Land Rover sales up

Of all the brands, Land Rover's performance has defied the odds.

As the year winds down with plenty of its rivals seeing red ink, Land Rover sales are up almost 20 per cent over last year, largely on the back of the return of the Defender crew cab and wagon.

The volume-selling Discovery and Range Rover Sport have also done their bit.

Land Rover Australia product manager, Brett Lewis-Driver, says the Defender's success comes from a loyal customer base.

"There are a lot of repeat buyers but also a little bit of conquest from other brands there," he says.

"Defender also does tend to do quite well in a launch year."

The company expects to end the year with about 4500 sales, which will be up 1000 over 2007.

Going into 2009 though, Lewis-Driver, is more cautious.

"Because of the downturn in the overall market we are not alone in thinking things will be a bit quieter," he says.

He sees the next 12 months as a time of consolidation.

But to help entice showroom traffic Land Rover has just launched a refreshed Discovery, Range Rover Sport and range-topping Range Rover, each with more equipment and mild facelifts.

The Discovery gets a cleaner looking body-coloured front bumper as well as revised rear bumper, tungsten coloured side vents, new alloys and rear clear-lens indicators, Inside there are some trims changes.

The TDV6 S gains air suspension and terrain response and leather seats have now been made an option.

The SE gets Hi-ICE as standard, six-disc CD changer, 8 speaker Harmon Kardon speaks and steering wheel controls.

The range topping HSE gets Premium ICE with 13 Harmon Kardon speakers and Logic 7 sound system.

Prices remain largely unchanged, starting at $66,490 for the SE V6 and topping out at $92,990 for the HSV V8.

The Range Rover Sport also gets some mild exterior tweaks, new alloys and three new colours.

At the top-end of the Land Rover spectrum is the Range Rover Vogue Autobiography.

The Autobiography adds another level of luxury with leather dashboard, doors, seats and centre console as well as leather-bound floor mats.

The lavish attention to detail continues with acoustic and climate glass.

The acoustic glass reduces cabin noise, while the sun-reflective climate glass reduces heat build-up.

Outside the Autobiography has new 20-inch diamond-turned twin-seven-spoke alloys.

Both the TDV8 and Supercharged petrol models have diamond mesh grille and side vents, black and silver badging and stainless steel detailing on the pedals.

Range Rover Vogue prices start at $153,400 for the TDV8, with the Supercharged Autobiography costing $212,700.