An all new Range Rover made its debut today. That is pretty big news for the Land Rover brand as the company doesn’t really replace its flagship that often. Since 1969 just five generations (including this new car) have been produced; compare that with eight generations of Golf that have been made since inception in 1974. The new Range Rover will be launched in South Africa toward the middle of 2022

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All-new from the ground up

This fifth generation Range Rover is all-new from the ground up based on a new platform referred to as MLA-Flex. This new platform that was created to accommodate all forms of drivetrains: ICE, hybrid as well as full electric. As with previous generations the new Range Rover is no shrinking violet. It is the largest vehicle in Range Rover’s portfolio, which includes the Evoque, Velar and Sport.

It boasts a new, quite minimalistic appearance that is smooth. It has almost a concept car-like appearance with striking headlamp graphics, a smoothened bumper and flushing fitting door handles. At rear there are slit-like vertical taillamps  Particular attention has been paid to the cars aerodynamics and its designers have managed anb impressive drag coefficient of just 0,30.

Under the skin

Fully independent suspension underpins the new Range Rover, which features Land Rover’s first ever five-link rear axle. New Range Rover employs a pre-emptive suspension that uses eHorizon Navigation data to read the road ahead to prime the suspension to provide a smoother ride for passengers. As per usual there is all-wheel drive and a rear diff’ lock to tackle proper off-roading. Standard all-wheel steering allows for high-speed stability with manoeuvrability at low speeds, providing for a turning circle of less than 11 metres.

In South Africa the New Range Rover will be available with a choice of new extended range plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrains, the P440e and P510e, and the Ingenium diesel D350 engine. A new petrol flagship – the P530 Twin Turbo V8. All engines are mated with eight-speed automatic transmissions. In 2024 buyers will get to choose a pure electric version as well.

The New Range Rover is the first Land Rover to be powered by a new 4,4-litre V8 engine, which deploys two parallel twin-scroll turbos – one for each cylinder bank. The new engine produces 390 kW and 750 N.m of torque, and powers the New Range Rover from 0-100 km/h in 4,6 sec, and to a top speed of 250 km/h.

The D350 diesel produces 257 kW and 700 N.m of torque, and powers New Range Rover from 0-100km/h in 6,1 sec. The new Extended-Range PHEVs combine Land Rover’s in-line six-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine, in a choice of 323 kW or 375 kW outputs, with a 38 kWh lithium-ion battery and a 105 kW electric motor integrated with the transmission. Together, the powertrain provides up to 100 km of pure-electric driving. With instantaneous electric torque the new P510e (375kW) accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 5,6 sec.

Options galore

Buyers of the new Range Rover can choose between short- and long-wheelbase layouts which allows for four-, five-, or seven-seat configurations. There are also several trim levels ranging from SE, HSE, Autobiography to SV.

In addition to its usual go-anywhere capability, the new Range Rover needs to be luxurious. In the cabin owners can choose between a myriad of materials to customise. Other that traditional leather there is a new premium textile that combines Ultrafabrics and Kvadrat wool-blend. Entertainment is provided by a 35-speaker, 1 600-watt Meridian Signature Sound System has features noise-canceling to make the cabin quieter. Land Rover even mounts a pair of 20-watt speakers in the four main headrests to create an effect similar to using high-end headphones.