LAND ROVER HAS revealed the stylish, lightweight new Range Rover.
The new-generation car is only the fourth in the Range Rover’s 40 year history and, according to Land Rover, “reinforces its position as the world’s finest luxury SUV”.
The new Range Rover uses a revolutionary all-aluminium monocoque which is 39% lighter than the steel body of the outgoing model, equating to a weight saving of 420kg.
Benefits of the weight saving are improved mpg and C02 figures, improved on-road handling and agility, high quality ride and refinement and greater capability off-road. This is helped further by the car’s new air suspension and Terrain Response systems.
The design of the new Range Rover builds on the design philosophy of previous generations such as the upright glasshouse and the shape of the rear end, but incorporates features from the well-recieved Evoque compact SUV, most notably the angled nose and swept-back headlights.
Land Rover Design Director, Gerry McGovern, said, “Designing the next generation Range Rover, following over forty years of success, came with a huge responsibility to protect the DNA of such an icon. Our design team worked incredibly hard to capture the elegant proportions and pure surfaces which have been a feature of the best Range Rover designs.”
Land Rover have worked hard to improve interior refinement and comfort. Leather and wood veneers feature heavily on the seats and dashboard to bring traditional Range Rover characteristics up-to-date. The windscreen and side windows have been treated with an acoustic lamination to reduce noise levels and rear seat passengers will benefit from more space, with 118mm more legroom than the previous car.
The new Range Rover will be available with a choice of TDV6 and TDV8 diesel engines as well as a supercharged V8 petrol engine. The car will be officially unveiled to the public at the Paris Motorshow in September, when the order books will also open. Deliveries are expected to begin in early 2013.
The Driven Blog 