Rock stars and sporting heroes are not the only devotees of iconic luxury 4WD brand Range Rover.
After spending consecutive weeks driving the latest Range Rover Sport and Vogue Autobiography models, the team at Car Showroom emerged with renewed respect for the brand.
Range Rover provided a 2.7-litre V6 turbo-diesel Sport and 3.6-litre V8 turbo-diesel Autobiography and there’s no doubt the imposing looks, beautiful interior trim and craftsmanship plus the glorious driving dynamics of both left a lasting impression.
The TD V6 Sport is the entry model and is priced at $90,900. The vehicle we drove boasted the optional ($5,900) 10-spoke alloy wheels and one of the three new 2009 metallic exterior paint colours – ‘Bournville (black with a hint of brown).
Other changes for ’09 include clear-lens rear lights and side indicators, a third 20-inch wheel design (15 spoke with diamond-turned finish), premium leather with diagonal stitching on the door trims in Ebony, Almond and Ivory plus the introduction of ‘Noble’ – a metallic plate finish on centre console sides, air vent bezels and door pull handles.
Next in our garage was the glorious TD V8 Autobiography, launched in December 2008 and priced at $193,600.
Open the door and the wonderful smell of the semi-aniline leather – the softest grade available – is overpowering. No surprise really as inside the Autobiography, the facia, doors, seats and centre console are all clad from top to bottom in leather. Even the floor mats are bound with leather.
On the outside, Autobiography models can be distinguished by new 20-inch diamond-turned twin-seven spoke alloy wheels, Diamond Mesh grille and side vents and black and silver badging.
Autobiography also gains Acoustic and Climate glass on both the windscreen and front side windows. Acoustic glass reduces the amount of noise transmitted to the cabin while Climate glass reflects infrared rays to reduce sunlight and heat soak – very handy with Melbourne experiencing the longest run of consecutive maximum temperatures over 40 degrees since they started keeping records!
Our children particularly liked the Autobiography’s rear seat DVD entertainment with front headrest-mounted screens. And the navigation system/reversing camera are excellent.
Driving both Range Rovers was a pleasure. Highlights were the undoubted acceleration/performance of the TD V8 (240kW/640Nm!), the refinement of both cars (isolation from tram/train track crossings and pot-holes is probably the best we have experienced), turn-in and handling that were surprisingly sharp and of course the luxurious surroundings.
We must admit on first acquaintance we did find the array of numerous air-conditioning and other controls in the consoles ahead of the gear levers somewhat overwhelming, but a quick consultation with the owners manual had that sorted.
From a practical viewpoint, the boot is massive and loading a breeze with an ingenious horizontal split-folding arrangement.
Should you venture from the black-top, we all know Range Rover’s reputation for off-road competence and the long list of technologies included for your dirt/mud/sand driving experience – including hill descent control etc.
The reality is, amongst luxury 4WDs, Range Rover rightly dominates when it comes to off-road ability, even with tyres biased towards luxurious on-road driving.
And the reality is also that most who buy these vehicles will not even be considering a mud-diggin’ trek to the tip of Cape York, but for towing trailers, driving on soft sand, launching your boat or wave-runner, this is luxury four-wheel-driving at its best.
Line the Range Rover models up against similar luxury 4WDs from European manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Porsche and yes, they do look distinctive – some would say quirky. We still think they remain the quintessential ‘British’ premium luxury 4WD (notwithstanding changes in the company’s ownership).
