Range Rover
Range Rover | |
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luxury crossover 4x4 (LWB models) | |
Layout | Front-engine, four-wheel-drive |
The Land Rover Range Rover, generally shortened to Range Rover, is a
Additional models have been launched under the Range Rover name, including the Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Evoque, and Range Rover Velar.
History
The
The first Range Rover prototype was built in 1967 with plate number SYE 157F. The design of the Range Rover was finalised in 1969. Twenty-six Velar-badged engineering development vehicles were built between 1969 and 1970 and were road registered with the number plates YVB151H through to YVB177H.[5]
Though being chassis no. 3, YVB 153H is believed to have been the first off the production line as a vehicle in that colour was urgently required for marketing. (The Range Rover with chassis no. 1 was a green model with the registration "YVB 151H",[6] and is now on exhibition at Huddersfield Land Rover Centre, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire). The Velar name was derived from the Italian "velare" meaning to veil or to cover.[7] Range Rover development engineer Geof Miller used the name as a decoy for registering pre-production Range Rovers. The Velar company was registered in London and produced 40 pre-production vehicles that were built between 1967 and 1970.[7]
The Range Rover was launched in 1970.
In 1971, ex-Cream drummer Ginger Baker used the unproven Range Rover to drive from Algeria to Lagos, Nigeria, to set up a recording studio and jam with Fela Kuti. Predating the Paris-Dakar rally the subsequent documentary is replete with such terrain, documenting the vehicle's endurance.[10]
In 1972, the British Trans-Americas Expedition became the first vehicle-based expedition to traverse the Americas from north to south, including traversing the roadless
Range Rover sub-brands have been launched. In 2004, Land Rover debuted the Range Rover Sport, based on the Land Rover Discovery platform. Later models received the latest Range Rover platform. In 2011 came the Range Rover Evoque, and in 2017 the Range Rover Velar (re-using the name of the very first, pre-production Range Rovers).
In North America
From 1970 until 1987, the Range Rover was only available to American consumers through unofficial grey market import channels.[11] Its popularity via these imports prompted official U.S. sales to begin on 16 March 1987.[12] From that time until 1993, the U.S. marketing was all in the name of Range Rover, because it was the only model offered in the American market. In 1993, with the arrival of the Defender 110 and the imminent arrival of the Land Rover Discovery, the company's U.S. sales were under the name "Land Rover North America".
First generation (1970)
Range Rover "Classic" | |
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The Range Rover was introduced as a 3-door model in 1969 – a five-door model wasn't added until 1981. | |
Overview | |
Production | 1970–1996 |
Assembly | United Kingdom: turbodiesel 2.5 L 119 hp VM turbodiesel 2.5 L 111 hp 200Tdi turbodiesel 2.5 L 111 hp 300Tdi turbodiesel |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 100.0 in (2,540 mm) (standard) 108.0 in (2,743 mm) (Vogue LSE) |
Length | 175 in (4,445 mm) (SWB) 183 in (4,648 mm) (LWB) |
Width | 70.1 in (1,781 mm) |
Height | 70.9 in (1,801 mm) (1970–1980) 70.1 in (1,781 mm) (1980 onwards) |
The first-generation Range Rover was produced between 1970 and 1996. It was available only in a 2-door body until 1981. (Before then, 4-door models had been produced by specialist firms).
Unlike other 4x4s such as the Jeep Wagoneer, the original Range Rover was not designed as a luxury vehicle. It was up-market compared to preceding Land Rover models, but the early Range Rovers had fairly basic, utilitarian, interiors with vinyl seats and plastic dashboards that were designed to be washed down with a hose. Convenience features such as power steering, carpeted floors, air conditioning, cloth/leather seats, and wooden interior trim were fitted later.
The Range Rover was a
Originally, the Range Rover was fitted with a detuned 127 hp (95 kW) version of the Buick-derived Rover V8 engine. In 1984, the engine was fitted with Lucas fuel injection, boosting power to 155 hp (116 kW). The 3.5-litre (3,528 cc) engine was bored out to a displacement of 3.9 litres (3,947 cc) for the 1990 model year, and 4.2-litre (4,215 cc) in 1992 (1993 model year) for the 108-inch Long Wheelbase Vogue LSE (County LWB [long wheelbase] in North America). One of the first significant changes came in 1981, with the introduction of a four-door body. Shortly after twin-thermo fan technology was introduced to reduce significant overheating problems 1970s models experienced in Australia. In 1988, LR introduced a 2.4-litre turbodiesel (badged Vogue Turbo D) with 112 bhp (84 kW), manufactured by Italian VM Motori. The same engine was available in the Rover SD1 passenger car. The diesel project was codenamed project Beaver. During the project, 12 world records were broken, including the fastest diesel off-roader to reach 100 mph (160 km/h), and the furthest a diesel off-roader has travelled in 24 hours. In 1990 project Otter was unveiled. This was a mildly tuned 2.5-litre, 119 bhp (89 kW) version of the 'Beaver' 2.4. In 1992, Land Rover finally introduced their own diesel engines in the Range Rover, beginning with the 111 bhp (83 kW) 200TDi, first released in the Land Rover Discovery and following in 1994, the 300 TDi, again with 111 bhp.
The first generation was known as the Range Rover until almost the end of its production when Land Rover introduced the name Range Rover Classic to distinguish it from its successors.[13] The original model served as the basis for the 1989 introduced 1st generation Discovery (directly based on the standard (short) wheelbase Range Rover), and for the 2nd generation Range Rover, based on the LWB chassis of the Classic.
Australian assembly
Utility vehicles
The first-generation Range Rover served as the base for specialist utility vehicles. These included the Carmichaels International six-wheel Fire Tender. This was a two-door model with an extended chassis and a third "lazy" axle added. Designed for small airfield use, it had a water-pump mounted on the front bumper driven directly by the V8's crankshaft. The MoD purchased them for the RAF, this version was called the TACR2. Carmichaels was contracted to supply the modified chassis and the fire-fighting body was supplied and mounted by Gloster-Saro. These were four-door versions using an internally mounted water-pump driven by a gearbox PTO. At least one of these (at Duxford IWM) has been converted into a full 6x6 by linking a drive-through unit to the two rear axles' differentials.
Second generation (1994)
Range Rover (P38A) | |
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Overview | |
Production | 1994–2001 |
Body and chassis | |
Body style | 5-door 4x4 |
Powertrain | |
Engine | Petrol: 4.0 L Rover V8 4.6 L Rover V8 Diesel: 2.5 L BMW M51 turbodiesel I6 |
Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 108.1 in (2,746 mm) |
Length | 185.5 in (4,712 mm) |
Width | 74.4 in (1,890 mm) |
Height | 71.6 in (1,819 mm) |
Twenty-five years after the introduction of the original Range Rover, the second-generation (model-designation P38A) was introduced for the 1995 model year, based on the LWB chassis of the model, with an updated version of the Rover V8 engine or a 2.5-litre BMW six-cylinder turbo-diesel with a Bosch injection pump. This was the first diesel injection with electronic controls in a Land Rover, before common rails were introduced. This was a result of BMW's subsequent ownership of Rover Group and hence the Land Rover brand.
This model was the last to use the Rover V8 and interior leather supplied by Connolly who went out of business in 2002. It was the first model to feature Satellite Navigation as an option.
Third generation (2001)
Range Rover (L322) | |
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Overview | |
Production | 2002–2012 |
Body and chassis | |
Body style | 5-door 4x4 |
Powertrain | |
Engine | Petrol: 4.2 L Jaguar AJ-V8 Supercharged (2005–2009) 4.4 L BMW M62 V8 (2001–2005) 4.4 L Jaguar AJ-V8 (2005–2009) 5.0 L Jaguar AJ-V8 (2010–2012) 5.0 L Jaguar AJ-V8 Supercharged (2009–2012) Diesel: 3.0 L BMW M57 turbodiesel I6 (2001–2006) 3.6 L Ford Lion V8 turbodiesel (2006–2010) 4.4 L Ford TD turbodiesel V8 (2010–2012) |
Transmission | 5-speed automatic (2001–2005) 6-speed automatic (2005–2012) 8-speed ZF 8HP automatic[14] (2010–2012, only non-NAS markets) |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 113.4 in (2,880 mm) |
Length | 194.9 in (4,950 mm) (2001–2005) 195.7 in (4,971 mm) (since 2006) 195.9 in (4,976 mm) |
Width | 75.7 in (1,923 mm) (2001–2009) 76.1 in (1,933 mm) (since 2010) |
Height | 73.3 in (1,862 mm) (2001–2005) 74.9 in (1,902 mm) (2006–2009) 73.9 in (1,877 mm) (since 2010) |
In 2001, the third-generation model was introduced,[15][16] which saw the model move further upmarket. Planned and developed under BMW ownership the third generation shared components and systems (electronics, core power units etc.) with the BMW 7 Series (E38). The 7 Series electronics system was being phased out during the development of the third-generation Range Rover and being replaced with the electronics from the BMW 5 Series (E39).
There were three "Generations" of the L322. First, from 2001 until 2005, was the 4.4 litre M62 BMW V8 with ZF 5HP-24 transmission. (The manual transmission was dropped, leaving only the automatic). Then, from 2006 until 2009 a 4.4-litre Jaguar-derived engine or a 4.2-litre supercharged variant of the Jaguar engine partnered with the ZF 6HP-26 transmission. and thirdly, in 2010 Land Rover fitted the newly-designed AJ133 5.0 N/A and Supercharged engine with ZF 6HP-26 until the 2012 model year, the end of L322 production. (This summary does not give diesel options).
From 2001-2004 the L322 used a standard BMW E39 electrics system. From 2005-2009 the L322 saw an updated Jaguar-derived electrical system with fibre optics and Bluetooth. From 2010-2012 the L322 used updated Jaguar-derived electrics, the first "modern feeling" system, replacing the gear lever with a rotary dial.
In MY06 the first exterior update was applied with a face-lift of the front fascia, tail lamps (orange/red now became red/red), side vents (from two "gills" to three), clear indicator side-repeaters. Some other slight differences can be found on the "Supercharged" variant (rear lamps became clear/clear). The second exterior update was in 2010, bringing an even more modern feel to the L322 with a new fascia, tail lamps, side grills, and clear side markers.
The interiors stayed relatively the same until 2006.5, (NAS 2007). A major change came in 2010: a range of new engines was offered, with 5-litre versions of the petrol V8 in standard and supercharged forms, and revision of the exterior front and rear profiles.
Fourth generation (2012)
Range Rover (L405) | |
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Transmission | 8-speed ZF 8HP automatic |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,922 mm (115.0 in)[18] |
Length | 4,999 mm (196.8 in)[18] |
Width | 1,984 mm (78.1 in) (body) 2,073 mm (81.6 in) (mirrors folded)[18] |
Height | 1,835 mm (72.2 in)[18] |
The fourth generation Range Rover, codenamed L405, was exhibited in September 2012 at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.[19]
It uses an all-aluminium
Hybrid
The Range Rover Hybrid is diesel-powered
Plug-in Hybrid
The Range Rover Plug-in Hybrid is a petrol-powered
Diesel
In 2021 Land Rover started selling the Range Rover Sport D350 model which runs on the 3.0-litre D300 Ingenium Diesel engine.[21][22][23][24][25]
Fifth generation (2022)
Range Rover (L460) | |
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) |
The fifth generation Range Rover was revealed on 26 October 2021 by the
Sales
The success of
This table excludes Range Rover Sport, Evoque, and Velar. The total figure is from 2009, excluding those sold prior to that year.
Year | Sales |
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2009 | 22,001 |
2010 | 23,602 |
2011 | 29,626 |
2012 | 27,496 |
2013 | 45,077 |
2014 | 53,738 |
2015 | 60,226 |
2016 | 55,728 |
Total | 317,494 |
Motorsport
A Range Rover was used to win the
Expanded line
Range Rover Sport
On 26 November 2004, Land Rover released the first photographs of the
In 2013 a redesigned version was released for sale as a 2014 model year "L494". Unlike the original and current Discovery, it does not have steel chassis rails, but is based on the new D7u alloy Platform, which much more resembles the current flagship Range Rover with closer equipment levels and capabilities in a smaller body style. Hence the L494 Range Rover Sport is around 400 kg lighter than the previous generation and benefits in performance due to its weight reduction.
Range Rover Evoque
The Range Rover Evoque, which went into production in July 2011, has its roots in the Land Rover LRX concept car which it resembles. It is available with either a three-door or five-door hatchback body, front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, and with a 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine or one of two different power output 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines.
In 2012, at the
Range Rover Velar
Land Rover unveiled a
Advertising
A song titled "I Found a Place in My Heart" and "Find Your Heaven", co-written by Dom James and Tommy Antonio for Range Rover commercials, is sung by Emma Smith.[35]
Criticism
The Range Rover brand has attracted some controversy,[36] particularly from those concerned with the potential negative environmental impact of large, luxury vehicles. In 2005, members of Greenpeace temporarily disrupted Range Rover production at the Land Rover plant in Solihull.[37]
In 2004,
In 2014 it was reported that Range Rovers could be opened and started using hand-held equipment readily available from eBay. High levels of theft led The Times to report that "High-end motor insurers are refusing to cover new Range Rovers in London after a series of thefts."[39]
Range Rovers, according to
References
- ^ a b c "Range Rover Dateline". RoverTrax. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
- ^ "These 12 SUVs went soft and became crossovers".
- ^ "The best of the British car industry". AROnline. Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ Maag, Christopher (3 July 2010). "Charles S. King, Range Rover Designer, Dies at 85". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
- ^ Shephard, Dave. "The History of the Range Rover Marque". Archived from the original on 3 March 2006. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
- ^ Turkus, Brandon (12 August 2014). "Range Rover #1 headed to auction block". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
- ^ a b The Range Rover Register. "Velar History". Archived from the original on 13 April 2006. Retrieved 16 March 2004.
- ISBN 9781785004124.
- ^ "Charles S. King, Range Rover Designer, Dies at 85". The New York Times. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
- ^ Ginger Baker in Africa (1971) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80LfQZUxeP0
- ^ "1970-1986 Range Rover US - Grey Market import". Retrieved 4 June 2021.
- ^ "The History of Land Rover". iFixit. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
- ^ Official Land Rover documentation collections for both 1970–85 (LHP1, v1.1) and 1986–94 (LHP2, v1.1) Range Rovers, for example, refers to the vehicles as "Range Rover Classic", despite never being called that when they were originally built.
- ^ "Range Rover: Birthday Child with new Transmission Technology". Archived from the original on 19 January 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
- ^ "Achievements and Innovation – Above and Beyond - Land Rover". landrover. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
- ^ 50 Years of Range Rover – heritage-landrover.co.uk
- ^ "Range Rover Mk4". Auto Express. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "Range_Specifications". Land Rover. Archived from the original on 1 October 2012.
- ^ Holloway, Hilton. "Radical new Range Rover revealed". Autocar. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- Autoblog.com. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ^ "LAND ROVER DEFENDER GAINS PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC POWER, SIX-CYLINDER DIESEL AND NEW X-DYNAMIC MODEL | Land Rover Media Newsroom".
- ^ "Land Rover adds hybrid diesel model to plug-in electric Range Rover". 15 July 2020.
- ^ "Range Rover Sport Hybrid Review".
- ^ "2022 Range Rover Sport D300 First Drive: The Right Diesel Engine at the Wrong Time". 4 January 2022.
- ^ "2021 Range Rover - new 3.0 litre mild-hybrid diesel engine, limited edition Westminster editions launched - paultan.org". 15 July 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
- ^ a b Page, Felix (26 October 2021). "New 2022 Range Rover begins reinvention of Land Rover". Autocar. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
- ^ Pollard, Tim (26 October 2021). "New 2022 Range Rover revealed: an electric 4x4 with a conscience". Car. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
- ^ Horrell, Paul (26 October 2021). "This is the brand new, fifth-generation Range Rover". Top Gear. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ Burgess, Rachael (6 August 2019). "New 2021 Range Rover spotted with BMW V8 engine". Autocar. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ Carson, Sean (27 October 2021). "New 2022 Range Rover arrives with plug-in hybrid power and seven seats". Auto Express. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "History of Dakar – retrospective 1979–2007" (PDF). Dakar. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 June 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2009.
- ISBN 0 9519781 0 1
- ^ Hardy, Sam (6 March 2012). "Range Rover Evoque Convertible". Auto Express. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
- ^ Heldenfels, Rich (13 June 2019). "Mailbag: Why is there no Channel 1?". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
- ^ Madslien, Jorn (16 May 2005). "Business | Range Rover: Beauty or beast?". BBC News. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
- ^ "Business | 15 arrested in Land Rover protest". BBC News. 16 May 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
- ^ ""4x4 Drivers Are Stupid And Pompous; Mini-driving Range Rover designer raps school run cars", Annie Brown, Scottish Daily Record & Sunday, 28 June 2004". 28 June 2004. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
- ^ Hipwell, Deirdre; Lea, Robert (27 October 2014). "Insurance companies run for cover as thieves target new Range Rovers". The Times. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
- ^ "Buying a Used Range Rover: Everything You Need to Know". Autotrader. May 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
- ^ DeMuro, Doug (26 February 2013). "Land Rover and JD Power". The Truth About Cars. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
- ^ "Land Rover Car Models, Pricing & Reviews". JD Power. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
- ^ Taylor III, Alex (12 December 2013). "The remarkable staying power of Land Rover". Fortune. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
- ^ Youngs, Jeff (9 April 2014). "2014 U.S. Customer Service Index (CSI) Study Results". JD Power. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
- ^ MacKenzie, Angus (8 January 2015). "2014 Land Rover Range Rover Long-Term Verdict". Motor Trend. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
- ^ DeMuro, Doug (12 May 2014). "Here's Why Land Rover Doesn't Care About JD Power Ratings". dougdemuro.kinja. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
- ^ DeMuro, Doug (4 September 2015). "If Range Rovers Are So Unreliable, Why Do People Still Buy Them?". Jalopnik. Retrieved 27 February 2016.