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Sleeker Range Rover launched

The all-new Range Rover has been unveiled at a star-studded event in the UK where full technical details of the luxury 4x4 range, which includes a diesel hybrid, were also released.

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Land Rover made the announcement at the The Royal Ballet School in Richmond, London; it will go on sale in South Africa in January, 2013.

MODERN RANGEY, ORIGINAL DESIGN


This the fourth-generation of the luxury SUV is said to be lighter, stronger and more refined than its predecessor. The automaker claims it is the first SUV to use an all-aluminium monocoque body that is 39% lighter than the outgoing model’s steel body, contributing to a 420kg weight saving and ensuring lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures.

Despite its modern construction and fuel-saving efforts, the latest Range Rover – which will be introduced in 170 markets – still follows the original clean, boxy design fine-tuned over the last 40 years. John Edwards, Land Rover's global brand director, said: “Launching the all-new Range Rover represents a major milestone for Land Rover, the first exciting output from an unprecedented investment in premium vehicle technologies.

“It preserves the essential, unique character of the vehicle – that special blend of luxury, performance and unmatched all-terrain capability.  However its clean-sheet design and revolutionary light construction have enabled us to transform the experience for luxury vehicle customers, with a step change in comfort, refinement and handling.”

SIMILAR FOOTPRINT

The vehicle was designed and engineered at Land Rover’s development centres in the UK and will be assembled in a state-of-the-art new low-energy plant in Solihull, UK.

At just under five metres, the new Range Rover has a very similar footprint to the outgoing model, but it’s more streamlined profile also makes this the most aerodynamic Range Rover yet. The cabin, Land Rover says, has a “fresh and very contemporary” look with “strong, architectural forms and clean and elegant surfaces” using a mix of leather and veneers.

Apart from looking good, the new Range Rover also has 118mm more legroom and the option of a two-seat Executive Class seating configuration for rear passengers.

Customers can also create “bespoke” cars using the range of trim colours and finishes, and special details, available to them.

FEATURES ABOUND


The car has keyless entry, an electric deployable towbar, power upper and lower tailgates, high-resolution displays, a connectivity package for mobile devices and four-zone aircon.

More than just a pretty face, this Range Rover is said to be new from the ground up and is equipped with the latest body and chassis technologies and the evolution of Land Rover’s Terrain Response system which analyses driving conditions and automatically selects the most suitable suspensioin and drive settings. Range Rover’s full-time intelligent 4WD system is, of course, standard but wading depth has been increased to 900mm and the towing capacity increased to 3500kg.

Lean control, parking radard, adaptive cruise control, emergency braking assistance, a reverse traffic detection system and surround camera system with T-junction view and trailer hitch guidance are a few of the electronic driver aids available.

Customers will have a choice of a supercharged petrol V8 and two diesel engines – TDV6 and SDV8 - each with an eight-speed auto transmission.

A diesel hybrid with a CO2 emissions target of 169g/km will come later in 2013.

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