Next Range Rover to Be Lighter, Sharper
Written by: Autocar staff
London, UK – 5/9/2007
Autocar's impression suggests a look for the new Range Rover -- with higher sides but the classic Land Rover hood. (Autocar image)
Land Rover is putting the finishing touches to the design and engineering of an all-new Range Rover, a milestone that marks the company’s next phase of new-model launches.
Scheduled for sale in 2012, the all-new Range Rover starts the replacement cycle for the next-generation Range Rover Sport, LR2, LR3 and Defender, plus possible additional new models.
It’s a crucial model, and with this in mind, the new Range Rover will feature a key development: an aluminum bodyshell.
With sharper styling, a super-luxury interior, new engines, modified running gear and a possible hybrid powertrain, top-spec models might even nudge into Bentley territory with prices well into the six figures.
A lighter, stronger 4x4
The centerpiece of the Range Rover’s ambitious makeover is an aluminum bodyshell riveted and glued together using technology already proven on Jaguar’s XJ sedan. Although Ford has yet to give final approval to this significant development, insiders expect the green light in the next few months. “We’re just waiting to hear ‘go’,” said one source.
The alloy body is forecast to save around 40 percent of the weight of the Range Rover’s unpainted bodyshell, which translates into a saving of circa 700lb. In effect, Land Rover is aiming for a curb weight of just over two tons, less than today’s car, while keeping the Range Rover’s stately presence and roomy, luxurious cabin.
As well as having a beneficial effect on fuel economy and CO2 emissions, the lighter Range Rover should ride and handle better and steer with more agility.
Off-road aluminum
Land Rover engineers are understood to be confident that they know enough about the effects of off-road driving on aluminum to be sure of no durability or warranty problems. “When we’ve had problems before, it’s been where steel and alloy are joined together,” said another insider. “With all alloy those problems go away.”
Fresh styling is a key feature of the project, codenamed L405. Land Rover’s new design boss, Gerry McGovern, and his Gaydon-based team are working on distinct styling directions for Land Rover and Range Rover under the buzz words “premium adventure” for Land Rover and “premium sophistication” for Range Rover.
Two themes are being developed for the Range Rover, one more radical than the other. According to sources, the more conservative design is favored at the moment. Land Rover has some time to make up its mind, since a decision isn’t due until early in 2008. That gives engineers three and a half years to get the concept into production.
The main feature of the new design is understood to be a slightly more compact look with a lower roofline, less top-heavy glasshouse and tighter front and rear overhangs. Attention to detail will shrink the car visually, while ensuring it oozes luxury and retains road presence.
5.0-liter V8 power
Engines will be a mix of new and revamped units, co-developed with Jaguar. Two versions of an all-new direct injection 5.0-liter V8 are in the pipeline: one with and one without a supercharger. Expect power outputs of around 350hp and 460hp.
A hybrid powertrain is also a tantalizing and likely possibility to lower CO2 output. That could ease the tax pain that’s inevitably going to penalize large cars of the future.
Julian Rendell/Autocar magazine.
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