Range Rover is a 4x4 full-size luxury SUV produced by Land Rover, a marque and sub-brand of Jaguar Land Rover, writes Trish Whelan. First launched in 1970 by British Leyland it is now in its fifth generation. Standard (SWB) or Long Wheelbase (LWB) body designs are available with five seats, while the LWB model can seat up to seven adults.
This flagship Range Rover is larger than the previous version at 209mm in width, 5,064mm in length (standard wheelbase), and 1,870mm in height. It is now even more luxurious, with the very latest technology, and is also more capable on and off-road than before. Land Rover claim it is also the most aerodynamically efficient luxury SUV in the world. The new design incorporates a beautifully sculpted clean body style, falling roofline, strong waistline and rising sill line. The side shows a clear expanse of metal, while rear tail lamps are ‘hidden until lit’. Huge 23-inch wheels add even more poise to the car.
The interior exudes calmness and wellbeing with its clean surfaces, tactile materials and natural wood veneers. Feeling cosseted, you sink into gorgeous seats and exit them feeling refreshed. They can be heated or cooled, including in the rear which has its own climate control. Power adjustments for front seats are on the side doors along with three memory seat settings. The huge sliding panoramic roof on my review car was an extra as was the heated steering wheel.
As this is such a high car, you get a commanding driving position with really good all-round visibility. Blind spot cover is excellent. Parking aids include a 360deg camera and you can manoeuvre the 3D surround camera to show a view of the parked car from every angle.
Almost all the car’s functions can be controlled via the 13.1-inch touchscreen. Each screen is divided into three different sections and you swipe as needed. Climate controls keep hard knobs. The new high resolution 13.7-inch interactive driver display also has configurable layouts and you see important trip info at a glance. When you use navigation, your planned route to your destination shows on the Head Up Display. The car can park itself and exit parallel or bay manoeuvres. Cubbies abound. You also have a wireless phone charger, and small type C USBs. Boot space is 725 litres with the rear seats up.
Rear seats can be lowered by the touch of a button on each side of the boot. Inside the boot, a floor panel can be raised forward, across the width of the load area forming a partition to keep smaller items within easy reach when unloading. It can also pivot backwards to serve as a backrest when you use the lower tailgate as outdoor seating. This lower tailgate can take a man’s weight. You can also adjust the car’s suspension to raise or lower the vehicle to be able to sit comfortably on this lower tailgate.
Low traction for going off-road is controlled by a button while a circular knob is for choosing driving modes. Terrain Response, slope assist, wade sensing, were all part of the system. You can also choose Hybrid, EV and Save driving modes to optimise the powertrain for any journey. The Terrain Response 2 automatically adapts the car’s system to any surface or conditions - or you can select what you feel is the most appropriate setting manually. All-Wheel Steering is standard. It allows for a more refined drive, stability at higher speeds, and improved manoeuvrability at low speeds. The Range Rover’s off-road systems proved their worth on a previous tricky off-road course negotiating tight bends in thick wet mud as did the ability to show the ground below the vehicle when bridging a steep hill with no sight of what lay ahead over the rise. That view was relayed on the central screen as I went over the hill top.
New Range Rover comes with a range of advanced six- and eight-cylinder engine options, including mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The PHEVs come in 434hp and 510hp versions and offer an EV range of up to 100km and C02 emissions below 30g/km. Both use a 3.0 Si6 petrol engine matched to a 105kW electric motor and a large 38.2kWh battery. Land Rover say a typical RR customer will be able to complete up to 75pc of trips using electric power only if they start each journey on a full charge.
My car was the PHEV 440hp in a beautiful British Racing Green exterior in gloss finish (an expensive extra at €6,045), and matched with cream coloured perforated semi-aniline leather seats and in the mid HSE grade. When I collected the car, the driver’s screen showed 91kms of battery charge before the system would change to petrol, and up to 680km in total. Driving in city streets or suburban areas, you realise just how big this vehicle is and the need to be vigilant at all times. On country roads, when testing the suspension, the car seemed to glide over bumps and potholes.
An all-electric Range Rover will premiere next year.
Priced from €138,090. My car from €154,240 excluding delivery and related charges. Road tax is €140.
