In today’s automotive world, ten years is a long time between new models, yet that is how long it’s been since that last re-do of the icon of off-road ready SUV’s.
The all-new Land Rover Range Rover is scheduled to make its U.S. debut at dealerships in about six months and this one is sure to garner crowds around it.
Taking visual cues from the wildly popular Evoque, the new Rover keeps its “floating roof” design, but with a pronounced slope toward the rear glass. This, coupled with a more steeply raked windshield, and the 2013 Range Rover get’s a body sculpting overhaul that is deserving of a 40-year old.
If there were drawbacks to the outgoing model it would be weight and accompanying fuel mileage. Both of those items have been addressed for 2013. Our U.S. version will tip the scales 700 pounds leaner than the 2012 version due mainly to its all-aluminum unibody construction.
In addition to the sleeker sheet metal, the British born legend gets new lighting front and back including the latest in LED technology.
Although the interior will retain many of the key elements that make the vehicle what it is, the layout and décor are brought into the 21st century with a cleaner, more elegant (if you can imagine that) and more contemporary flare with a wider center console.
If you’ve seen the current driver control surfaces, you know that it looks like the cockpit of a space shuttle. No more, as the new Range Rover comes with no less that 50% fewer buttons, knobs and switches.
That’s not to say any of the ride and traction control functions are lost to this house cleaning, quite the contrary. The new Terrain Response system now features an automatic setting that analyzes the current road surfaces and driving conditions and selects the most suitable terrain program for you.
The Range Rover retains its adjustable air suspension system but with an available “lean control” feature, that reduces the degree of body lean during cornering.
There are two V-8 power plants available, one delivering 375-HP and a 510-HP Supercharged model. Expect fuel mileage to improve from the 12 and 18 currently on the road thanks in part to its 700-pound diet and a new 8-speed automatic transmission.
Although pricing on the 2013 land Rover Range Rover hasn’t been officially announced, expect it to start somewhere north of the current $94,820 for the Supercharged model and $79,425 for the entry level version.
I’ll reserve the star rating until I get a chance to drive it, but keep in mind there are a number of high-end competitors that are worthy of comparison including the Infiniti QX56 and the Mercedes-Benz G Class.
