Land Rover working on new 8-speed automatic transmission, refinements for fuel economy

Land Rover is set to unveil a newly-revised line of SUVs at the New York Auto Show in a couple of weeks, and we're expecting to see the latest version of Jaguar's excellent 5.0L all-aluminum V8 engine underhood, mated up with a 6-speed automatic transmission from supplier ZF. That powertrain combination should be a thorough improvement over the current 4.4L naturally-aspirated and 4.2L supercharged offerings, and we wouldn't be surprised to see at least a mild improvement in fuel efficiency along with the added power. According to Channel 4 in the UK, Land Rover is hard at work developing a new 8-speed automatic that should boost fuel economy by over 10 percent over the current 6-speed. Unfortunately, stop/start technology is reportedly still a few years away. Other fuel-saving modifications that are likely to make it to production in short order will include improved aerodynamics and low rolling-resistance tires. Land Rover is also expected to show off the latest version of its LRX concept in New York, which will reportedly be "the smallest, lightest, most efficient Range Rover ever." It's interesting that the LRX will be badged as a Range Rover, which is the firm's highest-end line of vehicles, so we'd expect it to be extremely well equipped and full of luxurious touches if it does indeed make it into production. (courtesy AutoGreen)

MERC...NEW AMG

It's time for another auto show, so that means embargoes are breaking again. This time out, its the new E63 AMG from Mercedes Benz that will get its debut at the New York Auto Show next week. We're big fans of AMG's homegrown 6.2-liter V8 around the Autoblog campfire – particularly in C63 guise. The engine is now being dropped into the newest E-Class that debuted at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, along with all the other typical AMG goodness. The more spacious engine compartment of the mid-size E63 allows the big engine enough room to produce 518 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, the same as in the big boy S63. Unlike its AMG sedan siblings, however, the 186 mph E63 is equipped with the seven-speed dual clutch Speedshift gearbox that debuted in the SL63 roadster. That development allows it to consume 12% less premium petrol than the previous iteration which had a mere 507 hp to play with. Standard 18-inch or optional 19-inch alloys with matching rubber help transfer the drive and braking torque to the pavement – and in typical AMG fashion, there promises tl be plenty of the latter to counter-balance the former. Official press release after the jump. (courtesy by Autoblog)