Park Place Land Rover “Defender 2020” Coloring Pages and Fun Facts

GRAB YOUR PENS AND COLORED PENCILS!  Park Place Land Rover is excited to introduce the next generation of the iconic Land Rover Defender after a 20+ year production hiatus with some lesser-known facts to tickle your brain and a custom coloring sheet to help relieve some stress and unleash your (or your kid’s) inner creative.

 A Short Introduction to the 2020 Land Rover Defender

The “Defender” as we know it didn’t start out known as the Defender.  Instead, when the first version was released Land Rover dubbed it the “Land Rover” meant to be an all-purpose auto. There were three iterations of this Land Rover- Series I, II, III- with Series I debuting in the late 1940s and costing a total of £450 or about $568. In just a year, orders for the Series 1 totaled about 8,000 with the British Army ordering their first batch of trial Land Rovers. Fast forward almost 60 years, and the Land Rover is officially christened with the immediately recognizable name of “Defender” as the “Discovery” officially joined the Land Rover line-up. 

After a 23-year hiatus, we are finally welcoming the next iteration of the Defender family, which features a four-door Defender 110 (to go on sale first) and the two-door Defender 90 which will be available at a later date.

To help celebrate #athome, we’ve compiled a list of fun facts and released official Park Place Land Rover / Land Rover Defender color sheets for a fun at-home activity. Just scroll down for whichever you’d like to read first.

Your Defender, Your Way – Coloring Pages Available for Download

The new Defender is extremely customizable; with various options to fit your unique adventure needs.  So, we challenge you to create your own bespoke variant by downloading our Custom Coloring Sheets featuring the 2020 Defender or by following us on Instagram 

When your art is complete – post it to Facebook or your Instagram story and tag @parkplacetexas. You can download the Coloring Sheets here: Park Place Land Rover DEFENDER Coloring Sheet – Blank

10 Fun Facts about the Land Rover Defender (Past and Present)

Below  you’ll find a list of 10 more fun (and maybe lesser-known) facts about the Land Rover Defender:

  1. In 1952, Queen Elizabeth II of England took delivery of her first Land Rover shortly before coming to the throne in 1952– and continues to use Land Rover to this day. According to a CNN article, the Queen learned to drive in 1945 when she was a member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) where she trained as a mechanic and military truck driver. 
     
  2.  There were three=ish iterations of Land Rover prior to it officially being named the Defender: 
    1. Series I launched in 1948 at the Amsterdam Motor Show
    2. Series II launched in 1958 sporting an enlarged Petrol Engine (2.25 liter engine) 
    3. Series IIA launched in 1961 
    4. Series III launched in October of 1971
  3. the 1,000,000 Land Rover was built-in 1976
  4.  The Defender is officially launched in 1990
  5. 2015 was termed the ‘Year of the Defender by Land Rover” which included    1km-wide sand drawing (below) of the original Land Rover shape on the beach at Red Wharf Bay in Anglesey; the launch of three new Limited Edition Defenders; and the recreation of the Series I production line at Solihull.
  6. The 2020 Land Rover Defender is the first production Defender in 23 years.
  7.  The new Defender was tested within temperature ranges of -40°F to 122°F for over 750,000 miles in 45,000 individual tests
  8.  the new Defender has a massive towing capacity of 8,201 pounds (great for an off-road road trip)
  9.  There is a 2,573 piece Lego version titled Land Rover Defender. This is a part of Leo’s Technic kits and retails for $199.99.
  10.  the New Defender 90 is about 9 inches longer (wheelbase) than the original Defender 90, and 5 inches longer than the  2020 Jeep Rubicon

What else do you want to know about the new Defender? You can reach out to our team at Jaguar Land Rover DFW and now, Jaguar Land Rover North Austin on our website and by sending us a message on Instagram (@parkplacetexas). 

 

Jaguar Land Rover DFW

1300 E State Highway 114
DFW Airport, TX 75261

Jaguar Land Rover North Austin

13910 N FM 620
Austin, TX 78717

 

 

Game Day at the Park Place Auto Auction

An up-close-and-personal look at Park Place’s Auto Auction for area authorized dealers.


It’s 4 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon at Park Place Auto Auction in Plano, and the non-stop auctioneer chatter over the booming loudspeakers is silent now. The twin driveways are devoid of vehicles, while administrators inside the facility quietly wrap up the mounds of paperwork required to transfer ownership of nearly 200 vehicles.

But a mere two hours prior, the place was a buzzing beehive. Sedans, coupes, convertibles, SUVs, crossovers, pickups, minivans, sportscars and other vehicles of every make and manufacture creep slowly yet continuously along parallel driveways while about 200 potential buyers – independent and franchise dealers alike – raise a hand or give a nod and a wink to convey their bids. The din from fast-talking, sharp-eyed auctioneers is loud and urgent. Enormous wall-mounted monitors display a dizzying blur of vehicles and ever-rising numbers for all to see.

“The whole process is actually well under control,” says Kenny Parmentier, Operations Manager of Park Place Auto Auction. “But to outsiders, it tends to look like complete mayhem,” he adds with a chuckle.

Where Did It All Start?

The idea for getting into the auction business came from Park Place President Jordan Case, who wanted to create a clean, comfortable and well-kept environment where authorized dealers could find an extensive selection of both high-performance luxury cars and top-quality vehicles of all kinds, and engage in an efficient, hassle-free purchasing experience. In short, he wanted the auction business to function with the commitment to excellence that makes Park Place, well, Park Place.

More often than not, he’s on hand to savor the experience, which kicks off every Wednesday at 2 p.m. sharp. From that point, a vehicle is sold every 38 seconds. In the next 90 minutes, about 195 out of about 200 vehicles will have changed hands. And then it’s all over. Until next week, when it all starts again.

Where Do the Cars Come From?

Most of the vehicles come from Park Place pre-owned lots where they’ve been for 65 days, the result of trade-ins on something newer and shinier. Or they’re front-line vehicles that are getting long in the tooth as a new model year looms. The auction gives them all a chance to find new homes – and Park Place more room for more desirable pre-owned vehicles that will hopefully turn faster.

Celebrating its two-year anniversary in February, the Park Place Auto Auction business is run in partnership with America’s Auto Auction, a full-service company catering to dealers in 23 locations across 15 states. They handle all the day-to-day activity – checking vehicles in, taking pictures, and handling collections, payments, and titles.

Parmentier works for them, as does his five-member team.

“We’re running at a 95 percent success rate,” he says. “Once a vehicle is sold, the buyer has 48 hours to complete the sale and move the vehicle off the lot. It’s a fast-paced business and really quite exciting. It’s game day!”

In 2019, the business sold 8,647 vehicles or about 720 a month. Those that don’t sell one week – called “reruns” – go through the line again a week later for another shot at success, and are usually snapped up by eagle-eyed bargain hunters.

That certainly wasn’t the case when a 2019 Rolls-Royce and a 2018 McLaren came down the line.

“We don’t get those rarities all that often,” Parmentier grins, “but when we do, they’re show-stoppers!”

 

 

 

 

Watch List for the 2020 Park Place Pre-Owned Event

Did you know that we have a wide array of Pre-Owned and Certified vehicles in our showrooms and inventory? Introducing the Park Place Pre-Owned event, which is a great way to experience affordable luxury to kick off the new year. With over 1400 Pre-Owned vehicles, including over 700 Certified Pre-Owned models and an array of non-certified Pre-Owned vehicles,  there are plenty of cars and SUVs to choose from.

To help guide you during the Park Place Pre-Owned event, we have highlighted notable models across our dealerships that could very well be the next vehicle in your driveway.

 

Jaguar F-Type & Land Rover Range Rover Sport

If you love responsive handling with a sports car vibe, the Jaguar F-Type offers coupe and convertible options for sale. Whether you enjoy a hard rooftop or want to let the top down during the springtime, drivers will enjoy the experience behind the Jaguar wheel.

The same handling experience can be found with the Range Rover Sport. Whether you are driving around the Dallas tollways during the week or navigating mountainous terrains during vacation, the Range Rover Sport SUV adds more throttle to your commute.

When purchasing the Certified Pre-Owned Jaguar or Land Rover, the CPO warranty covers 7 years from the original in-service date or when your purchase reaches 100,000 total miles, whichever comes first.

Lexus NX

The Lexus NX features modern interior design complemented by swift SUV performance. Ever since the NX debuted with its 2015 year model release, drivers have enjoyed the comfortable seating and adaptable cargo space. When purchasing a Certified Pre-Owned NX, L/Certified warranty offers you four complimentary maintenances for two years or 20,000 miles, whichever comes first.

McLaren 720S

Available at our Premier Collection, the McLaren 720S is ready for action as soon as you the start engine. The 720S is designed to be an everyday vehicle but also pushes the limits of relentless performance. Those interested Certified Pre-Owned McLarens can enjoy an additional 12 months or up to 12,000 miles of McLaren Qualified warranty.

Mercedes-Benz GLC

Mercedes-Benz meets the needs of drivers who love the comfortability of a luxury SUV paired with the drivability of a compact sedan. Certified Pre-Owned GLCs are available dating back to 2016 models. Any GLC300 comes with an unlimited mileage Certified Pre-Owned warranty for an additional year – with the possibility to extend coverage for two additional years at the time of purchase.

Porsche Macan

As SUV growth continues to climb industry-wide, the Porsche Macan is at the forefront of the SUV revolution. Not to mention, the performance crossover SUV is Porsche’s top-selling vehicle. Since its introductory 2015 model, Macan owners have enjoyed the athletic ride paired with the authentic Porsche styling. Owners who purchase a Porsche Certified Pre-Owned model will also enjoy 2 years of unlimited mileage warranty coverage after the expiration of the new vehicle limited warranty.

Volvo XC90

The top-selling Volvo model concludes the Park Place Pre-Owned Event vehicle watch list. Whether you need additional cargo space for a weekend getaway or daily driver to pick up the kids, the XC90 provides ample room for up to 7 occupants. With additional safety support and cozy comfort, Volvo’s full-size SUV helped the Swedish brand achieve their highest sales volume in 12 years.

With your purchase of a Certified Pre-Owned Volvo, owners will enjoy a 5 year or unlimited-mile warranty coverage from the original in-service date of the car. Additional warranty coverage can also be purchased up to a total of 10 years and unlimited miles at the time of purchase.

If you are in the market to upgrade your vehicle during the Park Place Pre-Owned Event, please visit parkplace.com to find your favorite Pre-Owned options.

 

Member Spotlight: Nick Carimi, Service Director at Jaguar Land Rover DFW

“It’s nonstop around here, for sure,” says Nick Carimi with a giant smile, clearly expressing that he loves every second of it.


He’s on the phone one moment, then striding to confer with a colleague the next, then out on the service drive to make sure all’s well – it is – then back to his computer to shoot email replies, file reports, follow up service requests and tend to the myriad of things that a Park Place service director does.

His story was far different in 2008, when he arrived in big-city Dallas from small-town Geneva, Ohio, fresh from Edinboro University with a degree in sports management. He had two suitcases and a referral from his half-brother Tony – currently Park Place COO, then Service Director at Motorcars Dallas – about a position with Park Place Lexus Grapevine.

“The economy was tanking, so there weren’t a lot of jobs around that fit my major,” he explains. “And frankly, I didn’t really know what Tony was doing, but he was always talking about how great Park Place was, so I thought this would be a solid opportunity.”

He got the gig as an assistant service manager (ASM) and found that the position’s constant buzz of activity suited his high-energy personality. Then, a dizzying series of transitions throughout the organization saw him in a variety of roles. In 2011, he transferred to Park Place Motorcars Dallas as a service manager, then moved to Motorcars Fort Worth in 2014 as service director, and then to Motorcars Arlington in the same role.

Then he snapped up a sales manager position in 2018, eager to experience “the other side of the house.” And when a position as service director became available at Jaguar Land Rover DFW earlier this year, he grabbed it.

“The past 12 years have just flown by,” he marvels. “With all that movement, I’ve got an extensive network of expertise that I can tap into anytime day or night. That’s a huge benefit to me and to our clients.”

A Strange Find

That network came in handy when late one night, a service tech came into his office with news of an unusual find in a demonstrator vehicle.

“Our CEO, Neil Grossman, tells this story better than me,” Nick says. “But what happened is that a tech found a bag literally stuffed with cash — $50,000. We didn’t know who it belonged to or where it came from, so we quickly put it in the safe while I called around for advice on what to do. The next morning, a gentleman called, quite frantic, explaining that he’d accidentally left an important package in one of our cars and could we help? We took all of the rights steps in confirming his identity and reunited him with his money.”

“But to me, the interesting part of this story is the integrity of our members all down the line,” Nick asserts. “Nobody thought twice about doing the right thing when it would have been easy to do a bad thing and probably get away with it. It’s all about trust and in a nutshell, that’s Park Place.”

In His Spare Time

In his rare spare time, Nick likes to play a little golf. “I have a 30 handicap,” he laughs ruefully. But with a three-year-old boy and a five-month-old girl, he says, “It’s kids, kids, kids all the time. Throw in two absolutely crazy Labradoodles and it’s constant mayhem.”

But he also says he’s incredibly grateful for his home and work life. “There’s good work-life balance and the opportunities to grow at Park Place are remarkable. There’s a great atmosphere throughout the company, and the culture challenges and inspires members to stretch out of their comfort zone, show what they’re capable of and have a lot of fun, too.”

Nick Carimi and Mason Waddell, Valet

To apply for a career at Park Place Dealerships visit our Careers page.

Park Place Dealerships Kicks Off Season of Holiday Giving with Philanthropic Programs

For Every Act of Kindness Shared with Hashtag #giveamazing Lexus will donate $10 to Boys & Girls Clubs of America


The holiday season is a time of increased giving across North Texas and Park Place Dealerships is leading the way for members, clients and the community to give back to help those who may need it. Organizations Park Place will be supporting during this season include Salvation Army, Boys & Girls Club of America, Community Partners of Dallas, Arlington ISD, and Toys for Tots.

“We care about our community and are glad to provide support to those in need,” said Dave Evans, chief marketing officer for Park Place Dealerships. “There are many families who struggle throughout the year and our members continually look for opportunities to help others. During this holiday season, we are partnering with various charities and we have made it easy for the community to join these efforts.”

Give Back with Park Place 

Park Place Lexus stores in Grapevine and Plano are participating in the Lexus Give Amazing program, which kicks off November 22. Lexus is simply asking people to share acts of kindness on social media with the hashtag #giveamazing. For each submission using the hashtag, Lexus will donate $10 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America up to a total donation of $100,000.

Park Place Motorcars Dallas and Park Place Porsche Dallas are participating in the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. Clients and members can pick an angel off the tree at the Lemmon Avenue dealerships. The angel tags are printed with a child’s name, age and gift ideas from their wish list. Participants purchase gifts and return them to the dealerships by the deadline on the tag. Park Place members will deliver the gifts to one of the 11 Salvation Army Distribution centers for delivery to a family. 

Park Place Motorcars Arlington is collecting new and gently used coats, jackets and shoes for students in Arlington ISD, where approximately 64,000 students (70% of students) are identified as “low socio-economic.”

Park Place Dealerships’ corporate office, located in Las Colinas, also will be collecting toys for distribution for the Community Partners of Dallas. Unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the front desk at 350 Phelps Drive in Irving.

Porsche Grapevine is collecting non-perishable food throughout November to donate to a local food bank and will be collecting Toys for Tots thru December 9th. Park Place Motorcars Grapevine is donating food for GRACE for Thanksgiving dinner and participating in Toys for Tots thru Dec. 13.

All of these efforts are part of the Park Place Cares program, which encourages Park Place’s 2,100 members to volunteer their time and resources to serve the community in which they live and work. The community can support any of these initiatives by donating toys, food, or sharing their act of kindness on social media with the hashtag #giveamazing


Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships operates 17 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

New for 2020, Land Rover Brings Back the Defender

As iconic as tea and crumpets, Land Rover’s revered Defender debuted in 1948 and instantly established itself as one of Britain’s MVEs (Most Valuable Exports). Indestructible and indefatigable, the boxy 4×4 was finally retired in 2016, much to the chagrin of SUV aficionados everywhere. (It’s been gone from American markets even longer – its lack of safety features prohibited its sale in the U.S. from 1997 on.)

But you can’t keep an icon down. The Defender is back for 2020, chock-full of sturdy protective passenger gear as well as all the rough-and-tumble goodness that made the original such a massive hit.

Before we look forward, however, let’s take a quick look back at how the legend became legendary. 

The world-famous Defender wasn’t always called “Defender.”

In 1947, with the war over, Rover’s director of engineering Maurice Wilks desperately needed a new product. Inspiration struck while he worked on his farm near Red Wharf Bay in Wales. Grabbing a stick, he scratched a design in the sand for a simple, strong, go-anywhere four-wheel-drive vehicle. Spencer, his brother (and Rover’s managing director), looked at the sketch and nodded.

The Land Rover was born, christened “Series I,” followed by Series II and III and then badged as model numbers 90,110 and 127 to represent wheelbase inches. Interestingly, it took 42 years for it to finally be christened “Defender,” which was its moniker until retirement.

Reimagined for the 21st century

The new Defender’s exterior styling carries on the original’s tall, boxy look but in a much more subtle and refined manner. A nice traditional touch – the spare wheel carrier on the rear door.

Another traditional touch – the Defender comes in two wheelbases, branded as “90” and “110” designations, which actually makes no sense because they signify, respectively, a 101.9-inch wheelbase with two-doors and a 119.0-inch wheelbase with four doors. But heritage is cool, so why not?

“The new Defender is respectful of its past but not harnessed by it,” said Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer, Land Rover. “This is a new Defender for a new age. Its unique personality is accentuated by its distinctive silhouette and optimum proportions, which make it both highly desirable and seriously capable – a visually compelling 4×4 that wears its design and engineering integrity with uncompromised commitment.”

While the interior isn’t so spartan that you can hose it down like the old Defender, it’s surprisingly austere, more so than other Range Rover models. That’s not to say there aren’t luxury touches – carpet floor mats offer a premium look and feel but are easily removed to reveal durable flooring beneath. Hey, this is the Defender and it’s got tradition to, well, defend. 

Toughness and durability

This new Defender is built for climbing mountain roads. Two engines are available (depending on the choice of trim level): a “mild-hybrid” six-cylinder with an electric supercharger cranking 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, or a 296-hp turbocharged four-cylinder. The eight-speed ZF automatic transmission is standard, as is permanent all-wheel drive with an electronically controlled front axle coupling to send torque forward. There’s also a two-speed transfer box for off-roading and towing (it’ll haul up to 8,200 pounds).

And this is so cool and brilliantly Land Rover – the Terrain Response system includes a Wade Sensing program that detects when you’re fording big water and automatically softens throttle response, sets the heating and ventilation to recirculate cabin air, locks the driveline and adjusts the ride height to its maximum off-road setting of 35.4-inches. For the mathematically challenged, that’s nearly three feet of clearance!

But wait, there’s more. The Wade Sensing screen on the infotainment system lets occupants observe the depth of water under the vehicle and say hi to their fishy friends. As if that’s not enough, when the Defender leaves the water, it automatically drags the brakes for a moment to clean and dry the discs. 

 

Availability

Prices start at just over $50,000 to more than $80,000 for the 110 model, with spring deliveries. Six models are available: Defender, Defender S, Defender SE, Defender HSE, Defender X and Defender First Edition.

Customers can also select from the widest range of accessories ever produced by the Land Rover brand, including a choice of four Accessory Packs: Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban.


Get yours at:

Park Place Jaguar Land Rover DFW

1300 E State Hwy 114, Grapevine, TX 75261

(972) 295-9783

Park Place Jaguar Land Rover North Austin (Opening  2020)

13910 FM 620

Austin, TX 78717

COUPLE VALUES CULTURE IN WORKPLACE, AT HOME AND IN DOING BUSINESS WITH OTHER COMPANIES

Nikole and Mike Rose know firsthand how culture in the workplace and in the home is important for success.

“We are married and we work together,” says Nikole Rose. “We have been married nine years and we take life one day at a time.”

In addition to creating a happy marriage, the Rose’s have been building a successful business, Mojo Media Labs.  

“Not every business puts people first,” stated Mike. “I grew up in a business where my dad took care of people running a small, Italian deli. That always stuck in my head.”


Relationships are important to the Rose’s and in every aspect of their lives, they choose to treat everyone with respect, and they expect the same from others.

“We made a decision to focus on culture and we put that in front of everything else,” says Nikole about Mojo Media Labs. “We think it’s a pretty simple equation, that happy people equals happy clients.”

When choosing an automotive partner to provide their family with everything they need, the Rose family picked Park Place Dealerships.

“We want to support businesses that think the same way,” commented Mike. “We know that Park Place will take care of us and the people we work with which is important as well.”

Over the past 10 years, the Rose’s have purchased nine vehicles from Park Place. Nikole articulates that she can feel Park Place members have a passion for serving clients in a real, genuine way and that they are happy in their careers.

“I have been to three different dealerships and am always treated with incredible respect. I love the relationship with Park Place,” proclaims Nikole.

Mike conveys he has always admired the friendly relationship with Park Place and says, “Park Place is My Place because of the people.” Nikole adamantly agrees.

The Roses aRe sharing their story in a new “My Place” campaign about Park Place Dealerships.

“Nikole and Mike Rose exemplify ‘My Place,” explains Dave Evans, Park Place Dealerships Chief Marketing Officer. “They have a unique perspective about the culture they are creating and likewise, they have the same expectations of companies with which they do business. We are sharing the Rose’s unique story through the “My Place” campaign.”


To see the Rose’s story and how Park Place makes every experience exceptional, visit ParkPlace.com.

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,100 people and operates 17 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Karma, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

The Land Rover Defender Moves Another Step Closer to Production

As Land Rover continues to evolve their model ranges across the world, a new model conquered another challenge this summer. The new Land Rover Defender successfully finished a daunting Tusk testing program in Kenya in support of their lion conservation initiatives in Africa.

A prototype model was specially outfitted with unique camouflage and a raised air intake to handle the Borana Conservancy. The Defender was put into real-world tests as wildlife managers maneuvered through rivers, pulled heavy loaded trailers, and encountered through difficult Kenyan terrain.

“We are now in the advanced stages of the new Defender’s testing and development phase. Working with our partners at Tusk in Kenya enabled us to gather valuable performance data,” Nick Collins, Jaguar Land Rover Vehicle Line Director said. The Borana reserve features a wide range of challenging environments, making it a perfect place to test to the extreme the all-terrain attributes of the new Defender.”

For 15 years, Land Rover has been an official partner of Tusk. Land Rover has assigned the Defender to work at the Borana Conservancy to highlight the critical situation faced by lions across Africa. 75% of the lion populations in Africa are in decline. Currently, the lion population has declined by over 180,000 within the last century.

“This year marks Tusk’s Year of the Lion. Our aim is to raise awareness of the alarming decline in lion populations across Africa,” said Tusk Chief Executive Charles Mayhew. “Fortunately, within the Borana Conservancy, there are a number of prides of lion and tracking and monitoring their movements across this vast and tough environment is vital in order to protect them and reduce any conflict with neighbouring communities. The new Defender took everything in its stride, from deep river wading to climbing rocky trails.”

For more information regarding the Tusk program visit https://www.tusk.org/.

The Defender is slated to make its global premiere later in 2019 and be available for sale at Park Place Land Rover DFW in 2020.

Versatility By Design: The New Discovery Sport Design Highlights

It’s designed with your family’s needs in mind with an instantly recognizable design DNA.  The new model year sports a transformed interior, improved seating layout with 24 possible configurations, and the latest user-focused technology.


“Building on the success of the original Discovery Sport, this beautifully proportioned vehicle has been refined, enhancing its characterful exterior which complements the engaging nature of the interior space.” – Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Chief Design Officer

Vehicle Highlights: 

  • 5+2 seating capabilities
  • 40:20:40 split-folding second-row seats for 24 different configurations
  • Electrified powertrains
  • Increased interior space for more adventures
  • Terrain Response 2 Technology 
  • Touch Pro infotainment with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging and 4G wifi hotspot

 

Trademark Design

The trademark Discovery design cues, including the clamshell bonnet, rising beltline, and tapered roof remain, but the new model is a bold exterior evolution. The proportions have been optimized to project a more striking visual with new signature LED headlamps at the front and rear, alongside a new front grille and bumpers.

Inside, the arrival of the digital Touch Pro infotainment system and the introduction of more premium materials throughout transforms the cabin to create a high quality yet practical space. New seats across each of the three rows provide improved comfort and versatility, thanks to the second row 40:20:40 split fold and slide functionality, boosting the possible number of seat combinations to 24 and covering every eventuality – be it the school run or a family holiday.

Designed with electrification in mind, the new Premium Transverse Architecture allows for the introduction of a new 48-volt mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) powertrain on Discovery Sport. First launched on the new Range Rover Evoque, the system uses an engine-mounted belt-integrated starter generator to harvest energy normally lost during deceleration and stores it in an under-floor battery.

Technology 

The latest Discovery Sport is available with a ‘smart rearview mirror’ that transforms into a video screen at the flick of a switch to display what is behind the vehicle in crisp high definition. Offering a wider (50-degree) field of vision and superior visibility in low light conditions from a camera mounted above the rear window, the mirror ensures rear visibility is not compromised by second-row passengers or bulky items in the boot.

Wireless charging for compatible mobile devices is introduced for the first time within the lower center console, while a 4G WiFi hotspot, alongside USB and 12-volt connectivity points on every row, ensure passengers remain charged and connected. Second and third-row occupants also benefit from individual heating and ventilation controls to make the space more comfortable.

For regular drivers of the new Discovery Sport, Smart Settings uses artificial intelligence algorithms to learn driver preferences, adjusting massage and seat positions, music and climate settings and steering column positioning to suit each driver.


Read the full Press-Release on how the Land Rover Discovery is Compact, Composed, Capable for your all-terrain family adventures. 

2019 Park Place Dealerships – Texas Rangers Triple Play Game Show Spectacular Breaks Record with $770,000 Raised

Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation Escapes to Margaritaville


With a playful theme of “Escape to Margaritaville,” fans filled the Hilton Anatole ballroom May 5th looking for rare treasures, unbridled laughter and fun encounters with their favorite players and coaches at the sold-out 2019 Park Place Dealerships – Texas Rangers Triple Play Game Show Spectacular. And the Rangers hit a grand slam!

“The Park Place Dealerships – Texas Rangers Triple Play has always been our largest fundraising event and this year’s total made a record $770,000,” said Karin Morris, executive director of the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation. “The funds raised at this event directly impact our programming and partnerships. Since last year’s event, we have welcomed more than 25,000 kids to the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex, presented by Toyota.”

The annual event featured Texas Rangers players, coaches, broadcasters, and alumni. Fans enjoyed unparalleled access to their favorite Rangers for autographs, photos and lively baseball conversations with a player, coach, former Rangers player or staff member seated at their table.

“This is the 15th year Park Place has been involved in this event and every year it surpasses our expectations,” said Jordan Case, Park Place Dealerships president. “Supporting the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation ensures children throughout North Texas will have opportunities to succeed through scholarships, new training facilities, and programs. Together, we are making our community stronger.”

(L to R) Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation executive director Karin Morris; and Park Place Dealerships president Jordan Case; with one of the Texas Rangers Baseball Club owners, Rangers COO and chairman of the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation Board Neil Leibman; Park Place Lexus Grapevine GM Gary Venner; Rangers manager Chris Woodward; and his wife, Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation Advisory board member Erin Woodward. Photo Credit: Michael Ainsworth

The live and silent auctions raised more than $225,000, also a record. The highest amount in the live auction was a $31,000 bid for a trip on a private jet with Hall of Fame catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez to see the Rangers play against the Angels in Anaheim. The amount was doubled when the Rangers agreed to allow both of the two top bidders to take the trip for a total of $62,000 for the dream trip. 

Other notable experiences included a roadtrip to Boston to see the Rangers play the Red Sox that included transportation on the team plane and dining with Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley; a trip to the Dominican Republic for a tour of the Rangers’ new Baseball Academy; private hitting and pitching lessons with current Rangers players, and many other exclusive experiences. Memorabilia from the worlds of sports and entertainment included a license plate signed by the stars of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off;” a framed photo autographed by legendary players Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio; an autographed seat back from the original Texas Stadium; a photo signed by the cast of “The Sandlot;” and countless signed jerseys and equipment from a wide range of sports.

Fans and players competed against each other in a spirited game of Heads or Tails. Tim Willett, auctioneer, would flip a coin and contestants placed their hands on either their head or derriere. If the coin landed on tails, all those with hands on their heads would sit down.

– Rangers players (L-toR) Rougned Odor, Elvis Andrus, Joey Gallo and Hunter Pence play Heads or Tails

Contestants were eliminated round by round until only two people were left on stage. Willett tossed the coin for one final flip, and Leta Farnsworth won tickets to the Paul McCartney and Billy Joel concerts later this year at Globe Life Park.

The highlight of the evening is always when the players compete in a pair of game shows. The entertainment began with a new game: Heads Up, where a player holds a card up to their forehead with a word or name written on it. Their teammates then give them clues to try to guess the answer. Rangers pitchers Jesse Chavez and Chris Martin were teamed up with catcher Jeff Mathis to battle Rangers’ bullpen coach Oscar Marin and pitchers Shelby Miller and Drew Smyly. The resulting antics were hilarious as players stammered and shouted answers under pressure as they tried to beat the clock. Jesse Chavez was holding a card with “Kanye West” on it and his teammates prompted him with, “Kim Kardashian’s husband!” To which Chavez replied, “Chloe?” The audience erupted in laughter.

The Rangers’ rookies never fail to entertain. Kyle Dowdy, Brett Martin, Adrian Sampson and Ariel Jurado performed a hysterical skit to “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X, featuring Billy Ray Cyrus. Don’t worry. They won’t be taking this show on the road any time soon. But it certainly made for some memorable moments.

Rangers’ rookies Kyle Dowdy, Brett Martin, Adrian Sampson and Ariel Jurado perform a skit (Photo by Michael Ainsworth)

If you think the Rangers are competitive on the field, imagine what happens when the infielders match wits with the outfielders in Fielders Feud, a popular spinoff of the popular Family Feud TV game show. Players tried to guess the top answers given by 100 Rangers fans in a survey taken at Globe Life Park. Both teams were stumped when it came time to guess the fans’ responses to the question, “What are your favorite memories from Globe Life Park?”

Rangers Hall of Fame broadcaster Eric Nadel moderates Fielders Feud with Infielders Isiah Kiner-Falefa , Logan Forsythe, Rougned Odor and Elvis Andrus competing against Outfielders Hunter Pence, Delino DeShields Jr, Joey Gallo and Nomar Mazara

Players were able to match answers such as “Beltre’s 3000th hit” and “Striking out A-Rod in the ALCS.” But the crowd let out a gasp when “Rougie’s Punch” was not one of the top answers.

“The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation was recognized last year with the Allan H. Selig Award for Philanthropic Excellence for our Richard Greene Scholars program,” concluded Karin Morris. “As part of this recognition, the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation will receive a $10,000 grant from Major League Baseball Charities.”

Named after the former Mayor of Arlington who led the campaign to keep the Rangers in Arlington and construct Globe Life Park, the Richard Greene Scholars program provides a $10,000 scholarship every year to a student at each of the Arlington ISD high schools. During the recipient’s senior year, he/she rotates through an internship every six weeks at different community service and local government entities. 

Now in its 22nd year of operation, the Richard Greene Scholars program has provided more than $1.2 million in college scholarships to Arlington high school students. In addition to financial aid, the program has become a cornerstone leadership development program by engaging recipients with local civic and business communities, including Arlington ISD, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, the City of Arlington, the Texas Rangers and the Rangers Baseball Foundation, and several other civic partners. 

Since its inception in 1991, the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation has invested more than $30 million in our community to help children through support of programs including the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex, presented by Toyota; youth fitness and wellness programs like the just keep livin programs; scholarships and summer programming for children in challenging circumstances.

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.