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News

The new Freelander is an EV but not a Land Rover

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From 1997 to 2015, Land Rover produced a compact SUV built on a body-on-frame chassis, the Land Rover Freelander. 14 years later this model is coming back but as a series of electric vehicles that will be produced in China.

Land Rover in China has a partner company and EV manufacturer, Chery, which will produce electric cars based on its own platform but as a separate sub-brand. The goal is mainstream electric vehicles, more affordable than what Land Rover currently offers. Design-wise, the cars will be a combination of Land Rover and Chery.

These two companies have been cooperating for years, since 2012, and the result of that partnership is the Discovery Sport, Evoque, E-Pace, and extended XF and XE models. Little is known about the Freelander, but some media in China say it could be mechanically related to the Exeed, a Chery sub-brand that will arrive in Europe by 2026.

It should also be noted that initially the cars will be sold only in China, but there are plans to export them to the global market.

Source: Land Rover

Tuning

Defender 130 Valiance based on the Defender 130

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After revealing the Valiance Convertible, a soft-top Land Rover Defender 90 earlier in the year, now Dutch company Heritage Customs has revealed its latest project called the 130 Valiance (Pickup Defender) based on the Defender 130.

This 5.35-meter-long car is equipped with a roof rack with additional LED lights, on which a spare wheel is placed, specially designed off-road tires, and the third-row seats have been removed from the cabin. The tuner gives customers the opportunity to customize their car according to their wishes by choosing body elements, rims/tires, colors and materials for the cabin.

Land Rover product program chief Stuart Frith said last year that he would like to see the Defender in a pickup version as well, which would mean a continuation of the tradition. The same was the case with the previous generation of one of the most famous off-road cars of all time.

Heritage Customs has not released information about the powertrain, but it should be noted that the current Land Rover Defender 130 is powered by a 3.0-L inline 6 engine with 296 hp (221 kW), paired with an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission that sends power to all wheels.

When it comes to the price, the car with the upgrade costs 155,000 euros.

Source: Heritage Customs

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Tuning

Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R upgraded by Built By Legends

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The Japanese company Built By Legends is restoring and tuning cars, and their latest project is the legendary Japanese car Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R.

“Our goal was to show the GT-R’s full potential as a true driver’s car and offer a world-class driving experience. Our new Built By Legends R34 GT-R represents our commitment to excellence,” said the company’s co-founder and CEO Masaharu Kuji.

BBL removed the paint from the car body by sandblasting, increased the rigidity with 400 additional welds, protected against rust with epoxy, and painted it in a two-tone shade of White. Body panels were replaced with new carbon fiber panels to reduce weight. He added new suspension parts, new bearings, and upgraded AP Racing brakes. BBL also offers owners the option of restoring their car, as well as the choice of combining old and new parts.

Under the bonnet is MINE’S MB7 engine with 659 hp (491 kW), mated to a Getrag 6-speed manual transmission that sends power to all four wheels. Also, a 3D alignment test was performed at 108 points before the entire structure was reinforced.

When it comes to price, the entire assembly and restoration process costs $450,000 (donor car not included).

Source: Built By Legends

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Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R upgraded by Built By Legends