Anyone check out the LR4 HSE Luxury LE?

[sirgrotius]

So I recently picked up my LR4 '13, Luxury Package, Premium Sound, Heated Seats, etc. and really love it. So much fun (though the nav screen is embarrassingly out of date).

Anyway, I was scanning the web and happened across the Limited Edition version of the LR4, '13. Has anyone seen, driven one of these? Looks so awesome, I regret not waiting for it.

 

[mbw]

They usually have a bit more chrome and some annoying styling features, a higher price tag, and not much else.

Have any pictures? The previous Luxury limited edition had chrome on the grill and it wasnt worth having IMO.

 

[sirgrotius]

I like to hear that!

One of the pics I noticed on Land Rover's website did show the chrome Land Rover on the front all loud. I have black on black and it's quite a bit more discrete.

 

[umbertob]

Some "Special Edition" trims may not be available around the world every year, so who knows. Land Rover USA hasn't even updated its web site with regular MY13 LR4 info and pricing, let alone any Limited editions in the pipeline. The only part of last year's LE I really dug were the interiors (Arabica seats and extended leather), which fortunately became options on MY13s as well, so I ordered my HSE Lux like that. Didn't much care for the exterior bling myself either.

Regarding the infotainment system, I may be the only owner on the planet apparently who finds it perfectly adequate: Maps, A/V interface, sound system quality and all. Granted, I am coming from a 2006 RRS, but still... I like almost everything about the updated 2013 system on my LR4. My wife's 2013 Sync system in her Ford may be prettier to look at, but annoys me to no end when I need to actually use it, and feels slow as molasses compared to mine.

 

[mbw]

Anything has got to be better than what's in my 2006 Infiniti G35x. The pop up nav screen isnt bad to look at, but its not touch screen, you have to use a horrible d-pad thing to navigate. The radio display is something you would find on a freaking speak and spell from the 80's, and only shows like 10 characters on the display.

It seems that the best tech doesnt always make it to the best vehicles, but I guess i'd rather have LR spend time on the mechanics than on the software.

One thing I was thinking of doing though... finding wherever the hard drive is in the LR and seeing what they use. Maybe make a disk image of it for backup, or even clone it and use a faster solid state drive. (I am a software engineer, so that type of tinkering is easy for me)

 

[avus9]

I have the 2012 HSE Luxury Limited Edition version. And yes, it is better.
The interior color combo alone won us over with the Arabica Leather. Plus, I do admit that I like not seeing another one around. Exclusivity is always great. I previously had a white 2010 LR4 HSE, but the wife complained there were too many of that color around. Thus, the 2012.

 

[umbertob]

One thing I was thinking of doing though... finding wherever the hard drive is in the LR and seeing what they use. Maybe make a disk image of it for backup, or even clone it and use a faster solid state drive. (I am a software engineer, so that type of tinkering is easy for me)

Good luck with that, the whole system sounds very integrated and the Integrated Audio Module (which includes the CD/DVD drive and hard drive) looks like an impenetrable gray brick... Off the shop manual:

Integrated Audio Module (IAM)

NOTE: The Japanese/Asia satellite navigation system does not store map data on the IAM. All other functions of the IAM are applicable to the Japanese market. Refer to the following sections 'JAPANESE NAVIGATION SYSTEM' or 'ASIAN NAVIGATION SYSTEM' for details of the Japanese/Asia navigation system.

The IAM is located in central position in the instrument panel, behind the Integrated Control Panel.

The IAM is a multi functional unit
For additional information, refer to: Audio System (415-01B Information and Entertainment System, Description and Operation).

The IAM is connected on the MOST ring to the other audio system components. The driver can control navigation functions by using soft keys on the TS or by voice commands.

The 40 GB hard drive is used for storing the information for satellite navigation (not applicable to Japan/Asia specification vehicles). A 10GB partition is provided for storing music files, the remaining 30GB is used for map data storage.

Hard Disc Drive

The integral hard drive for the navigation system (not applicable to Japan/Asia specification vehicles) removes the requirement of a separate navigation computer. The IAM stores the navigation map data locally within the 30GB hard drive partition. By storing the information in this way and processing it within the IAM, navigation display, route calculation speeds and accuracy are vastly improved. Map upgrades and software are loaded directly into the IAM from a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory stick (not applicable to Japan/Asia specification vehicles).

The map images are transmitted from the IAM to the TS via a LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signal) link cable. Turn by turn instructions are displayed in the instrument cluster using messages transmitted on the medium-speed CANbus.

The IAM communicates on the MOST ring with the rest of the audio system. If the IAM is replaced it must be configured as a new module using an approved diagnostic system.

Calibration of the IAM using an approved diagnostic system enables updates to be downloaded as new technology becomes available or any fault concerns require software updates.

 

[mbw]

I have the 2012 HSE Luxury Limited Edition version. And yes, it is better.
The interior color combo alone won us over with the Arabica Leather. Plus, I do admit that I like not seeing another one around. Exclusivity is always great. I previously had a white 2010 LR4 HSE, but the wife complained there were too many of that color around. Thus, the 2012.

I am sure it is great. I wasn't trying to put it down. But at the end of the day its just personal opinion about the styling. I personally don't care for the extra chrome or highlight stitching, etc. I also dont care for the wood interior options, I went with the black lacquer finish, black interior, fuji on the outside. Perfect (for me).

I don't think you can go wrong though. We all love em around here right?

As for being exclusive, that is always good. I don't have much of an issue in Dubuque, Iowa. Rarely ever see what im driving now, infiniti, let alone a Land Rover. It helps that we only have one dealer in iowa and the rest are hours away, or in Chicago.

 

[mbw]

Good luck with that, the whole system sounds very integrated and the Integrated Audio Module (which includes the CD/DVD drive and hard drive) looks like an impenetrable gray brick... Off the shop manual:

Ok, maybe a project for years from now when im brave enough to dig into that or someone else does it first and posts a howto... eek.

If anyone happens to need to get in there, or replace that module, i'd gladly help reverse engineer any of the drive stuff, figure out how they identify partitions, or try to make larger/faster ones work. I guess it isn't a very immediate need since you can plug in your own large usb disk and use that for expansion.

 

[ougrad1]

I am sure it is great. I wasn't trying to put it down. But at the end of the day its just personal opinion about the styling. I personally don't care for the extra chrome or highlight stitching, etc. I also dont care for the wood interior options, I went with the black lacquer finish, black interior, fuji on the outside. Perfect (for me).

I don't think you can go wrong though. We all love em around here right?

As for being exclusive, that is always good. I don't have much of an issue in Dubuque, Iowa. Rarely ever see what im driving now, infiniti, let alone a Land Rover. It helps that we only have one dealer in iowa and the rest are hours away, or in Chicago.

I have the same opinion of the Limited edition exterior and not a fan of the chrome, if that is the package we are talking about. That said, it's a land rover so you would expect some bling package as they do a good job filling that demand. I do like the metropolitan wheels but wished they were 19" instead of 20".