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April 2018

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Look back at the birth of the original Land Rover | How Land Rover has driven adventure and scientific exploration | GQ Editor Dylan Jones discusses inspiration with Chief Design Officer Gerry McGovern | Exploring the potential impact of electrification and connected vehicles | Tackling the 999 steep steps up to Heaven’s Gate in China

PEERLESS LUXURY 1994 |

PEERLESS LUXURY 1994 | Totally new Range Rover P38A generation launched 1996 | ‘Classic’ production ends, with 317,615 vehicles made 1999 | Six limited edition Linley models introduced 2001 | New generation revealed at London Design Museum 2004 | Range Stormer concept shown at Detroit “Range Rover was the first luxury SUV in the world in 1970 and 45 years on it continues to lead the way, mixing peerless comfort with cutting edge technology to provide the ultimate luxury SUV experience” NICK ROGERS JAGUAR LAND ROVER DIRECTOR GLOBAL ENGINEERING OPERATIONS A relentless march upmarket continued and the first-generation Range Rover (it would later acquire the ‘Classic’ soubriquet) reached its zenith with the introduction of the ‘Autobiography’ version in 1993. The first cars to wear that badge were wholly bespoke and could be specified with a fax machine in the rear cabin. The last Classic was built in 1996: it was the 317,615th. The original design was so popular that it still continued in production for two years alongside its replacement, the second-generation Range Rover, codenamed the P38A after the building in which it was developed. That model continued until 2001, when it was replaced by the third-generation Range Rover, codenamed the L322. Launched at the Design Museum in London, the £1bn development budget of the L322 was greater than any other British car before it. Its imposing design and extraordinary off-road ability were rapturously received by the motoring press, and the following year the halfmillionth Range Rover was built. Over its lifetime the L322 model would introduce new technologies such as virtual cockpit instruments and the dual-view infotainment screens. One key Land Rover technology was revealed on Range Rover’s first-ever concept car. The Range Stormer was revealed at the Detroit motor show in 2004 and featured Terrain Response, now a signature technology for the brand. But Range Rover wouldn’t have made its first concept just to showcase a technology; even one as important as Terrain Response. The Range Stormer’s significance was far greater than that, as it revealed both a new more dynamic design language for the brand while introducing the idea that Range Rover could be more than just one vehicle. Range Stormer sparked an extraordinary wave of creativity at Range Rover, with new cars and concepts from Solihull almost every year since. Just a year after it was unveiled, Range Rover became a family with the addition of the Range Rover Sport, which also introduced the Dynamic Response system. RADICAL NEW DESIGN In 2008, Range Rover’s second concept car, the LRX was revealed. Like the Range Stormer, it hinted at a forthcoming addition to the Range Rover family. In 2011 the Evoque was launched, maintaining the radical design of the LRX while simultaneously making Range Rover relevant to a new, younger, more urban set. At 1,600kgs, it was also one of the lightest modern Land Rovers ever, making it highly fuel efficient with carbon dioxide emissions under 130g/km. STRETCHING OUT David Bache’s original, acclaimed design for the Range Rover was soon stretched by a series of bespoke conversions. Some served a serious purpose. The original Range Rover’s unrivalled off-road ability and comfort made it highly suitable as an ambulance for patients injured in remote spots. Equally, its roadholding and high performance with full load made it the perfect base vehicle for airport fire and rescue tenders. Hundreds of these were made, most with a stretched chassis and second rear axle to carry fire-fighting gear as well as a large water tank. Coachbuilders began offering Range Rover convertibles long before the Evoque version was launched. Six-wheel and even six-door stretch conversions proved popular with wealthy private clients too, particularly in the Middle East. A few customisers combined all these elements to make stretched, six-wheel, open Range Rovers for falconry, in which the falconer could stand and launch his bird. Surrey-based Jankel Engineering even made one with a throne-like elevating central seat. PHOTOGRAPHY: ALAMY / MAURITIUS IMAGES, BRITISH MOTOR MUSEUM HERITAGE TRUST, SONY PICTURES 42

RIGHT XXXXXX 2005 | Range Rover Sport debut, with Dynamic Response 2006 | Terrain Response system fitted to flagship models 2008 | LRX concept shown at Detroit, heralds Evoque 2010 | Millionth car donated to Help for Heroes charity 2011 | The Range Rover Evoque starts production 02 11 01 03 PHOTOGRAPHY: XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX 01 As so many other Land Rover vehicles, the Range Rover has long ago found its place in popular culture 02 In 2004, Land Rover presented the Range Rover Sport Stormer Edition concept vehicle as a predecessor to the Range Rover Sport, which followed that same year 03 The first Range Rover Sport was built on semimonocoque chassis, adapted from the Discovery 3 04 The Land Rover LRX concept vehicle was presented to the world at the North American Auto Show in 2008. It would later evolve into to the Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover’s first ever compact SUV 04 43

 

Land Rover Magazine

 

Land Rover Magazine showcases stories from around the world that celebrate inner strength and the drive to go Above and Beyond.

In this issue, New Defender is put through its paces by two inspirational young adventurers as they prepare for an expedition to the South Pole. We also celebrate 50 years of Range Rover by taking a journey of discovery to Dubai. As well as looking back, we look to future as a group of visionaries explain the technologies that could change the future for all of us.

Jaguar Land Rover Limited: Registered office: Abbey Road, Whitley, Coventry CV3 4LF. Registered in England No: 1672070