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Author Topic:   Virgin Galactic and Land Rover partnership
Robert Pearlman
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Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 04-14-2014 10:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Land Rover release
Land Rover Announces Global Partnership With Virgin Galactic

Land Rover, the British brand synonymous with adventure, has revealed a long-term global partnership with Richard Branson's pioneering commercial spaceline, Virgin Galactic.

Demonstrating their shared vision of pioneering spirit, technological innovation and sense of adventure, the ground breaking partnership was announced against the backdrop of SpaceShipTwo, the world's first commercial passenger carrying spacecraft, together with Land Rover's new Discovery Vision Concept vehicle. The announcement illustrates the commitment that both brands share to iconic design and engineering excellence and a desire to push the boundaries of travel for the next generation.

The partnership will see Land Rover vehicles become part of daily life for the Virgin Galactic team and for all 'Future Astronauts', the space experience will now begin with Land Rover as they arrive in New Mexico for training, and continue to the moment they drive from the space terminal building to the waiting spaceship. Land Rover will base a fleet of vehicles at the Virgin Galactic test center in the Mojave Desert, California and at its astounding operational New Mexico base, Spaceport America.

The exciting announcement was revealed in dramatic fashion on board the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, a former aircraft carrier anchored on the Hudson River. Land Rover's first act as exclusive partner was to bring a unique full-size replica of SpaceShipTwo VSS Enterprise to New York, where it joined the remarkable British Airways Concorde and its namesake Space Shuttle Enterprise upon the Intrepid. Like the Space Shuttle, SpaceShipTwo is the first of a revolutionary fleet of reusable human spacecraft. Having the vehicles in one place for the first time provided a powerful symbol of human ingenuity and the adventurous spirit of exploration and discovery.

Revealed alongside SpaceShipTwo was Land Rover's Discovery Vision Concept, a vision of Land Rover's future family of Discovery vehicles. The concept car previews dynamic new design language and an array of world first technologies. Building on Land Rover's renowned all-terrain capability, the Discovery Vision Concept represents the ultimate SUV of the future.

The vehicle uses augmented reality technology to display a 'see-through' view of the terrain ahead, making the front of the car 'virtually' invisible from inside the cabin. Gesture Control allows you to open the doors, operate the indicators or turn on the headlamps simply by moving your hand, while Laser Referencing projects visible markings, symbols and imagery onto the ground to aid low speed or tricky manuevers.

More than 200 VIP guests witnessed the two game-changing vehicles, which were revealed against a stunning Manhattan background and an awe-inspiring projection mapping sequence.

Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Galactic said "We couldn't be more delighted to have Land Rover join us on our incredible journey. It is hard to think of a brand which is more synonymous with exploration and adventure. The safety and engineering excellence of Land Rover's vehicles, which have been the stuff of legend for more than 65 years, are attributes which also lie at the heart of Virgin Galactic. We look forward to crossing the final frontier together and to a long and fruitful partnership."

Phil Popham, Group Marketing Director of Jaguar Land Rover said "This is a marriage of two of Britain's most iconic brands who celebrate shared values, a pioneering spirit and a true sense of adventure. Not only do we both share the same long-term vision to enable mankind to explore, but we also want to develop this partnership to inspire others. From our tens of thousands of employees and customers to schools and colleges, motivating more young people to pursue careers in engineering, science, technology and math — and explore new ways of traveling for future generations.

Land Rover's heart beats 'above and beyond' — we are pioneers on land and Virgin Galactic is the pioneer of space. It's a very special match of brands with a shared vision."

Both brands run significant and highly regarded community relations and STEM education programs, which encourage young people to aspire to a future in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and together see the huge potential to develop this partnership to inspire others and motivate more young people to pursue careers in these vitally important fields.

Courtesy of Land Rover, SpaceShipTwo, will remain on display at Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum for the public to view from 15th to the 22nd April. It will sit alongside other game changing artifacts including the first ever space shuttle Enterprise, the prototype NASA orbiter that paved the way for the space shuttle program and the record-breaking and revolutionary supersonic passenger airliner, the Concorde.

The Discovery Vision Concept will be on display at the New York Auto Show, which opens on Wednesday 16th March.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 08-20-2014 01:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Land Rover video release
Land Rover Discovery Sport Virgin Galactic interior

A first look at the "spacious" cabin of the new Land Rover Discovery Sport seven-seat SUV - with the help of Virgin Galactic!

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-03-2014 07:14 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Land Rover release
Land Rover Unveils New Premium Compact Discovery Sport and Launches "Galactic Discovery" With Virgin Galactic — An Adventurers' Competition For a Trip to Space

Today Land Rover unveiled the 2015 Discovery Sport, the brand's new premium compact SUV and first of the new Discovery family of vehicles, in a video hosted on LandRoverUSA.com. The new Discovery Sport debut video, shot at Spaceport America, New Mexico, was released in conjunction with the announcement of the Land Rover "Galactic Discovery" competition, offering groups of aspiring astronauts a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to space with three friends for the ultimate adventure.

Phil Popham, Jaguar Land Rover Group Marketing Director, said, "Only Land Rover could offer this incredible opportunity: the chance to win the most spectacular group journey of a lifetime. Our heritage is rooted in adventure, exploration and a desire to go above and beyond, and nothing embodies this spirit of discovery more than a trip to space."

Created to deliver a refined combination of capability and versatility in an efficient compact SUV, the Discovery Sport features a 240hp turbocharged 2.0L engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive packaged with "5+2" seven passenger seating. From a design perspective, the Discovery Sport defines the new Discovery family with optimized volume, proportions and stance. Its design and engineering result in a dynamic profile and excellent interior space featuring high-quality materials, elegantly integrated storage solutions and a Sports Command Driving Position. Long-travel suspension and a new multi-link rear suspension allow the Discovery Sport to be comfortable and refined on-road, while retaining the breadth of all-terrain capability for which Land Rover is renowned.

"Our challenge has been to combine premium design with exceptional versatility; the two attributes must work in harmony," said Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Design Director and Chief Creative Officer. "I'm proud to say we've achieved that; the Discovery Sport vehicle's dynamic design will resonate on an emotional level with consumers, and in my opinion, this vehicle is more versatile than any other premium compact SUV."

Designed and engineered at the Land Rover Development Center in the UK, the Discovery Sport will be produced at the company's award-winning manufacturing facility in Halewood, Liverpool, in the United Kingdom. It goes on sale in early 2015, with a starting price of $37,995*.

Land Rover and Virgin Galactic

The all-new Discovery Sport and the incredible Virgin Galactic space flight competition film was created at Spaceport America, New Mexico, which will be the base for the Virgin Galactic sub-orbital space flights. The film features a group of the world's greatest-living adventurers and personalities that Land Rover has assembled to back the Galactic Discovery mission, including legendary British explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes; entrepreneur and founder of Virgin Galactic, Sir Richard Branson; British adventurer and Land Rover ambassador, Bear Grylls, and former actress and wildlife campaigner, Virginia McKenna.

The Galactic Discovery collaboration signals the next phase of two pioneering companies – Land Rover and Virgin Galactic – working together to push the boundaries of travel and adventure for the next generation. A global partnership between the brands was announced in New York in April this year, on the eve of the New York Auto Show. When flights begin, a fleet of Land Rover vehicles will play a key role in the Virgin Galactic space experience, with future astronauts driving in the vehicles from the spaceport in New Mexico to the spaceship to begin their trip across the final frontier.

Over the next four months, as part of the launch of the new Discovery Sport, Land Rover will seek out the world's most adventurous spirits across 29 countries. Land Rover and Virgin Galactic will announce country winners in mid-November from which a winning foursome will be selected as the campaign culminates in December 2014. This is the first time that a competition has offered the chance to win a trip to space and the winners will be among the first pioneering travelers to view the earth from space and experience out-of-seat zero gravity.

Grylls will play a hands-on role in helping the winning group prepare for their voyage beyond the final frontier. He said, "This prize really is the ultimate adventure of a lifetime. I've stood on top of Mount Everest and looked up at the black above me, thinking 'there's only one place higher to go now'. As humans, it is in our DNA to go where people have never been before, and now four friends have the opportunity to do that."

To enter the competition, aspiring astronauts from across the globe are being asked to produce a 30-second video, or a still image, that demonstrates their spirit of adventure, choose three friends to join them on their space adventure and submit it via landrover.us/space. George Whitesides, CEO of Virgin Galactic, said, "We share the same spirit of adventure and exploration as Land Rover and it inspires everything we do. Democratizing space and giving individuals around the world from all walks of life an opportunity to see the Earth from above is at the heart of our mission as a spaceline."

Land Rover and Virgin Galactic are now exploring potential collaborations, projects and the development of immersive experiences for customers. They are also actively working together on joint STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education programs, which encourage young people to aspire to a future in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Both brands see the huge potential to develop their partnership to inspire others and motivate more young people to pursue careers in these vitally important fields.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 05-11-2019 12:11 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Land Rover release
Range Rover Reaches New Heights With Astronaut Edition Built To Celebrate Partnership With Virgin Galactic

Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations has launched a special edition Range Rover which will be available exclusively to Future Astronauts signed up to fly to space with Virgin Galactic.

  • Exclusive Range Rover Astronaut Edition produced by Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations is only available to members of the Virgin Galactic Future Astronaut community

  • Exterior elements include unique Zero Gravity Blue paint inspired by the beautiful effects of the night sky, plus a bespoke Virgin Galactic puddle lamp design

  • One-off interior design includes custom cup holder crafted from the spaceship's front landing skid, 'DNA of Flight' logo graphic veneer and aluminium door handles with the Future Astronaut community constellation design

  • Land Rover has been working with Virgin Galactic since 2014 as its exclusive automotive partner

The Astronaut Edition features distinctive exterior and interior design elements celebrating this once in a lifetime experience and Virgin Galactic's unique community of Future Astronauts. It marks another important milestone in the ongoing partnership between Land Rover and Virgin Galactic, which has been an authentic collaboration since the start.

A unique Zero Gravity Blue paint finish inspired by the depth and intensity of the night sky demonstrates Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations' state-of-the-art technologies and exceptional attention to detail. A bespoke puddle lamp illumination design features the silhouette of Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo while unique Astronaut Edition badging features on the tailgate and side profile finishers.

Inside, the Astronaut Edition features a crafted piece of the spaceship's front landing skid that flew on Virgin Spaceship Unity's first space flight in December 2018. Part of that skid, which provides the spaceship with a highly effective, lightweight braking mechanism, has been re-purposed to form two discs within the cup holders. One of these references a quote which Richard Branson often makes to his fellow Future Astronauts - 'See you up there' -and the other features the details of the space flight. Once a Future Astronaut has flown to space, and becomes an astronaut, this will be swapped out with part of the wooden skid from that customer's own spaceflight, personally inscribed with the specific details of a life changing experience.

Further bespoke features include a 'DNA of Flight' graphic on the carbon fibre front console drawer lid and this motif is also debossed onto the leather rear armrest. Solid aluminium metal door handles are engraved with Virgin Galactic's own Future Astronaut community constellation pattern which represents a global community connected by a love of space. This design also features on the rear of the front headrests and metal letterbox panel design above the glovebox. Additional personalisation options include stitching the Future Astronaut's initials onto the headrests.

"Land Rover vehicles have been part of daily life for the Virgin Galactic team since the launch of the partnership in 2014. The Astronaut Edition Range Rover is the next step on this journey and the chance for the Future Astronaut Community to celebrate our two brands' shared values of pioneering spirit and true sense of adventure. This vehicle really will take them Above and Beyond," said Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer, Land Rover.

"Land Rover joined Virgin Galactic on its journey to space in 2014 and from the start, the collaboration has been underpinned by iconic design, engineering excellence and desire to push the boundaries of travel for the next generation. The Astronaut Edition has been crafted with that in mind, a meaningful and lasting embodiment of a shared vision. We could not be more excited to be able to offer this unique vehicle to our wonderful, global community of pioneering Future Astronaut customers," said Stephen Attenborough, Chief Commercial Officer, Virgin Galactic.

The Astronaut Edition is based on the luxurious Range Rover Autobiography, where comfort and refinement meet peerless all-terrain capability. In line with both brands' commitment to a sustainable future, the Astronaut Edition is available with Land Rover's P400e plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain, which delivers a combined 404PS, EV range of 42km and CO2 emissions of 72g/km - subject to market availability. A high-performance 5.0-litre V8 P525 supercharged petrol is also offered.

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