2013 Range Rover details revealed 07 | 09 | 2012
THE FIRST IMAGES and video of the all-new Range Rover have been officially unveiled, along with full technical details and its engine line-up. Range Rover believes the new model, which has been engineered to sit more comfortably on Tarmac, is now a more competitive and genuine luxury car (see more official photos of the 2013 Range Rover).
With prices starting at £71,295 in the UK, order books are already open for the new Range Rover with first deliveries in Scotland due late in 2012.
As you might expect, the newcomer is also lighter, more frugal, more spacious and significantly more refined.
Boasting what Land Rover states is the first aluminium monocoque construction on an SUV, the Range Rover 4's bare shell is 23kg lighter than a BMW 3-series shell and a remarkable 85kg lighter than that of the Audi Q5.
And according to Range Rover, it's actually just 12kg heavier than a bare Mini Countryman shell. Who said Mini models were getting bigger and heavier? Just remember that next time you think about criticising a Range Rover on the school run!
Watch our video of the reveal of the 2013 Range Rover
The new model — which is millimetre under 5m long, and boasts a 40mm longer wheelbase — also benefits from much improved rear cabin space. Range Rover states legroom is 118mm longer. It's also been benchmarked against the likes of the Bentley Flying Spur and Mercedes S-Class when it comes to measuring ride quality and tyre and wind noise.
The all-new Range Rover will also clear larger obstacles by dint of the fact its off-road, ground clearance has been improved by 18mm, to 296mm front, 310mm rear. It also benefits from 597mm of wheel travel. By comparison the Mercedes GL manages just 480mm.
It'll also wade through water as deep as 900mm: that's a significant increase of 200mm.
There's also an ‘auto’ setting on the new-generation Terrain Response 2 system. This has the ability to analyse the terrain and switch automatically between the five off-road settings.
2013 Range Rover revealed at Richmond Park — Video
There's also a wider ratio spread in the new 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox which works seamlessly with the permanent all-wheel drive. The new system also only uses the torque convertor for launch, before locking up for maximum efficiency.
Range Rover says the new model has a 30% improvement in the stiffness of the body attachment points. The result of that should be a significant improvement of finesse on the road.
There will also be a choice of three engines at launch, two diesels and a V8 Supercharged Petrol.
The entry-level diesel is the 255bhp, 2993cc, twin-turbo, 24-valve V6 which will return 37.8mpg and 196g/km.
The larger 335bhp 4367cc, twin-turbo, 24-valve V8 diesel will be good for 32.5mpg and 229g/km.
2013 Range Rover — the new look
Meanwhile, the 32-valve V8 Supercharged petrol will pump out a whopping 504bhp and return — wait for it — 21mpg and 322g/km.
To compensate for that, late next year will see the introduction of a V6 diesel hybrid. The 286bhp diesel unit is mated to an integrated 47bhp permanent magnet AC synchronous motor and a 1.7 kWh Li-ion battery.
The clever combination can run as engine only, electric motor only or both motors together: the result is a claimed 333bhp combined, resulting in 0-62mph in 7.4secs and 169g/km CO2.
2013 Range Rover — Handling Video
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Jim McGill