The Range Rover has been an absolute icon in the automotive world, and over the years, we have seen four generations of the mighty SUV from Land Rover. It's always difficult to reimagine or replace an icon, but the British luxury SUV brand reckons it can do it again, so yes, it's now time to make way for the new fifth generation Range Rover SUV.
The Range Rover has been an absolute icon in the automotive world, and over the years, we have seen four generations of the mighty SUV from Land Rover. It's always difficult to reimagine or replace an icon, but the British luxury SUV brand reckons it can do it again, so yes, it's now time to make way for the new fifth generation Range Rover SUV.
We recently got to drive the new Range Rover in sunny California, in wine country, just north of San Francisco. And the mode with us is the D30 variant of the flagship SUV.
There is always a lot of pressure on designers to get the look and the styling just right for an iconic model, and that's true for any car. But when you talk about the flagship like the Range Rover, well that pressure kind of doubles.
In this case, the adaptive front lighting with bending light tech and manoeuvring lights is a first for the Range Rover. They work in conjunction with the 3D surround camera and the car's self-parking capability - which is remotely possible through a phone app - even when you are outside the car.
Visually, the SUV looks much comes with a solid waistline and features flush door handles, which deploy only when you lock or unlock the car. They also have the little button on there, so you don't have to use the key fob. This one right here, is the P400 variant of the new Range Rover.
The back where the car is completely new. There is a blacked out element that kind of defines this tailgate that amazingly camouflages the taillights. It's only when it lights up that you get to see it. Also, the space between the front and rear wheels gets even bigger in the longer wheelbase car.
The Range Rover also gets a new cabin, obviously, and it comes with all-new interior layout and trim and gives you an almost button-less dashboard.
The SUV gets a huge amount of touchscreens and lots of digital displays all over. Up front, there is a 13.1-inch touchscreen, new graphics, a completely new look, a new centre console with a nice shifter lever and rotary dial to change between diving modes.
Range Rovers always had a split tailgate, and for decades owners have been using them to sit on. In addition to a comfortable for the backrest, the back of the SUV now also features speakers and a tailgate mounter light. So if you're out camping, it's dark. You can use the lights and of course you can listen to your music.
For the first time, the Range Rover also gets the option of a third row - yes a third row, the Range Rover never had one before, can you imagine that? Getting in and out is easy thanks to an electrically folding second row seat.
The new-generation Range Rover looks familiar and the distinct silhouette is instantly recognisable. The model rides on 23-inch alloy wheels in the global markets, while the India-spec model is expected to ride on smaller 21-inch wheels. The rear sports blacked-out taillights connected by the black bar on the tailgate that integrates the turn indicators.
The Range Rover also comes with Executive Class Rear Seats, and it also uses more sustainable luxury materials in the cabin. The new-generation Range Rover also gets a 1600-watt, 35-speaker Meridian Signature Sound System while the Autobiography trim will come with the world-first active noise-cancelling speakers embedded in the headrest that help make the cabin quieter.
At the back, passengers get 11.4-inch entertainment displays that are mounted on the front seatbacks. With the Executive Class Rear Seats, there's an 8.0-inch touchscreen in the centre armrest.
Land Rover will also offer a top-of-the-line Range Rover SV trim, which is commissioned by the automaker's Special Vehicle Operations division brings a new level of exclusivity to the offerings.
t will be available in both Standard and Long Wheelbase (LWB) versions including a five-seater LWB configuration for the first time. LWB customers will also have the option of specifying the four-seater SV Signature Suite with an electrically deployable Club Table and integrated refrigerator.
The 2022 Range Rover will come with 3.0-litre, six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines coupled with the 48-volt mild-hybrid tech. The range-topping 4.4-litre V8 will also be on offer. The 3.0-litre petrol engine is tuned to put out 389 bhp and 550 Nm of peak torque while the 3.0-litre diesel powertrain puts out 243 bhp and 700 Nm of peak torque. The full-fat 4.4-litre V8 516 bhp and 750 Nm of peak torque.
The new Range Rover SV draws power from the new 4.4-litre twin-turbo petrol engine that develops 523 bhp and 750 Nm of peak torque, while there's also the 3.0-litre straight-six diesel with 346 bhp and 700 Nm of peak torque on offer.
Land Rover India has begun accepting pre-bookings for the Range Rover SV in the country, however, we are yet to see if other variants will also come to India or not, especially the plug-in hybrid.
