New Range Rover Revealed |
It may have blue-collar roots, but Land Rover’s flagship Range Rover has evolved into one of the most spectacular luxo-barges in the world. For 2022, it has been redesigned from the ground up with updated styling, new tech features, and luxury touches.
The inimitable Range Rover is the original super-luxury SUV and has led its segment by example for five decades. Combining serene comfort and composure with class-leading capability, the New Range Rover is the most desirable yet and mixes breathtaking modernity and aesthetic grace with technological sophistication and seamless connectivity.
With a suite of powertrain options – including a pure-electric version that will join the line-up in 2024 – plus a choice of four, five, or seven-seat interiors available across Standard and Long Wheelbase body designs, the New Range Rover is at home in any environment.
Land Rover hasn’t yet released a detailed list of the new Range Rover’s standard and optional features but has said that the new luxury SUV will be available in South Africa in a choice of HSE and Autobiography models. A First Edition will be available throughout the first year of production, based on the Autobiography and featuring a unique specification – it is exclusively available in a Sunset Gold Satin finish, among a choice of five exterior colours.
Both Standard (SWB) or Long Wheelbase (LWB) body designs are available with five seats, while the New Range Rover LWB model is available with a third row for extended comfort for up to seven adults.
Opting for the mid-range Autobiography model would be our recommendation, as it will undoubtedly come equipped with several sought-after items that luxury buyers will appreciate. For example, the Autobiography comes standard with a 1,600-watt Meridian stereo system featuring headrest-mounted speakers and active noise cancellation.
POWER & PERFORMANCE
At launch, the New Range Rover will be available in a choice of new Extended Range Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powertrains, the P440e and P510e, and the Ingenium diesel D350 engine. A powerful new petrol flagship – the P530 Twin Turbo V8 – promises increased refinement and performance and improved efficiency over the previous V8 model.
Range Rover will also be releasing their new car with a new 4.4-litre V8 engine, which deploys two parallel twin-scroll turbos to minimise turbo lag and optimise efficiency. The new engine is said to be good for 390 kW and 750 Nm of torque and powers the New Range Rover from zero to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 250 km/h.
The D350 produces 257 kW and 700 Nm of torque and powers this version of the New Range Rover from zero to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds.
Looking at the new Extended-Range PHEVs, they combine the refinement of Land Rover’s in-line six-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine (in a choice of 323 kW or 375 kW), with a 38.2 kWh lithium-ion battery and a 105 kW electric motor integrated with the transmission. Together, the powertrain provides up to 100 km of pure-electric driving. With instantaneous electric torque, the new P510e (375 kW) accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in a deft 5.6 seconds.
Every New Range Rover features All-Wheel Steering for an effortless drive with heightened high-speed stability and improved manoeuvrability at low speeds, ensuring it is equally at home negotiating tight urban streets as it is on the open road.
COMFORT FIT FOR A KING
Similar to the outgoing generation Range Rover, the new model offers a plush interior decked out in the finest materials and now also provides a leather-free option for buyers who want a more sustainable cabin. Depending on the configuration and wheelbase, the interior can be arranged to seat four, five, or seven. An optional motorised divider for the cargo area will help keep luggage from moving around too much during travel. The Range Rover’s split rear liftgate can be used as convenient and comfortable seating for outdoor activities.
Barging into the 21st century with a new class-leading and tech-rich cabin, all New Range Rover models will receive a stunning ultra-HD 13.1” curved infotainment display with Land Rover’s latest Pivi Pro interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard. Other standard features include Land Rover’s new in-dash navigation system, wireless smartphone charging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 13.7” digital instrumentation display. A rear-seat entertainment system with dual 11.4” displays is available as an optional extra, as is a super-premium Meridian sound system with a whopping 35 speakers.
Land Rover will offer a host of modern driver-assistance features as standard on the new Range Rover, including adaptive cruise control with a semi-autonomous driving mode.
LAST WORD
Taking serene luxury and dynamic ability to new heights, the New Range Rover will be launched in South Africa toward the middle of 2022, with pricing to be available closer to the time.
Report by Bernie Hellberg Jr | Images © Land Rover South Africa
