All new Range Rover launched in India
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| The new Range Rover – the world’s most refined and capable luxury SUV |
The styling has been updated and is now more futuristic and streamlined. It has a clean and elegant shape which is derived from a fresh new interpretation of Range Rover design cues. While instantly recognizable as a Range Rover, the new vehicle takes a significant step forward with a bold evolution of the model’s iconic design language. The new generation model does seem to look a bit different from its predecessor and has many new design features that sets it apart. An all aluminum body makes it 350 kilos lighter than the outgoing model. It is also the most aerodynamic Range Rover till date, with a drag coefficient of just 0.34. The luxurious interior has a modern and pure character, and the cabin retains the characteristic strong architectural forms. These are emphasized by extremely clean and elegant surfaces which are flawlessly executed using the finest leathers and veneers. The interior is functional and luxurious at the same time, and there are lots of exciting features to appeal to the Indian customer. These include keyless entry, a superb surround sound Meridian audio system, and entertainment features like the high resolution 8-inch touch screen with Dual View, which allows the driver and front passenger to look at different things on the same screen.
On offer are both petrol and diesel engine choices. There is a 5.0 ltr. LR-V8 supercharged engine with 510 bhp, which can do 100 km/h in a mere 5.4 seconds. The diesel option is a 340 bhp V8 engine, which should be the better choice as it strikes a fine balance between performance and economy. Both engines are paired with a new and quicker 8-speed automatic gearbox and all models will be available in Vogue SE and Autobiography trim levels.
Outstanding traction and dynamic stability is provided by the full-time intelligent 4WD system, with a two-speed transfer box, working in sync with the sophisticated electronic traction control systems. The new Range Rover’s unmatched capabilities are reflected in it’s strong structure with enhanced body geometry for all-terrain conditions, wading depth which has improved by 200 mm to 900 mm, and it’s position as the best towing vehicle in its class with a 3,500 kg trailer capability.
I think the Range Rover could do well in India, as people love big SUVs here. The only drawback could be the price. Since it is launched as a CBU, the ex-showroom price will hover around the Rs.1.5 cr. mark. Expect an on-road price of around Rs.1.7- Rs.2.0 cr. based on trims and specs.
The Range Rover’s journey has been an exciting one from a ground breaking prototype in the 1960s to the fourth generation model in 2012 and it just seems to be getting stronger by the day.
