The Range Rover originally went on sale over 40 years ago, when it became the first car to combine luxury motoring with off-road ability. The Range Rover celebrated its 40th birthday in 2010, with the current iteration on sale now for over ten years.
During that time Land Rover has not stood still, however, evolving and updating its car throughout its life.
In 2010 it launched the car with a 4.4-litre V8 diesel engine, which replaced the 3.6-litre TDV8 and promised a 15 per cent increase in power and 19 per cent reduction in fuel consumption. The engine is mated to a ZF-sourced eight-speed torque converter automatic, which retains both low and high ratios.
The diesel dominates sales, but for those who must have petrol - or the most expensive - the range-topping 5.0-litre V8 continues to sit atop the marque's line-up. The supercharged unit develops prodigious power and torque, but you need to have deep pockets to run it.
Land Rover has also continued to improve the Range Rover’s already sumptuous cabin. In 2010 it gained hi-tech multi-function TFT dials (similar to those now used in the Jaguar XJ) and, mindful of the chauffeuring needs of emerging markets, Land Rover added reclining rear seats and a little more space in the back.
