For many years the Range Rover has been the benchmark against which all premium SUVs are measured, so pretenders to the title will be dismayed to hear that Land Rover have just shifted the goalposts...by about a mile...with the addition of an all-new supercharged V8 powerplant and a wealth of clever features and tasteful styling revisions.
According to Land Rover existing Range Rover customers are very attached to their vehicle's styling, so the company was loathe to radically change a successful formula. Minor revisions to the headlamp clusters, grille and front valance are contemporary touches applied to the Range Rover's distinctive silhouette.
LED accents in the brake lamp clusters and improved aerodynamics have been subtly applied to the new Range Rover.
A combination of LEDs and xenon elements adorn the headlamp clusters. One of the new features available for this model is automatic high-beam assist, which utilizes a light sensor to automatically dip the headlamps at the approach of another vehicle at night.
A number of new trim combinations are available for the luxuriously appointed cabin and the new 12-inch touch-screen infotainment system (which features a dual view system that allows passengers to watch a DVD while the driver views navigation and vehicle functions, among other things) accommodates many of the ancillary controls, minimising switchgear clutter on the facia.
Adaptive cruise control is another new feature on this model - it utilises a 77 GHz radar that scans the road ahead and works in conjunction with the on-board computer to maintain an optimal following distance. This system allows the driver to calibrate their ‘headway' and can call in the emergency brake assist to apply the anchors should the vehicle in front suddenly decelerate.
An uprated stability control system, along with more powerful brakes and optimised damper componentry allied to the air suspension system lend the new Range Rover an additional lease of agility on tarmac.
As ever, the new model continues to impress off-road. Land Rover's effective Terrain Response system has been integrated into the new car and features Sand Launch and Rock Crawl settings. Air suspension, generous ground clearance and serious axle articulation allow for serious off-road work.
The new Range Rover has stolen a march on the upcoming Jaguar XJ with the use of a ‘virtual' instrument panel that not only displays speed and engine rev readouts clearly, but also acts as an interface with the infotainment system and informs the driver of Terrain Response mode and adaptive cruise control settings/warnings.
Two engines are available: The previous 3,6-litre TDV8 unit with 200 kW and 650 N.m of torque and an all-new Jaguar-sourced supercharged 5,0-litre V8 petrol powerplant. This unit develops 375 kW and 625 N.m of torque, increases of 29 and 12 percent over the outputs of the previous supercharged 4,2-litre V8. It's also more efficient, consuming 14,9-litres/100 km - 7,3 percent less than before.
The new Range Rover is available now with the 3,6-litre TDV8 model wearing a R1 164 000 price tag and the 5,0-litre supercharged V8 R1 204 000.
Add a Comment