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JLR has revealed a bold new logo for the Range Rover brand, as it prepares to launch the luxury SUV marque's first electric model later this year.

Appearing in a recent presentation to investors, the new emblem – featuring a pair of Rs in the brand's trademark minimalist, wide-set font – is the first designed for Range Rover since it launched its original car in 1970. 

JLR told Autocar, however, that the new badge is not intended to replace the spelled-out 'Range Rover' script that has adorned the front and rear of each Range Rover model since the brand's launch. 

"The Range Rover Motif has been developed as a smaller symbol for where our familiar Range Rover device mark does not fit, such as on a label or as part of a repeating pattern, and within event spaces where an emblem is more appropriate," it said. 

Range Rover has been split out as one of four JLR sub-brands – alongside Jaguar, Discovery and Defender – as part of the company's House of Brands strategy, wherein each of those four model lines is operated as its own business, with their own bespoke branding, positioning and marketing strategies.

Jaguar has already revealed its new-era branding as part of the Type 00 concept unveiling, but Defender and Discovery have yet to receive their own bespoke badges. 

As part of this strategy, the Land Rover name will take on a new role as a 'trust mark', the company has said, meaning it will continue to be used in reference to the drivetrains and technology in the company's SUVs but will no longer be pitched so overtly as the parent marque.

Nonetheless, CEO Adrian Mardell has previously emphasised that Land Rover will remain an integral part of JLR's operations and its name will continue to feature on the cars. "I really want to reiterate and put this on record that the Land Rover mark will remain," he said, following the unveiling of the House of Brands strategy. 

"Among its many attributes, Land Rover is rightly synonymous with off-road credentials, with technology capabilities, with significant and huge safety features. It is still integral to our business. It will remain visible on our vehicles. It will remain on our websites, in social media and at our retail sites."

Range Rover's new motif, then, is unlikely to replace the offset Land Rover oval that has been a distinguishing feature of every Range Rover model since the original. 

The logo was revealed alongside a dedicated 'Range Rover pattern' (below) - a checkered design that includes the new 'R' design as a central element.

It is unclear how this will be used, but one possibility is that the pattern is used prominently on Range Rovers – perhaps for the grille or interior upholstery – as a means of differentiating the cars from more mainstream Land Rover models. 

Christian Horner has been sacked as Red Bull Formula 1 team boss after 20 years.

In a statement, Red Bull said Horner, who until now has been at the helm of the squad for its entire existence, has been “released from his operational duties with effect from today”. 

Laurent Mekies, currently team principal of Red Bull’s second F1 team, Racing Bulls, will replace Horner. In turn, Racing Bulls racing director Alan Permane will become team principal of the junior squad.

Horner has served as Red Bull’s team principal since the squad first entered F1 in the 2005 season by buying the Jaguar Racing squad from Ford. He impressed Red Bull through his leadership of his own Arden International squad, which was then a front-runner in Formula 3000. Horner had been looking for a way to move his team into F1 when the Red Bull opportunity arose. 

At the time of his appointment, Horner became F1’s youngest-ever team principal and he had an immediate impact. He was key to Red Bull’s successful efforts to poach ace designer Adrian Newey from McLaren in late 2005 and he helped the team expand and work its way to the sharp end of the grid. With ample money from its energy drinks parent firm, the Red Bull team was able to break into the rarefied elite of a sport long dominated by Ferrari, McLaren and Williams – and it has managed to sustain that success since.

Red Bull claimed its first drivers’ and constructors’ titles in 2009 with Sebastian Vettel, when Horner was  just 35. In his 20 years as team principal, Horner led Red Bull to 124 race wins, six constructors’ and eight drivers’ titles, with four each for Vettel and Max Verstappen. 

But there has been a slide in performance in recent seasons that has likely cost Horner his job. Red Bull lost the constructors’ title to McLaren last year and is languishing in fourth place in this year’s points race. Meanwhile, Newey has left for Aston Martin and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley has switched to Sauber (soon to become Audi). Verstappen’s future at the team is also in doubt, with reports that he is in talks with Mercedes.

Horner, married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, has enjoyed a high profile as a team principal as F1’s popularity has boomed and he has been outspoken in his opinions, both in interviews and in his appearances on Drive to Survive.

There has also been controversy. In early 2024, an internal investigation was launched after a female Red Bull employee made allegations of inappropriate behaviour. The investigation was conducted by an external lawyer and Horner was subsequently cleared of all wrongdoing.

Christian Horner has been sacked as Red Bull Formula 1 team boss.

In a statement on Wednesday, Red Bull said: "Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO (chief executive) of Red Bull Racing."

It follows a turbulent time for Horner at Red Bull following accusations of misconduct at the start of 2024.

The Britain took over as team principal in 2005.

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