Skip to main content

2015 Land Rover LR4 brings civilization to the wilderness with new smartphone connectivity feature

General Douglas MacArthur famously said that, “old soldiers never die, they just fade away.”

The Land Rover LR4 received a significant refresh last year, but it gets a few updates for the 2015 model year to keep it from fading away for a little while, until the all-new Land Rover Discovery arrives to replace it.

The biggest change is the addition of the Land Rover InControl Apps connectivity feature, which is designed to easily integrate with a driver’s (iOS or Android) smartphone. It includes apps for navigation, media streaming, Internet radio, and location services, all adapted for in-car use. Users can also access their phones’ calendars and contacts through the LR4’s infotainment system.

Available apps include: iHeartRadio for Auto, Stitcher, Gympse, Sygic, Parkopedia, Hotelseeker, Cityseeker, Eventseeker, News on Board, and MobileDay.

Other than that, the 2015 LR4 is relatively unchanged. Exterior updates include four new paint colors and a new 20-inch alloy wheel design. The rest of the relentlessly-angular design is the same as previous LR4s, which in turn were facelifted versions of old LR3.

The sole engine option is a 3.0-liter supercharged V6, which produces 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The two four-wheel drive system introduced for 2014 carry over. That means buyers can choose from a standard system with a single-speed transfer case, or a Heavy Duty Package with two-speed case and active locking differential. As always, Land Rover’s Terrain Response system works to keep the LR4 shiny-side up.

The LR4 is biding its time until a replacement arrives. This new model will revive the Discovery name, and will be influenced by the Discovery Vision concept from the 2014 New York Auto Show. It will also spawn a new “family” of Discovery models that mirrors, Land Rover’s Range Rover family.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Cheaper EVs ahead? GM and LG say new battery cells are the key
2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV front quarter view.

General Motors and LG Energy Solution have announced a new phase in their ongoing partnership: developing a new battery cell chemistry that could significantly lower the cost of electric vehicles. The joint effort centers on lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) battery cells, a variation of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) that’s gaining popularity for being more affordable and less reliant on expensive materials like nickel and cobalt.

This is a big deal because battery costs are still the single largest expense in producing EVs. According to GM and industry experts, LMFP cells could help bring the cost of electric vehicles close to — or even on par with — gas-powered cars. The goal? Making EVs accessible to a broader range of drivers without sacrificing range or performance.

Read more
Waymo recalled 1,200 robotaxis following collisions with road barriers
Waymo Jaguar I-Pace

Waymo’s autonomous-car technology has made great advances over the years to the point where it’s now allowed to offer paid robotaxi rides in select locations in the U.S.

But the development of the technology is ongoing, and the robotaxi rides continue to gather valuable data for Waymo engineers to pore over as they further refine the driverless system to make it as reliable and efficient as possible. Which is why glitches will sometimes occur.

Read more
Apple CarPlay Ultra looks stunning in Aston Martin supercar debut
Apple CarPlay Ultra

Apple CarPlay Ultra is the next generation of the Cupertino, California-based firm's smartphone projection system for your car, and it's available in new vehicles in the US and Canada.

When we say "new cars", your options are very much limited to one brand... Aston Martin. So you'll need deep pockets if you want to experience CarPlay Ultra for yourself.

Read more