Review
The revisions come with an announcement that there is to be increased emphasis on allowing customers to specify vehicles to individual requirements by using 'Autobiography' options, opening the door to tailor-made Range Rovers which could cost up to £100,000. The entry vehicle remains the 2.5DT at £39,640 on the road, followed by 4.0 auto (£40,995), 2.5DSE (£42,700) and 4.0 SE auto (£44,055). The 2.5-litre turbodiesel and 4.0-litre petrol engines remain unchanged.
With this year's face-lift, four-wheel traction control is available across the range, side airbags are now standard and minor changes to the interior and exterior include restyled alloy wheels. Revisions to the 4.6-litre V8 petrol engine see the introduction of a Bosch Motronic management system and a new intake manifold. The changes mean increased torque is delivered lower down the rev range.
The extra pulling power is combined with a 'fast throttle' system to reduce pedal travel. This is is designed to improve response during on-road driving and to automatically adjust to provide an additional degree of control for off-road handling. These changes are difficult to detect on tarmac but, when in off-road mode, the difference is clear: there's plenty of pedal travel to allow more careful throttle control.
And to further improve both the on-road and off-road experience, the electronic air suspension has been uprated. The models can now be put into any of five ride heights, from 'Access' (for entering and loading the vehicle) to 'Extended' (for off-roading). The other heights are subtle adjustments for normal road use to a harder ride for motorway travel.
Interior changes take in additions of chrome and leather replacing plastic and the option of an in-car video system for the rear with head restraint-mounted screens, estimated to cost about £8,000. Electronic front-seat memory programming for two drivers becomes an option. To widen the use of the Autobiography custom-build facility, Range Rover is to open special 'design' studios - the first is planned for the UK next year. Fleets will be able to choose any paint colour and any interior colour, in any combination. GPS navigation systems can also be integrated with in-car TV and video equipment.
