5th generation flagship revealed
A new age in Land Rover has begun with the launch of the fifth generation of its flagship Range Rover. The model has been completely redesigned, but maintains the distinctive silhouette from the outgoing model. Modernised and advanced in all aspects and substantially electrified in line with the company’s aim to reduce emissions across its line-up.
To be launched in the spring of next year, revealed here in both standard and long-wheelbase forms, with the latter having seven seats for the first time, the pure luxury SUV is available to order now – from £94,400 in short-wheelbase form and £120,000 for the long-wheelbase. A range of petrol and diesel powertrains are also available from launch, to be followed in around three months’ time by a choice of petrol plug-in hybrids, and eventually in 2024 by a pure electric model.
The new Range Rover’s powertrains start with a choice of 3.0-litre straight sixes (two petrol, three diesel), all with 48V mild-hybrid aid and power outputs ranging from 246bhp in the entry-level D250 diesel to 395bhp in the P400 petrol.
These will be joined by a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid option with a new 38.2kWh battery that has a WLTP-certified electric range of 62 miles, giving the Range Rover one of the longest electric ranges of any PHEV on sale. The new ‘Extended Range’ PHEV variant, based on a six-cylinder engine for the first time, offers combined outputs of either 434bhp and 457lb ft or 503bhp and 516lb ft. It is also equipped with 50kW charging capacity, so an 80% charge can be achieved in less than an hour, while a brake regeneration system helps top up the battery.
The line-up is crowned by a twin-turbo BMW derived V8, part of a new powertrain-sharing agreement between the two firms. The new V8 model has 523bhp and 553lb ft, is capable of hitting 62mph from rest in 4.6sec. Land Rover says it has been involved in the engine’s development from the beginning, and that the Range Rover V8 has its own tune for unique performance characteristics. It also has a bespoke sump, air intake and strengthening ribs to ensure it can venture as far off road as the lesser-powered versions.
All engines are paired with an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox with a low-range setting for towing and low-speed off-road driving.
In terms of styling the most noticeable difference is at the back with an addition of a gloss black section, to become the brands new “signature” for all future models. The tail-lights are said to use the most powerful LEDs in existence, while at the front, each headlight cluster contains some 1.2 million individual mirrors that reflect light from a rear-mounted mirror. Each mirror can be turned on or off independently, giving a so-called ‘shadow tracking’ functionality that avoids shining any light at oncoming cars.
The new rear-end retains the split-folding tailgate as before, with the lower portion folding down and the rear screen raising up, while new features are aimed at adding “a sense of occasion to tailgate gatherings”. A new movable panel in the boot floor (which conceals a hidden load space) can be folded up to serve as a backrest, turning the tailgate into a two-person bench, complete with drinks holders in the base.
The gills and grille of the old car have been revamped, sleeker pop-out door handles give the body a smoother look.
The new Range Rover uses Jaguar Land Rover’s new MLA ‘Flex’ architecture, which brings 50% more torsional stiffness and 24% less structure-borne noise than the underpinnings of the outgoing model, the structure is made up of 80% aluminium but with extensive use of steel in key areas for improved crash protection and sound deadening. Overall, the MLA structure is slightly heavier than its predecessor but allows the fifth-generation Range Rover to be offered with both internal combustion and electric powertrains. This flexibility highlighted the need for improved rolling refinement: the electric and plug-in hybrid Range Rovers must be as quiet on the move as the combustion-engined models even without the background sound of an engine to offset intrusive road or wind noise.
The structure has also been designed to maximise efficiency: so-called ‘aero shields’ run the length of the car’s underbody to channel air efficiently towards the rear, and even the rear suspension elements have their own aero-optimised covers, which “deliver a controlled separation of the underbody airflow”.
The new Range Rover’s suspension and steering have been entirely overhauled, and Land Rover insists that despite more on-road refinement that its flagship remains as capable off road as it is on it. A Wading mode allows it to drive through water up to 900mm deep, matching the Defender, it has departure and approach angles of 29deg and 34.7deg respectively and it can drive at angles of up to 45deg. Ground clearance of 295mm can be raised a further 145mm in the highest of the model’s four suspension settings.
For the first time, the Range Rover comes equipped with a five-link rear axle, which allows for greater adjustability, while twin-valve Bilstein dampers, which can react to bumps within five milliseconds, offer fully adjustable rebound and compression settings. The vehicle automatically lowers by 16mm at cruising speed for improved aerodynamics, which Land Rover says boosts efficiency by as much as 2%.
The functionality of the Range Rover’s air suspension has been significantly upgraded, with a new ‘Integrated Chassis Control’ system. This uses navigation data to predict bumps and imperfections in the road ahead at distances of up to 1.9 miles and prepare the suspension to react accordingly. It can also mitigate weight transfer and body movements when accelerating or braking and prepare the car for emergency manoeuvres.
Inside, there is a new “floating” 13.1in infotainment screen, which hosts most of the primary controls and functions. It runs the latest generation of Land Rover’s Pivi Pro operating system. It uses a customisable three-tab home screen giving access to 90% of functions in as little as two presses, and haptic feedback is now standard across the range. Over-the-air updates can be carried out away from the dealership, and it has its own battery so can be used immediately on entry to the car before the engine is started. Wireless smartphone mirroring and Amazon Alexa speech recognition are included on all models.
A new 13.7in high-definition driver display and uprated head-up display also feature, while in the back a pair of 11.4in touchscreens and an 8.0in touch control panel are provided for passengers. Also in the back is more leg room thanks to the new model being 75mm longer in standard wheelbase form whilst the long wheelbase has 200mm of extra room.
For the ultra-luxury customer there is a top-level Range Rover SV, developed by Land Rover’s in-house Special Vehicle Operations division, With increased levels of personalisation, the SV is offered with a choice of four or five ‘executive class’ seats in both standard and long-wheelbase forms. In the rear of the four-seat car is a centrally mounted table that rises out of the centre console and can be folded and swivelled to suit either rear passenger. The dual rear touchscreens are also upgraded, to 13.1in.
In place of a central seat, the SV continues to offer a champagne fridge, which cools items more quickly and takes up less space than before.
The SV is available with a choice of two design packs: Serenity, which offers materials and colours said to align with the Range Rover’s inherent elegance, or Intrepid, which emphasises the car’s “purposeful and dynamic character” and features dark metal-plated elements, optional red brake callipers and black inserts on the wheels.
The SV features 23in wheels, the largest yet fitted to a Range Rover, and has the option of a ‘duotone’ interior, with front and rear seats finished in different colours and materials
