Today, no matter in which car market, Land Rover Range Rover has already become synonymous with luxury off-road vehicles well known to all women and children. It not only has a large and comfortable body and a luxuriously crafted cab, but also meets the needs of driving to conquer any environment in terms of off-road performance.
After the end of World War II, the Series I, Series II and Series III vehicles produced by Land Rover became representatives of off-road vehicles at that time, but these simple and durable vehicles had nothing to do with luxury and comfort. Land Rover’s British gentlemen believed that they needed to create an off-road vehicle with a wider body, more comfortable body, and easier driving without compromising off-road performance. Therefore, in the 1950s, plans for Range Rover gradually surfaced. However, due to the development of the British auto industry and the uncertainty of the market development prospects at that time, the Range Rover project did not make substantial progress for a long time.
During this time, Land Rover built several long-wheelbase prototypes based on the Series, dubbed the 80-inch Station Wagon. Then in 1966, Land Rover launched a “100-inch station wagon” (100-inch Station Wagon). At the same time, the North American roads are almost dominated by Ford Bronco and Jeep Wagney, and Land Rover can’t wait to get a share of the North American market. There is no doubt that Range Rover is their best choice.
first generation range rover
The first real Range Rover was revealed to the world in the form of a three-door version. The shape of the first-generation Range Rover was originally a temporary solution for mule carts, but Land Rover’s management recognized it very much at the time, which may also be called an unexpected classic. Even with today’s eyes, this Range Rover designed by Mr. Charles Spencer still has a unique charm. Large-area windows, clamshell-style hoods, floating windows and other styling elements have continued to this day, and Charles Spencer is therefore honored as “Spen King” and “Father of Range Rover” by car fans.
There is a British proverb: “An Englishman’s home is his castle”. Perhaps Mr. Spencer formally adhered to this concept when he designed the Range Rover. The overall shape of the vehicle is relatively square, and the shorter front suspension can obtain a larger approach angle when off-road. Initially, Range Rover did not have very luxurious configuration and decoration, but this did not affect it becoming a favorite vehicle of nobles. They often drove the Range Rover to go hunting and camping in the wild, and newspapers at that time would also have publicity pictures of the British royal family driving the Range Rover to watch polo matches.
The Range Rover In Vogue limited edition launched in 1980 began to approach the Range Rover we are familiar with today. Air conditioning, carpets, walnut wood and velvet decorations all appeared in the Range Rover’s cab. However, Range Rover has never compromised off-road performance because of its blind pursuit of luxury. The first-generation Range Rover used a trapezoidal frame, and was equipped with a 3.5-liter V-8 engine, with a full-time four-wheel drive system and a large-stroke coil spring. Earned the title of “Chelsea Tractor”.
In 1972, the British Trans-Americas Expedition (British Trans-Americas Expedition) drove a Land Rover Range Rover from Alaska, USA, to Tierra del Fuego, the southernmost tip of South America. The expedition, which ranks among the greatest around-the-world motor vehicle adventures of all time, is full of challenges along the way, including the dreaded Darien Gap.
Land Rover didn’t equip the Range Rover with power steering until 1973. A four-door version of the Range Rover was introduced in 1981 and subsequently completely replaced the previous two-door design. Range Rover officially landed in the US market in March 1987. The life cycle of the first-generation Range Rover was as long as 25 years. Although it did not create a record in automobile history, it was enough to leave a strong mark. Even after the launch of the second-generation Range Rover, consumers can still buy the first-generation model in the form of “Range Rover Classic”, which shows its great influence at that time.
second generation range rover
In 1994, Rover, the parent company of Land Rover, was officially acquired by BMW. In the same year, the second-generation Range Rover was born, and its internal model code was P38A. This generation of models is equipped with a Rover 4.0-liter V8 engine, which is matched with a ZF 4HP22 automatic transmission. In addition, Land Rover also introduced models equipped with BMW’s 2.5-liter turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engine, which is equipped with a manual transmission version in addition to the automatic transmission.
It should be noted that the sprockets and chains of the BorgWarner transfer case used in the second-generation Range Rover have been strengthened, but when switching between high-speed four-wheel drive and low-speed four-wheel drive, it must be performed at a lower speed and electronically controlled. The unit replaces the four-wheel drive gear lever found on the previous generation model. The chassis system has also been upgraded and strengthened.
The second-generation Range Rover officially entered the ranks of large luxury off-roaders with more electronics and a more luxurious interior, while adding sat-nav to the options list. Land Rover has upgraded the Range Rover’s electronically controlled air suspension system (EAS), which can automatically adjust the suspension height according to vehicle speed. The system provides five modes: “Access”, “Highway”, “Standard”, “Off-Road”, and “Off-Road Extended”, which the driver can choose according to their needs.
third generation range rover
The third-generation Range Rover was launched in 2002 and has been in production for 10 years. Land Rover was acquired by Ford in 2001, but most of the design and development of the third-generation Range Rover was completed during BMW’s period. At that time, BMW originally planned to share components such as electrical appliances and power systems between Range Rover and the E38 7 Series. Compared with the previous two generations, this generation of models has undergone major changes, including the adoption of a load-bearing body structure and independent air suspension. The load-bearing body lowers the vehicle’s center of gravity, thereby bringing better handling and greatly improving the road performance of the third-generation Range Rover. In addition, it is equipped with Land Rover’s latest all-terrain response adaptation system, which greatly reduces the difficulty of driving on off-road roads. In addition, electronic systems such as Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) are also equipped on this generation of models.
With the continuous improvement of Range Rover’s popularity, its interior has also begun to develop towards palace-level luxury. Wood grain decorations and leather seats have gradually become the standard configuration of Range Rover. Land Rover has upgraded and modified the third-generation Range Rover several times. It is equipped with a 4.4-liter V8 gasoline engine, a 3.0-liter TD6 diesel engine, a 4.2-liter supercharged V8 gasoline engine, a 5.0-liter V8 gasoline engine, and a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 gasoline engine. The new power configuration has greatly improved its power performance.
In addition to the regular models, Land Rover also launched special edition models such as the 20th Anniversary Edition, the 35th Anniversary Edition, and the Autobiography Ultimate Edition.
fourth generation range rover
The current fourth-generation Range Rover launched in 2012 can be described as a phenomenon-level work. It is known as the Rolls-Royce of the SUV industry for its top-level luxury. Different from the previous three generations of models, this generation of Range Rover adopts an all-aluminum body, which is the first time among SUV models, and reduces the weight of the whole vehicle by 420 kg.
In terms of power system, Range Rover offers two diesel engines and two gasoline engines. The 3.0-liter V6 turbocharged diesel engine has a maximum power of 260 horsepower and a peak output torque of 600 Nm. The 4.4-liter V8 turbocharged diesel engine has a maximum power of 344 horsepower and a peak output torque of 700 Nm. The 5.0-liter V8 engine is divided into a naturally aspirated version and a supercharged version. The former has a maximum power of 380 horsepower and a peak output torque of 510 Nm; the latter has a maximum power of 510 horsepower and a peak torque of 625 Nm. It is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with the same knob-style shifting as the Jaguar.
The adaptive dynamic air suspension adopted by Range Rover can analyze vehicle dynamics at a frequency of 500 times per second, so as to adjust the vehicle in time according to road conditions and driving conditions to ensure a comfortable and safe driving environment. In addition, through the control of the front and rear suspensions, the roll of the vehicle in curves is significantly reduced, and at the same time, the driving stability of the vehicle under high-speed conditions is improved. In addition, Range Rover adopts Land Rover’s new second-generation all-terrain response adaptive system, which provides six modes of grass, gravel, snow, mud, sand, and rock climbing, and will adjust the transmission, suspension and other systems. Make adjustments to get the most out of your vehicle’s performance.
Land Rover has never stopped chasing luxury. They launched the long-wheelbase version of the Autobiography Black Range Rover in 2013. The leg room has increased by 140mm compared with the standard version. At this year’s North American Auto Show, Land Rover launched a SVAutobiography Range Rover, which has reached the pinnacle of luxury, and its price has exceeded 200,000 US dollars (about 1.24 million yuan).
Leaving aside the controversial quality issues for the time being, Range Rover has indeed led a unique off-road style and attitude towards life, which proves to us that luxury and comfort and tough off-road are not inseparable.
