Brian Joss – The Range Rover celebrates 50 years of pioneering innovation, peerless refinement and unparalleled all-terrain capability with a choice of desirable new special editions and the introduction of a straight-six Ingenium diesel engine, the manufacturer said.
The original luxury SUV has defined 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 latest generation of smooth and efficient 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 183kW, 221kW and 258kW outputs**.
With its clamshell bonnet, distinctive floating roof and trademark front fender vents, the 2020 Range Rover can trace its roots back to the 1970 original. In its golden anniversary year it is the most efficient, connected, luxurious and capable yet.
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 the perfect 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.
The music app is accessed via the Touch Pro Duo infotainment, which features two high-definition 10-inch touchscreens at the centre of the beautifully crafted cabin. Fast and easy to use, it combines finely engineered physical controls and an elegant digital interface to deliver a connected driving 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. Connectivity is equally generous, with provision for up to eight 4G Wi-Fi connections, making the Range Rover the perfect remote working hub.
he Range Rover features an industry-leading choice of powerful Meridian audio systems, ranging from 380W or 825W Surround systems to the flagship 1700W 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.
By night, the Range Rover gives customers control over the cabin environment with three-zone ambient lighting. Occupants can tailor the atmosphere to create a calm, relaxing and stress-free environment by configuring the colour (from a choice of 10) and intensity of lighting via fully controllable tri-colour LEDs.
Theft prevention is also enhanced thanks to Ultra-Wide Bandwidth (UWB) key technology which prevents keyless theft. The technology transmits the key signal over a wide range of frequencies to prevent criminals from being able to copy the signal, to access and start the vehicle without a fob.
To celebrate 50 years of a motoring icon, the limited-run Range Rover Fifty will be restricted to just 1,970 vehicles globally, in recognition of the year the original Range Rover was launched.
Building on the luxuriously appointed Autobiography, the Range Rover Fifty features a number of bespoke exterior accents in Auric Atlas and is available with two 22″ wheels, one with a unique finish.
The badging features a ‘Fifty’ script created personally by Prof Gerry McGovern OBE, Land Rover’s Chief Creative Officer, which will appear on the exterior of the vehicle and throughout the interior on the unique “1 of 1970” centre console commissioning plaque, headrests, dashboard and illuminated treadplates.
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 Suedecloth Headlining, a Sliding Panoramic Roof, Softclose Doors and a powerful 19-speaker Meridian Surround sound system.
The latest Ingenium diesel engines are the perfect choice for high-mileage customers and those who regularly tow. Based around Jaguar Land Rover’s modular aluminium engine architecture, the new in-line diesel engines are smoother and more refined than the previous generation of diesel engines and feature advanced 48V mild hybrid technology to meet the most stringent global emissions regulations.
The new mild-hybrid 3.0-litre D300 Ingenium diesel is capable of 8.6l/100km on the WLTP test cycle, emitting as little as 225g/km CO2. The more powerful D350 achieves 9.2l/100km with CO2 emissions of 241g/km on the WLTP cycle. As a result, the new flagship diesel provides superior performance to the previous V8 with the efficiency and weight of a six-cylinder design.
The P400e is the most efficient version of the Range Rover. With a fully electric, zero-emissions range of 40km, the P400e combines an advanced 221kW four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine with a 105kW electric motor. Powered by a 13.1kWh lithium-ion battery, the P400e delivers CO2 emissions of just 75g/km and fuel economy as low as 3.3l/100km on the WLTP combined cycle.
The Range Rover is at home in any environment with a natural habitat that extends from urban centres to country estates and beyond. Mixing traditional attributes such as excellent suspension geometry (ground clearance of up to 297mm) with cutting-edge technologies that include Terrain Response 2, the Range Rover delivers an unrivalled and confidence-inspiring combination of refinement, composure and capability.
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.
Eco Mode also provides guidance on how to improve efficiency, while minimising electrical power consumption. It softens the throttle pedal response, modifies the gearshift patterns and switches off the heating for the door mirrors, steering wheel and seats to improve efficiency.
The new Range Rover and special edition Westminster and Westminster Black are expected to launch in South Africa toward the end of 2020.
Caption: Milestone: lots of tech in 50th edition Range Rover. Picture: Motorpress
