what to expect. A new aluminium stripe zigs down the side but otherwise it is still essentially unchanged from the ’70s. The exterior body style could do with updating yet it is reassuringly familiar and on-brand for buyers who want more of the same.
The interior is plush, like a country manor. In fact, the black leather interior makes me think of those specialist gentlemen’s clubs that cater to a very select type of clientele, perhaps with a fondness for stern nanny’s. Whilst that’s not my thing, it is fabulous in a car of this size and gravitas. The boot opens with impressive alacrity, with key fob control, both from the top and bottom, revealing cavernous space, enough for a pack of dogs, a herd of wildebeest or a complete new kitchenware range from Peter Jones.
The seats are made to take even the largest man or woman, so soft that you sink into them like a waterbed. They are colossal and plush, like beanbags, electrically adaptable to any possible shape. A hippopotamus could drive this car in comfort. The rear three seats are also adjustable, with legroom to spare, and will lean back, which is rare. This Rover is made to go the distance in comfort. There is a seriously effective fridge hidden in the armrest twixt the two front seats that will freeze your hand off once on. Accessible for the driver or passenger to grab a cold water or three. It will even store a bottle of champagne for the safari picnic.
The Touch Pro Duo is intuitive with sizeable clear diagrams for every selection, you do need to push quite hard, but it is reassuringly solid. The two displays on the dash make it super easy to surf with smart oversized twin knobs that cut into the screen, a very pleasing design. The front chairs heat both seat and back, which is glorious in winter.
charger. Plus it won’t let you drive off without unplugging the cable, so that’s a few thousand call-outs avoided. The recharge point is hidden behind a plasticky front grille, a convenient placement for easy access. There is also a useful Save function which means you can keep the electric power for preferred parts of your journey, like in town.
Performance is confident, smooth and powerful and whilst the acceleration is competent at lower speeds, it comes into its own at the 50-70 mph mark, so you can swiftly swap lanes or overtake the slow and non-furious.
The steering is mushy, in fact, half the time the car seems to know where to go however you spin the wheel. This is designed for off-road, you want the steering to absorb the knocks, not you. There are settings for dynamic, comfort, eco, grass/gravel/ snow, mud ruts, sand and rock crawl. This is where Range Rover has always made its mark. Off-road it is masterful and steady, the four-cylinder engine easily copes with sand, gravel, muddy fields, hills and even over fairly large rocks. Plus it has an excellent turning circle for such a behemoth.
The Range Rover has kept its rugged and powerful good looks over the years. A car that has achieved legendary renown as “the” luxury SUV, almost the generic term for them, sells well because people know
Braking of course stores power back in the battery, so even slowing down gives you more range. I love regenerative braking, it makes my day that every time I slow down, I make a net fuel gain. Clearly, my days have a low excitement bar… but moving on.
by Yves de Contades
surreymagazineonline.co.uk 31
The all-wheel-drive gets you over every terrain in all conditions, but also means it corners way better than you’d expect from such a tall car. Yes, there is lean, but it seems to ignore this and stick to the road anyway. I have taken Range Rovers on hill and speed tracks which is not their forte by any means, but they behave surprisingly well on real roads.
Safety is another major aspect of this car, you are cosseted and protected from all sides, a country house driving amongst cottages. With that in mind, drive carefully.
There is a reason people just buy these without looking at another car, they are the original SUV, the off-road powerhouse that can be trusted in all conditions and yet also convey that all-important status of discreet luxury and success. Let’s face it, in a single car you get comfort, off- road poise, safety, reliability, space and a certain cachet that welcomes you into the upper echelons of society. A Range Rover can park contentedly next to a Ferrari at the polo, no need to leave it around the corner, even if it’s not this year.
£94,100 On The Road.
www.landrover.co.uk
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