New Range Rover introduced
By Michael Binstock
Acorn Automotive Editor

It was over 30 years ago and I was working for a major oil company in London as part of the support crew on the RAC Rally of Great Britain. We were supposed to help the drivers and mechanics look after the cars and the drivers, but I spent most of my time fetching water, soft drinks and food. Oh yes, I was also driving a support vehicle supplied by Land Rover, the very new and not yet released Range Rover, on one of its first outings in public. I crashed it! Not badly, but it did take away some of the glory of the competitors’ cars.

Now all these years later, Land Rover introduced last week in London the new Range Rover which goes on sale throughout the world early next year. The latest Range Rover is only the third all-new model in 31 years.

The new Range Rover was developed while Land Rover was under BMW’s ownership. Now owned by Ford, Land Rover has kept most of BMW’s input, including the all new 4.4 liter V8 engine, replacing an all alluminium block that was first used back in 1953!

"We believe the new Range Rover is the most capable vehicle in the world given its outstanding degree of on and off-road ability," said the chairman and chief executive officer of Land Rover, Bob Dover. "It is supremely capable off-road and one of the world’s finest luxury cars."

"The exterior is thoroughly modern yet retains all the distinctive Range Rover styling cues," added Dover. "We believe it is essential that people instantly recognize the new vehicle. We wanted to set the new Range Rover apart from all off-road competitors and also offer an interior that beats luxury sedan rivals,"

Led by Land Rover design director Geoff Upex, the design team behind the third generation Range Rover have kept many of the traditional Range Rover elements. A Range Rover would not be a Range Rover if it did not have the practical horizontally split tailgate, the bold upright front with its simple grille and the commanding driving position.

To make the new Range Rover more spacious inside, the new vehicle is bigger externally than its predecessor. It is longer and taller and has greater ground clearance. The imposing vehicle is over 16 feet from bumper to bumper. Ground clearance, one of the most significant dimensions for an off-road vehicle, has risen by 2.6 in. to 11.1 in. when the Range Rover is on its highest suspension setting. Its overall dimensions are narrower enabeling it to thread through gaps both in traffic and off the beaten track without compromising passenger comfort.

Larger external dimensions translate directly into more interior space. There is more head, leg and shoulder room for those in the front, and an improvement in knee room for those in the rear. In addition, the luggage area is longer and taller than before.

Typical Range Rover customers know and understand luxury, and the interior of the new vehicle reflects the understated quality they expect. While developing the interior of the car, the design team took styling and texture cues from products as diverse as audio equipment, ocean-going yachts, first-class airline seating, fine furniture and jewelry, combining these concepts with the classic "wood and leather" experience expected from a Range Rover.

At the same time, the need for a simple cockpit layout was not forgotten. A minimalist approach to the controls is vital in an off-road vehicle where safety could be compromised if the wrong control was to be used inadvertently at a crucial point. The result is an interior that brings new levels of luxury to the Range Rover yet remains classically elegant and supremely functional.

Another theme central to the new Range Rover is one of choice. Although there is only one body style and one engine, a huge choice of interior styles and shades and exterior colors make it possible for customers to specify a bespoke Range Rover.

To complement the 12 exterior colors, there are three interior trim finishes and three seat fabrics. A discreet metal finish is used for the detailing around the instruments and controls.

The Range Rover is being built on a new production line at Land Rover’s manufacturing plant in Solihull in England and will be sold in 124 countries. No pricing has been released.

Land Rover of Thousand Oaks, in the Auto Mall has received preliminary information, which they are only too happy to share with you.