Range Rover
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- See also: Range Rover Classic and Range Rover Sport
Land Rover Range Rover<tr><td colspan=2> | |
| Manufacturer: | Land Rover<tr><th>Production:<td>1970—present</tr><tr><th>Class:<td>4x4 / luxury SUV</tr><tr><th>Similar:<td>Cadillac Escalade Infiniti QX56 Lincoln Navigator Mercedes-Benz GL-Class</tr> |
|---|---|
The Land Rover Range Rover is a four-wheel drive / luxury SUV produced by Land Rover, and first introduced in 1970. The Range Rover was built on a box section ladder type chassis, much like the contemporary Series Land Rover, but utilised coil springs as opposed to leaf springs, permanent four-wheel drive, disc brakes all round and was powered by the lightweight Rover V8 engine of 3528 cc (3947 cc in later variants - and is now powered by a Jaguar V8 of 4.4 litres). The vehicle proved popular in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in the world.
From its inception, the Range Rover has been one of the most luxurious sport utility vehicles, although it has always been built for off-road capability foremost.
In 1972 the British Trans-Americas Expedition became the first vehicle-based expedition to traverse both American continents north-to-south, including traversing the infamous roadless Darien Gap. The specially modified Range Rovers used for this expedition can be seen in the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust collection at Gaydon, Warwickshire, UK.
Among enthusiasts, the original model is known as the Classic, the second generation is known as the P38A and the latest generation is known as the L322 or just "new Range Rover".
Before 1987, Land Rover vehicles were only sold in the United States through the grey market. Strong demand led the Land Rover company to begin selling the Range Rover officially in the U.S. in 1987. From that time until 1993, the U.S. marketing was all in the name of Range Rover, that being the only model offered in the American market. In 1993, with the arrival of the Defender 110 and the imminent arrival of the Land Rover Discovery, the company's U.S. sales were under the name "Land Rover USA".
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[edit] History
[edit] The first luxury SUV?
Although it had many features not found on most other SUVs at the time, it is debatable whether or not the Range Rover was the first luxury SUV, as many people claim. Other SUV vehicles, such as Chevrolet's Suburban and the Jeep Wagoneer (1963) were produced before the Range Rover. These American vehicles were the first four-wheel drive vehicles that were not designed as strictly commercial utility vehicles, but to be versatile and off-road capable family vehicles. However, the Range Rover introduced features such as all-coil spring suspension, permanent four-wheel drive and disc brakes on all wheels whereas the American vehicles retained leaf springs and drum brakes (but also had automatic transmissions and power steering). Although Jeep and Chevrolet may have been the first to introduce luxurious off-road vehicles to the general public, the Range Rover was the first to add advanced suspension and braking technology to the mix.
[edit] 1970
| First generation<tr><td colspan=2>Image:Range rover.png</tr><tr><th>Production:<td>1970-1995</tr><tr><th>Successor:<td>Range Rover "P38A"</tr><tr><th>Body style:<td>3- and 5-door SUV</tr><tr><th>Engine:<td>3.5 L , 3.9 L, 4.2 L aluminum Rover V8 engine</tr> |
The first generation Range Rover was introduced in 1970. Improvements compared to the "Series" model include permanent four-wheel-drive with a lockable centre differential, all-coil suspension, disc brakes on all wheels, and a 3.5 L aluminum Rover V8 engine. The vehicle was built on a steel ladder frame, and most body panels were aluminium. However, design flaws, such as using steel bolts to fasten aluminium panels and poor anti-corrosion protection of the chassis, resulted in the vehicles suffering rot. While this problem did not affect vehicles when new, after 10 years of ownership it became a severe problem. In a car with shorter lifetime, this would have not been a problem. In a car like the Range Rover, which runs well even when 20 years old, it is, and needs to be corrected, by means such as Waxoyling the chassis and using stainless steel bolts.
Originally the car was a three-door design with a four-speed gearbox. A Fairey overdrive was available ex-works from 1973, but did little to improve refinement of the crude transmission. The car was updated to five door in 1981 when Land Rover realised the market demanded such. The gearbox was improved to a five speed manual transmission with the option of a 3 speed Chrysler Torqueflite automatic, subsequently superseded by a ZF four-speed which improved fuel economy and refinement but is generally regarded as not quite a strong as the Chrysler. It was soon after given a BorgWarner viscous coupling transfer box, improving off road performance. The transmission is so good the vehicle easily keeps up with traffic on roads today with plenty of excess available.
The engines are also renowned as the best ever fitted to four wheel drives. The original Buick 3.5-litre engine gave the original so much power that is was regarded as phenomenal. Later upgrades enlarged the capacity to 3.9 litres and finally culminated in the 4.2-litre V8 block in the 1994-1995 model and the long wheelbase LSE variant that enabled speeds up to 110 mph and so much power that it can tackle any hill or any other off road obstacle. When people began to demand better fuel economy, Land Rover introduced a diesel. Originally, it was a 2.5-litre VM diesel, but this was underpowered. Eventually the world-renowned Land Rover 2.5-litre Tdi (turbodiesel) was fitted which gave exceptional on and off road performance, combined with amazing fuel economy for a vehicle as heavy as the Range Rover.
It was introduced to the US in 1987, where it is known as an SUV.
[edit] 1995
| Second generation<tr><td colspan=2>Image:Range Rover P38a van.jpg</tr><tr><th>Production:<td>1995-2002</tr><tr><th>Body style:<td>5-door SUV</tr><tr><th>Engine:<td>4.0 L and 4.6 L aluminum Rover V8 (Updated),</tr> |
After 25 years from the introduction of the first generation Range Rover, the second generation Range Rover — model-designation P38A — was introduced for the 1995 model year, with an updated version of the Rover V8 engines. There was also the option of a 2.5-litre BMW turbo-diesel and this was made possible by BMW's ownership of the Land Rover brand from 1995 to 2001. The new model was even more luxurious, incorporated new engine management (smoother and more powerful) and improved air suspension that allowed automatic, speed proportional height adjustment. This could also detect when the vehicle had become 'grounded' and attempt to raise itself to maximum height in an attempt to gain traction. The chassis was also made stronger and new welding techniques were used. Other features included anti-lock braking system and two-wheel traction control — although later models saw this feature applied to all four wheels. A magazine Land Rover ad once said that they may not have another new Range Rover until 2020. However, the third-generation Range Rover would be made for 2002.
[edit] 2003
| Third generation<tr><td colspan=2>Image:Land-Rover-Range-Rover.jpg</tr><tr><th>Production:<td>2003-present</tr><tr><th>Body style:<td>5-door SUV</tr><tr><th>Engine:<td>Jaguar 4.4 L , 4.2 L V8 Supercharged</tr> |
In 2003 a third generation model was introduced which saw the model move further up-market. Land Rover was now owned by Ford, after they took over from BMW in 2001. Range Rovers initially came with the BMW M62 V8 gasoline with 282 bhp and 6-cylinder diesel engines because at that time, when the third generation Range Rover was being developed, it was still owned by BMW, although only the V8 gasoline is offered in North America. The last model has improved ground clearance and cross-linked air springs. This time, a unibody architecture was chosen, with many design cues from the original model.
From the Diesel engine of the 2005 model to the supercharged V8, the car can reach 60 mph from 14.8 seconds to 7.0 seconds (the Supercharged model is quicker than 91% of modern cars) and has a top speed from 109 to 140 mph (actual speed) respectively.
[edit] 2004
On 26 November 2004, Land Rover released the first photographs of the Range Rover Sport, a new model it planned to show to the public for the first time at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. The Range Rover Sport is a production car development of the Range Stormer concept vehicle the company showcased in the 2004 North American International Auto Show. Though called the Range Rover Sport, it was not merely a new specification within the Range Rover line-up, but rather an entirely new vehicle, based on the Discovery/LR3 chassis. This model was released for sale in late 2005.
[edit] 2005
Conscious of the need for more power to keep up with the Range Rover's competitors, and reluctant to keep relying on BMW for power plants, Ford presided over the adaptation of engines from Jaguar (also Ford-owned) for Land Rover use. A 4.4-litre, 305 hp version of the Jaguar 4.2-litre V8 was developed and first used in the new 2005 Discovery/LR3 model, temporarily giving it more power than the Range Rover. At the 2005 Detroit Motor Show, a major update of the Range Rover was unveiled, with the base model using the LR3/Discovery 3 engine, and a premium model using a supercharged version of the Jaguar 4.2-litre V8 developing 400 horsepower—the same engine slated for the new Range Rover Sport (the RRS model uses a detuned variant making a total of 389 bhp), scheduled for introduction about the same time (mid 2005) as the updated Range Rover. Both engines are lightweight aluminum alloy units, with advanced torque-based engine management systems that, together with drive-by-wire throttle control and variable camshaft phasing (on the 4.4-litre version), continually adjust the engine to deliver optimum performance. Both the engines are specially adapted by Land Rover for better low speed torque characteristics (important in off-road driving), the ability to run at the extreme angles encountered off road, improved protection from dust and rocks, and improved sealing needed for wading. This model was much used in the hit television series The O.C. by Kirsten Cohen.
[edit] 2006
The Range Rover's exterior was updated for 2006 along with the BMW V8 replaced with a Ford unit. The new engine choices were Jaguar's AJ-V8, with 4.4 L 305 hp (227 kW) or 4.2 L 400 hp (298 kW) supercharged variants. This new Range Rover was officially presented at the 2005 North American International Auto Show and released in summer 2005.
In addition, the 2006 Range Rover is equipped with an updated "infotainment" system. This includes a touch screen with on and off-road navigation, radio, CD, Satellite Radio (US), telephone, rear view camera, a wireless video camera system and other additional features all accessed via the same user interface. The audio system is Harman Kardon Logic7 surround sound. Also available is a DVD rear seat entertainment which is fully integrated.
This system is linked by a fibre optic network known as Media Oriented Systems Transport or MOST and a electronic network system known as CAN. A similar system is also used on Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover Sport.
Suppliers for the 2006 Range Rover's components include the DENSO Corporation for touch screen navigation and Alpine car audio for integrated head unit rear seat entertainment. Connaught Electronics Limited (CEL) provides the rear view camera (RVC) and wireless camera (VentureCam) systems and PTI telephone capabilities are provided by Nokia. The audio system is built by Harmon Kardon.
[edit] 2007 adaptations
For 2007, the Range Rover was slightly restyled as is typical for most Land Rover models when they reach the middle of their current lifespan. The front fascia was softened considerably with a chunkier front bumper. The fragile folding cup holder that popped out of the center console in previous models was replaced by a simpler in-console design with sliding covers. The ignition switch was moved from the center console to the dashboard and the Range Rover received the LR3's Terrain Response system as well as a redesigned four-wheel drive control panel.
The 2.7 L AJD Diesel V6 will be replaced for 2007 with Ford's new 3.6 L AJD-V8. This engine boasts 272 hp (203 kW), far more than the 177 hp (132 kW) of the previous BMW Inline 6 engine. Other changes for 2007 include better brakes, a revised suspension, and Land Rover's Terrain Response system. Supercharged Range Rovers will also use an electronic rear differential. The interior is also refined, with optional cooled front seats and more cargo capacity.
[edit] Awards
The Range Rover was Car and Driver magazine's Best Luxury SUV for 2002.
[edit] External links
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to: |
- Official website of Range Rover
- Fulham-Farmers, dedicated to the Classic Range Rover
- The Land Rover FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about Land Rovers
- Ottawa Valley Land Rovers A Land Rover club with members and events in eastern Canada and the northeastern US and a monthly newsletter
- www.p38a.co.uk has technical information mostly focussed on the 1995 to 2002 model.
- rangerovers.net - Includes the most active Range Rover message board in the world. Lots of emergency and money saving information.
- rangie.com - The Range Rover Knowledge Base - The largest Range Rover resource on the net, with articles and technical tips as well as a mailing list.
- Range Rover Registerde:Range Rover
fr:Range Rover ja:レンジローバー no:Range Rover pl:Range Rover pt:Land Rover Range Rover sv:Range Rover
