Land Rover unveil stretched Range Rover LWB
Land Rover have released plans of a stunning long wheelbase (LWB) Range Rover – a model which would bring new levels of comfort and luxury never before seen the 4×4 market.
While the classic Land Rover is traditionally seen as something of a workhorse for the agricultural community or as the perfect vehicle for discovering the thrill of heading off-road, it has experienced a major shift in its buying demographic in recent years. Thanks to the release of the Range Rover Sport and Evoque models, many now associate the green oval badge with wealth, class and prestige.
The first stretched model from Range Rover for 22 years, the upcoming LWB edition has been designed to cater for a specific clientele: those looking for a vehicle which marries high-end luxury and attention to interior detail with supreme performance.
Available in Autobiography and Autobiography Black trim, the Range Rover’s increased size means that there is an extra 140mm of legroom in the back, with the expertly-designed stretching of the rear doors ensuring that the sizing is not out of proportion. This means that the backs of the seats can recline by 17 degrees – eight degrees more than in the standard Range Rover – and are available in either a conventional bench or as luxurious individual chairs. Another interesting feature is the ‘Passenger Seat Slide Away’, giving backseat passengers the ability to electronically slide the passenger seat forwards to further increase their legroom.
The range-topping Autobiography Black version has been created with ultimate comfort in mind, with powered side door blinds, a panoramic roof, an extended centre console, individual seats and leather-bound tray tables with USB charging sockets and cupholders some of the many impressive features to come as standard. Matching the luxury and prestige of the likes of Bentley, the interior is crafted using plush materials and also includes 10.2-inch TV screens seamlessly fitted into the backs of the front seats; passengers even have access to a chiller compartment.
With the rear seats offering 18 different electric adjustments, a massage function and LED mood lighting at the flick of a switch, travelling in this particular vehicle could easily become one of your favourite experiences. Amazingly, the LWB Range Rover also comes with a ski hatch, suggesting that the firm are keen to uphold their reputation for creating powerful SUVs to cope with treacherous mountain paths.
Aesthetically, the exterior remains largely the same, receiving only some subtle tweaks to the grille, trim and the addition of discreet ‘L’ badging behind the front wheel arches. The wheels themselves are available as 21-inch or 22-inch seven spoke.
The power under the bonnet is generated by a 5.0litre supercharged V8 petrol engine. With the LWB rocketing from 0-60mph in just 5.5 seconds, its top speed of 140mph means that drivers can benefit from not just the height of opulence, but fantastic performance too.
This luxurious new model is a far cry from the original 1970 Range Rover, with the first incarnation featuring a basic, utilitarian interior with a plastic dashboard and vinyl seats which owners could wash down with a hose.
With the first sales of this hotly anticipated 4×4 expected in March next year, the 5.2 metre specimen will be shown off in all its splendour before then at both the Los Angeles and Gunangzhou Motor Shows – appearances which are already generating great excitement across the motoring world.
There’s a hefty price tag for the LWB Range Rover, with experts predicting a cost of around £140,000 – hardly surprising, considering all the extra legroom and added high spec features. There are also reports that the LWB could also arrive as a hybrid version in late 2014, with the price for this added fuel-efficiency expected to increase to close to £150,000.
If you are interested in this model please get in touch with us, Romans are one of the leading independent Range Rover dealers in the UK and we can source any vehicle to meet your requirements.