Those of you who follow us on twitter will know that I am driving the new Ford Ranger 4×4 for the week so this article found on the Daily Mail’s website was of real interest to me. Range Rover has launched a new, greener model.
The new ‘slimline’ Range Rover promises to be as sturdy a 4×4 workhorse in the countryside as earlier models whose fans include the Queen and David and Victoria Beckham. One of the biggest changes is that it is the first off-roader with a super-lightweight aluminium structure, making it 16 per cent (420kg) lighter than the model it replaces.
The most fuel-efficient diesel engine in the new range is expected to produce a third less carbon-dioxide emissions than the previous version, under 200g/km. It will also manage around 40 miles to the gallon, compared with its predecessor’s 30mpg.
Costing £80,000 to £100,000 and built in Solihull, West Midlands, the fourth-generation Range Rover will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show next month, 42 years after the first model was launched.
It comes as Jaguar Land Rover’s Halewood plant on Merseyside brings in 24-hour production to meet demand for the ‘baby’ Range Rover Evoque launched by Mrs Beckham.
The original Range Rover was launched in 1970 and has become more and more upmarket and luxurious with each generation. The second generation was launched in 1994 and the current third generation model in 2004.
Jaguar Land Rover is promising its new fourth generation model is ‘lighter, stronger and more refined’ with ‘significantly improved’ handling and agility.
And with a new Bentley 4X4 rival on the horizon, bosses say the new Range Rover will have levels of luxury to match.
Occupants are promised a sense of ‘serene isolation’ helped by improved acoustics including laminated windscreen and side door glass to significantly reduced noise levels.
The sumptuous interior includes the finest contemporary leathers and veneers. Rear passengers will enjoy about four and a half inches (118mm) more legroom, with the option of a new two-seat ‘Executive Class’ seating package for the ultimate in rear-seat luxury.
Other interior luxury features include Meridian surround sound music systems and power upper and lower tailgates.
A Land Rover spokesman said: ‘The all-new Range Rover is the most capable and most luxurious Land Rover yet.’ ‘It has been developed from the ground up, capturing the innovative spirit and iconic design of the original model which changed the world of motoring when it was launched over 40 years ago.’
He added: ‘It is the world’s first sports utility vehicle with a revolutionary lightweight all-aluminium monocoque body structure that is 39 per cent lighter than the steel body in the outgoing model enabling total vehicle weight savings of up to 420kg.
‘The lightweight aluminium platform has delivered significant enhancements in performance and agility, along with a transformation in fuel economy and CO2 emissions.’
In May Jaguar Land Rover leapt to a new record £1.5billion profit – a remarkable turnaround for the once-loss making Midlands-based car maker bought by Indian industrial conglomerate TATA from Ford for £1.5billion in June 2008.
