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June 02, 2010
- The Range Rover celebrates its 40th birthday on 17 June 2010
- The Range Rover was the world's first fully capable luxury 4x4
- There have been three generations of Range Rover: the original (Classic) in 1970, second-generation (P38a) in 1994 and third-generation (L322) in 2001
- Second model line – Range Rover Sport – launched in 2005 became Land Rover's biggest selling vehicle worldwide in 2007
- Third model line to be revealed at Paris Motor Show 2010
"Land Rover has a unique history of product innovation. But the Range Rover probably remains the most historically significant vehicle we have ever launched. It is one of the most important vehicles in the history of motoring."
Phil Popham, Land Rover Managing Director.
OVERVIEW
The Range Rover celebrates its 40th birthday on 17 June, 2010. One of the most significant vehicles in the history of motoring, the Range Rover was the world's first vehicle as good on-road as off-road. It was the first fully capable luxury 4x4 and was a milestone in the development of the SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle).
There have been three generations of Range Rover. The original, now known as the Classic, went on sale in 1970 and continued in production, with numerous upgrades and a multiplicity of variants, for just over 25 years.
The second-generation vehicle, known as the P38a, went on sale in 1994 and was replaced in 2001 by the current model. The continuing success of the Range Rover ensured that other premium makers jumped into the booming luxury SUV market. The latest version has enjoyed higher annual sales than any previous models and continues to be popular around the world. Sold around the world, from London to Los Angeles, Sydney to Shanghai, Turin to Tokyo, the Range Rover remains the ultimate choice for the luxury SUV customer.
"The Range Rover is really four vehicles in one," says managing director Phil Popham. "It's a seven-days-a-week luxury motor car; a leisure vehicle that will range far and wide on the highways and noways of the world; a high performance car for long distance travel; and a working cross-country vehicle."
From princes to politicians, from rock gods to rock climbers, from footballers to farmers, the Range Rover has always appealed to a diverse group of customers.
A second model line, the Range Rover Sport, was launched in 2005, aimed at more sports-oriented driver-focused customers. It has been a great success, and in 2007 was Land Rover's biggest selling vehicle worldwide.
Later this year, a further member of the Range Rover family will be added, taking the portfolio to three model lines. The new vehicle will be smaller, lighter and more fuel efficient, tying in perfectly with the Range Rover brand's commitment to environmental sustainability. Yet it will be no less premium, no lessluxurious, and no less special than the other Range Rover models.
A BRIEF HISTORY
1966 Work began on the first Range Rover prototype, known as the '100-inch station wagon'
1970 The original two-door Range Rover – known as the Classic – goes on sale
1971 Range Rover receives the RAC Dewar award for outstanding technical achievement
1972 The Range Rover is the first vehicle to cross the Darien Gap on a British Army Trans-America expedition
1974 Range Rover completes west to east Sahara desert expedition – 7,500 miles in 100 days
1977 A modified Range Rover wins the 4x4 class in the London-Sydney Marathon, a gruelling 30,000 km (18,750 miles) event and the longest ever speed-based car rally
1979 A specially modified Range Rover wins the first Paris-Dakar rally (a Range Rover wins again in 1981)
1981 First production four-door Range Rover appears along with the first factory-produced limited-edition Range Rover – the 'In Vogue'
1982 Automatic transmission becomes available on Range Rover
1983 Range Rover 5-speed manual gearbox is introduced
1985 The diesel-powered Range Rover 'Bullet' breaks 27 speed records, including a diesel record for averaging more than 100mph for 24 hours
1987 Range Rover launched in North America
1989 Range Rover is the world's first 4x4 to be fitted with ABS anti-lock brakes
1990 Limited Edition CSK – named after founder Charles Spencer King – is launched as a sportier Range Rover
1992 Range Rover Classic is the world's first 4x4 to be fitted with electronic traction control (ETC)
1992 Long-wheelbase LSE (known as County LWB in the US) launched
1992 Automatic electronic air suspension introduced, a world first for a 4x4
1994 Second-generation (P38a) Range Rover goes on sale
1996 Range Rover Classic bows out after total production of 317,615 units
1999 Limited Edition Range Rover Linley appears at London Motor Show
2001 All-New Range Rover (L322) launched
2002 Half-millionth Range Rover produced at the Solihull plant
2005 Second model line – the Range Rover Sport – launched
2006 Terrain Response and TDV8 diesel introduced
2009 Range Rover features all-new LR-V8 5.0 and 5.0 supercharged petrol engines and technology updates
2010 Range Rover celebrates its 40th anniversary
2010 All-New compact Range Rover to be revealed at Paris Motor Show
OWNERS
From princes to politicians, from rock gods to rock climbers, from footballers to fashion models, the Range Rover has always appealed to celebrity owners. They have included:
- The Queen, who had one of the very first production Classics. She has also owned second- and third-generation models
- Prince Charles, who has had his latest Range Rover converted to run on biodiesel
- Princess Anne
- Prince Andrew
- Prince Rainier of Monaco, owner of an early Classic
- President Bongo of Gabon, one of the first Classic customers
- Johnny Cash, the country music legend, whose Classic appeared in a French production of The Jungle Book. It was matt black embellished all over withbrightly coloured hand-painted jungle plants and animals
- James Bond. Range Rovers have appeared in many 007 films, but in Quantum of Solace, James Bond (Daniel Craig) drove a Range Rover Sport in the Bolivian desert
- Peter Sellers. The British comedian was one of many celebrities in the '70s and '80s who drove customised Wood and Pickett-modified Range Rovers. They were more luxuriously specified than the contemporary Range Rover, and were precursors of the Range Rover Vogue model
- Madonna. Her wedding car at Skibo Castle in Scotland was a second-generation Range Rover. She and Guy Ritchie also owned a Range Rover Sport
- Pope John Paul II. The Pontiff's 'popemobile' was a converted Classic, featuring bullet proof glass
- Billy Connolly, comedian and Range Rover Classic owner
- Paul McCartney, ex-Beatle and Classic owner
- Bruce Springsteen, rock god, and The Boss
- David Gower had a special edition CSK Range Rover. He now has a new Series Three.
- Michael Phelps, winner of 14 Olympic gold medals, and perhaps the greatest swimmer of all time
- Jane Fonda, actress and Classic owner
- Michael J Fox, actor and Classic driver
- Rod Stewart, pop star
- Jennifer Aniston, actress, best known as Rachel in Friends
- Michael Jackson had a number of Range Rovers, including a Classic. When he died, the Jackson family travelled to the funeral in a convoy of 10 black Range Rovers
- Bruce Willis, star of Die Hard, a Classic and third-generation Range Rover
- Jack Nicholson, actor
- Midge Ure, Ultravox frontman, owner of 'tatty old Range Rover' (a Classic)
- Mike Tyson, retired boxer and former world heavyweight champ
- Jeremy Clarkson. The Top Gear star owns a Range Rover and recently proclaimed it 'best car in the world' in The Sunday Times
- The Sultan of Brunei. One-time 'richest man in the world' has many Range Rovers, including a custom-made gold-plated model for official ceremonies
- David Beckham, frequently photographed behind the wheel of his Range Rover Sport. Range Rovers are also owned by other eminent footballers including John Terry, Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen and Jermaine Defoe
- Meg Ryan, actress
- Richard Branson, Virgin boss and owner of second- and third-generation models
- Britney Spears, singer
- Angelina Jolie, actress. In the first Lara Croft Tomb Raider movie, she drove a Land Rover Defender
- Miley Cyrus, star of Hannah Montana
- Pamela Anderson, actress
- Greg Norman, golfer
- Mel Gibson, actor
- Michael Douglas, actor
- Ryan Sheckler, skateboarder and MTV reality show star
- Michael Jordan, basketball legend
- Lauren Conrad, TV star and fashion designer
- Pete Wentz, musician and bassist for Fall Out Boy
- Keira Knightley, actress
- Nicole Kidman, Australian actress
- Tom Cruise, actor
- Hilary Duff, actress, best known in TV series Lizzie McGuire, and singer
- Kobe Bryant, basketball star
- Eva Longoria, TV star, best known for Desperate Housewives
- Rachel Bilson, actress, star of TV teen drama The OC
- Kiefer Sutherland, actor, son of Donald, and star of TV series 24
- Bow Wow, rapper and actor
- Gwen Stefani, singer and fashion designer
- Dr Mae Jemison, former astronaut
- Lee Pearson, Paralympic athlete, winner of nine gold medals in dressage events
- Anthony Pitt, Australian fashion designer, who started his Academee brand from the lounge of his Bondi Beach flat
- Trevor Baylis, inventor of the wind-up radio
- Sonya Kraus, German TV presenter, former ballerina and fashion designer
…and many more
Editors Note
Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true 'breadth of capability' across the model range. Defender, Freelander, Discovery, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover each define the world's 4x4 sectors, with 78% of this model range exported to over 140 countries. Land Rover employs 9,500 people and supports a further 40,000 jobs supported in the supply chain.
Land Rover is committed to addressing the challenges of climate change and since September 2006 carbon dioxide generated by Land Rover manufacturing activities and UK customer vehicle use has been balanced through an industry leading offset programme run by Climate Care.
HERE COMES EVOQUE
Range Rover's all-new compact SUV turns up ahead of 2011 Oz debut
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Land Rover has whipped the covers off the final production version of its long-awaited 'baby Rangie', which will be called the Evoque when it goes on sale in Australia next September - a year after its official global public debut at the 2010 Paris motor show.
Unveiled at an exclusive event in London last week to mark the 40th anniversary of Range Rover and shown in just one official image, the all-new compact wagon remains true to the edgy LRX concept - first seen at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show - by featuring just three doors, although a five-door derivative is also under development.
Land Rover, which now describes the all-new Range Rover Evoque as a coupe, previously said the all-new compact luxury crossover will be the smallest, lightest and most fuel-efficient Range Rover ever produced.
All-wheel drive and 2WD versions have already been confirmed, including an entry-level variant that the company has vowed will emit less than 130 grams of CO2 per kilometre.
No further details were provided at the model's London reveal, but the Evoque has again been described as a 'global car' that will create up to 1000 jobs at Land Rover's Halewood factory near Liverpool, before going on sale in more than 160 countries.
An Australian release has been officially confirmed for late in the third quarter of 2011, within months of the Evoque's release in the UK.
Last week's invitation-only party at The Orangery in Kensington was attended by sultry celebrity Victoria Beckham, who has her own fashion label and was introduced by Land Rover design chief gerry McGovern as the newest member of his design team - although the former Spice girl's exact role remains unknown.
"I'm incredibly excited to be collaborating with Range Rover" she said. "I'd like to thank Phil and Gerry for such an incredible opportunity. I like to take on a challenge and I'm ready for it."
Land Rover Managing Director Phil Popham said the Evoque will be as luxurious as other Range Rover models, including the flagship Vogue and Discovery-based Sport.
"Today is a very special occasion for Range Rover", he said. "Not only are we celebrating 40 years of the brand, we are also demonstrating our exciting future by showing the all-new Range Rover Evoque.
"Range Rover is one of the most highly regarded and iconic vehicles in the history of motoring and has been a continuing success since we first introduced it it 1970.
"The all-new Range Rover Evoque is an important step for the future continued success and growth of the brand. Customers can be confident that the new car will be premium, luxurious and just as special as the other Range Rover models."
Mr Popham said the Evoque - a nameplate apparently chosen for its universal appeal, despite its similarity with names worn by some Lotus models also built in the UK - was expected to attract a younger new audience to the Range Rover brand.
"Its sporting looks and unique qualities will open the brand to a new group of customers who may not have considered a Range Rover product before," he said.
STORY BY MARTON PETTENDY - GO AUTO NEWS
RANGE ROVER VOGUE VOTED CAR OF THE DECADE
Autocar.co.uk readers have chosen the Range Rover Vogue as their Car of the Decade.
Autocar’s resident car experts nominated and championed 17 great cars launched during the past ten years for readers to choose from. Of more than 7500 votes, some 18% - nearly a fifth - were for the Range Rover Vogue, a car launched in 2001 to widespread acclaim.
“The Range Rover is a fine choice for Car of the Decade,” said Autocar editor Chas Hallett. “Most polls like this have results skewed towards the latter end of their timescale, but not this one. That the Range Rover was launched nine years ago yet remains a benchmark speaks volumes for the brilliance of its design – and for the taste of the people who voted for it.”
The Range Rover saw off strong showings from the MkII Lotus Elise, which took second place with 12.5% of the vote, and the Bugatti Veyron and Nissan GT-R, which each polled 8.8 percent of the total to finish joint third.
DISCOVERY 4 WINS 4x4 OF THE YEAR
The new Land Rover Discovery 4 has been crowned 4x4 of the Year, by 4x4 Australia
Magazine, its third major award in Australia since its arrival late 2009. Pitted head to head with the new Toyota Prado the Discovery 4 came out in front thanks its superior design, technology, and class leading diesel engine.
Land Rover has now won the 4x4 of the Year award four of the last six years, further cementing Land Rover's reputation as the world's leading manufacture of 4WDs. The Discovery 4 proved the most popular among the individual judges, with the majority awarding it the highest number of votes.
Land Rover Australia Marketing & PR Manager Kevin Goult commented, "Since 2005 the Discovery 3 has been at the cornerstone of Land Rover's success in Australia. It was regarded as The 'World's Most Awarded 4WD', receiving over 100 awards across 17 countries globally, and the Discovery 4 is showing every sign that it will continue the legacy of its predecessor."
"By winning 4x4 of the Year the Discovery 4 has proved once again it is still the benchmark for all terrain SUV's. Nothing can match Discovery's outstanding breadth of capability, luxury and refinement."
This award comes just weeks after the Discovery 4 was crowned Australia's Best Cars, Best All Terrain 4WD for 2009 and the 2009 Drive Car of the Year - Best 4WD. The new Discovery 4 offers unbeatable versatility, capability and refinement. Alongside the fresh exterior design, the all new premium interior, improved dynamics and the more powerful and more efficient 3.0-litre TDV6 powertrain, it also offers new state of the art user-friendly features such as a Surround Camera system, Gradient Release Control, Tow Assist, Automatic High Beam Assist and Keyless Entry.
The Discovery 4 is available now in Australia, and has Recommended Price (before statutory and delivery charges) from $68,490.
The grant offer will be made available under the Government's Grant for Business Investment scheme and is an important contribution towards the overall £400 million cost of the project. This is separate from the broader automotive support package currently being unveiled by the Government.
Although it still has to go through a number of approval gateways in the product development process before getting the final go-ahead, Land Rover has also confirmed that the new car would be a key addition to the Range Rover family of luxury vehicles.
Phil Popham said, "Our engineering feasibility study has shown that we can very successfully deliver Range Rover levels of quality, drivability and breadth of performance in a more compact, more sustainable, package. Feedback from the most extensive customer research we have ever undertaken also fully supports our belief that a production version of the LRX Concept would further raise the desirability of our brand and absolutely meet all those expectations."
"It would be the smallest, lightest and most efficient Range Rover that we've ever built," Phil added. "The compact size, lighter weight and sustainability-focused technologies of the LRX Concept showed how Land Rover is planning to respond to the needs of a changing world. Despite the current economic challenges, we remain committed to investing for the future, to continue to deliver relevant vehicles for our customers, with the outstanding breadth of capability for which we are world-renowned."
The new Range Rover would embrace excellent levels of refinement and all-round capability and also introduce new powertrain options, providing a major step forward in enabling the implementation of Land Rover's e-terrain technologies strategy and achievement of its goal to exceed a 20 per cent improvement in CO2 emissions.
"Both the design and size of the LRX Concept have generated a hugely positive reaction wherever it has been seen and we've also gathered fresh insights on what potential owners would look for in a production equivalent. That knowledge is now being applied to the process of refining the vehicle as it heads towards final approval," said Phil.
The Halewood facility employs 2000 people and is a recipient of the JD Power Gold Standard. It currently produces the Land Rover Freelander 2 and Jaguar X-TYPE.