All-new Range Rover Revealed at Paris Motor Show

PARIS, October 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Land Rover has revealed the all-new Range Rover, the world's most refined and capable SUV. The fourth generation of the iconic Range Rover made its global public debut at the Paris International Motor Show.

The world's first SUV with a lightweight all-aluminium body, the new Range Rover takes the capabilities of the marque's flagship to a new level, with even greater luxury and refinement, enhanced performance and handling on all terrains, and significant advances in sustainability.

Designed and engineered at Land Rover's development centres in the UK, the new Range Rover will be produced in a state-of-the-art new low-energy manufacturing facility at Solihull, UK. Over £370 million has been invested in the Solihull plant to create the world's largest aluminium body shop.

Presenting the new Range Rover, John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director said: "This is a vehicle that will take us to the next level of success. Range Rover is our flagship and a true British success story, designed, engineered and built in Britain. Its distinctive design, breadth of capability and class-leading refinement and comfort have always made it unique.

"When we asked our customers what they wanted us to change, they told us, 'Don't change it, just make it better.' We set out to create not just the world's finest luxury SUV, but the world's finest luxury vehicle."

Clean and Contemporary Design

The all-new Range Rover has a clean and elegant shape which is derived from a fresh new interpretation of Range Rover design cues. While instantly recognisable as a Range Rover, the new vehicle takes a significant step forward with a bold evolution of the model's iconic design language.

The luxurious interior has a modern and pure character, incorporating distinctive Range Rover design cues, but with a fresh and very contemporary treatment. The cabin retains the characteristic strong, architectural forms, and these are emphasised by extremely clean and elegant surfaces which are flawlessly executed using the finest leathers and veneers.

Speaking at the Land Rover press conference, Land Rover Design Director & Chief Creative Officer, Gerry McGovern, said: "Our customers love Range Rover's distinctive design, its practicality, its versatility and, of course, its high levels of sophistication. So when we were developing the new Range Rover, we had a duty to protect that DNA, while at the same time we needed to be bold in moving it forward for a new generation.

"The reality is this vehicle has been transformed. It is all new, but it's still unmistakeably a Range Rover, elegant and beautifully proportioned."

All-new Range Rover Centre Piece of Land Rover Stand

The Land Rover stand provides a comprehensive overview of the new range, with a quartet of vehicles that represent each powertrain and equipment grade available, together with striking new exterior finishes and detailing.

The line-up features an Autobiography 4.4-litre SDV8, Vogue 3.0-litre TDV6 and two Autobiography models powered by the 5.0-litre LR-V8 Supercharged petrol engine. New features such as panoramic and contrast roofs are also showcased.

Adding extra design and engineering context to the Range Rover story, space is also made for the special edition Range Rover CSK, a rare, two-door model from 1990 named in honour of Land Rover's founding father Charles Spencer King.

Most Refined, Most Capable Range Rover Ever

The all-new Range Rover has been engineered from the ground up to be the most refined, most capable Range Rover ever. With the adoption of the latest body and chassis technologies, the vehicle's all-terrain performance has moved on to another level, both in the breadth and accessibility of its off-road capability, and its on-road handling and refinement.

Amongst the industry-leading innovations is a ground-breaking next-generation version of Land Rover's Terrain Response® system, which analyses the current driving conditions and automatically selects the most suitable vehicle settings.

An all-new, state-of-the-art, lightweight suspension architecture delivers class-leading wheel travel, providing exceptional wheel articulation and composure to deal with the toughest conditions.

Outstanding traction and dynamic stability is provided by the proven Range Rover full-time intelligent 4WD system, with a two-speed transfer box, working in parallel with the sophisticated electronic traction control systems.

The new Range Rover's unmatched breadth of capability is also reflected in its tremendously strong structure with enhanced body geometry for all-terrain conditions, wading depth which has improved by 200mm to 900mm, and its position as the best towing vehicle in its class with a 3,500kg trailer capability.

To ensure exceptional durability and reliability, the new Range Rover has been subjected to Land Rover's punishing on- and off-road test and development regime, with a fleet of development vehicles covering countless thousands of miles over 18 months of arduous tests in over 20 countries with extremes of climate and road surfaces.

Refined and Effortless Driving Experience

The all-new model has been engineered to meet the highest luxury-car standards for refinement.

With its highly acclaimed line-up of torque-rich engines, the new Range Rover delivers swift and effortless performance. Customers have a choice of a petrol 510PS LR-V8 Supercharged and two diesel (3.0-litre 258PS TDV6 and 4.4-litre 339PS SDV8) engines, all of which are now paired with a smooth and responsive eight-speed automatic transmission.

True to the Range Rover DNA, the new model features the unique Command Driving Position, placing the driver in an elevated, upright seating position - typically over 90mm higher than other premium SUVs - to provide a supreme sense of confidence and control.

Lightweight Construction Enhances Performance and Sustainability

The all-new Range Rover features a revolutionary all-aluminium monocoque body structure which is 39 per cent lighter than the steel body in the outgoing model.

Continuing Jaguar Land Rover's leadership in aerospace-inspired, high-performance lightweight structures, the all-aluminium body enables the new vehicle to significantly enhance both performance and efficiency.

Combined with weight savings throughout the chassis and driveline, the lightweight structure contributes to a model-for-model weight saving of up to 350kg compared to the outgoing vehicle.

The weight saving helps the 510PS LR-V8 Supercharged model to accelerate from 0-60mph in just 5.1 seconds, a reduction of 0.8 seconds over the outgoing model. At the same time, fuel consumption is cut by nine per cent.

The lighter structure has also made it possible to introduce the sophisticated 3.0-litre TDV6 engine into the model line. With performance just as strong as the previous 4.4-litre TDV8 Range Rover, the smaller engine takes the total weight saving up to 420kg, and delivers a dramatic 22-per-cent reduction in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, achieving figures of 37.7mpg (7.5 lit/100km) and 196g/km.

The new Range Rover's environmental credentials will be further enhanced by the introduction of a state-of-the-art, high-efficiency diesel hybrid model later in 2013 (target CO₂ 169g/km).

Premium Range Rover Technologies

The all-new Range Rover has been engineered with the latest developments in vehicle technologies, from interior luxury features to advanced chassis and driver assistance technologies.

The interior is packed with a full suite of premium features to provide both front and rear seat passengers with the same peerless luxury experience. Their well-being is assured by the latest interior technologies for comfort, convenience and seamless connectivity. The new and improved features include:

• Convenience - premium features including keyless entry, soft door close with power latching, power upper and lower tailgates, cooler compartments, and electrically deployable towbar
• High-end audio from British specialists Meridian - exclusive surround-sound music systems with audiophile-quality sound
• Displays - state-of-the-art high-resolution displays, include the stunning full digital instrument cluster and the central 8-inch touch-screen with Dual-View functionality
• Voice control and connectivity - a seamless connectivity package for mobile devices
• Climate control - all-new best-in-class climate control systems, including the powerful new premium four-zone system and Park Heater timer facility
• Luxurious seating - upgraded seating with luxurious new features such as multi-mode massage, and the exclusive new Executive Class rear seating package
• Interior illumination - the latest LED illumination for subtle and sophisticated ambient lighting, including the ability to change the colour scheme to suit the driver's mood

To enhance dynamic performance, and to ensure that drivers enjoy a relaxed and stress-free experience behind the wheel, the new Range Rover incorporates a comprehensive range of advanced chassis and driver assistance technologies. Among the new and enhanced features:

• Two-channel Dynamic Response active lean control, and Adaptive Dynamics with continuously variable damping
• Electric Power-Assisted Steering, which enables Park Assist - the latest automated technology to help drivers parallel park their car in tight urban parking spots
• Adaptive Cruise Control - with new Queue Assist feature which allows the system to continue functioning at low speeds and down to a complete stop
• Intelligent Emergency Braking (including Advanced Emergency Brake Assist) - to help drivers avoid a collision if the traffic ahead slows quickly or another vehicle suddenly moves into their lane
• Blind Spot Monitoring - with new Closing Vehicle Sensing feature to detect vehicles which are closing quickly from a further distance behind
• Reverse Traffic Detection - to warn drivers of potential collisions during reversing manoeuvres
• Surround Camera System - with T Junction view, Trailer reverse park guidance, and Trailer hitch guidance

Pricing

Pricing in the UK starts from £71,295 for the Range Rover Vogue 3.0L TDV6, rising to £98,395 for the Range Rover Autobiography 5.0L Supercharged.

Order books are now officially open with the first months of production expected to fill up immediately. Sales of the outgoing Range Rover remain extremely strong. In the last 12 months Land Rover has sold more vehicles across its range than in any other rolling 12-month period, retailing nearly 280,000 units world-wide.

Notes to Editors:

The full all-new Range Rover press pack is available to download now from Land Rover's media website at http://www.media.landrover.com

This comprehensive 50-page pack includes complete technical details and a Range Rover history timeline.

A full selection of images and film from Land Rover's design and engineering teams are also available from http://www.uk.media.landrover.com

• Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true 'breadth of capability' across the model range. Defender, Freelander, Discovery, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's 4x4 sectors, with 78% of this model range exported to over 140 countries.
• Land Rover is committed to addressing the challenges of climate change and since September 2006 carbon dioxide generated by Land Rover manufacturing activities and UK customer vehicle use has been balanced through an industry-leading offset programme run by Climate Care.