victory at Bowler Defender Challenge

vuyi on March 30, 2022

By H&H Admin

Higgins has been at the wheel in the last four James Bond films, including No Time To Die (2021)

Mark Higgins and co-driver Claire Williams won the North Wales leg of the 2022 Defender Bowler Challenge in Dolgellau in a time of 55 minutes and 12 seconds. The duo finished one minute and 41 seconds ahead of their nearest rival.

In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise, a Land Rover Defender 90 with a unique 007 livery made a winning one-off appearance in the Defender Bowler Challenge in Dolgellau, Wales, driven by Bond stunt driver and rally champion Mark Higgins.

The one-off Bowler Defender 90 featured a special 007 60th logo on its roof and sides in a trademark satin black and gold finish, with a host of performance and competition upgrades by the team at Bowler.

Watch here:

Jaguar Land Rover gives second life to I-PACE batteries

vuyi on March 23, 2022

By H&H Admin

Jaguar Land Rover has partnered with Pramac, to develop a portable zero-emission energy storage unit to give new life to Jaguar I-PACE batteries.

Jaguar Land Rover has partnered with Pramac, a global leader in the energy sector, to develop a portable zero-emission energy storage unit powered by second-life Jaguar I-PACE batteries.

Called the Off Grid Battery Energy Storage System (ESS), Pramac’s technology – which features lithium-ion cells from Jaguar I-PACE batteries taken from prototype and engineering test vehicles, supplies zero-emission power where access to the mains supply is limited or unavailable. 

The partnership is the first in Jaguar Land Rover’s plans to create new circular economy business models for its vehicle batteries. As part of its commitment to net zero status by 2039, the company will be launching programmes that deliver second life and beyond uses for its electric vehicle batteries. 

Post-vehicle applications exist because Jaguar Land Rover’s batteries are engineered to the highest standards and can therefore be safely deployed in multiple low-energy situations once battery health falls below the stringent requirements of an electric vehicle.

Second-life battery supply for stationary applications, like renewable energy storage, could exceed 200 gigawatt-hours per year by 2030, creating a global value over $30 billion*.

The flagship system has a capacity of up to 125kWh – more than enough to fully charge Jaguar’s multi-award-winning all-electric I-PACE performance SUV, or to power a regular family home for a week**. Pramac directly reuses up to 85% of the vehicle battery supplied by Jaguar Land Rover within the storage unit, including modules and wiring. The remaining materials are recycled back into the supply chain.

Charged from solar panels, the unit is a self-contained solution that consists of a battery system linked to a bi-directional converter and the associated control management systems. Available for commercial hire, the units are fitted with Type 2 Electric Vehicle (EV) charge connections with dynamic control and rated at up to 22kW AC to allow electric vehicle charging. 

An Off Grid Battery ESS will also be deployed at Jaguar Land Rover Experience Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa – the world’s biggest – to help the site cope with inconsistent power delivery from the mains

Special Defender bull bar deal for the holidays

vuyi on October 15, 2021

Land Rover South Africa is offering a special deal on Genuine Accessory bull bars for Defender customers this holiday season.

From now until 21 December, customers who purchase an Accessory bull bar for their Defender 90 or 110 will receive an R11,500 discount and a 2,573-piece LEGO Technic New Defender model valued at R3,000 thrown in for good measure.

The Genuine Accessory bull bar is available for Defenders specified with air suspension, and it is not available for X-Dynamic models. The regular price of an Accessory bull bar is R47,277 including fitment, but with the discount a customer will pay R35,777 until 21 December.

The bull bar is an alternative to the front expedition protection system or ‘A’ frame protection bar. Mounted to the front bumper via a winch cradle, it provides extra vehicle protection from disabling damage to the vehicle from impacts, allowing the vehicle and passengers to continue their journey to the nearest point of safety. A winch can be fitted to the bull bar cradle without the requirement of a winch mounting kit.

The LEGO Technic vehicle echoes New Defender with a host of realistic elements and functions, including authentic body panels and rims, four-wheel drive with three differentials, fully independent suspension, a working winch and LEGO Technic’s most sophisticated gearbox yet –  all designed to provide an engrossing and rewarding building experience for car lovers and LEGO fans alike.

Jaguar Land Rover offers complimentary safety checks to customers

vuyi on October 13, 2021

With the relaxation of national lockdown levels many South African holiday seekers will be hitting the road for the festive season. Jaguar Land Rover is offering some appetising deals for drivers of its vehicles ahead of any planned road trips.

Any Jaguar or Land Rover driver in South Africa is welcome to schedule complimentary vehicle safety checks and premium valet services at any dealer nationwide. This service is available for all Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles, whether they are within their valid Care Plan and warranty periods or not. Customers can contact any dealer at their convenience to schedule their free safety checks between 11 October and 31 December 2021.

For vehicles with valid Jaguar or Land Rover Care Plans, which come as standard on all new vehicles for a period of 5 years or 100,000km, customers will receive a R500 discount to use on any available branded goods or accessories.

Customers with expired Care Plans and warranties are included in the offer, with R1,000 discounts to be used towards parts and/or labour on any necessary maintenance or repairs on the day of bookings.

The complimentary safety checks, valet services and vouchers may only be redeemed once per vehicle, and bookings at any dealer must be made in advance.

New Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition inspired by ‘No Time To Die’

vuyi on September 10, 2021

Land Rover SV Bespoke has created a new Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition to celebrate the 25th James Bond film, No Time To Die, ahead of its world premiere later this month.

Land Rover SV Bespoke has created a new Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition to celebrate the 25th James Bond film, No Time To Die, ahead of its world premiere later this month.

Available to order as a Defender 110 or 90 and inspired by the specification of the Defenders that appear in No Time To Die, the stealthy Defender V8 Bond Edition features an Extended Black Pack with 22-inch Luna Gloss Black alloy wheels, signature Xenon Blue front brake calipers and a ‘Defender 007’ rear badge. 

The bespoke touches extend to the practical interior, with illuminated ‘Defender 007’ treadplates and a specially developed touchscreen start-up animation for the intuitive Pivi Pro infotainment system that honours Land Rover’s long partnership with the James Bond franchise. At night, customers will also spot unique ‘007’ puddle lamp graphics.

Exclusively available to just 300 buyers around the world, the Defender V8 Bond Edition’s interior features laser etching detailing that it is ‘one of 300’ and the SV Bespoke logo. Each vehicle is commissioned by the vehicle personalisation experts at SV Bespoke in the UK.

 

“The Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition is an exclusive take on the most powerful production Defender ever made, inspired by vehicles on screen in No Time To Die. It represents a meeting of two great British brands and is a unique celebration of Land Rover’s 38-year association with James Bond,” said Finbar McFall, Land Rover Brand Director.

Defenders are at the heart of the action in No Time To Die alongside two Range Rover Sport SVRs. A Range Rover Classic and Land Rover Series III are also in the film, which will be released in cinemas around the world from 30 September 2021. 

 

Based on the recently launched Defender V8, the Bond Edition is powered by a 5.0-litre 386kW supercharged petrol engine, which produces 625Nm of torque and drives through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Defender V8 90 accelerates from 0-100km/h in 5.2 seconds with a top speed of 240km/h. 

It delivers new levels of performance and driver engagement by combining the V8 with expertly developed suspension and transmission tuning to create the fastest and most dynamically rewarding Defender yet. 

Exclusivity is guaranteed with only five Defender V8 Bond Editions destined for the South African market.

No Time To Die is directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and stars Daniel Craig, who returns for his fifth and final film as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007. The film will be released in South African cinemas from 1 October.

New on the Tarmac: Meet the new Jaguar F-PACE SVR

vuyi on August 25, 2021

A more refined Jaguar F-PACE SVR has made its South African debut and we have the key highlights of what it has to offer. 

A faster, more dynamic and more refined Jaguar F-PACE SVR has made its South African debut. The pinnacle of the performance SUV range is elevated to another level thanks to the latest enhancements by the Jaguar SV team. Here are the key highlights of what it has to offer:

Dynamics
  • The new F-PACE SVR is available exclusively with Jaguar’s 5.0-litre V8 Supercharged petrol engine, which produces 405kW and a torque figure increased by 20Nm to 700Nm. 
  • The increased torque and new Dynamic Launch function enables acceleration from 0-100km/h in 4.0 seconds. 
  • The V8 Supercharged F-PACE SVR is paired with Jaguar’s eight-speed automatic transmission and has a top speed of 286km/h.
  • Jaguar’s All-Wheel Drive with Intelligent Driveline Dynamics is fitted as standard
Interior
  • The interior of the new F-PACE SVR is comprehensively redesigned, with materials enhanced to heighten the dynamic character of the cabin and its controls. 
  • Seat and door inserts are finished in Alcantara, with elements such as the central cubby and leather midroll wrapped in luxurious Windsor leather.
  • The 12.3-inch HD Interactive Driver Display is wrapped in Alcantara with ebony stitching, while aluminium patterned finishers feature as standard with open-pore carbon-fibre available as an option. 
  • Optional slimline semi-aniline leather sports seats with heritage logo-inspired diamond embroidery across the front shoulder section, feature a unique perforation across the backrest, while the same pattern is used on the leather on the seatbacks. An embossed SVR logo on the headrests adds a final flourish.
  • The new SVR split-rim steering wheel is finished with tactile zinc-alloy shift paddles, providing heightened driver engagement when making manual gear changes.

Tech

  • New F-PACE SVR features all of the advanced technologies found in the latest F-PACE core models.
  • These include intuitive Pivi Pro infotainment with an all-new 11.4-inch HD curved glass touchscreen, Software-Over-Air capability, Active Road Noise Cancellation, the latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and optional wireless device charging.

The new Jaguar F-PACE SVR is available in South Africa now with a starting price of R1,835,700. All Jaguar vehicles come with a standard 5-year/100,000km Jaguar Care Plan and warranty.

New Chief Commercial Officer appointed to drive innovation at Jaguar Land Rover

vuyi on July 13, 2021

Jaguar Land Rover has today announced the appointment of a new Chief Commercial Officer.

Jaguar Land Rover has today announced the appointment of a new Chief Commercial Officer.

Lennard Hoornik will begin his new role with immediate effect, helping to drive innovation within Jaguar Land Rover, and realize the potential of the business’s Reimagine Strategy.

Lennard is an excellent addition to our business and is a hugely experienced leader in bringing products to market in exciting new ways

– Thierry Bolloré, Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar Land Rover

Lennard will be responsible for all global sales and marketing activity on both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands. His role will also include brand positioning; current and future product planning; customer relationship management; marketing communications; brand experience strategies; global sales and customer service; and supporting future growth. 

Lennard, who will take a seat on the Board of Directors, previously spent eight years at Dyson as Chief Commercial Officer, and has also held senior roles for Sony, Sony Ericsson, and HTC. 

Thierry Bolloré, Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar Land Rover, commented: “We are pleased to confirm that Lennard Hoornik will join Jaguar Land Rover as Chief Commercial Officer. Lennard is an excellent addition to our business and is a hugely experienced leader in bringing products to market in exciting new ways. Innovation has been a key thread in his career, making him perfectly placed to realise the potential of our Reimagine strategy.”

Launched earlier this year, Reimagine is a sustainability-rich reimagination of modern luxury by design, unique customer experiences, and positive societal impact. The strategy is designed to help Jaguar Land Rover achieve zero tailpipe emissions by 2036 and net zero carbon emissions across supply chain, products and operations by 2039.

Lennard succeeds Felix Bräutigam, who has decided to leave Jaguar Land Rover.

Jaguar Land Rover’s InMotion Ventures invests in battery recycling and manufacturing technology

vuyi on April 28, 2021

Jaguar Land Rover’s venture capital and mobility arm, InMotion Ventures, has invested in Battery Resourcers, a lithium ion battery recycling and materials company.

Jaguar Land Rover’s venture capital and mobility arm, InMotion Ventures, has invested in Battery Resourcers, a lithium ion battery recycling and materials company.

The sustainable technology firm holds the exclusive licence for an innovative closed-loop process that integrates battery recycling, refining and materials engineering to convert scrap end-of-life batteries into new materials that can be used to make new batteries. 

The investment in Battery Resourcers plays part of the plan for Jaguar Land Rover to establish sustainable solutions for end-of-life batteries, minimising waste and creating a circular economy across the battery supply chain.

Sebastian Peck, Managing Director of InMotion Ventures, said: “I am excited about our investment in Battery Resourcers. The company’s proprietary end-to-end recycling process supports Jaguar Land Rover’s journey to become a net zero carbon business by 2039. Battery Resourcers is part of the plan for the business to meet its obligation for end-of-life batteries, minimising energy use and waste, achieving full circularity for its recycled battery materials, and securing future sustainable supplies of rare materials. We look forward to working with the Battery Resourcers team and supporting the international expansion of the business.”

Mike O’Kronley, Chief Executive of Battery Resourcers, said: “Battery Resourcers is on the verge of revolutionizing the lithium ion battery supply chain. Being able to convert scrap and end-of-life battery materials into new active material that can be directly used in making new batteries drives increased profitability and stability for the lithium ion battery ecosystem. Our investment partners share our vision and passion to scale this revolutionary process to support the battery material supply chain.”

Battery Resourcers’ innovative technology will recycle and produce cathode active materials such as Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC), Nickel Cobalt Aluminum (NCA) and Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries. The business has also filed intellectual property around graphite recovery and purification, which will enable it to return both the cathode and anode active materials back to manufacturers of new batteries.

The investment from InMotion Ventures and other strategic partners will fund the development of a commercial-scale processing facility, with the capability to process 10,000 tonnes of batteries annually, along with the expansion and enhancement of the production and analysis facilities in Michigan, USA.