Land Rover has announced it will introduce an automatic engine start/stop function throughout its lineup beginning in late 2008. Gaining popularity with many European automakers, the engine start/stop feature shuts off the engine when the vehicle is stationary — the same technology found in hybrids — and is an easy way to reduce fuel consumption.
According to Land Rover marketing director Andy Griffiths, the automaker is also working to develop hybrid technology in order to comply with stricter emissions regulations proposed by the European Union.
Many European automakers are looking to new technologies in order to meet proposed regulations. Although some companies, such as Porsche, are threatening to sue the EU if the proposals make it to law.
09/21, 12:15 PM
posted by:
Piablo
Haha, being a Land Rover, it might not come back on!
09/21, 12:23 PM
posted by:
motorheader
Cheep and easy way to improve city consumption.
09/21, 12:37 PM
posted by:
Jaguar XJ-S
I would be concerned about excess engine wear. Startup causes much more wear than just running as the oil isn’t being pumped until the engine is running. That is with the exception of vehicles with a pre-oiler but those take weight and eat up the battery. It might not have time to recharge properly in stop and go traffic. I would rather my engine stayed running. Also, too bad more companies don’t take a stand like Porsche. The environmental wackos are starting to go way past ridiculous.
09/21, 12:41 PM
posted by:
Commodore
I like the fact that these new law–or proposals–are forcing automakers to innovate.
I still think that many of these rules are unfair though, especially to companies such as Land Rover that specialize in SUVs and Porsche which specializes in high-power sportscars. You can’t force Porsche to use more fuel efficient engines or whatever else is necesary to achieve the propsed fuel standards because it ruins the car.
09/21, 1:02 PM
posted by:
LP640
how susbstantial will the fuel consumption decrease be?
09/21, 1:39 PM
posted by:
Tummy
Typically around 20-25% fuel savings.
09/21, 2:48 PM
posted by:
autonut
There are somewhat similar standards now on fuel consumption: gas gazzler tax. It does not affect middle class and if somebody can afford to shell 90K for a car another 3-5K are irrelevant as well as price of gas. Porsche & Land Rover owners are paying this tax now, it just will be a higher tax which will mean as much as current.
09/21, 2:58 PM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
hmmmm the post deleters are back, time to go elswhere now.
09/21, 4:05 PM
posted by:
maximus
it’s an easy way to increase engine failure.
09/21, 10:20 PM
posted by:
A4
i ****ing hate post deleters, pussies
09/21, 10:20 PM
posted by:
A4
someone make rightlanenews.com and we’ll just copy all lln’s stories
09/22, 2:12 AM
posted by:
lolrax
Just another thing to get repaired on a Land Rover hahahaha
09/22, 8:08 AM
posted by:
BLISS
GOOD NEWS
09/22, 9:04 AM
posted by:
British_Rover
There is no gas guzzler or Luxury tax on Land Rovers as they are considered trucks in the US.
Trucks are exempt from both taxes. The fuel mileage savings should be around 10 percent or so. I doubt 20 percent savings will be seen let alone 25 percent.
09/22, 11:43 AM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
a4 thats funny but why copy a bunch of rumors and half truths, hahaha. ok delete my post now.
09/22, 10:27 PM
posted by:
A4
hahaha
and wait, so when your halfway up a steep muddy incline in your Range Rover and the engine shuts off… oh wait nobody takes their range rover in the mud. my bad.
09/23, 4:47 AM
posted by:
Got Handling?
Post deleting is necessary, to preserve this site as a listening post for the leaders of the automotive industry, who come here to hear the opinions of great, great minds such as Blakarr and Mr Kempton.
.
Without our tireless censor, this would be little more than a site where large numbers of light-hearted car enthusiasts came to keep up with the latest news and fill in quiet moments in the office with some adult verbal jousting – wouldn’t that just be the end of the world…
09/26, 8:52 AM
posted by:
angelo
automatic engine-shutoff on the old Freelander would’ve multiplied 10-fold the number of roadside assistance calls.