“What the Porsche 911 is to the supercar world, the Range Rover is to the SUV world.”
That, in summary, is where Land Rover believes its fourth-generation Range Rover – which it also describes as the world’s most refined and capable SUV – fits in. And I can’t blame them for the air of arrogance as the new Rangey I drove at the world launch in Morocco last week is certainly quite special.
Clearly, the brief was “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”, and you’d be forgiven for having to look twice to spot the changes compared with the previous Range Rover. But the Tata-owned British carmaker assures us that the newcomer has received the once-over from the ground up.
It’s billed as the world’s first SUV with a lightweight all-aluminium monocoque body structure, which means a weight saving of about 420kg (or five adults, as Landy describes it) depending on engine derivative – making for better fuel consumption (an average saving of eight percent across the range), and sharper handling.
Tweaks to the metal include a slightly lower roofline (the newcomer is 10 percent more aerodynamic), different front (camera-lens design) and rear LED lights, and new high-mounted stop lights across the tailgate. The side vents have also been changed and are visual more than functional now.
Off-roaders will appreciate that ground clearance has increased by 13mm to 296mm, wading depth has increased by an impressive 200mm to 900mm, thanks to a new air intake system, and Land Rover promises best-in-class 3500kg towing ability.
Inside, there’s been a definite focus on clean and uncluttered design, with about half the number of switches as before, an improved audio set-up, and design tweaks to the dashboard and centre console. More important is space, and the 40mm longer wheelbase has released 120mm more legroom and 50mm more knee room for rear passengers. Headroom is slightly better too.
Easier entry and exit has also been a focus, with access ride height now 50mm and electric side steps an option.
That, in summary, is where Land Rover believes its fourth-generation Range Rover – which it also describes as the world’s most refined and capable SUV – fits in. And I can’t blame them for the air of arrogance as the new Rangey I drove at the world launch in Morocco last week is certainly quite special.
Clearly, the brief was “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”, and you’d be forgiven for having to look twice to spot the changes compared with the previous Range Rover. But the Tata-owned British carmaker assures us that the newcomer has received the once-over from the ground up.
It’s billed as the world’s first SUV with a lightweight all-aluminium monocoque body structure, which means a weight saving of about 420kg (or five adults, as Landy describes it) depending on engine derivative – making for better fuel consumption (an average saving of eight percent across the range), and sharper handling.
Tweaks to the metal include a slightly lower roofline (the newcomer is 10 percent more aerodynamic), different front (camera-lens design) and rear LED lights, and new high-mounted stop lights across the tailgate. The side vents have also been changed and are visual more than functional now.
Off-roaders will appreciate that ground clearance has increased by 13mm to 296mm, wading depth has increased by an impressive 200mm to 900mm, thanks to a new air intake system, and Land Rover promises best-in-class 3500kg towing ability.
Inside, there’s been a definite focus on clean and uncluttered design, with about half the number of switches as before, an improved audio set-up, and design tweaks to the dashboard and centre console. More important is space, and the 40mm longer wheelbase has released 120mm more legroom and 50mm more knee room for rear passengers. Headroom is slightly better too.
Easier entry and exit has also been a focus, with access ride height now 50mm and electric side steps an option.
