There is a ‘go big or go home’ sense of activity as Range Rover gets up to speed with its 50th birthday celebrations with new editions and a host of new tech being introduced – including a straight-six Ingenium diesel engine.
The luxury SUV has been on the market since 1970 and only 1 970 units of the new Range Rover Fifty model will be available, to celebrate the year of its world premiere half a century ago. The limited edition is joined by the Westminster and Westminster Black editions.
Land Rover has also confirmed the straight-six Ingenium diesel engines will debut in the Range Rover, incorporating 48V Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology (MHEV) for reduced fuel consumption and heightened refinement. The new engine family, developed in-house, will be available in 183 kW, 221 kW and 258 kW outputs but, South Africans will have to wait a while for local introdcution.
With its clamshell bonnet, floating roof and trademark front fender vents, the 2020 Range Rover can trace its roots back to the 1970 original.
Enhancements across the Range Rover line-up include the latest connected features, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered as standard across the range. With Executive Class Seating and up to eight 4G Wi-Fi connections, the Range Rover remains a remote working hub, or entertainment zone during long drives.
An embedded Spotify app gives customers instant access to more than 50 million tracks and more than 700 000 podcasts. Developed with Spotify, the new embedded app is integrated with the Touch Pro infotainment system so customers can enjoy their favourite playlists without even connecting their smartphone. Through the Spotify Connect feature, playback can resume from any other device when customers get into their car – from just where they left off for a seamless listening experience.
Passengers in the Range Rover have access to up to 17 electrical sockets ranging from USB plugs, HDMI connectors and 12V charging points, which are integrated discretely throughout the cabin. The luxury SUV also provides passengers in the second row with 10-inch rear seat entertainment touchscreens.
The Range Rover features a choice of powerful Meridian audio systems, ranging from 380 W or 825 W Surround systems to the flagship 1 700 W Signature Sound System, providing 13, 19, and 29 speakers respectively in addition to a dual-channel subwoofer.
The Range Rover features the latest safety technologies, including Lane Departure Warning, Emergency Braking, and Cruise Control with Speed Limiter available as standard across the model range. Adaptive Cruise Control is also available.
Building on the Autobiography, the Range Rover Fifty features a number of bespoke exterior accents in Auric Atlas and is available with two 22-inch wheels, one with a unique finish.
The Range Rover Fifty will be available in standard and long wheelbase body designs with customers able to choose from four carefully curated exterior colours. In extremely limited numbers, Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations is also offering the Range Rover Fifty in one of three Heritage exterior solid paints reproduced from the original Range Rover paint palette; Tuscan Blue, Bahama Gold and Davos White.
The new Westminster Edition is based on the Vogue model and will be available exclusively with a 4,4-litre SDV8 in South Africa. Privacy Glass and 21-inch Diamond Turned Alloy Wheels set it apart on the outside and the new model is available in a range of solid, metallic and Premium Metallic finishes. Inside, Grand Black Veneers combine with a Suede cloth Headlining, a Sliding Panoramic Roof, Soft close Doors and a powerful 19-speaker Meridian Surround sound system.
The new Westminster Black Edition adds the Black Exterior Pack and customers are able to choose from three Gloss Black wheels ranging from a 21-inch nine spoke design to a distinctive 22-inch Gloss Black nine split-spoke design.
The latest Ingenium diesel engines are based around Jaguar Land Rover’s modular aluminium engine architecture and meet the most stringent global emissions regulations.
These include the Real Driving Emissions Step 2 (RDE2) standards, which govern nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, making the Range Rover among the first full-sized luxury and performance SUVs in the world to be available with RDE2-certified diesels.
The new mild-hybrid 3,0-litre D300 Ingenium diesel is capable of 8,6 l/100km on the WLTP test cycle, emitting as little as 225 g/km CO2. The more powerful D350 achieves 9,2 l/100km with CO2 emissions of 241 g/km on the WLTP cycle.
The P400e is the most efficient version of the Range Rover. With a fully electric, zero-emissions range of 40 km, the P400e combines an advanced 221 kW four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine with a 105 kW electric motor. Powered by a 13,1 kWh lithium-ion battery, the P400e delivers CO2 emissions of just 75 g/km and fuel economy as low as 3,3 l/100km on the WLTP combined cycle.
A new Mode 3 charging cable significantly reduces charging times for the P400e, with a full charge taking under three hours, compared to 7.5 hours when using a Mode 2 charging cable.
Core to the new Range Rover’s off-road capabilities is Land Rover’s Terrain Response 2 technology. Drivers are able to choose between Comfort, Dynamic, Grass/ Gravel/ Snow, Mud/Ruts, Sand, Rock Crawl and Eco modes – with the Range Rover’s suspension and ride settings automatically fine-tuned for each. Auto mode lets the system choose the most appropriate setting for the conditions.
The Range Rover’s ride height can also be increased. Off-Road Ride Height 1 lifts the vehicle by as much as 40 mm at speeds of up to 80 km/h, while Off-Road Ride Height 2 raises the body by 75 mm at speeds of up to 50 km/h for the ultimate ground clearance of 297 mm.
For towing and loading, drivers can control the height of the vehicle’s rear, which can be lowered by as much as 60 mm for improved loading, or raised by 90 mm to assist in the hitching of trailers when stationary, using controls at the side of the rear loadspace.
The new Range Rover also benefits from Advanced Tow Assist, which allows drivers to use the central touchscreen and rotary Terrain Response selector to steer the vehicle when reversing. Hitch Assist is also available to guide the vehicle and tow ball together via the same screen when attaching the trailer.
The new Range Rover and special edition Westminster and Westminster Black are expected to launch in South Africa toward the end of 2020.
The Range Rover Sport has also gained a suite of upgrades and eight new colours including Tourmaline Brown, Amethyst Grey-Purple and Petrolix Blue.
