Autoblog UK

Land Rover has announced that two special editions are joining the Freelander 2 range from January.

The Freelander Sport is joined by the Freelander 2 White and Black are available on a limited run from the start of the New Year.

The White and Black join the range as the new entry-level models and take the price below £20,000 to £19,495.

As the name implies the two models are only available in black or white, but the equipment list is a little more colourful. They come with a keyless starter button, 17-inch alloys and the fuel-saving stop-start system that cuts out the engine when the car is at a standstill.

The Sport model slots in higher up the range, with a price tag of £26,695. It too comes in just the two colours, but also offers 19-inch wheels and the option of a sports styling pack.

Testing continues on Land Rover's baby LRX, which is expected in showrooms next year. Earlier this week a prototype wearing ill-fitting Freelander panels was spotted at Eastnor Castle on the Welsh borders, home of Land Rover's off-road experience.

The LR development team was putting the small 4x4 through its paces on Eastnor's 5000 acres of off-road terrain, confirming that the production LRX should be as capable in the mud as we would expect from a Land Rover.

Yet despite the potential for all-terrain prowess, we know that the new model - the smallest in Land Rover's range - is going to be positioned as a high-end crossover and will wear a Range Rover badge.

Prices are yet to be confirmed, but rumours suggest the production LRX could start at just over £20k, which would make it one of the most exciting and accessible new cars of next year. We can't wait.

Land Rover has been forced to recall over 4,000 of its 2010 Range Rover models in the US over fears that the passenger airbag might not work in a crash.

The Range Rover "may experience airbag warning lamp illumination on the instrument cluster," indicating that the airbag is disabled because of the defect, says a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Dealers are recalling the car to upgrade the vehicle's restraints control module using a diagnostics system tool to upgrade the Range Rover's software. There's no word yet on whether the issue affect UK or European models.

Many owners in the US could find themselves without their pride and joy over the Christmas period, with recalls taking place starting just days before on the December 21.

Indian manufacturer Tata Motors Ltd, who bought the legendary British marques Jaguar and Land Rover for 2.4 billion US dollars in 2008, have just announced that they will shut at least one of their factories in England by 2014. The manufacturing plant in Castle Bromwich, where 2,100 workers currently build Jaguars, and the neighbouring former Rover factory in Solihull near Birmingham, where 5,000 are employed in the production of the Land Rover, are under threat. Tata spokesman Paul Chadderton disclosed that 800 new jobs would be created at the Halewood plant near Liverpool to produce the new Range Rover LRX.

The three factories are running at only 60% capacity due to a decline in orders. Since September 2008, around 2,500 employees have already lost their jobs. The final decision as to which factory will close will be taken early next year.

Is it possible for a vehicle weighing nearly three tonnes to be sporty? And if so, what is the point? With its revamped Range Rover Sport – the top model is a supercharged V8 – Land Rover brings yet another SUV into the newly formed 500hp league. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo and the Mercedes ML 63 AMG have been romping around in it for a while now. And not forgetting the equally enhanced G 55 AMG, which now also boasts more than 500hp. Audi are even providing a diesel here, with its Q7 V12 TDI – the only one in the class. And yet another new entrant besides the Range Rover Sport: the BMW X6 M. Has everyone gone mad? Or have they found new oil wells somewhere? Cars like these are like bodybuilders. Muscles for display. Every decrepit GTI can go through corners faster than them. So what's the point other than for showing off on the straight and in town?

In their own words, Land Rover are coming to the Frankfurt with some "subtle changes" to their range. Three of the five Land Rover series have been given the treatment: the Discovery, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. Under the bonnet, they are now sourcing their engines from Jaguar. There have also been a few visual refinements. The Discovery has acquired a more curvaceous front and comes equipped with LED lamps, while the dashboard, central console and seats are totally new.

The Range Rover flagship model now appears with a new radiator grille, headlamps and bumpers. The interior has had a complete makeover and incorporates new navigation aids. The Range Rover Sport has a modern-looking double-slatted grille. At the same time though, it has kept its angular shape, while also taking on board LED lighting. Further extras are available at a supplementary price.