The Land Rover Range Rover is now in its fourth generation. And while it retains the same basic shape it's always had, much has changed. For starters, Land Rover shaved and incredible 700 pounds from its curb weight, now down to 4,850 pounds. This was achieved thanks to aluminum, which now comprises the entire unibody as well as both front and rear subframes.
Four Range Rover models are offered: base, HSE, Supercharge, and Autobiography. At the heart of every Range Rover is a 5.0L V8. In standard guise as equipped in base and HSE models, it produces 375 hp. In the Supercharged and Autobiography, it is fed through a twin-vortex system supercharger, which ups power significantly to 510 hp. Maximum speed on models so equipped is 155 mph., while fuel economy is 13 mpg city, 19 mpg highway. All Range Rovers make use of a new 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox, which features steering wheel paddles for complete driver control.
All Range Rovers are equipped with Terrain Response 2 Auto, a next-generation system of off-road control. The system provides enhanced capability across every terrain and automatically adapts to driving conditions and road surfaces. Additionally, Range Rovers feature permanent four-wheel drive, with a 50/50 torque split front to rear and a two-speed transfer case for high and low ranges.
Range Rovers include 19-inch alloy wheels, auto-leveling xenon headlights, power-folding and heated exterior mirrors, heated, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors with display, grained leather in one of three colors, a choice of veneer appliques, power seating with heated front seats, a 380-watt Meridian sound system, three-zone climate control, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, hard disk navigation on an 8-inch touchscreen and satellite and HD radio.
Upgrading to the HSE adds 20-inch wheels, several more interior leather choices, and heated rear seats. Supercharged models are similarly equipped but feature 21-inch wheels, in addition to the more powerful engine. Finally the Autobiography comes with all the bells and whistles, including adaptive xenon headlights, 17 interior leather options, perforated climate-controlled front seats that also feature multi-mode massage functionality, power reclining rear bench seat, a leather headliner, 4-zone climate control, programmable ambient lighting, adaptive cruise control and blindspot monitor, an even more powerful Meridian audio system, and a rear seat entertainment with twin touchscreen displays.
Options allow for even more exclusivity in the Range Rover, with massaging front seats, front console coolers, surround cameras, and full-size panoramic roofs all on the list.
Finally, safety is paramount on the Range Rover, and it comes loaded with a full slate of airbags and driving aids such as traction and stability control, cornering braking control and roll control.
All-aluminum Body Structure
Available Supercharged V8 Power
Inspired Handling Characteristics
Fantastic Off-road Capabilities
The fourth-generation Land Rover Range Rover is all-new for 2013. Despite that, it retains the look of its predecessor in most ways. The biggest change comes in weight savings, where extensive use of aluminum has shaved more than 700 pounds from the model. In fact, the Rover utilizes an SUV-first aluminum unibody structure, along with aluminum front and rear sub-frames.
Power still comes from one of two 5.0L V8s, making either 375 hp or 510 hp when equipped with a supercharger. Both are mated to a new 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. In keeping with the Range Rover's off-roading roots, the model is equipped with a new Terrain Response 2 Auto system, which uses an array of icons around a dial to allow drivers to select the mode that suits their needs. In response, the system adjusts for ride height, throttle and shift control, and stability control.
The interior is all-new as well, with increased rear passenger room and a refined dash and control layout that is cleaner and more efficient.
Models include base, HSE, Supercharged, and Autobiography, with prices ranging from $83,500 to $130,950.
The fourth-generation Range Rover retains everything customers loved about the previous model and has improved upon all of it. The result is a massively capable on- or off-road luxury SUV with loads of power, smart handling, extensive use of technology and more creature comforts than you can imagine. It rivals anything produced by Mercedes or Porsche, and in fact now weighs less than either the Cayenne Turbo or GL450, thanks to extensive use of aluminum. The result is the most refined Range Rover yet.
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