New James Bond Film Recruits Land Rover for Latest Mission

PEABODY, MASS. (10/12/2012)(readMedia)-- When the latest James Bond film, "Skyfall," premieres stateside on Nov. 9, Britain's most exclusive team of secret agents will be found in some very powerful rides from British luxury SUV maker Land Rover. In fact, the movie's opening sequence features a Land Rover Defender Double Cab Pick Up driven by field agent Eve (Naomie Harris), with James Bond (Daniel Craig) riding shotgun during a chase through a busy marketplace in Istanbul, Turkey.

Land Rover models were used by the cast and crew both on- and off-screen during the filming of "Skyfall," as Jaguar Land Rover provided 77 vehicles to support the production. In addition to the Land Rover Defender seen early on, a supercharged Range Rover also transports agent 007 during the film.

"Land Rover vehicles already have a reputation that's larger than life, but seeing them on the big screen, especially in an action-packed movie like 'Skyfall,' really showcases just how capable and stylish they can be," said Dave Edwards, general manager of Land Rover Peabody, a Range Rover dealer in Massachusetts. "James Bond could get just about anywhere with the new Range Rover, and it has pretty much everything he could need inside, except for maybe a few specialized gadgets from his friend Q."

Like Bond's stealthy devices, the all-new 2013 Range Rover will be more than meets the eye when it goes on sale in December. As the world's first SUV to sport an all-aluminum unibody structure, the redesigned Range Rover shed 700 pounds compared to its steel-bodied predecessor, all without losing its recognizable exterior or renowned all-terrain capability. The vehicle has received the next generation of Land Rover's Terrain Response system, which now analyzes a wide range of driving conditions and automatically selects the best ride settings.

Taking a cue from its smaller sibling, the award-winning Range Rover Evoque, the 2013 Range Rover features a new touchscreen interface, cutting down the number of buttons in the cockpit for a cleaner, sleeker look. The ride is also quieter than that of the outgoing Range Rover, as the windshield and side-door glass have been laminated. Meanwhile, a long list of standard features will greet buyers, including Bluetooth connectivity, a Say What You See voice-recognition system that shows command prompts based on drivers' past preferences, and a 13-speaker Meridian premium sound system.

The redesigned 2013 Range Rover retains the two V8 engines from the previous generation, but they will be paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. A naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 generates 375 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque, while an optional supercharged unit provides a big boost in performance, reaching 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. Along with the SUV's massive weight savings, the new transmission is expected to help improve fuel economy in the next-generation Range Rover, though official EPA estimates have not been released yet.

"The new Range Rover is more modern and efficient, but it hasn't sacrificed the classic Land Rover traits, much like how the James Bond franchise has been refreshed in recent years without losing its signature charm," added Edwards. "James Bond and the Range Rover are both British icons, and they each keep finding more ways to attract new fans."

About Land Rover Peabody

Land Rover Peabody is home to a remarkable group of off-road enthusiasts who know exactly what their customers expect in Land Rover sales and service. They're proud to offer the latest Land Rover models, as well as unparalleled Land Rover service and OEM parts, and they invite new customers to take a test-drive on their unique demonstration course to experience Land Rover performance firsthand. Browse their selection online at www.roverpeabody.com, visit the showroom at 247 Newbury St. in Peabody, Massachusetts, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/landroverpeabody or call them at 888-472-4137.