Ownership of the the all-new Range Rover will start from £71,295 for the entry-level 3.0-litre TDV6 diesel model.
The flagship 5.0-litre supercharged V8 model is a good deal more at £98,395, but for that you do get the 503bhp engine from the Jaguar XFR, and 0-62mph in 5.1sec…
The new 2012 Range Rover: engine specs
Never before has a V6 diesel engine been available in a Range Rover. The new 3.0-litre TDV6 unit pumps out 254bhp, and is the lightest motor you can have in the car. Thanks to the diet elsewhere, mostly from the substantially lighter monocoque chassis, a TDV6 Range Rover weighs in 420kg less than the 4.4-litre TDV8 Range Rover of the previous generation.
So, with a smaller engine and a lot less weight, you’d expect a decent showing on the economy front, and you’d be right. The TDV6 Rangie is 22% more efficient than its equivalent predecessor, good for a claimed 37.7mpg and 196g/km of CO2.
Also helpful in the economy stakes is the eight-speed automatic transmission, standard fit on all Range Rovers. The other powerplant options are the 4.4-litre TDV8, and the aforementioned 5.0-litre V8 petrol. Of more relevance to UK readers is of course the diesel variant, now up to 332bhp from 313bhp in the old car.
Range Rover: the pub facts
Despite losing around 300-400kg in mass compared to the old car, the new RR maintains its 3500kg towing capacity, and has a wading depth of up to 900mm, up 200mm versus the previous-generation car.
Lightweight adaptive suspension gives best-in-class wheel articulation, while the lauded Terrain Response system now has an automatic mode, which monitors conditions ‘under foot’ and sets the car up appropriately, without the driver having to select modes manually.
The new Range Rover mixes the best of both worlds. On the one hand, its off-road credentials are better than ever, and it’s a more ecologically responsible machine. Yet despite the brand enthusiast-pleasing, mud-plugging ability, on-board luxury has been improved, not compromised. There’s even wider access to the rear quarters thanks to the RR’s common role as a chauffeured limo, and 120mm more legroom once you’re back there.
Want more pub ammo? How about the fact that it takes just 142 seconds to stamp out a new RR bodyshell, or that each structure contains 3722 rivets? If personalisation is more your thing, rest safe in the knowledge that there are 18,000 combinations of exterior and interior finish, and that those stylish new wheels are 2.5kg lighter each than those on the L322 Rangie.
All-new Range Rover: the investment
The runaway success Evoque is still doing a sterling duty for JLR, selling around 90,000 units worldwide as of July 2012. However, a great deal of its appeal comes from the mystique of buying into the Range Rover family – the full-size RR remains a critical car for the company.
To secure the future of the vehicle, over £370m has been invested in the JLR Solihull plant, including creating the world’s largest aluminium bodyshop.
Land Rover isn’t resting on its laurels. In 2013, we’ll see the emergence of a hybrid Range Rover, teaming electric power with the 3.0-litre TDV6 engine. Land Rover says the hybrid Rangie could record CO2 figures of around 169g/km – no mean feat for a 5m long luxury SUV.
For even more in-depth analysis of why Britain’s 4×4 will rule the world, check out the September 2012 issue of CAR magazine, on sale now.