Displaying items by tag: Range Rover

We are already used to cheap car copies from China, but the latest model offered on Alibaba has "stepped up the game". For only 2,710 euros, you get a not-so-faithful copy of the Range Rover, in a much smaller package with a range of 200 kilometers.

Copies of famous cars coming from China are not rare. A good number of companies from the most populous country in the world have based their products on stealing the designs of well-known brands.

The latest victim of plagiarism is the Range Rover. The Chinese company Sea Biscuit has offered a model on Alibaba that will attract a lot of attention, mostly from the British company's lawyers because it is an obvious design theft. This car has a starting price of €2,710, which is less than most things on the accessories list of a real Range Rover.

For this money, which does not include transportation costs, customers are offered a fully electric microcar with an electric motor that develops 68 hp, while the maximum speed is 50 km/h. The power is transmitted to the rear wheels, and after 10 hours of charging at a classic, domestic outlet, this copy of the Range Rover can travel a maximum of 200 kilometers.

Of course, they did not copy the quality of the interior from the British manufacturer.

As Auto Klub writes, there are cheap plastics everywhere, while the seats are made of fake leather. However, there are two miniature screens and a socket for charging a mobile phone, which add a bit of luxury to the interior.

It should be noted that a discount is also available for larger quantities, so in case the customer orders more than 100 copies, the price drops to only 2,000 euros.

Published in Blog/News
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I've done a lot of miles in diesel-powered Range Rover Sports. In 2016 I ran a handsome Montalcino Red Sport HSE Td6 with the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6 under the hood as part of the MotorTrend test fleet. And I loved it. Sure, it was slower than the punchy 510-hp Sport V-8 Supercharged I'd previously had. But the Td6 was a lovely, long-legged cruiser, the torquey oil-burning V-6 growling as the Range Rover devoured the miles on road trips through California, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. And it routinely returned 25 mpg or better on a long run.

 Land Rover no longer offers diesel engines in any SUV in its U.S. lineup, not even in the chunky Defender. Jaguar Land Rover had committed heavily to diesel in the U.S. in a bid to reduce its overall fleet emissions—in 2015, JLR president and CEO Joe Eberhardt said every JLR vehicle other than the F-Type sports car would offer a diesel engine option by 2017—but the strategy was upended by the Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal. The diesel was quietly dropped late last year, with JLR sources saying demand for diesel engines in the U.S. "has been on a steady decline."

That's a shame, because the 2022 Range Rover Sport D300 is an utter sweetheart.
 
 
The Td6 Land Rovers sold in the U.S. were powered by the aging 3.0-liter V-6 "Lion" turbodiesel, a powerplant designed jointly by Ford and PSA in the early 2000s. The D300 is powered by the new Ingenium straight-six turbodiesel that has been rolled out across the Land Rover lineup in other markets over the past few months. The modular design of the Ingenium engine family means the 2.0-liter four- and 3.0-liter six-cylinder gas and diesel engines share the same bore and stroke and a significant amount of other hardware, thus reducing production costs.

The 3.0-liter Ingenium diesel is available in four specifications: D200 with 197 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque, D250 with 245 hp and 420 lb-ft, D300 with 296 hp and 479 lb-ft, and D350 with 345 hp and 516 lb-ft. The D200 powers entry-level Defenders in Europe and other markets; the D300 is likely to be the volume-selling engine for diesel-powered Range Rover Sports. All the six-cylinder Ingenium diesels are mild hybrids, with a 48-volt integrated starter-generator mounted between the engine and transmission. Their aluminum block construction means they're lighter than the old iron-block Lion engine, too.

The difference between the D300 and Td6 engines is obvious the moment you thumb the start button. The new straight-six is smoother on startup than the old V-6 and much quieter at idle. There's none of the growl of the aptly named Lion when you squeeze the gas to get the Range Rover rolling, either; the D300 merely purrs contentedly as the eight-speed automatic transmission works the torque. At constant-throttle cruising speeds, the Ingenium diesel is almost inaudible.

With 42 more horses and 36 more lb-ft under the hood than my Td6 long-termer, the Range Rover Sport D300 is an even more relaxed and long-legged cruiser. And with that extra torque available over a wider powerband—the Lion V-6 made 423 lb-ft at 1,750 rpm, while the D300 Ingenium's 479 lb-ft is on tap from 1,500 to 2,500 rpm—it feels more alert in traffic and more responsive in hilly terrain.

 

2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport D300 152022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport D300 15

Fuel economy is better, too. The best I ever got out of the Td6 was 30 mpg. My 250-mile stint in the D300 saw it averaging around 37 mpg, dropping to 31 mpg when I upped my highway cruising speed from 75 mph to 85-90 mph. The Td6 had an effective cruising range of more than 500 miles. The D300 will easily go 100 miles farther.

Tougher particulates emissions standards and the lingering stench of Dieselgate mean the diesel's days are numbered, particularly for cars, SUVs, and light-duty trucks. (Europe's heavy truck makers have recently signed a pledge to ditch pure diesels by 2040.) In Western Europe, where just a decade ago 58 percent of all new cars came with diesels, they accounted for less than 30 percent of sales in 2020.

Against that background, there's something poignantly quixotic about the Range Rover Sport D300. Smooth, quiet, and efficient, with an excellent cruising range, it's a very, very good diesel version of an already good SUV. But from an emissions point of view, diesels just aren't good enough anymore. Right engine, wrong time.

Looks good! More details?

2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport D300 Specifications  
BASE PRICE $95,000 (U.K., est)
LAYOUT Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV
ENGINE 3.0L/296-hp/479-lb-ft DOHC turbodiesel 24-valve V-6
TRANSMISSION 8-speed auto
CURB WEIGHT 5,000 lb (mfr, est)
WHEELBASE 115.1 in
L x W x H 192.1 x 81.6 x 71.0 in
0-60 MPH 6.9 sec (mfr, est)
EPA FUEL ECON N/A
EPA RANGE (COMB) N/A
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2022-land-rover-range-rover-sport-d300-diesel-first-drive-review/
Published in Range Rover

This Range Rover could not cope with the snow-covered street. As can be seen from the video, the car used highly valued Michelin Alpin (winter) tires.

The attached video shows that the driver was trying to accelerate in order to manage to overcome the street hill. The attempt did not end well.

The British SUV has all-wheel drive and a number of support systems that should help with such challenges. Some will say that the driver failed, but that is not entirely true.

People familiar with off-road driving would probably find a way to cross this section without major problems, but the buyer of such a car will probably not train on the muddy sections of the off-road rally. That is why he buys a modern and expensive model in order to safely and quickly overcome obstacles on the road, regardless of the weather conditions. So, it should be taken into account that the Range Rover Sport simply will not cope with the challenge. It is possible that there was already a layer of ice under the snow, which made it impossible to successfully overcome the hills. In addition, this model weighs 2 to 2.5 tons, which also contributed to this result. Lighter 4 × 4 cars would have a better chance.

Published in Blog/News
Friday, 05 November 2021 05:24

Range Rover first details, specs and prices

Fifth-generation Rangie showcases luxury and electrification 

 PROS

  • Interior quality far better than old model
  • Two body lengths, now available with seven seats
  • Long electric-only range for PHEV versions

 CONS

  • You'll have to wait until 2024 for EV version
  • Price has risen sharply over old model
  • Option it up, and the price will sky rocket
 

This is Land Rover's new 2022 Range Rover, and although it looks outwardly similar to the outgoing model, there's a lot going on under the skin as the company's luxury flagship moves towards electrification. It's been launched with a pair of long-range plug-in hybrid versions, with a full-electric model following in 2024.

The fifth-generation Range Rover continues the march upmarket with an accent on luxury, and the armoury to fight its arriviste rivals, such as the BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS and Audi Q8, as well as the more exclusive Bentley Bentayga and even the far more expensive Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Considering that once upon a time, the Range Rover had this market all to itself, things are looking a whole lot more competitive now – and yet, no rival has successfully displaced the British icon yet.

In a world dominated by climate change, even luxury SUVs need to bow to social pressure – and prove their green credentials. So, under the familiar yet smoother styling, there are several electrified versions with a lengthy battery-only range. The car looks less intimidating, more environmentally responsible, and loses the old model's fussy visual jewellery.

Range Rover review (2022) profile view
 

What's it like inside?

Although we're months off the launch of this car, Parkers has already sat inside a pre-production Range Rover and can confirm that it feels every inch the £100,000+ luxury limousine now. The choice of materials inside is first rate and the uncluttered cabin feels calm and upmarket – especially the new porcelain door inserts. Yes, really.

The Pivi Pro infotainment system has been upgraded. It's now available with Amazon Alexa voice control, Spotify and Land Rover says it's more reliable, stable and faster-acting than earlier Land Rover touchscreens. We'll reserve judgment until we get our hands on one, but considering how good Pivi Pro is in the Defender, we have high hopes.

Buyers get the choice of a standard or 20cm-stretched long-wheelbase (LWB) model. The 'normal' version has a number of rear seat configurations – as before – but for the first time for a Range Rover, the LWB model is available as a seven-seater with three rows of forward-facing seats. Given all of its aforementioned rivals can be configured as seven seaters, this is welcome move by Land Rover.

Range Rover review (2022) interior view
 What engines are available?

The Range Rover will be available as a pure electric, hybrid or combustion engine car, although the EV version isn't due until 2024. However, every other combination will be available from launch in May 2022. The line-up will look like this.

P400 petrol: The entry-level Range Rover uses a 3.0-litre six-cylinder, with mild-hybrid technology. It develops 400hp, averages 29.7mpg and puts out 215g/km of CO2.

P530 petrol: The V8 option remains, but is now a BMW-sourced 4.4 bi-turbo, tuned to deliver 530hp for a 0-60mph time of 4.4sec.

D300 and D350 diesels: Both of these models are powered by Land Rover's 3.0-litre straight-six diesel, but with two states of tune: the D300 makes 300hp while the more muscular D350 musters develops 350hp. CO2 emissions are 198g/km.

P440e and P510e PHEVs: These plug-in hybrids are the first step to electrification for the fifth-generation Range Rover. Its 3.0-litre petrol is mated to a 105kW motor for 450 or 510hp and are good for 26g/km of CO2 in WLTP testing.

All models are four-wheel drive and come with an eight-speed gearbox, with a low-range transfer ‘box for effective off-road ability. You get all of the Land Rover systems, too, such as dynamic air suspension, Terrain Response 2, and a 900mm wading depth. This ability might not be a priority for many Range Rover drivers, but it's still an important part of the car's DNA.

Plug-in hybrid range and charging

Both PHEV models are powered by a large 38kWh lithium-ion battery for a relatively long range for a plug-in hybrid. They are claimed to offer a 62-mile electric range and Land Rover says that three quarters of customers’ journeys could be driven on silent electric power during daily duties.

Range Rover review (2022) rear view
 
Unlike most contemporary plug-ins, the Range Rover P440e and P510e can be fast-charged at up to 50kW DC, meaning they can be topped up in less than an hour (or five on a 7kW wallbox at home).

What else should I know?

UK sales are expected to begin in May 2022 and UK prices have been confirmed to start at £94,400, which is quite a rise from the outgoing model which starts at £83,525.

(https://www.parkers.co.uk/land-rover/range-rover/review/)

Published in Range Rover
Tagged under
Thursday, 28 October 2021 06:07

New Range Rover introduced

October 26, 2021, Whitley, United Kingdom - The sleek new Range Rover defines contemporary luxury, providing more sophistication, more choice for customers and providing more room for personalization than ever before.

The Range Rover is an original luxury SUV and has been leading by example for 50 years, combining serene comfort and serenity with the ability to conquer. The new Range Rover is the most desirable so far, combining modernity and aesthetic grace that takes your breath away with technological sophistication and impeccable connectivity.

With a package of efficient mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains — and a purely electric Range Rover to join the 2024 line — plus a choice of four-, five- or seven-seat interiors available on standard and long-wheelbase, the new Range Rover is at home in any environment.

Thierry Bolloré, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, said: “The new Range Rover is the ultimate manifestation of our vision of creating the most desirable luxury vehicles in the world, and is aimed at the most discerning customers. He writes the next chapter in a unique story of pioneering innovation that has been a trademark of the Range Rover for more than 50 years. ”

Land Rover's new flexible modular longitudinal architecture, the MLA-Flex, supports every aspect of this luxury SUV, from its unparalleled capabilities and agile handling to impeccable sophistication. Combining state-of-the-art engineering techniques with new levels of virtual development and Land Rover's innovative development program, the new Range Rover will deliver new levels of quality.

A pair of innovative extended-range powertrains with plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) deliver CO2 emissions below 30 g / km, with a purely electric driving range of up to 100 km (62 miles), delivering the expected real-time range of up to 80 km (50 miles) - Enough for typical Range Rover customers to complete up to 75 percent of the trip using electricity only.

The new luxury SUV is available in SE, HSE and Autobiography models. The First Edition will be available during the first year of production, will be essentially based on the Autobiography model and will have a unique specification. It is exclusively available in Sunset Gold Satin finish, while for the exterior you have five body colors available. Both standard (SWB) and long wheelbase (LWB) bodies are available with five seats, while the new Range Rover model with long wheelbase is also available with a third-row seat, for greater comfort that can be provided by up to seven adults.

The new Range Rover SV is an excellent interpretation of the luxury and personalization of the Range Rover by experts in special vehicle operations. The SV model is available in SWB and LWB body design (i.e. with standard or long wheelbase), with exclusive features including the new SV Sereniti and SV Intrepid design themes and the SV Signature Suite configuration with four seats.

Breathtaking modernity

The fifth-generation luxury SUV takes Land Rover’s modern design philosophy to the next level, with a contemporary interpretation of its brand profile to create an amazing design. It continues to lead, bringing modernity, aesthetic grace and sophistication to Land Rover’s latest flagship.

The new Range Rover is defined by three lines that can trace their origins through generations; a falling roof line, a strong waist, and a rising sill line. These trademark features are combined with a characteristically short front overhang and a distinctive rear hull - along with a practical split tailgate - to create an elegant profile that conveys the unrivaled Range Rover on the road.

The unbroken waist shows Land Rover’s attention to detail as the rounded edge of the door joins the glass in a simple, clean finish thanks to a specially constructed hidden waist finish. The design-enabled technology combines with glazed surfaces, hidden lighting and precise details to create the impression that the vehicle has been sanded.

Sophisticated surfaces provide a clean and modern look - and contribute to an air resistance coefficient of 0.30, making this vehicle the most aerodynamically efficient luxury SUV in the world.

The luxurious interior is backed by modern, intuitive and relevant technologies, designed to work harmoniously with the finest materials and innovations to create a peaceful haven for all travelers - turning every trip into an experience to enjoy.

The exterior color palette enhances the sleek proportions and clean surfaces of the new Range Rover, while the interior design options are more sustainable, responsible and progressive than ever. Customers have a wider choice of materials and finishes, incl

Published in Blog/News
Tagged under
Thursday, 21 October 2021 06:13

Range Rover SV Golden Edition

The exclusive Range Rover SV Golden Edition is ready for the Japanese market only, in a limited series of only 5 copies.

The factory's Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) department took care of the realization, while the model with Autobiography equipment served as the base.


The vehicle features SV blue, gold-colored elements (air vents, side protection, tailgate molding), 22-inch alloy wheels, black pillars, panoramic roof ...

The equipment also includes leather seats, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 10-inch infotainment screen, a head-up display, as well as a Driver Assist Pack (with adaptive cruise control and parking assistance).

The car is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine with 416 kW / 565hp and 700 Nm of torque.

The price for such a Range Rover in Japan is 23,218,000 yen (175,175 euros).

 

Published in Blog/News
Monday, 30 August 2021 05:59

Range Rover Sport PHEV SUV review

“The Range Rover Sport PHEV could prove to be far cheaper to run than other models in the range, and it’s more luxurious, too”

 
 

Pros

  • 31-mile electric range
  • Low CO2 emissions
  • Good to drive

Cons

  • Reduced practicality
  • Thirsty once batteries run out
  • Less suited to high-mileage drivers

The Range Rover Sport P400e plug-in hybrid arrived as part of a range update, and brought with it an option in the luxury SUV’s range that will be of great interest to company car drivers. Tax rates and running costs will be significantly lower than for other versions of this big, heavy car, yet it offers an impressive level of comfort and luxury.

There are plenty of alternatives, including the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine, Audi Q7 e-tron, BMW X5 xDrive40e and Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid. The Range Rover Sport has only around 26 miles of all-electric range, so it falls behind some of these rivals when it comes to commuting on battery power alone.

The Sport features a 297bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a 114bhp electric motor, so it can go from 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds. It’s not just about the power, though, because the electric motor means low-speed driving is as quiet as it gets. Of course, this being a Range Rover the electric motor’s instant torque means it’s a superb off-roader as well – although most owners never go near so much as a muddy field.

The interior is as luxurious as you would expect given the brand’s credentials. Materials are high quality and there’s plenty of tech, including a dual-screen infotainment system with all the modern features you need. One area the PHEV model does lose out is with boot space, because of the space taken up by the hybrid batteries. There’s no seven-seat option here, either, and the plug-in model’s maximum towing weight is lower than for other versions.

From the outside, you might not think you are even looking at an electrified car. The only clues lie in the charging port on the front – and even this is hidden away most of the time – and the badges.

The Range Rover plug-in makes the most sense for those who don’t tend to do a lot of long trips but can’t quite make the jump to a fully electric car just yet. Yet the Range Rover Sport P400e is possibly the most luxurious model in the range to drive, because of the near-silent low-speed running when the engine is off. We’d still stick with a diesel model if you do a lot of motorway trips, though.

MPG, running costs & CO2

 If you regularly cover short distances, the Range Rover Sport P400e makes a lot of sense

The Range Rover Sport P400e might have a relatively thirsty 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, but combining this with an electric motor and battery pack means running costs can be significantly reduced. As with all plug-in hybrids, this benefit diminishes the further you drive – and if you don’t have access to a charging point – so the P400e is best suited to motorists with a fairly short commute who can top up the batteries frequently.

Thanks to the 13.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the Range Rover Sport can travel for up to 26 miles on electricity alone, boosting its official fuel economy figure to 88mpg – a huge improvement over the 27.4mpg of the equivalent petrol-only model. While this figure will obviously depend on how you drive the P400e, its 72g/km CO2 emissions figure is fixed, which means this is by far the cheapest Range Rover Sport for company car drivers. Its 18 per cent Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) band compares with 37 per cent for the standard Si4 petrol.

 Compared with its closest rivals, the P400e betters the 25-mile range and 75g/km CO2 emissions of the Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid, while the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine manages just 59g/km of CO2 and 134.5mpg, and has a slightly lower, 25-mile range on battery power.

Road tax for the P400e costs the discounted VED (road tax) rate each year. However, there’s also the additional surcharge in years two to six owing to the fact the hybrid costs more than £40,000 to buy.

Charging the P400e at home takes around 7.5 hours using the standard 10-amp cable, but this can be sped up to under three hours using rapid charging with a dedicated wall box and 32-amp cable. The charging port is located in the front grille, making it easier to park facing public charging posts.

Engines, drive & performance

 The P400e is no slouch, but it’s less fun to drive when the batteries are depleted

The Range Rover Sport’s P400e badge signifies its power level, because its turbocharged 297bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor combined produce up to 399bhp. This PHEV certainly isn’t short of power, then, sprinting from 0-62mph in just 6.3 seconds, before hitting a maximum speed of 137mph. This is only four-tenths faster than the petrol model, but the P400e feels very different to drive, especially in town. Here, electric power allows the Sport to accelerate briskly from a standstill with little fuss or noise – attributes that suit its character. It's just a shame the P400e can hesitate when asked to accelerate from a rolling start at a junction or roundabout – a frustrating sensation.

 
Back on the road, it’s when the battery pack is depleted that the Sport P400e makes least sense. With a small engine and more weight to lug around, it needs working fairly hard and emits a vocal whine that’s at odds with the Range Rover’s luxurious character.

Tackle a winding road and the P400e does a better job of disguising its weight, serving up impressive agility and grip for a big SUV. It’s sharper than the XC90 that majors on comfort, while being slightly less driver focused than the Cayenne.

Interior & comfort

 The Sport is just as luxurious as ever, but now has more up-to-date technology

Inside, the Range Rover Sport is just as luxurious as ever, with swathes of leather covering virtually every surface and metal trim that’s cool to the touch. The PHEV features the brand’s Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with two 10-inch displays stacked on top of each other. These are crystal clear and look great, with the top display taking care of sat-nav and media, while the bottom screen is used for vehicle settings. It largely works well, but smartphone integration still lags behind rivals such as the Audi Q7 – and it's a bit of a fingerprint magnet.

There are plenty of places to charge your smart devices, with up to 12 power points dotted around the interior, as well as two traditional power sockets to charge laptops and other devices that need more juice than a USB port can provide. You can essentially turn the Sport into an office away from home – or family entertainment centre – at the drop of a hat. The introduction of the Activity Key from the Jaguar F-Pace means you can also take a waterproof wristband on your outdoor adventures instead of the key and use it to unlock the car when you get back.

Practicality & boot space

 The battery pack reduces load space and towing ability slightly, but they’re still beyond what most families will need

It has a lower roofline and sleeker shape than the standard Range Rover, or a Volvo XC90 for that matter, but the Range Rover Sport is still a large SUV. It can carry five adults in comfort, with well shaped leather seats providing plenty of support.

 
However, there have been some compromises in practicality in order to fit the battery pack and electric motor. In the standard Sport, there’s up to 780 litre of luggage space, but this is reduced by up to 79 litres in the P400e, while the boot floor is also raised up by 46mm. Perhaps more significantly for families, there’s also no longer the option of the 5+2 seating layout that makes the Sport an occasional seven-seater, because there’s no room to stow the third row in the boot.
 
Towing has been made simpler, thanks to Advanced Tow Assist, a driving aid that allows you to guide a trailer into place using the reversing camera and turning the rotary controller to steer its path. The on-board computer then automatically works out the correct steering inputs required. It’s worth noting that the P400e can tow between 500-1,000kg less than other Sports, but its maximum trailer weight of 2,500kg is still more than enough to pull a large caravan.

Reliability & safety

 Land Rover doesn’t have the best reliability record, but the Sport is loaded with safety equipment

Land Rover doesn’t have the best reputation for reliability, and in our 2021 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey it finished in 22nd place – although that’s actually an improvement over previous years.

While the Range Rover Sport hasn’t been crash tested by Euro NCAP, safety should be less of a worry. Both the fully fledged Range Rover and the Range Rover Velar managed a five-star result, so there’s little reason to think the Sport would do worse. It shares most of those models’ safety kit after all, including features such as autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and electronics designed to help prevent rollover accidents.

Price, value for money & options

 For the right type of driver, the Sport PHEV could bring real cost benefits

Depending on its specification, the 400bhp plug-in hybrid P400e costs around £4,000 more than a Range Rover Sport fitted with a 300bhp V6 diesel engine. Some will consider this a bargain, especially company car drivers considering the potential tax savings – although we’re talking about a car costing well over £70,000 here, so it’s all relative.

However, the savings only really make sense if you plan on driving on electric power a large proportion of the time. If you often drive more than 30 miles a day, or on long trips, a diesel will probably make more sense.

(https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/)

Published in Land Rover
Sunday, 15 November 2020 16:07

Range Rover SUV review

"The Range Rover is an SUV icon, built to be one of the most upmarket and comfortable ways to travel, whatever terrain you need to cross"

The latest evolution of the legendary Range Rover SUV would be almost unrecognisable to owners of the simple original model, which was designed to offer more comfort than the Land Rover on which it was based, but was still rather workmanlike.

Before long, the Range Rover was adopted by wealthy owners with sprawling estates, making it the 4x4 to be seen in – a fact cemented by the Royal Family being photographed driving them – and its utilitarian plastic interior trim was gradually made more luxurious, with wood veneer and swathes of leather.

Over the years, it’s been kept bang up-to-date, but one thing that has never changed is Land Rover’s commitment to the Range Rover being the most capable off-roader you can buy. To this end, even a top-spec Range Rover – with an interior as luxurious as a premium saloon car and destined to spend its life in Kensington – still has the technology to scale almost any mountain or ford any river.

The Range Rover has taken this concept to the next level, with a greater emphasis on exterior and interior design than before. Inside, the dashboard is uncluttered and simple, with attractive materials and a pleasant design. A 2017 update modernised the infotainment system, ushering in two screens on the central console but this now feels dated compared with JLR's latest infotainment in newer models like the Land Rover Defender. There's gesture control for the sunblind, LED headlights and an Activity Key that allows owners to leave the normal key in their Range Rover while wearing a rugged, waterproof bracelet version. Meanwhile, comfort for rear-seat passengers is better than ever – especially if you go for the long-wheelbase model.

Impressively, despite all these technological additions, the latest Range Rover is 420kg lighter than its predecessor, which improves performance and running costs. The P400e petrol hybrid is the cheapest to run, despite its impressive pulling power. For those that want a mild-hybrid, the P400 MHEV uses a 3.0-litre straight-six engine producing 395bhp. For higher mileage drivers who want a diesel engine, there’s the 3.0-litre D300 and D350, a pair of 'Ingenium' straight-six diesel mild hybrids introduced in 2020, with 296bhp and 345bhp respectively.

The other extreme is the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine with 518bhp or 557bhp, which you can also find in sports cars like the Jaguar F-Type. The most powerful version is exclusive to the SVAutobiography Dynamic, which is as menacingly raucous as you’d want. This model comes with a tuned chassis and has responses honed to be as close as possible to a Range Rover sports car. It manages 0-62mph in just 5.4 seconds, while passengers travel in unabashed luxury.

Managing the same 5.4-second 0-62mph time, the ‘normal’ 518bhp version of that engine is available on Autobiography models. That name signifies the top of the Range Rover tree, but you can still spend many hours poring over the options, colour combinations and accessories in the brochure – it’s easy to send the cost of this SUV deep into three figures. However, even the entry-level Vogue and Vogue SE models are well equipped, the opulent Autobiography versions compete with the Bentley Bentayga – the world’s most expensive SUV – for luxury and comfort.

While the off-road prowess and craftsmanship of the Range Rover aren’t in doubt, the marque has struggled for reliability in the past. Not enough owners provided details for the latest version to appear in our 2020 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, but the Land Rover brand came a disappointing 25th out of 30 manufacturers overall, hampered by poor reliability and steep running costs. But we’d imagine few people buy a Range Rover expecting it to save them pennies and there’s nothing else on the road quite like it, with a stunning design and unique ability to sooth long journeys one minute and then canter up grass banks too steep for most horses the next.

Range Rover SUV - MPG, running costs & CO2

If you’re worried about fuel economy, chances are you’re probably not after a big luxury 4x4. The Range Rover is expensive to buy and run.

 

Despite Land Rover's best efforts to lighten the Range Rover, it's still an absolutely huge car and as a result, it's still heavy. Factor in the poor aerodynamics of its tall, boxy shape, and it's clear the Range Rover will struggle to deliver impressive economy and emissions.

While the latest Range Rover is the most fuel-efficient yet, we’re still talking about a car with a fair appetite for fuel. Even with a new design and mild-hybrid technology, the latest 3.0-litre D300 diesel claims an official fuel economy of 32.5mpg (WLTP) and CO2 emissions of 228g/km.

The more powerful D350 Range Rover, is even thirstier, managing 30.6mpg and 242g/km of CO2 - although this is an improvement on the SDV8 it replaces. If you want the ultimate in SUV performance, Land Rover says the 5.0-litre V8 petrol will do around 19mpg, but in everyday use, it's likely to be closer to 15mpg. However, you’re unlikely to find the economy much better in other high-performance SUVs like the Mercedes GLS 63 AMG, BMW X5 M or BMW X6 M.

The Range Rover P400e plug-in hybrid – which we've reviewed separately – combines a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor, providing an all-electric driving range of 25 miles on a full charge. Land Rover claims CO2 emissions of 77g/km and an average fuel consumption figure of up to 82.3mpg. The P400e brings significant Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) reductions for business users, being the only Range Rover not in the highest band. Unfortunately, though, its emissions mean it just misses the 75g/km cut-off for free travel into the London Congestion Charge zone.

A mild hybrid was introduced in 2019, the P400 MHEV is fitted with a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine and a mild-hybrid system consisting of an electric supercharger and battery pack. It stores the energy normally lost under braking into the 48-volt battery. This power is used to improve the engine’s efficiency under load, assisting acceleration when starting off as well as improving the effectiveness of the stop start system. Land Rover claims this setup can achieve fuel economy of up to 26.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 243g/km - which isn't far off the efficiency of the D350 diesel engine.

With the exception of the plug-in hybrid version, every Range Rover is liable for £150 annual road tax from the second year. The P400e attracts a slightly reduced rate of £140. Again from the second year, all versions are liable for an additional surcharge of £325 for five years because they cost more than £40,000.

In terms of residual values, a rule of thumb is that the more expensive the model of Range Rover, the worse the depreciation will be.

Insurance group
Even Range Rovers fitted with sensible engines attract hefty insurance premiums. The cheapest model in the range – the SDV6 Vogue – is in insurance group 45 out of 50. As models get more expensive, they begin to move up the group rating system, with the V8 Autobiography and SVAutobiography models sitting in group 50, the most expensive insurance bracket. As ever, make sure to contact your insurer before making a buying decision.

Servicing
Land Rover says you should have your Range Rover serviced every 15,000 miles. Big engines have lots of spark plugs and other things that will need to be replaced, so it'll be a lot pricier to service than your average family car.

Warranty
There's a fairly generous three-year/unlimited-mileage warranty offered on the Range Rover. That’s pretty much average for this type of car, but the Toyota Land Cruiser comes out top here, with a five-year/100,000-mile warranty.

Range Rover SUV - Engines, drive & performance

Incredible off-road performance and towing ability when you need it, plus a comfortable limousine-like ride when you don’t

 

The latest Range Rover weighs 420kg less than its predecessor, which has a positive effect on handling and performance and for such a big, bulky car, it certainly doesn’t disgrace itself on a twisty road.

While all models handle surprisingly neatly, the SVAutobiography Dynamic shows exactly what the Range Rover can do. Sure, it won’t shrink around you and you’re always aware of the weight and bulk of what you’re driving, but with lowered ride height and modifications to the suspension and steering, fast corners can be taken with confidence.

Step into one of the SVAutobiography’s less muscular sisters and there’s a profound difference – they feel looser, less responsive and more prone to leaning in corners. However, the high view out inspires confidence: the car is easy to place and swift cross-country progress is a relaxing experience. Occupants are well insulated from the outside world and the suspension is comfortable so you’re likely to adopt a more sedate driving technique.

With all its comfort and ability to take corners without tripping up, it’s all the more impressive that the Range Rover is still one of the most capable off-roaders you can buy. Its Terrain Response technology adjusts the suspension and traction-control systems to suit the kind of surface you're driving on. The car is capable of wading through water, crossing mud and ruts and ascending and descending steep slopes with ease.

All engines send their power through an eight-speed automatic gearbox, which works smoothly around town, yet can also provide quick, sudden shifts when accelerating quickly.

Range Rover diesel engines
If you’re buying your Range Rover as a sensible, mile-munching workhorse, all you really need is the entry-level 3.0-litre D300 engine. New for 2020, this straight-six with mild-hybrid tech will launch the car from 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds, which is about what you'd expect from a sporty hatchback. This engine is also incredibly quiet and smooth, to the extent that you'll only ever really hear it if you accelerate as hard as you can, and even then it doesn't sound bad.

The D350 is a more potent version of the same engine with 345bhp, which makes motorway cruising terrifically relaxing. It’s quick, too – acceleration from 0-62mph takes 7.1 seconds and it even makes a nice noise, which is unusual for a diesel. With as much pulling power as the supercharged V8 petrol, the Range Rover gets moving surprisingly quickly, and the automatic gearbox does a good job of keeping it in its deep power band.

Petrol engines
At the very top of the range is the SVAutobiography Dynamic, with its 5.0-litre V8 supercharged petrol engine. It’s a remarkable engine, producing 557bhp and a fantastic noise from the exhausts, and can catapult the 2.3-tonne SUV from 0-62mph in just 5.4 seconds – such performance was the stuff of supercars until fairly recently. It's the same engine that you'll find in the performance-oriented Range Rover Sport SVR, though it’s been tuned to be a little smoother in the flagship, full-size Range Rover. You can also buy a slightly less extreme version of this engine in other Autobiography models.

Nice as they are, we struggle to recommend either, simply because the diesels are so good. All engines give the Range Rover a top speed of at least 130mph, but the V8 petrol is capable of taking it to an electronically limited 155mph.

The P400e plug-in hybrid, combines a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with electric power for a total of 399bhp. This gives it 0-62mph time of 6.8 seconds, along with the ability to drive using electric power alone for around 31 miles. We've reviewed the Range Rover P400E separately, and found its ability to drive in silent electric mode suited the luxury feel of the big SUV, especially in town.

The most recent addition to the range is the P400 MHEV, which combines a 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine and a 48-volt mild hybrid system to produce 395bhp. This powertrain can achieve a 0-62mph time of 6.4 seconds, putting it firmly behind the V8 petrol engines in the range. Considering the power and pace on offer, and the fact the P400 MHEV isn't far off the efficiency of the D350 diesel engine, it should appeal to low-mileage drivers who don't spend too much time on the motorway.

Range Rover SUV - Interior & comfort

Luxury and quality is everywhere you look and touch in the Range Rover

 

 

The Range Rover has one of the very best – and quietest – interiors in the business. However, its designers clearly haven’t forgotten the car’s humble roots. Those elegant, solid and easy-to-use controls are designed to be operated while you’re wearing gloves – which could be the case on an off-road expedition.

Luxury has clearly been pushed to the fore, though, and this shines through in how the Range Rover rides as well as how quiet the interior environment is. Even the formidable SVAutobiography Dynamic with its monster engine remains relaxed – there’s just enough engine noise on acceleration to lend a sense of occasion.

And even on that most extreme of Range Rovers, the ride remains supple – albeit not as velvet-smooth as on models with less sportily set up suspension.

Compared to the previous Range Rover, the latest model looks far more elegant and futuristic inside. Land Rover says there are half as many individual buttons on the dashboard as there were in the previous generation and it's easy to see the difference. Even the gear selector is hidden away for the majority of the time – it simply extends when you need it.

A 10-inch touchscreen mounted in the centre console operates Land Rover’s InControl Touch Pro infotainment system. This replaces a host of minor control buttons as well as providing sat nav and entertainment services, with an on-board wi-fi hotspot as a useful feature. It's starting to feel quite dated against rival systems in the BMW X7 and Mercedes GLS, though, and even Land Rover itself has a better Pivi Pro system in its newer models.

The quality of materials used inside the Range Rover is absolutely fantastic, too. You get soft, luxurious leathers on the dashboard, steering wheel and doors paired up with piano-black lacquer or wood-veneer inserts in the centre console and on the steering wheel.

Most models also come with a mood lighting system that uses LED lamps placed throughout the interior to create a glowing effect. You can choose from 10 different colours, and at night this helps create a really classy atmosphere.

As with any Range Rover, you sit high and get a panoramic view of the road. The seats are also extremely comfortable and there's a massage function in addition to the heating and cooling capability on most versions.

Even your rear passengers can travel in luxury if you upgrade to the Executive Seat package (standard on the SVAutobiography). This replaces the three-seat rear bench with two luxurious chairs that can be reclined and also have a massage function. Long-wheelbase models even have calf rests. Screens can be fitted to the headrests and a fridge can be placed in between the rear passengers, too.

It shouldn't come as a surprise to find that a car starting from over £83,000 wants for very little in terms of standard kit. Even the entry-level Range Rover Vogue sports 20-inch alloy wheels, a 380-watt Meridian stereo and leather seats. Apple Car Play and Android Auto are also standard. Both front seats are heated and the driver's seat has a memory function for its electric adjustment.

The Vogue SE, which we reckon offers the best value for money, adds a heated windscreen, power-operated bootlid and extra adjustment for the front seats, which are also heated and cooled.

The Autobiographyand SVAutobiography models feature the likes of a glass roof, Pixel LED headlights and a more impressive stereo. Autobiography models are available in standard or long-wheelbase lengths. Both add driver-assistance aids such as active cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assistance – which are optional on the Vogue and Vogue SE models.

The sporty SVAutobiography is long-wheelbase only and comes loaded with equipment, including heated and vented front massage seats, heated power-adjustable rear seats, sat-nav, DAB digital radio, USB ports, four-zone climate control, digital TV, a high-end Meridian stereo, keyless entry, Bluetooth phone connectivity, a surround-view camera, a powered-operated split tailgate, towing assistance and air suspension (which automatically lowers the car when you park to make it easier to get in and out).

The ultimate high-performance Range Rover is the short-wheelbase SVAutobiography Dynamic, which can be identified by its unique finish to the side vents, bonnet and front grille, along with accents and badges on the bumper. Inside, passengers are treated to diamond-quilted leather with contrasting stitching and a special veneer finish to the dashboard.

Options
A key option is the Drive Pack, which includes a driver condition monitor to identify and warn of driver fatigue, blind-spot monitoring with reverse traffic detection and traffic-sign recognition incorporating a speed control system, which will automatically limit your speed according to the prevailing limit.

There's a huge amount of accessories on offer, but if you're a music fan there are a couple of special choices available, such as the 825-watt Meridian stereo with 19 speakers. True audiophiles can opt for a mind-blowing 1,700-watt, 29-speaker set-up.

Range Rover SUV - Practicality & boot space

There’s plenty of room in the Range Rover for a driver and four passengers, as well as loads of boot space

 

Anyone who's ever seen a Range Rover can tell you just how large it really is – at five metres long, there's not much on the road that’s bigger. That obviously means loads of space inside, but it's not much fun when it comes to negotiating narrow streets or squeezing into tight parking spaces. The long-wheelbase model is even bigger, so you’ll have to make sure you're not short on garage or driveway space.

Thanks to the Range Rover's considerable length, width and height, there's no shortage of space inside this large SUV. The big seats in the front are superb and there's enough room for the tallest or widest of occupants.

It's the same story in the back: few models provide this much space. But if that's still not enough, the long-wheelbase model increases rear legroom enormously.

Most models have space for five, but a four-seat option ditches the middle rear seat to create storage space and more room for the two remaining back-seat passengers. It feels wonderfully opulent, but choosing this option means you can't fold the rear seats down, although you can recline them.

There's lots of storage space, too. The dashboard has two gloveboxes, there are big pockets in the doors and centre console and you can even specify a fridge between the front seats.

The bad news, though, is that the Range Rover feels huge. It can be difficult to get into it unless you use the 'access height' function, which temporarily drops the suspension by 50mm to let you climb in.

Once inside, you'll find the Range Rover's huge dimensions make driving it a bit tricky. It's a good job that you get large windows and big mirrors, and that you can see the bonnet edges from behind the wheel, because this all helps you to place the car on the road.

Land Rover offers plenty of gadgets to help make life easier for you, including a rear-view camera that comes as standard across the range. Then there's an automatic parking system to help with parallel and perpendicular parking, a system to alert you of traffic while you're reversing out of a space and a 360-degree camera, too.

If you want a bit more space in the rear, Land Rover also offers a long wheelbase version of the Range Rover for an extra £7,000.

First, the good news: the Range Rover has a massive 909-litre boot. If you need to put that into perspective, just consider that the practical Volkswagen Golf family hatchback has a 380-litre boot.

If you ever need more space than that, then you can just flip the rear seats forward to more than double the amount of storage up to 2,030 litres – as long as you haven’t gone for the two-rear-armchairs option.

All models get a powered split tailgate as well: you just press a button on the key to open the boot. The bottom half of the tailgate also folds out, giving you somewhere to sit while you take your muddy shoes off, or simply a way to slide big, heavy items into the boot. Recent revisions to the car included a hands-free boot opening feature.

Towing
It's a safe bet that a lot of Range Rover buyers will use their cars for towing – and it certainly boasts some impressive figures. The D300 diesel can tow an unbraked trailer, caravan or horsebox weighing up to 750kg and a maximum braked load of 3,500kg.

Those figures also apply to the D350 diesel, P400 and the V8 supercharged petrol models, while the P400e plug-in hybrid has a slightly reduced towing limit of 2,500kg. All Range Rovers have a maximum roof-rack load limit of 100kg, including the weight of the roof rails.

Range Rover SUV - Reliability & safety

Early cars had a few electrical gremlins, bu most of these seem to have been ironed out. The Range Rover also has excellent safety credentials.

 

Range Rover reliability
Land Rover has a reputation for making high-class, stylish 4x4s, but there's no denying its poor record for reliability over the years. The company has often finished towards the bottom of owner satisfaction surveys, with some big bills reported on older models.

The latest Range Rover is built in a different way and in a different factory to the previous car, while its electrical components are less complex and more reliable.

Too few Range Rover owners participated in our 2020 Driver Power satisfaction survey for it to be included. However, Land Rover finished 25th overall out of 30 brands covered in our 2020 survey, a disappointing fall from seventh place in 2018. The number of owners reporting a fault was 33.8%, the highest proportion of all the top 30 manufacturers.

Safety

The Range Rover has also been awarded a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, which includes one of the highest ratings ever given for pedestrian protection in the large off-roader category.

Euro NCAP's tests praised the car for how it protects adult and child occupants. Its safety rating was boosted by a full suite of features, such as autonomous emergency braking and advanced traction-control systems that make the car safer and more stable on the road as well more capable off it. Should the worst happen, you and your passengers are protected by a full complement of airbags.

Source: carbuyer.co.uk

Published in Range Rover
Tuesday, 29 October 2019 05:38

Range Rover Evoque VS LandWind X7

Range Rover Evoque and LandWind X7 failed to validate the patent in China. Anyhow, Jaguar Land Rover legal proceedings are set to continue. The reason why they didn’t succeed are the designs who displayed before a patent application was issued. Jaguar Land Rover remains committed to pursuing legal action against the LandWind in a separate unfair competition and copyright case, according to news agency Reuters.

About LandWind X7
Release date of LandWind X7 was at the 2015 Guangzhou Motor Show. This fair was especially noticeable because just one hall away JLR launched a locally made Evoque. That was the first product of its joint venture with Chinese manufacturer Chery. At the time president of the JLR joint-venture, wouldn’t comment on the competitor copy of LandWind X7. They wish to promote just a advantages of Evoque and details regarding joint-venture.

In the meaning time Land Rover filed an action against copyright and unfair competition in a court in Beijing’s eastern district, Chaoyang.

Price difference Range Rover Evoque vs LandWind X7
LandWind X7 was promoted in Chinese market with price for base model of $ 16.800,00. If we compare with the price of be locally produced Evoque, difference is $ 48.000,00. The incredible price difference of these, on first look the same models, provide a great advantage to LandWind X7 on the Chinese market.

Price comparison: Range Rover Evoque vs LandWind X7

New Evoque – $ 64.800,00

New Land Wind X7 – $ 16.800,00

Difference – $ 48.000,00

Who is better?
Analysts at the Guangzhou Motor Show gave first estimates that the new LandWind X7 has reasonable quality leathers and soft plastics. He noted, however, that many of the panel gaps were irregular, and highligted bubbling of paintwork on corners. Furthermore, the gaps of the rear doors and boot were neither regular nor flush with the sides. The biggest minus of the LandWind was previously scored a zero-star Euro NCAP crash test safety ratings for its Isuzu Rodeo-based X6. There are differences between the cars. The LandWind X7 is larger for 5cm including a 1cm longer wheelbase and most notably has a roof rack.

When we speak about the engine, LandWind has an underpowered 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine delivering 188bhp coupled to either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. Land Rover Evoque offer a 237bhp with a nine-speed automatic unit.

External differences are minor and are more or less the same. This is carried over into the interior which sports a very similar dashboard layout.

One of the few areas where the LandWind X7 wins out is that it has a larger infotainment touchscreen than the Evoque.

Published in Land Rover

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