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22/04/2011
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It may look like a luxurious lounge room when you are sitting inside, but the Range Rover isn’t all show and no go. Far from it, the Rangie can go places where many so-called SUVs fear to tread. Indeed, rather than the somewhat namby pamby title of ‘SUV’, the big Brit deserves the title of ‘4WD’ because this upmarket wagon can tackle extreme off-road conditions.
Range Rover’s interior is spacious and luxurious with comfortable seats that can be tailored to personal needs by way of a seemingly endless number of adjustments. The quality of leather and wood is high and the hand-finished look will please the most sophisticated of interior designers.
Unusually, Julie also said she liked the butch look of the radiator grille. Normally this is the sort of thing she would sneer at, but the tasteful design works beautifully.
As well as the upmarket ambiance produced by the appearance, the cabin also provides excellent audio entertainment by way of a multi-speaker system that includes a sub woofer.
Range Rover received a major upgrade for 2011. The biggest news is the option of a new design of twin-turbo diesel engine sitting behind an eight-speed automatic transmission, but there are also enhancements to its already good off-road systems, as well as other changes aimed at pushing it further in front of the opposition in the upper luxury stakes.
The new Range Rover TDV8 twin-turbo diesel produces up to 230 kW of power and a very healthy 700 Nm of torque. Though the engine has significantly more power and torque than the unit it supersedes, it has lower fuel consumption and a 14 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions, to 263 grams per kilometre.
Diesel consumption of the Range Rover can sit in the seven to eight litres per hundred kilometres range when you’re cruising gently on motorways or smooth country roads. This rises to nine to eleven litres in suburban and city driving. Off-road the consumption will go through the roof if you’re pushing the Rangie at really rough terrain. But who cares, the ability of this vehicle makes it a delight to travel in.
On the open road the big turbo-diesel purrs along effortlessly, despite the fact that it’s moving close to three tonnes when there are a couple of people and their luggage on board. Acceleration comes in strongly after a minimal period of turbo lag thanks to the fact that the two turbos work together to provide extra air at different stages of the rev range.
The new ZF eight-speed automatic transmission installed in the latest Range Rover provides seamless changes that are all but unnoticeable with light to medium pedal pressure. The auto responds quickly to driver inputs and is seldom in the wrong ratio for longer than a few moments. The use of a low first gear and high seventh and eighth ratios provide the combination of off-road ability and on-road economy that impressed us during our week’s test.
Off-road driving is further assisted by Range Rover’s electronic cross-linked air suspension that allows a level ride height over undulating terrain.
Other enhancements to the 2011 Range Rover include the addition of Gradient Acceleration Control and Hill Start Assist to the Terrain Response system.
The 8-inch dash-mounted information screen, called Dual View, is extremely clever in that it lets the front passenger watch a video or TV program, while the driver simultaneously views the same screen but sees something completely different, such as the satellite navigation.
All models come with a rear view camera but there’s also an optional Surround Camera System that show views from a variety of cameras positioned on the outside of the vehicle that can be viewed as a group or individually on the full screen. There’s even an optional portable camera (Venture Cam) that can be mounted anywhere on the vehicle, even close to the vehicle so it can view something like the interior of a horse float.
Handling is surprisingly good for a vehicle of this size and type. You wouldn't call it sporty, but with proper attention to what you’re doing you can make rapid time, even on twisting roads. If you do happen to make a mistake the Range Rover’s electronic suspension and traction systems will do their best to get you out of trouble. Keep in mind that the laws of physics will always win in the end.
The very British Range Rover is not the cheapest SUV on the market by any stretch of the imagination, but its combination of rapid on-road touring ability and superb off-road performance makes it something very special for the thinking driver.
MODEL RANGE
V8 Vogue 5.0-litre petrol five-door wagon: $158,100
TDV8 Vogue 4.4-litre twin turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $160,500
TDV8 Vogue Luxury 4.4-litre twin turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $184,200
TDV8 Autobiography 4.4-litre twin turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $212,500
TDV8 Supercharged 5.0-litre petrol five-door wagon: $230,000
Note: Prices does not include government or dealer charges. Contact your local Land Rover dealer for driveaway prices.
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: Standard in all models
Cruise Control: Standard in all models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models
Electronic Stability Program: Standard in all models
Rear Parking Sensors: Standard in all models
Reversing Camera: Standard in all models
USB/Auxiliary Audio Inputs: Standard in all models
Bluetooth: Standard in all models
Steering Wheel Mounted Controls: Standard in all models
SPECIFICATIONS (Range Rover Vogue TDV8 4.4-litre twin turbo diesel five-door wagon)
ENGINE
Engine Capacity: 4.367 litres
Configuration: Longitudinal V8
Head Design: Four OHC
Compression Ratio: 16.1:1
Bore/Stroke: 84.0 x 98.5 mm
Maximum Power: 230 kW @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 700 Nm @ 1500-3000 rpm
DRIVETRAIN
Driven Wheels: 4WD
Manual Transmission: Not offered
Automatic Transmission: Eight-speed
Final Drive Ratio: Not supplied
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4972 mm
Wheelbase: 2880 mm
Width: 2216 mm
Height: 1866 mm
Turning Circle: 12.6 metres
Kerb Mass: 2680-2810 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 97 litres
Towing Ability: 750 kg (3500 kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: MacPherson struts
Rear Suspension: Double wishbone
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Ventilated disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 7.8 seconds
FUEL CONSUMPTION/EMISSION RATINGS:
Fuel Type: Diesel
Fuel Consumption - Combined Cycle (ADR 81/02): 9.4 L/100 km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 5/10
Air Pollution Rating: 3/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/100,000 km |
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