At first glance, the 2023 Range Rover may look familiar, but it is all new, and it comes with the promise of even greater refinement, interior comfort and driver appeal than ever before.
It sits on new mechanical underpinnings, and it comes with a fresh line-up of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, all of which use either mild hybrid or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology, with an all-electric Range Rover due to be launched next year. Trim variants in the new Range Rover consist of SE, HSE, Autobiography and SV – all of which can be personalised with a host of optional features for ultimate individualisation.
Two Wheelbase Options.
The new Range Rover is available in two different lengths. The standard-wheelbase (SWB) version measures in at just over five metres in length, while the long-wheelbase (LWB) version has an extra 200mm between the front and rear axles to provide extra room inside the sumptuous cabin. Interestingly, the Range Rover LWB is available with the option of seven seats for the very first time in the Range Rover’s fifty-three year history. Boot space in the SWB version measures in at a cavernous 818-litres behind the rear seats, with up to 1,841-litres on offer when the rear seats are electrically folded.
Emotional Engagement.
The Range Rover’s strong and beautifully sculpted body, with its expansive surfaces and flush-fitting door handles, speaks volumes in terms of modernity, while the hidden-until-lit tail lights and precise detailing take the design philosophy to new levels of emotional engagement. The new Range Rover features a sumptuous and sophisticated interior, underpinned by its impeccable reductive nature, supreme luxury, tactile materials and an intuitive approach to relevant technology, ensuring that no detail has been overlooked in the process. Elegant, refined surfaces and the finest materials create a calm sanctuary, combining luxury and wellbeing. The choice of sustainable and contemporary technical fabrics, along with natural wood veneers, are embraced with the highest level of precision.
Car on Review.
My review car was a Range Rover 3.0 PHEV 440PS HSE, which was finished in elegant Ligurian Black in Gloss Finish paintwork and Light Cloud/Ebony perforated Windsor leather seats. The supremely refined and powerful petrol engine works in union with the electric motor to produce 440PS and 620Nm of torque, and this allows for a 0-100km/h sprint in just 6.0-seconds. With active air suspension as standard, the Range Rover feels exceptionally well controlled and smooth, irrespective of the road surface. With the exception of some wind noise at motorway speeds, the cabin is an exceptionally quiet place to be. The Range Rover’s active anti-roll bar system helps to limit body lean through corners, and the accurate and precise steering set-up provides terrific feedback to the driver in all circumstances. Ingeniously, the Range Rover’s standard four-wheel steering system gives the substantially-proportioned SUV a turning circle to match that of a medium-size family car, and this is of huge help when negotiating tight parking spaces and narrow city streets. At high speeds, the rear wheels move in the same direction as the front wheels to improve stability, but at low speeds they move the opposite way, reducing the turning circle to less than 11-metres. The Range Rover has all rivals beaten when it comes to venturing off the beaten track. All versions are all-wheel drive with a low-ratio gearbox, making it an incredibly capable off-roader. The body stands a lofty 295mm off the ground but can be raised an extra 145mm in the highest of the suspension’s four settings. It also has high approach and departure angles and it can wade through water that’s up to 900mm deep. Additionally, a terrific camera system makes off-road driving an easier task than ever before. It’s smooth and silent in pure electric mode and transitions seamlessly to petrol power when needed with plenty of pace on offer – it is an incredibly impressive plug-in hybrid option. By combining a 3.0-litre 6-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor for optimal efficiency and performance, the PHEV powertrain delivers the best of both technologies. The Range Rover PHEV offers the longest official electric-only range available on a luxury SUV – up to 113kms. The 32.8kWh battery can be fully charged (0-100%) in 5 hours via a 7kW wallbox charger, with a 10-80% charge taking just 40 minutes at a 50kW DC public charge point.
Conclusion & Pricing.
The original Range Rover was the first luxury SUV of its kind when it arrived in 1970, and every new generation since then has helped transform the world of refined motoring. Thanks to its compelling design and greater levels of elegance, exclusivity and luxury, the all-new Range Rover builds on that incomparable achievement, and it is still the leader in the luxury SUV market segment. This is the most desirable Range Rover ever created, and its unparalleled presence and supreme stature, along with its impressive off-road ability, will surely impress even the most demanding of drivers. Pricing for the new Range Rover PHEV starts at €138,085 (ex-delivery), with my review car specification priced from €152,250.
Click on link to read more in this weeks Digital Edition Dublin Gazette – Digital Edition – March 16, 2023 %
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