As of this month, Land Rover has just announced the revamp of their time honored flagship model, that not only received an elegant face lift but was also given an option that is more than skin deep.
The announcement came with the addition of a plugin-hybrid model to stand hand in hand with Jaguar-Land Rover’s future electric plans for all models in their line. The plugin-hybrid Range Rover will achieve a combined fuel economy of an impressive 101mpg, and an all electric range of 31 miles. Unique highlights for the 2018 model year also include harmonious updates which have sharpened both exterior and interior looks, along with cutting edge technological updates.
Since the beginning of the Range Rover, 50 years ago, the quintessential luxury four by four has been the go to vehicle for those who prefer not to switch vehicles when traveling from their estate in the countryside to the posh streets of Belgravia and Kensington.
“Our customers are very clear about what they want from any new Range Rover. ‘Don’t change it, just make it better,’ they tell us, so everything we’ve done has been about enhancing our flagship SUV. After nearly 50 years the fourth generation Range Rover is the finest so far, ensuring the original luxury SUV remains the choice for discerning customers the world over.”
Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer, Land Rover
Today, the all new Range Rover has continued to evolve with the intention of always being the finest in all around automotive capability. Thanks to newly designed seats, comfort features now include 24 way adjustable front seats, that offer a new depth of foam padding along with heated armrests to keep your elbows and forearms warm on those chilly winter days. Stepping in the backset, occupants will notice a complete redesign which includes a more spacious layout, with no effect to the RR’s boot space.
The sumptuous cabin now includes a spa like treatment with 25 setting massage functions for the seats, including a much desired hot stone option. For those of us who work while being chauffeured or travel with family, seventeen connection points are at our disposal, including USB, HDMI, 12 volt, and domestic plug sockets; in addition 4G Wi-Fi awaits for up to 8 different devices.
Interior elegance has been updated through the unwavering commitment by LR’s focus on integration of some of the market’s most advanced and easy to use infotainment systems, which are engineered by JLR in house. Codenamed ‘Blade’, the Touch Pad Duo merges two 10 inch screens to form a control panel in the Range Rover’s centre console.
The enlarged seats now offer unsurpassed comfort in the segment. The outstanding updates include heated and cooled seats with significantly extended zones (heated arm, calf rests, and foot). Increased recline functionality, along with a smartphone app for added functionality, complete the tech savvy interior comfort updates.
The plugin-hybrid’s efficient powertrain offers sustainable performance through the combination of a four cylinder petrol engine and a (85KW) electric motor, allowing for 31 miles of all electric drive. The result is 640Nm of torque and 404PS of total power delivered via the full time four-wheel drive system, with a not to sixty time of 6.4 seconds and a top speed of 137 miles per hour. Emiting only 64g/km on the NEDC combined cycle, Range Rover owners can honestly experience zero-emission driving.
“The new Range Rover takes our luxury SUV to new heights, delivering enhanced refinement, luxury and all-terrain capability. The new PHEV powertrain isn’t simply a no-compromise solution – it builds on the traditions of our flagship SUV and delivers heightened refinement and comfort with impressive performance and efficiency.”
Nick Collins, Vehicle Line Director, Jaguar Land Rover
Concerned about charge time? With rapid charging the 13.1kWh high-voltage lithium-ion battery can be fully charged in under 3 hours using a 32 amp wall box. Additional assurances are given through an eight-year, 100,000-mile, 70 per cent state of health warranty for the Plugin-Hybrid Range Rover’s battery.
Although the all new Plugin-Hybrid model is intriguing, those of us who enjoy the most performance out of our Range Rover may want to still opt for the range topping SV Autobiogrpahy dynamic. Range Rover’s most powerful production vehicle to date is powered by an all petrol supercharged v8 making 565PS, and delivers a not to sixty time of nearly 5 seconds flat.
The updated Range Rover will be built at the firm’s Solihull facility, and is available for order now, with first quarter deliveries scheduled for the end of 2017 depending on region.
