For most modern cars, a 50-year span might mean 10 generations of models but for the Range Rover, there have been only five, with the latest one arriving in Malaysia today. Launched in England in October 2021, the new luxury SUV’s arrival was delayed due to the pandemic and also production. It is now available in Malaysia with a price starting from RM1,268,000 (duty-free) and RM2,488,000, inclusive of duties but without insurance.
The first model to use the brand’s new Flexible Modular Longitudinal Architecture, the new Range Rover retains the many design elements that have characterized what was the first luxury SUV for decades. The clean long form, clamshell bonnet and split rear door are just a few of them.
It’s not surprising though that there is such strong continuity in the Range Rover’s design. ‘Guardian of Land Rover DNA’ Professor Gerry McGovern has led design teams for the model since the third generation and has ensured that this DNA is present in every model of the brand.
With the latest generation, there is a strong sense of refinement with the reductive surfaces, polished appearance and precise detailing. The trademark profile tells you it’s a Range Rover but the modernist design philosophy adopted also makes it clear this is a new generation.
The rear end is a departure from the past, though, and takes on a very modern look. A dark crossbar unites slim vertical rear lights which are dark until they light up, either being switched on or when the brakes are depressed. As can be seen, this darkened rear light idea is designed with safety not being compromised, unlike what some motorists in Malaysia are doing by painting their tail lights black – which prevents the brake lights from being seen.
The rear door is still a 2-section design, something which has always been an important feature for the Range Rover. Over the years, owners became used to sitting on the lower horizontal section to watch cricket or just enjoy the sunset and it is considered a must-have, regardless of whatever engineering is needed.
New for this generation is the Versatile Loadspace Floor with a floor panel that can be raised forward, across the width of the load area around its mid-point, forming a partition to contain smaller items. It can also pivot backwards along its leading edge to serve as a backrest when using the lower tailgate for seating.
Under the skin, the MLA-Flex body structure has 50% greater stiffness, useful when travelling off-road but then again, few Range Rover owners do serious off-roading. Nevertheless, more stiffness is always better for handling and ride comfort – provided the chassis is also engineered well. That’s something Land Rover engineers know well from decades of developing 4×4 vehicles.
With the Range Rover, there is more emphasis on refinement since this is a luxury model. While owners may drive one to their farm or to the beach, the reality is that most of the time, the SUV will be used on highways and around town. So comfort is a high priority and this aspect could be said to be fit for a queen since it was one of the vehicles that the late Queen Elizabeth used often.
With a 75 mm longer body, the latest generation has more cabin space behind the four flush-fitting doors and glazing. Engineering enhancements have reduced sound transmission by 24% and to make things quieter is third-generation Active Noise Cancellation technology to create quiet zones for the occupants.
The centre of the dashboard is dominated by a large 13.1-inch curved floating glass touchscreen with Pivi Pro infotainment system. It’s a sophisticated system but also has a simplified user experience with high-definition graphics. Pivi Pro is powered by two high-performance Qualcomm Snapdragon processors for lightning-fast processing, with various connectivity options Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
For the driver, there is a large 13.7-inch Interactive Driver Display which also has HD graphics and can be configured to personal preference. Besides an overhead view and 3D surround imagery, should the vehicle be taken off-road, the driver can also ‘see’ through the bonnet. An advanced feature called ClearSight Ground View displays an image of the ground ahead so that obstacles or holes can be avoided. It’s quite an amazing feature but then again, you would expect it from Land Rover.
Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLRM) is offering the Range Rover L460 with a 530 ps/750 Nm 4.4-litre V8 engine and though this may seem ‘excessive’ in the age of downsizing, many advanced technologies bring fuel consumption to level far lower than what the old V8 in the model used to have. The engine is also cleaner with hybrid powertrains (available in other markets) making it even cleaner.
The proven 8-speed automatic transmission continues to be used along with the advanced 4×4 system. Using decades of experience in off-road mobility, Land Rover engineers developed Terrain Response 2 system which puts an electronic ‘co-driver’ in the cockpit to assist when driving off-road. This system has various modes for different terrain conditions and optimizes the various chassis and drivetrain systems for the best grip and stability.
As the flagship of Land Rover’s range, the Range Rover has always been a pioneer with drivetrain technologies and chassis technologies. Next-generation Electronic Air Suspension is offered, along with intelligent aerodynamic features to enhance performance. The ride height can be lowered when cruising over 105 km/h, improving stability.
The Range Rover also has all-wheel steering which reduces the turning circle to less than 11 metres, something an owner would appreciate given the vehicle’s size. For this, the rear wheels steer up to 7.3 degrees in the same direction as the front wheels. At speed, this also provides greater stability.
Though launched today, JLRM says that it has bookings going back to October 2021 from customers who simply had to have one and did not need to know how much it would cost. These early customers will be getting their Range Rovers soon and as more stocks arrive, others will also take delivery.
