Land Rover: 1st Fully Integrated Satellite Navigation System for SUV
8 April 1998
Land Rover's 'JAMES' is First Fully Integrated Satellite Navigation System for a Sport Utility
NEW YORK, April 8 -- Land Rover vehicles have always had the
capability to take their occupants far off the beaten path. Now JAMES
(Journey Assistance and Mapping Exploration System), the new GPS satellite
navigation package offered by Land Rover, provides drivers with a personal
guide to their destinations, wherever those destinations may be in the
continental United States. With JAMES, arriving at any location is a
pleasurable, easy and -- most importantly -- a safe experience.
JAMES will be available in May 1998 on new 1998 Range Rovers, with an MSRP
of $2,890.00. This price includes two regional CD-ROM map discs and the first
two map updates in six months.
The comprehensive computerized navigation system uses four to eight global
positioning satellites at any one time to determine the exact location of the
vehicle, and is accurate to within 10 yards.
JAMES features scaleable maps, turn-by-turn directions and audible
commands spoken with a distinctly British accent and personality. One touch
of a button allows missed instructions to be repeated. Fully integrated into
the dashboard fascia, JAMES is simple to use, with a single turn-and-push knob
for all driver input selections.
Drivers have four options when selecting JAMES' satellite-guided route
plan, allowing a choice of optimal travel time, shortest distance and either
most or least frequently used roads. Should the driver divert from the
original route, JAMES will automatically recalculate its directions, based on
the vehicle's new position. Or, by pushing one button, the driver can opt for
JAMES to select a one- to six-mile intentional detour around the planned
route.
Adjusting the map scale from 400 feet to 50 miles, drivers can choose
between a turn-by-turn pictogram guidance screen or a map overlay of the
entire surrounding area. Not only does JAMES display the name of the road
currently being traveled and the titles of approaching streets, but the system
can also be asked to provide information and directions to more that 400,000
points of interest, including the nearest hotels, gas stations, banks,
hospitals, restaurants and ATMs.
In the event that help is needed, JAMES is equipped to display an
emergency screen showing the vehicle's precise location. This screen displays
the street name (if on a digitized road) and GPS coordinates. The driver can
then relay this information to either Land Rover's 24-Hour Road Recovery (SM)
network or the appropriate emergency services.
Regional maps for the 48 contiguous states are contained on seven CD-ROM
discs that can be kept in the cargo area storage unit for use when driving
away from home.
Land Rover North America, Inc., is a member of the Rover Group of
Companies, importing vehicles manufactured by Land Rover, Solihull, England.
The Rover Group is a wholly owned subsidiary of the BMW Group, Munich,
Germany.
SOURCE Land Rover North America, Inc.
