The launch of the year for the model of the decade!

Read the full review of the Range Rover 2013 here

There has seldom been such an awaited launch. And there is seldom a vehicle that remains a classic or retains its identity through four decades.

The perils of traversing the private roads of Jumeirah Beach Residence and The Walk, lined with boutique outlets and exotic restaurants are famous. If you have half an hour of your life to spare crossing a half-a-kilometre stretch, be my guest. Well-practised in the art of ignoring an irksome traffic lag from my daily drives back home in the thick of traffic, I was more than willing to do it for a worthy cause – the unveiling of the Generation 4 Range Rover at the Meydan Beach, Jumeirah Beach Residences.

The Range Rover doesn’t get re-launched that often. The last time was in 2002 and this is only the 4th generation in 42 years! The launch show featured "experience installations" of the new model and customisation options.

As it turned out, there were hundreds of souls who were willing to do just that. The turnout was enormous and I witnessed how the new Rangie had already turned genteel millionaires into impatient children! The fact that Sheikh Ahmed bin Saaed Al Maktoum, the dashing Chairman of Emirates Airlines graced the launch shows how significant this event is to the luxury motor segment of the region.

This Rangie presents the world’s first monocoque aluminium body, 420kg less than the outgoing model, equipped with extraordinary abilities to tackle terrains.

After a brief sum up of the Rangie and its raison de étre, the display screen parted and in rolled two Range Rovers, that were mobbed as soon as they anchored themselves in the display arena. The new Range Rover that retains the boxy essentials of the classic design is larger in every way – almost a whole 5 metres long, with more legroom and improved cabin ergonomics – like the console design. However, there were a few who thought the lush interiors were just “perfect”, the features “awesome” but the new slightly rounded off edges a departure from the sharp lines of the earlier versions. “It’s more in keeping with the world’s current trend rather than the Range Rover’s black book.” But then, while holding on to its values and identity, any product has to move on, even if it’s a Range Rover!

For an overview of what can the all-new Range Rover do, check this video on drivemeonline.com.

It can wade through 90 cm of water – pity there wasn’t a pool to cross like they had at the worldwide launch in London!

Ashok Khanna, the CEO of Al Tayer Motors, the first regional Land Rover importer-dealer to launch the all-new Range Rover in the Middle East was everywhere at the launch event, looking genuinely happy and looking forward to the revolution of a decade in the market!

This is going to be the most expensive Range Rover ever but then it is also the most capable and capacious Range Rover ever!

Technical Data

Engine & Layout: All Aluminum V8, 32 valves, Supercharged, Longitudinally Mounted Capacity: 5.0L. (4999cc) Torque: 625n.m @ 2500 – 5500 rpm Output: 510hp @ 6000 – 6500 rpm (375k.w.) Top speed: 235 k.m/h 0-100 acceleration: 5.4sec Fuel consumption: 9.9/20.6 L/100kms Transmission: 8 Speed Automatic Transmission with Paddle Shift

Safety Features Front, side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags (7) / Two rear ISOFIX child seat anchor points / Cornering Brake Control (CBC) / Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Electric Parking Brake (EPB) / Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) / Electronic Traction control (ETC), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Roll Stability Control (RSC) and Adaptive Dynamics with Dynamic Response

When a model is revamped once in a decade, there is no space for compromise!

Features & Options Xenon Headlamps  with LED Daytime Lights / Keyless Entry & Start / Cruise Control / Powered  Split Tailgate / Soft Close Doors / 12.3” TFT – LCD Virtual Instrument Panel / Front & Rear parking aid with Surround Cameras / Park Assist & High Beam Assist / Terrain Response 2.0 & Hill Descent Control / Dual View Touch Screen / Panoramic Sliding Sunroof Including Power Blind / Blind Spot Monitor & Closing Vehicle Sensing / Cooled Front & Rear Cubby Boxes / Reverse Traffic Detection / Premium Navigation System with TV Tuner / Voice Input Recognition System / Ambience Lighting 2.0 / Rear Seat Entertainment / Bluetooth Connectivity  & Audio Streaming / DVD Player, Hard Disk , I-pod & USB connection / Meridian Surround Sound Audio System – 825 Watts  with 19 speakers Including Subwoofer (In the Vogue version, this is 380 watts with 13 speakers) / Semi-Aniline Leather Seats (18 x 18 way), Winged Headrests, Heated/Cooled Front & Rear Seats  (Oxford leather seats in the Vogue version), Massage Front & Rear seats, Passenger Front Seat Away, Rear 40/40 Business Seating (in Autobiography) & Memory Feature for Driver / 12.3” TFT – LCD Virtual Instrument Panel / Park Assist / Wood & Leather Heated Steering Wheel / 22″ alloy wheels in Autobiography and 20” alloy wheels in the Vogue / Choice of 3 Veneers

Dimensions & Details Length x Width x Height: 4999 x 2220 x 1835 m.m. Weight: 2460 k.g. Towing Capacity: 3500 k.g. Maximum Ground Clearance: 295.5 m.m. Wading Depth: 900 m.m. Fuel Tank Capacity: 105 liters  (23 gallons) Load Space Volume: 909/2030 liters

All new Range Rover launch: the grandest SUV on earth was last modified: February 22nd, 2016 by Sudeep Koshy

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