After a long five-year development program, the new generation of Range Rover was finally unveiled and brings with it the foundations of a new era, not only for the British brand but for the group in which it belongs.
To begin with, and as we had already advanced, the fifth generation of the new Range Rover debuts the MLA platform. Able to offer 50% more torsional rigidity and produce 24% less noise than the previous platform, the MLA is made up of 80% aluminum and is able to accommodate both combustion and electric engines.
The new Range Rover, like its predecessor, will be available with two bodies: “normal” and “long” (with a longer wheelbase). The big news in this field is the fact that the long version now offers seven seats, a first for the British model.
Evolution always in place of revolution
Yes, the silhouette of this new Range Rover has remained virtually unchanged, however, this does not mean that the new generation of British luxury SUV does not bring new features in the aesthetic chapter, as the differences between the new generation and the one that is now being replaced are by too obvious.
Overall, the styling is “cleaner”, with fewer elements adorning the bodywork and a clear concern with aerodynamics (Cx of just 0.30), which is further attested to the adoption of retractable door handles similar to those used, by example in the Range Rover Velar.
It is at the rear that we see the biggest differences. There's a new horizontal panel that integrates model identification as multiple lights, which joins the vertical stop lights that flank the tailgate. According to Range Rover, these lights use the most powerful LEDs on the market and will be the new “light signature” for Range Rover.
At the front, the traditional grille was redesigned and the new headlights feature 1.2 million small mirrors that reflect light. Each of these small mirrors can be 'deactivated' individually to avoid dazzling other conductors.
Despite all these new features, there are typical Range Rover 'traditions' that have remained unchanged, such as the split-opening tailgate, in which the lower part can be used as a seat.
Interior: same luxury but more technology
Inside, technological reinforcement was the main bet. Therefore, in addition to a new look, the adoption of a 13.1” infotainment system screen stands out, which seems to “float” in front of the dashboard.
The interior is "dominated" by the two large screens.
Equipped with the latest version of Jaguar Land Rover's Pivi Pro system, the Range Rover now has remote upgrades (over-the-air) and, as you'd expect, offers the Amazon Alexa voice assistant and pairing as standard. wireless for smartphone.
Still in the field of technology, the 100% digital instrument panel features a 13.7” screen, there is a new head-up display and those traveling in the rear seats have “right” to two 11.4” screens placed on the front headrests and an 8” screen stored in the armrest.
At the back there are three screens for passengers.
And the engines?
In the field of powertrains, four-cylinder engines disappeared from the catalogue, plug-in hybrid versions received a new in-line six-cylinder engine and the V8 was supplied by BMW, as rumors suggested.
Among the mild-hybrid proposals we have three diesel and two petrol. The Diesel offer is based on six cylinders (Ingenium family) in line and 3.0 l with 249 hp and 600 Nm (D250); 300 hp and 650 Nm (D300) or 350 hp and 700 Nm (D350).
The mild-hybrid gasoline offer, on the other hand, bets on a six-cylinder in-line (Ingenium) also with a capacity of 3.0 l that delivers 360 hp and 500 Nm or 400 hp and 550 Nm depending on whether it is the P360 or P400 version.
At the top of the gasoline offer we find a BMW twin-turbo V8 with 4.4 l of capacity and capable of delivering 530 hp and 750 Nm of torque, figures that lead the Range Rover to fulfill 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6s and up to 250 km/h top speed.
Finally, the plug-in hybrid versions combine the in-line six-cylinder with 3.0l and petrol with a 105 kW (143 hp) electric motor integrated in the transmission and which is powered by a lithium-ion battery with a generous 38.2 kWh of capacity (31.8 kWh of which usable) — as large or larger than some 100% electric models.
Available in the P440e and P510e versions, the most powerful of all the Range Rover plug-in hybrid offers a combined maximum power of 510hp and 700Nm, the result of the combination of the 3.0l six-cylinder with 400hp with the electric motor.
However, with such a large battery, the electric autonomy announced for these versions is still impressive, with the Range Rover advancing the possibility of covering up to 100 km (WLTP cycle) without having to resort to the heat engine.
Continue to "go everywhere"
As might be expected, the Range Rover has kept its all-terrain skills intact. Thus, it has a 29º attack angle, a 34.7º exit angle and a 295 mm ground clearance that can “grow” even more by 145 mm in the highest sleep mode.
In addition, we also have a ford passage mode that lets you tackle 900 mm deep watercourses (the same as Defender is capable of doing). When we return to the asphalt, we have four directional wheels and active stabilizer bars (powered by the 48 V electrical system) that reduce bodywork adornment.
Equipped with an adaptive suspension capable of reacting to asphalt imperfections in five milliseconds and reducing ground clearance by 16 mm at higher speeds to improve aerodynamics, Range Rover also debuts, in the SV version, the most luxurious, wheels of 23”, the biggest ever to equip it.
When arrives?
The new Range Rover is already available for order in Portugal with prices from 166 368.43 euros for the D350 version and “normal” bodywork.
As for the 100% electric variant, it will arrive in 2024 and, for now, no data has yet been released about it.
Update at 12:28 — Land Rover has released the base price for the new Range Rover.