Cars - Land Rover Range Rover

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	Cars - Land Rover Range Rover

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 springs as opposed to leaf springs, permanent four wheel drive, disc brakes all round and powered by the lightweight Rover V8 of 3528cc (3953cc 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. 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 continents north-to-south, including traversing the infamous roadless Darien Gap.

History

1970

The first generation Range Rover was introduced in 1970. Improvements compared to the "Series" model include constant four-wheel-drive through 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.

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 engines. 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.

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 1991. 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 springs. 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 horsepower 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 430 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.

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