The new fourth generation Range Rover will be the last word in 4x4
luxury as well as performance, aiming at a burgeoning £100,000 plus
market.
These might be straightened economic times for many people
but there is plenty of demand for high-end luxury in many parts of the
world.
Talking at the unveil for the new Range Rover last night, global
product marketing manager Finbar McFall said: "We will certainly be
targeting those buyers but we will not forsake our heartland."
That means there will be plenty of sub-£100,000 models. In fact there
will be a staggering 18,000 options from which to choose taking in the
myriad interior and exterior choices, including lavish leathers and
wonderful woods.
At the very top end you can even specify a 29-speaker Meridian audio
system with sub woofer which the Range Rover people claim is the best
sound you will find in any car.
McFall said: "Following on from the launch of the Evoque last year
this brand has momentum and ambition. Demand for the Evoque remains
strong around the world and we have added a third shift and
round-the-clock, 24-hour assembly at our Halewood plant.
"With the fourth generation Range Rover we have listened to our
customers who told us not to change the Range Rover, just make it
better."
In terms of making it better, engineers and designers set themselves a
staggering 175,000 targets for the new model and the result is a
lighter, more refined, more efficient and more durable model.
It is 27mm longer and has a slightly lower roof line giving the big
Range Rover a more dynamic look and manages to achieve more head, leg
and elbow room.
The engineers have saved some 420kg in weight, which means they have
been able to offer a smaller diesel engine, the 3-litre TDV6, for the
first time. This provides 258hp and a 7.4 second 0-60 sprint.
There is also a re-worked version of the current 4.4-litre TDV8 diesel along with the 510hp supercharged petrol engine.
Also coming will be a hybrid which chief programme engineer Alex
Heslop said has "all the capabilities on and off road of any Range
Rover. It will be the most capable hybrid 4x4 ever."
The hybrid will use a 50kw lithium ion battery working with the 3-litre TDV6.
The new Range Rover also adds the panoramic sunroof first seen on the
Evoque which has seen a 70 per cent take up of this option.
The latest model will make its show debut in Paris at the end of this month and is due to go on sale from January.
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