The latest stuff from, by, about, at, or for British Pacific

updated 07/08/10

One of our longtime customers just sent us this picture of his newly restored Series II, taken on July 4th, 2010. While it looks for all the world that this was shot on the Serengeti, it is in fact Rohwer Flats, just a few miles from us, and only 30 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. You expect to see a lioness lurking in the grass...

*******

Jaguar Land Rover Announce Record-breaking Profits
Aug 11, 2010, Birmingham Post

Jaguar Land Rover has unveiled record-breaking profits of nearly £234 million in just three months. The latest profits announced represent the best quarterly financial results by far since the Tata takeover of the car giant two years ago.

The figures show the firm made £233.82 million profit for April, May and June. A Jaguar Land Rover spokeswoman said: “This is our fifth successive quarter of improved financial results. “Last quarter’s profit was £89 million and we are £145 million up on that. It is great news for JLR and also for Tata.

“We had responded to a very difficult economic environment with aggressive actions and the foreign exchange rate has been very favourable.” Sales figures soared across a string of markets, with China showing a 104 per cent increase on a year ago. The UK and US were both up by 23 per cent, while Russia was 18 per cent up.

******
LRX Concept Becomes a 'Range Rover'


With a bit of cg work, Land Rover has rebadged the LRX concept vehicle into a 'Range Rover'. You'll note on the earlier artwork above that the hood says 'Land Rover', the mirrors have been changed, and an additional grille slot has been added. Otherwise 'Evoque' is the LRX.

This project has been 'on the ways' for a long time now, and it is being positioned as a higher fuel mileage 'urban' vehicle where 4WD is optional, and the body styles come in 2 or 4 door. "Evoque" will debut at the Paris Auto Show this fall, and should be available in the US later next year. No driveline has been specified yet, but it will be front wheel drive with the option of all wheel.

Unlike the LR2, where full off road capabilities were attempted, this model will not be marketed that way. It's possible that a turbo 4 cylinder could be the powerplant for the US, with no diesels being offered. The LR2 is considered underpowered for this market, as was the V6 Freelander. Neither model did well in US sales.

In a market where every full size Range Rover has been sold out for weeks in advance, one might wonder why the third attempt at a small US market Land Rover would be the charm. It does look better than the other two, but the need for a 'cleaner, greener' urban vehicle might be best for the press and corporate perception than it would be as a premium grade commuter.

So far American tastes have been for bigger, fancier, more powerful Land Rovers, which are hugely successful right now. Only time will tell if American tastes will embrace a small 'Range Rover'. Based on history, we have our doubts. But let's see what it has for spunk first. After all , Subaru has done pretty well in the category: with the right stuff perhaps 'Evoque' can tap into that market.

******
Join Our E-Mailing List for Special Deals!
BP is now doing a biweekly e-mailer with tech tips, new products, and special sale prices not found elsewhere on our site. To be added just e-mail us at britpac@aol.com and ask to be put on the list. For those of you who already have their e-mails on file for shipping notification, we are NOT using that list. You only get our e-flyers if you specifically request them. We all get too many unsolicited e-mails these days as it is.

British Pacific now on Facebook!
Come by and visit our facebook page. We have large galleries of photos there for you to enjoy. Leave a comment for us or contribute your own photo: it's easy! Go to facebook.com, and search 'British Pacific'. Become a 'friend' and get info on new stuff and special deals. Be sure to send us your pics and we'll post 'em there.

******

British Pacific Now Stocking Terrafirma Off Road Products

BP has been building its inventory of the Terrafirma range of off road suspension products, and we now have a good selection in stock. Terrafirma provides good quality gear at an affordable price, and has a wide range for Defender, Discovery, and Range Rover Classic. We are also using TF springs and shocks in our air suspension conversion kits.

Click here for the full catalog: see something that you like?
If we're not stocking it we can order it for you.
Contact us for a prompt price quote and availability here:

Here's a selection of what we're stocking right now:

TF202 Medium spring/shock combo $463.00

TF509 cranked radius arms $215.00


TF516 & TF517 spring spacers $65.00/set

TF513 rear dual shock mounts $130.00

TF508 caster corrected front radius arms $399.00/pair