Currently reading: New Range Rover pictured
Exclusive Autocar image reveals look of new Range Rover, on sale next year

This is the final look for the all-new 2013 Range Rover 4, which is undergoing its last few months of testing before an expected showroom debut early next year.

The launch of the fourth-generation model brings with it the biggest technical leap yet in the Range Rover’s 42-year history as it switches to an all-new aluminium monocoque platform.

The new Range Rover will be heading further upmarket, with entry-level prices likely to start at around £65,000 and rising to at least £120,000 for the plushest model, which is expected to use the recent Autobiography Ultimate Edition - with its teak-lined load bay and higher-end leather trim - as inspiration.

Range Rover’s design team hasn’t strayed too far from the look of today’s model, although the upright boxiness of today’s car has been significantly softened. At the front, the nose is now inclined rearwards and the ‘stand-off’ bumpers that marked the current model have been dropped for a more smoothly integrated design. The Mk4 Range Rover has the presence of the old model, but it also looks far more modern.

The distinctive ‘gill’ vents that were seen on the original Mk3 are expected to return, although Autocar has seen a full-size model of the Mk4 wearing a smaller, angled vent on the front wing. Both headlights are also partly wrapped onto the body side in an unusual styling flourish, and the rear light clusters have been slimmed down.

The new, lightweight platform has been developed from the pressed-and-riveted technology used by Jaguar for the XJ saloon, and is expected to shave a massive 400kg from the weight of today’s car. Sources suggest that if the Mk4 is fitted with the new V6 petrol engine being developed by JLR, the lightest version of the new Range Rover could weigh less than two tonnes.

There’s no definitive news yet on a likely engine line-up for the new Range Rover. Indeed, in preparation for the new model, today’s version is now only available with V8 petrol and V8 diesel engines, and in two upmarket trims. However, lucrative overseas markets such as China will certainly get the V6 petrol engine for tax reasons.

Land Rover is also developing a hybrid version of the new model, hooking up an electric motor to the new V6 engine. Set for launch late next year, the hybrid will have a CO2 rating of just 150g/km, sources say.

Insiders have also hinted that the V8 diesel version will be the unexpected performance hero of the Mk4 line-up. The combination of significant weight saving and a massive 516lb ft of torque will result in extraordinary in-gear performance. Engineering sources have even said that the V8 diesel’s torque output has been limited to prevent long-term damage to the transmission system.

As far as the interior design is concerned, the leather-covered ‘double-decker’ dashboard theme remains much the same as today’s model, as does the distinctive steering wheel design, column stalks and heater controls.

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However, the instruments will be displayed on a deep-set TFT screen, with the centre console dominated by a large iPad-style touchscreen. The interior sees much use of bright aluminium-like bezels and trim. It’s also unlikely that the design team have abandoned the current model’s distinctive upright wooden ‘stanchions’ that support the centre console.

Improving rear cabin space — the current Range Rover is seen as too cramped for a luxury-sector car — has also been a big priority for the Mk4.

 

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Broughransom 10 April 2012

Re: New Range Rover pictured

LA, the first para is a quote from The Special One in an earlier post. My point was that they shouldn't mess with a successful formula. If they were going to, the new XJ is a bad example, as it hasn't been a commercial success....

newdevonian 10 April 2012

Re: New Range Rover pictured

Dark Isle wrote:

DWH wrote:
For Dark Isle read Dark Side. This person definitely doesn't get out much and see what else is available in the world - without the silly prices!

What a stupid thing to say. I posted one comment on page 2 saying I'd quite like a Range Rover and you post twice since then and try to belittle me? Idiot.

The Evoque and Landrovers in general seem to be polarising opinions everywhere at the moment. I will never need or want one, and IMHO the squashed roof looks silly, as does the Mini Coupe, but it fulfils the aspirations of a section of a legitimate market place and so is not to be sneezed at.

Broughster 10 April 2012

Re: New Range Rover pictured

It doesn't look new at all. Already looking dated. Should have taken a leaf out of Jaguar's design book for the XJ. They went the Porsche route instead ....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz........

....Why on earth would you do that? The XJ is a horribly unresolved design that has been a very slow seller. Why would Land Rover want to commit commercial suicide with one of their most profitable models?