Test drive Land Rover Range Rover: with a capital letter

In Russia, this car has long acquired the status of a cult. As soon as dealers brought the first examples in 2002, the domestic business elite began to snap them up at an incredible speed. Thus, the luxury SUV turned into an indispensable attribute of negotiations and social events, although its real capabilities remain unclaimed. A couple of years after the premiere, the car underwent a light modernization, and the current update turned out to be much more serious.

The main changes in appearance are LED optics. The front lights look like four rings that really scare drivers of cars ahead.

Outside, the angular body received new optics with LED daytime running lights — four bright rings that intersect each other. At the front, the radiator grille and bumper changed, and the fog lights moved to the lower air intake. The rear differs only in the lights, which also became LED.

The interior fully matches the luxury status — only expensive leather, pleasant-to-the-touch plastic and natural wood.

Inside, even higher quality leather appeared, and now the front panel is also trimmed with it. Every button and control is framed with matte chrome, and on the dashboard and doors there are inserts of natural wood. The feeling of luxury is complemented by multi-level interior lighting.

The air suspension noticeably increases geometric off-road capability. It's a pity that such cars more often have to go to meetings rather than conquer off-road.

Undoubtedly, the main highlight of the interior is the fully digital instrument panel on a 12-inch TFT screen. Virtual scales and graphic displays show all the necessary information, including Terrain Response modes and settings of other systems. Although in terms of picture quality it still yields to the Mercedes one.

At the top of the center console there is a touchscreen of the multimedia system, capable of simultaneously showing two different pictures. That is, the passenger can watch a DVD movie, while the driver at this time can use navigation.

The digital instrument panel shows almost all necessary parameters, including Terrain Response settings.

During the tests, we first took on the diesel version — under its hood is a powerful eight-cylinder TDV8 with a volume of 3.6 liters, producing 272 hp. In terms of torque, this diesel even surpasses the new gasoline unit with 510 hp. All 630 Nm are available from 2000 rpm. Hence — confident start from the spot and stable traction up to 180 km/h. The engine is excellent! The six-speed automatic from ZF shifts timely and smoothly. And the sound is a separate song: you press the gas to the floor, and all the newton-meters pour out of the exhaust pipes to the public, sounding harmoniously, like an orchestra after long rehearsals.

In terms of torque, the diesel surpasses even the new gasoline "monster" with 510 hp. All 630 Nm — already from 2000 rpm. The result is powerful acceleration and traction up to 180 km/h. An excellent unit!

The steering wheel here is large, with a slight "vagueness" at zero, but at the same time quite informative. The heavy SUV quickly reacts to the driver's actions. If not for the studded tires, because of which the car lost part of the harmony between behavior on asphalt and phenomenal off-road capability... But even so, in corners the massive body almost does not roll. And the straight line is pure pleasure. And what is especially pleasant: with such dynamics in the city, in frost of -27 degrees, the consumption did not exceed 18 liters per hundred, while gasoline versions eat at least one and a half times more.

The Terrain Response algorithms have not changed. True, instead of the previous "swinging flags", control of the air suspension and low range is now given to ordinary buttons. On the central screen, pictures from the surround view system are available: two cameras in front, one in each mirror, and another in the tailgate lid — parking in tight courtyards will become easier.

In parallel with the diesel, we also tried the Supercharged version. Under the hood of the "charged" Range Rover is now a new V8 5.0 — an independent development that has nothing to do with the previous unit.

For rear passengers — complete "chocolate". A spacious sofa, separate climate control, heated seats and entertainment system screens. What else could you wish for?

It's time to get to know the potential inherent in the engine better. And it, frankly, is in abundance. Judge for yourself: 510 hp and torque of 625 Nm in the range of 2500–5500 rpm — this is enough not only for acceleration to a hundred in 6.2 seconds, but also to pull a whole brood of small cars behind you.

The new gasoline V8 produces 510 hp. With such an engine, the heavy SUV reaches the first "hundred" in 6.2 seconds.

Those who have driven a powerful car with a supercharger are familiar with the "cannonball effect": the car starts sluggishly, then builds up air and at some point fires with monstrous force. Here the process happens differently, much smoother. There are two serious innovations. The first is the system of dual independent variable valve timing (DIVCT). The second is a two-stage intake manifold with variable length, which competently distributes air flows and raises traction at low revs. Thanks to this, when working with the gas pedal, there is a complete feeling that the engine breathes like a sprinter in excellent shape.

In the secret glove box are hidden a CD-changer and a remote camera that can be held in your hand or placed, say, on the hood. On serious off-road, this thing is extremely useful.

Thanks to all the engineering solutions embedded in this engine, the S/C version demonstrates surprisingly modest appetite: in the combined cycle it fits into 16 liters per hundred.

For fans of advanced technologies, the updated Range Rover will offer adaptive cruise control with clear controls, a blind spot monitoring system and automatic high beam switching (AHBA). This function itself notices cars going ahead or towards and instantly switches the headlights to low beam mode so as not to blind road users.

The trunk with a horizontally divided two-leaf lid holds 535 liters.

Special mention deserves the surround view cameras: five digital modules transmit an almost panoramic picture to the touchscreen. They are activated immediately after starting the engine, and the functions of selecting and zooming the image are very helpful when parking in limited space or when driving with a trailer.

Range Rover once again proved that it deservedly occupies the place of the flagship in the Land Rover lineup. The English brand is valued all over the world for its loyalty to its traditions and unique character, which it has preserved throughout its history. And one of such main values, undoubtedly, remains Range Rover — an SUV with a capital letter.