The Range Rover has been around for over 5 decades. In fact, we’re told the very first prototype for the iconic SUV began on 6 September 1967, or just over 54 years ago today. The transformation has been extraordinary, and the fact that the vehicle is still a hallmark of industrial design — it was the first to ever be displayed at the Louvre in Paris — is testament to Land Rover’s dedication to its product and drivers.
The Range Rover was officially launched in 1970 as a 2-door 4WD vehicle with a lightweight V8 engine and all-round disk brakes. Just as reference, most vehicles at the time only featured drum brakes, or disk brakes just on the front tires. Since its launch, the Range Rover has been lauded many times over, and seen numerous iterations over the decades.
Some of its achievements include becoming the first vehicle to cross the length of the Americas, the world’s first 4×4 to be fitted with ABS anti-lock brakes as well as electronic traction control (ETC) and height adjustable electronic air suspension, to name a few. It has also broken numerous speed records over the years, and won several rallies including the inaugural Paris-Dakar rally. The list goes on, but you can see why the Range Rover is still thriving today.
While the Range Rover was not launched as a luxury vehicle, it has achieved that status over time. For those unaware the first-ever limited-edition Range Rover was launched in 1981, called the “In Vogue”. Released the same year as the first production four-door model, In Vogue marked the vehicle’s evolution into a luxury vehicle.
Four decades later, the new fifth-generation Range Rover carries on that mantle — with panache, we might add. On our recent trip to Seoul, we got up close and personal with the new vehicle which boasts a truckload of upgrades, many of which elevates its status as a luxury SUV.
However, we must mention that it’s been launched alongside the Range Rover SV, which is Land Rover’s response to customer requests for luxury and personalisation. If that’s not enough, a fully-electric Range Rover will also be joining the lineup in 2024 — but more on that later.
For now though, here’s a rundown on the most important highlights of the new fifth-generation Range Rover. Hopefully these will shed some light on the new release, and help you decide whether it’s time to update or add to your garage.
It’s the most luxurious Range Rover yet
Like we mentioned earlier, the new fifth-generation Range Rover is the most luxurious to roll out from Land Rover’s factories yet. Right off the bat, the manufacturer provides drivers with the choice of Standard or Long Wheelbase designs, with four-, five- or seven-seat configurations. If you enjoy extra legroom, the Long Wheelbase is certainly a worthy upgrade.
A marker for excellent luxury automotive design is body architecture, and here’s where the new Range Rover excels with its Flexible Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA-Flex) platform. Highlights of this brand new design are improved aerodynamics, a fully independent suspension system, and excellent noise isolation. All of these features combine to provide a smooth and luxurious ride, whether you’re rolling up to the country club or heading on a road trip.
Technology is at forefront of its design
It’ll come as no surprise to you that the fifth-generation Range Rover is chock full of thoughtful, useful and downright intriguing tech. Key to all of this is Land Rover’s latest Electrical Vehicle Architecture (EVA 2.0). With this feature, Software-Over-The-Air (SOTA) updates will ensure that drivers receive all necessary upgrades on the go. It’ll also enable the EVA 2.0 to improve as it matures.
The new Range Rover also features Land Rover’s award-winning Pivi Pro infotainment technology, however, it takes things to a whole new level with its largest ever touchscreen. Its 13.1-inch curved, floating screen sets the tone for the vehicle’s design: intuitive, sleek, and modern. Operating the system does not feel too different from using a smartphone, something we suspect Land Rover’s engineers were gunning for.
Another key highlight is the all-new Amazon Alexa integration, which takes even more cognitive load off drivers. Instead of fiddling with the screen, drivers can simply make requests of Alexa. Feeling like a coffee? Alexa has recommendations. Want to put your favourite music on? Alexa’s on it. Need to call someone? You get the idea.
It offers an exceptional driver experience
Range Rovers are built to put smiles on drivers’ faces, and this one is no different. The MLA-Flex is the perfect foundation for chassis systems to provide the ultimate combination of ride quality as well as agility for the terrain. A major highlight in this area is the All-Wheel steering system, which features on all New Range Rovers.
Built to excel at both high and low speeds, this system is equally at home on the expressways as it is on winding back roads. This system is also designed to provide the new Range Rover with an excellent turning radius of less than 11m — equivalent to a small hatchback.
A new upgrade on the New Range Rover is the Dynamic Response Pro, a feature that most drivers will deem a bit of an overkill for Singapore’s generally flat roads, but is very nice to have nonetheless. Designed to be more efficient than hydraulic systems, this advanced 48-volt electronic active roll control system is key to the Range Rover’s ‘all-conquering’ capability.
The Range Rover SV is the embodiment of luxury
In the spirit of taking things to the next level, Land Rover has launched the Range Rover SV alongside the New Range Rover. So, what is it exactly? In a nutshell, it’s a handcrafted model created by Special Vehicle Operations, with a smorgasbord of options and choices for drivers.
It starts with design themes — SV Serenity or SV Intrepid — which introduce two-tone colourways to the Range Rover. It then spills over to material choices, which include plated metals, smooth ceramics, mosaic marquetry, luxurious leather or non-leather fabrics, and so much more.
Luxury and craftsmanship have been given the spotlight for the SV, so it’s no wonder that it looks like it belongs in a class of its own. Apart from its numerous luxurious appointments, the SV can be identified by its white ceramic SV roundel, black background Land Rover oval, exclusive bumper, and five-bar grille.
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