Information AboutRange Rover |
See Also: Land Rover Range Rover Classic Land Rover Range Rover Sport The Range Rover is the top luxury SUV (4 Wheel Drive in British English) model of Land Rover . The Range Rover was built on a box section ladder type Chassis , much like the contemporary Series Land Rover , but utilised Coil Spring s as opposed to Leaf Spring s, permanent Four Wheel Drive , Disc Brake s all round and powered by the lightweight Rover V8 of 3528 cc (3947 cc in later variants). The vehicle proved popular in the UK and elsewhere in the world. However, prior to 1987 , Land Rover vehicles were not sold in America , except through The Grey Market . In the summer of that year, the Land Rover company began selling the Range Rover in the USA . From that time until 1993 , the US marketing was all in the name of Range Rover--they were a one-product company. In 1993, with the arrival of the Defender 110 and the imminent arrival of the Discovery, the company changed its name to Land Rover USA. From its inception, the Range Rover has been one of the most Luxurious sport utility vehicles although it has always been built for off-road capability foremost. Among enthusiasts, the original model is known as the Classic, the second generation is known as the P38A and the latest generation is known as the L322 or just "new Range Rover". In 1972 the British Trans-Americas Expedition became the first vehicle-based expedition to traverse both American Continent s north-to-south, including traversing the infamous roadless Darien Gap . HISTORY 1970 See Also: Land Rover Range Rover Classic The first generation Range Rover was introduced in 1970 . Improvements compared to the " Series " model include permanent four-wheel-drive with a lockable centre Differential , all-coil Suspension , disc brakes on all wheels, and a 3.5 L Aluminum Rover V8 engine. The vehicle was built on a Steel ladder frame, and most body panels were aluminium. Originally the car was a 2-door design with a 4-speed gearbox. A Fairy overdrive was available ex-works from 1973 , but did little to improve refinement of the crude transmission. It was another 10 years before a three-speed automatic gearbox became available and a four door body shell. It was introduced to the US in 1987 , where it is known as an ''SUV'' ( Sport Utility Vehicle ). 1995 After 25 years from the introduction of the first generation Range Rover, the second generation Range Rover - model-designation P38A - was introduced for the 1995 model year, with an updated version of the Rover V8 Engine s. There was also the option of a 2.5 litre BMW turbo-diesel and this was made possible by BMW 's ownership of the Land Rover brand from 1995 to 2001 . The new model was even more luxurious, incorporated new engine management (smoother and more powerful) and improved Air Suspension that allowed automatic, speed proportional height adjustment. This could also detect when the vehicle had become 'grounded' and attempt to raise itself to maximum height in an attempt to gain Traction . The chassis was also made stronger and new Welding techniques were used. Other features included ABS brakes, and 2-wheel traction control - although later models saw this feature applied to all four wheels. A magazine Land Rover ad once told they may not have another new Range Rover until 2020 . However, the third-generation Range Rover would be made for 2002. 2002 In 2002 a third generation model was introduced which saw the model move further up-market. The Land Rover brand name, and the Range Rover model for that matter, were now owned by Ford when they took over from BMW in 2001. Range Rovers initially came with the BMW M62 V8 gasoline and 6-cylinder diesel engines because at that time, when the third generation Range Rover was being developed, it was still owned by BMW , although only the V8 gasoline is offered in North America. The last model has improved ground clearance and cross-linked Air Spring s. This time, a Monocoque body was chosen, with many design cues from the original model. 2004 On 26 November , 2004 , Land Rover released the first photographs of the Range Rover Sport , a new model it planned to show to the public for the first time at the 2005 North American International Auto Show . The Range Rover Sport is a production car development of the Range Stormer concept vehicle the company showcased in the 2004 North American International Auto Show . Though called the Range Rover Sport, it was not merely a new specification within the Range Rover line-up, but rather an entirely new vehicle, based on the Discovery/LR3 chassis. This model was released for sale in late 2005. 2005 Conscious of the need for more power to keep up with the Range Rover's competitors, and reluctant to keep relying on BMW for power plants, Ford presided over the adaptation of engines from Jaguar (also Ford -owned) for Land Rover use. A 4.4 litre, 345 hp version of the Jaguar 4.2 litre V8 was developed and first used in the new 2005 LR3 / Discovery 3 model, temporarily giving it more power than the Range Rover! At the 2005 Detroit Motor Show , a major update of the Range Rover was unveiled, with the base model using the LR3 / Discovery 3 engine, and a premium model using a supercharged version of the Jaguar 4.2 litre V8 developing 390 horsepower -- the same engine slated for the new Range Rover Sport , scheduled for introduction about the same time (mid 2005) as the updated Range Rover. Both engines are lightweight aluminum alloy units, with advanced torque-based engine management systems that, together with drive-by-wire throttle control and variable camshaft phasing (on the 4.4 litre version), continually adjust the engine to deliver optimum performance. Both the engines are specially adapted by Land Rover for better low speed torque characteristics (important in off-road driving), the ability to run at the extreme angles encountered off road, improved protection from dust and rocks, and improved sealing needed for wading. 2006 The Range Rover's exterior will be updated for 2006 along with the expected replacement of the BMW V8 with a Ford unit. The new engine choices will be based on Jaguar 's AJ-V8 , and include a 4.4 L 400 hp (227 kW) or 4.2 L 460 hp (298 kW) Supercharged option. This new Range Rover will be shown for the first time at the 2005 North American International Auto Show and will be released for sale in the summer. In addition, the 2006 Range Rover is equipped with an updated "Infotainment" system. This includes a touch screen with on and off-road navigation, radio, CD, Satellite Radio (US), telephone and other additional features all accessed via the same user interface. The audio system is Harman Kardon Logic7 surround sound. Also available is a DVD rear seat entertainment which is fully integrated. This system is linked by a fibre optic network known as Media Oriented Systems Transport or MOST. A similar system is also used on Land Rover Discovery and Land Rover Range Rover Sport . Suppliers for the 2006 Range Rover's components include, the DENSO Corporation for touch screen navigation, Alpine Car Audio for integrated head unit rear seat entertainment, and PTI telephone capabilities provided by Nokia . The audio system is built by Harmon Kardon AWARDS The Range Rover was '' Car And Driver '' magazine's Best Luxury SUV for 2002. EXTERNAL LINKS
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