Available to order now from £71,295, the all-new Range Rover will be is coming in 2013, with Jaguar Land Rover looking to build on the success of the Range Rover Evoque with a new range-topper.
Jaguar Land Rover is going all out, and has already heralded it as the 'world's finest luxury SUV'. Not content with patting themselves on the back in front of the world's media, they've complemented that quote by adding it's the 'world's first fully capable hybrid SUV'.
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Bold claims, but JLR is on form at the moment. Is £70k+ a fair price to pay for the fourth-generation SUV?
First impressions
The all-new Range Rover, typically, looks absolutely gorgeous. That's by-and-large due to its new all-aluminium monocoque body structure - the first SUV in the world to have one.
It's been in the gym. The 2013 Range Rover is 39 per cent lighter than the last generation model. The new Range Rover has shed 350kg of unsightly fat from its frame, and it's going to let other cars on the road know about it.
Such a massive weight reduction means the 2013 Range Rover can go from 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds. It has a smaller engine too, the 3-litre TDV6 which is smaller but just as powerful as the 4.4 TDV8 from the last generation. That's another 70kg off the total weight, making it a whopping 420kg lighter than the third generation. That's just under half a metric ton of total weight loss - a drop not seen since Andy Fordham went on Celebrity Fit Club.
How does it perform?
Fuel consumption is also down by 9 per cent, giving it a slightly better footprint than the last model. But the real deal with the 2013 Range Rover is its hybrid capabilities. It'll be available with petrol and diesel engines, with the diesel hybrid targeting CO2 emissions of 169g/km (available later on in 2013).
The engine delivers a 22 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, giving figures of 37.7mpg (7.5 lit/100km) and 196g/km. Buyers will be able to choose from a petrol 510PS LR-V8 Supercharged engine, and two diesel (3.0-litre 258PS TDV6 and 4.4-litre 339PS SDV8) engines.
Inside the 2013 Range Rover
The interior is typically lavish, boasting leathers, veneers, colour-trimmed themes and more - everything you'd expect for shelling out half of what the Prime Minister earns per annum on an SUV, really, so those features are to be expected.
The interior is more spacious than the previous generation, though, and the 2013 Range Rover is fit to burst with the latest technology. As wow factors the SUV has keyless entry, cooler compartments, electronically-deployable tailgates, voice and climate control, Meridian-made sound systems and more.
Practically, it has a wealth of features new to the range. Reverse Traffic Detention is especially handy, with in-car tech warning drivers of potential collisions when reversing. Complemented by the SUV's surround camera system for trailer use is also something of a masterstroke.
Blind Spot Monitoring highlights cars closing in on you quickly from a distance, Intelligent Emergency Braking helps drivers avoid collisions if the car in front suddenly stops, and Park Assist to help parallel parking.
What JLR says
"Launching the all-new Range Rover represents a major milestone for Land Rover, being the first exciting output from an unprecedented investment in premium vehicle technologies," said John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director.
"The new Range Rover preserves the essential, unique character of the vehicle - that special blend of luxury, performance and unmatched all-terrain capability. However, its clean sheet design and revolutionary lightweight construction have enabled us to transform the experience for luxury vehicle customers, with a step change in comfort, refinement and handling."
In short
You can order the new 2013 Range Rover now, with prices starting from £71,295 for the Range Rover Vogue 3.0L TDV6. The Range Rover Autobiography 5.0L Supercharged is available from £98,395.
It's essentially a luxury purchase (if you couldn't tell from the price), with the main differences from previous models being an astonishing drop in weight and amazing hybrid credentials, making it more efficient than ever.
The 2013 Range Rover has been designed and engineered in the UK, and will be manufacture red in Solihull. It will be in dealerships next year.
Written by John Meadowcroft