Giannis
Staff member
I strongly advice you, then, to take part in conversations that take place in other section of the forum, not only in the Range Rover one.
Range Rover Range Rover (L405)
- Thread starter HighestOfHigh
- Start date
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- range rover
The Land Rover Range Rover, generally shortened to Range Rover, is a 4x4 luxury SUV produced by Land Rover, a marque and sub-brand of Jaguar Land Rover. The Range Rover line has been in production since it was launched in 1970 by British Leyland. Additional models have been launched under the Range Rover name, including the Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Evoque, and Range Rover Velar.
I strongly advice you, then, to take part in conversations that take place in other section of the forum, not only in the Range Rover one.
Soup
Premium
New Range Rover 4: we ride shotgun on and off road
In the sweltering 54degC heat of Dubai, Steve Cropley joins the all-new Range Rover for a test run to the desert.
It’s not yet 8am, but the surprises are coming thick and fast. We’ve driven 200 yards in the 2013 Range Rover but I’m already learning how different this long-awaited, fourth-generation icon is from its predecessor.
It’s more stable, more agile, more spacious, more comfortable, more luxurious. And better looking. In the best cars, top engineers say, it never takes long to feel the difference, and this seems to be proof.
As a Range Rover fan, I’m equally concerned and exhilarated by this new knowledge — it’s reassuring to know such a vital new model is turning out well but it’s a shock to discover what I thought was one of the world’s great cars is so easily eclipsed by its successor.
We’re in Dubai with Range Rover vehicle-line executive Mick Cameron, on a mission to apply the final production polish to some late prototypes.
Cameron has been involved with Range Rover since 2001 and he’s worked on the latest L405 model since the programme started in 2007.
“I’m proud to have been part of the original L405 team,” says Cameron. “I was at the meeting when the biggest question was put: ‘We have to replace the L322; what do we do?’ Everyone knew this was the start of the aluminium generation; we’d be using new processes pioneered by Jaguar. That meant it was probably going to be the most important Range Rover since the first. Who’d want to miss the start of a project like that?”
Our test starts with low-speed, heat-inducing city driving in the V8 model – taking us through Dubai’s bustling traditional market quarter.
The Range Rover glides along, its new all-electric power steering smoothly and precisely, changing our direction into tiny alleyways. Near-zero airflow through the radiators, lots of underbonnet heat, air-con working overtime, lots of stops and starts… it's ideal for creating various forms of overheating.
Wide roads lead us out of town to a dune known as Big Red, named on account of its colour and size. Here and there, we sample the supercharged model’s effortless power. The top-end Range Rover was always fast; this one is faster still. And quieter; Cameron and his team aware of forthcoming Bentley and Maserati SUVs, and worked tirelessly to refine every facet of the L405. The one thing detectable to the ear is a beautiful, remote V8 burble. Fanatical attention to detail in design and manufacture has cut wind and road noise.
“The body structure weighs 290kg,” Cameron says, “which is 180kg less than the current model’s. It’s also 23kg lighter than a BMW 3-series, 85kg lighter than an Audi Q5 and only 12kg heavier than a Mini Countryman.”
The result is an L405 V8 diesel about 220kg lighter than its L322 equivalent. A fairer comparison is between the new V6 and outgoing V8 diesels, because they now have equal performance. The new car is even lighter, more efficient and saves around 60g/km of CO2.
Terrain Response gets an ‘automatic’ setting, which lets the car decide which settings are appropriate to the occasion.
Other controls are simplified and cabin quality has increased again. Rear room is improved and the new seat’s two-bucket configuration adds much-needed side support. Range Rovers have always felt like the wheels roll on satin. Despite wearing tyres with aggressive tread designs, this L405 looks like it could set new standards.
Big Red, the Everest of sand dunes, lets us play. Dropping tyre pressures to 15psi and placing Terrain Response into sand mode, we head straight up the front slope of Big Red, seeming to glide on the sand, which varies from hard-packed patches to loose stuff seemingly several feet deep.
We’re in the V6 diesel now, but there’s very little difference in power delivery. Just a two per cent smoothness deficiency, the lack of V8 ‘woofle’ and the occasional, barely heard suggestion of a diesel rattle.
Too soon, we leave. Curious onlookers start to gather. We stop near the road at the base of Big Red. It’s 56degC outside, which Cameron says equals his personal record for desert heat. We stand unprotected in the sun and feel what Dubai’s unfettered sun can do to your scalp and shoulders. Within minutes, my metal-cased pen, needed for writing notes, becomes too hot to touch.
Then we get back into our Range Rovers and cruise quickly and quietly back to town. Our cabin temperature refuses to budge from the 21degC it has maintained all afternoon. The engine purrs as it would in Piccadilly Circus traffic. I feel secure, content and comfortable, and I have a powerful feeling that this new Range Rover is going to succeed, big time.
In the sweltering 54degC heat of Dubai, Steve Cropley joins the all-new Range Rover for a test run to the desert.
It’s not yet 8am, but the surprises are coming thick and fast. We’ve driven 200 yards in the 2013 Range Rover but I’m already learning how different this long-awaited, fourth-generation icon is from its predecessor.
It’s more stable, more agile, more spacious, more comfortable, more luxurious. And better looking. In the best cars, top engineers say, it never takes long to feel the difference, and this seems to be proof.
As a Range Rover fan, I’m equally concerned and exhilarated by this new knowledge — it’s reassuring to know such a vital new model is turning out well but it’s a shock to discover what I thought was one of the world’s great cars is so easily eclipsed by its successor.
We’re in Dubai with Range Rover vehicle-line executive Mick Cameron, on a mission to apply the final production polish to some late prototypes.
Cameron has been involved with Range Rover since 2001 and he’s worked on the latest L405 model since the programme started in 2007.
“I’m proud to have been part of the original L405 team,” says Cameron. “I was at the meeting when the biggest question was put: ‘We have to replace the L322; what do we do?’ Everyone knew this was the start of the aluminium generation; we’d be using new processes pioneered by Jaguar. That meant it was probably going to be the most important Range Rover since the first. Who’d want to miss the start of a project like that?”
Our test starts with low-speed, heat-inducing city driving in the V8 model – taking us through Dubai’s bustling traditional market quarter.
The Range Rover glides along, its new all-electric power steering smoothly and precisely, changing our direction into tiny alleyways. Near-zero airflow through the radiators, lots of underbonnet heat, air-con working overtime, lots of stops and starts… it's ideal for creating various forms of overheating.
Wide roads lead us out of town to a dune known as Big Red, named on account of its colour and size. Here and there, we sample the supercharged model’s effortless power. The top-end Range Rover was always fast; this one is faster still. And quieter; Cameron and his team aware of forthcoming Bentley and Maserati SUVs, and worked tirelessly to refine every facet of the L405. The one thing detectable to the ear is a beautiful, remote V8 burble. Fanatical attention to detail in design and manufacture has cut wind and road noise.
“The body structure weighs 290kg,” Cameron says, “which is 180kg less than the current model’s. It’s also 23kg lighter than a BMW 3-series, 85kg lighter than an Audi Q5 and only 12kg heavier than a Mini Countryman.”
The result is an L405 V8 diesel about 220kg lighter than its L322 equivalent. A fairer comparison is between the new V6 and outgoing V8 diesels, because they now have equal performance. The new car is even lighter, more efficient and saves around 60g/km of CO2.
Terrain Response gets an ‘automatic’ setting, which lets the car decide which settings are appropriate to the occasion.
Other controls are simplified and cabin quality has increased again. Rear room is improved and the new seat’s two-bucket configuration adds much-needed side support. Range Rovers have always felt like the wheels roll on satin. Despite wearing tyres with aggressive tread designs, this L405 looks like it could set new standards.
Big Red, the Everest of sand dunes, lets us play. Dropping tyre pressures to 15psi and placing Terrain Response into sand mode, we head straight up the front slope of Big Red, seeming to glide on the sand, which varies from hard-packed patches to loose stuff seemingly several feet deep.
We’re in the V6 diesel now, but there’s very little difference in power delivery. Just a two per cent smoothness deficiency, the lack of V8 ‘woofle’ and the occasional, barely heard suggestion of a diesel rattle.
Too soon, we leave. Curious onlookers start to gather. We stop near the road at the base of Big Red. It’s 56degC outside, which Cameron says equals his personal record for desert heat. We stand unprotected in the sun and feel what Dubai’s unfettered sun can do to your scalp and shoulders. Within minutes, my metal-cased pen, needed for writing notes, becomes too hot to touch.
Then we get back into our Range Rovers and cruise quickly and quietly back to town. Our cabin temperature refuses to budge from the 21degC it has maintained all afternoon. The engine purrs as it would in Piccadilly Circus traffic. I feel secure, content and comfortable, and I have a powerful feeling that this new Range Rover is going to succeed, big time.
Gianclaudio
Aerodynamic Artisan
Not to kiss Kilcrohane's butt,.... but Autocar has literally become a Jaguar-Land Rover PR subsidiary. The article posted by Soup and another called "full specs and pics" seem to been writen by JLR people and not Autocar's journos
Regards
Regards
Gianclaudio
Aerodynamic Artisan
I know, I enjoy his posts too, learning new english words 
For me it's pretty obvious magazines have their "favorites", we're talking about a industry which moves billions of dollars, so cheques coming and going from PR offices to magazines is quite a bit possible
But still, these past years, Autocars has gone over the place, is completely obvious.
Regards!
For me it's pretty obvious magazines have their "favorites", we're talking about a industry which moves billions of dollars, so cheques coming and going from PR offices to magazines is quite a bit possible
But still, these past years, Autocars has gone over the place, is completely obvious.Regards!
SKY
Kraftwagen König
I know, I enjoy his posts too, learning new english words
For me it's pretty obvious magazines have their "favorites", we're talking about a industry which moves billions of dollars, so cheques coming and going from PR offices to magazines is quite a bit possible
Regards!
But it´s always funny, you enter a review comparing two german cars and you already know the Jaguar XF, the XK or a Land Rover is gonna win the comparo, even wheit it was not initially included.
Gianclaudio
Aerodynamic Artisan
Just check their top five for midsize luxury, full size lucury and SUVs...... Jaguar and Land Rover are the top spot on every categorie... 
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-categories/mid-size-execs
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-categories/luxury-saloons
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-categories/mid-size-execs
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-categories/luxury-saloons
Merc1
Premium
The RR actually made its U.S. debut at a 30,000 SQ FT estate for all off Land Rover richest, most loyal customers!
http://shows.autospies.com/gallery/2013-Range-Rover-VIP-Unveil-488/page1/
M
HighestOfHigh
Cornering Kingpin
^Merc1, is it time to get that 6 series a big brother? 
Centurion
Apex Apex Predator
More launch photos. I love the depth of the black model but the massive lower chrome strip is out right silly.
View attachment 935753cc88012a46570ccc846041c6d4.jpgView attachment 61ac974d4bd6f8307ef4c5f73d31e72d.jpgView attachment 70d40aedee3597e315fa165a0e005070.jpgView attachment e573a09f270ddb51fe887f13b525e4d1.jpg
View attachment 935753cc88012a46570ccc846041c6d4.jpgView attachment 61ac974d4bd6f8307ef4c5f73d31e72d.jpgView attachment 70d40aedee3597e315fa165a0e005070.jpgView attachment e573a09f270ddb51fe887f13b525e4d1.jpg
HighestOfHigh
Cornering Kingpin
Forget the RR...That house is amazing!
BTW, the black RR looks way better that the silver.
BTW, the black RR looks way better that the silver.
Centurion
Apex Apex Predator
HighestOfHigh
Cornering Kingpin
^It is beautiful and the Range Rover looks so at home there.
Human
You. The Road. Nothing else.
Looking at the design and dash layout - as a reference of iconic status for RR fans that cannot afford the luxury barge, the launch of the big body could just emphasize the similarities between itself and the midget Evoque. Thus shining upon the little Evoque and blowing 'fresh air' into sales of the baby RR, IMO.
HighestOfHigh
Cornering Kingpin
Similar threads
Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC is the holding company for
Jaguar Land Rover Limited, also known as JLR, a British
multinational manufacturer of luxury and sports utility vehicles.
JLR, headquartered in Whitley, Coventry, UK, is a subsidiary of
Tata Motors. Jaguar and Land Rover, with histories dating to
the 1920s and 1940s, merged in 1968 under British Leyland.
They later became independent and were subsidiaries of BMW and
Ford. In 2000, BMW dissolved the Rover Group, selling Land
Rover to Ford. Since 2008, Tata Motors has owned Jaguar Land
Rover. Official website:
JLR
