Renderings: Big Daddy Range Rover Takes Design Cues From Evoque

[TDR]

Preview: Fourth Generation Land Rover



Land Rover has not given the Range Rover any significant update in ten years. This will change when the next generation is launched later this year. The current generation Range Rover (codenamed L322) is in its third generation. The current Range Rover was developed during the BMW regime (BMW owned Land Rover between 1995 to 2001.) The next generation Range Rover has been codenamed L405 and is based on an all new D4u platform, developed during Tata’s ownership. This exclusive preview is based on information received from JLR executives.



Land Rover’s D4u platform will be used in at least 6 other vehicles from the Land Rover stable. The D4u platform has many benefits, the biggest being its weight. The D4u platform uses high tensile steel and a high quantity of aluminum. The monocoque platform is 25 mm longer than the current Range Rover and offers significant weight advantages. The 2013 Range Rover will weigh at least 500 kgs less than the outgoing model, which tips the scale at 2500 kgs. The wheelbase is bigger too. The D4u platform enables Land Rover to push the wheels to the extremities of the vehicle, resulting in significant increase in interior room.

Land Rover has been involved in many controversies lately, with environmentalist protesting against the gas guzzling tendencies of its SUVs. Tata Motors wants to address this issue. The next generation Range Rover is not only lighter (thanks to the new D4u platform) but also features more fuel efficient engines. The engines on offer will include an updated 4.4-litre V8 diesel, 5.0-litre V8 gasoline (including a supercharged version of this motor) and a V6 gasoline. Land Rover is also working on a V6 diesel engine for the Range Rover, which will give it stellar economy. A hybrid is also on the cards for a early 2014 launch.

The general shape of the fourth generation Range Rover will remain the same as the current model. Tata does not want to mess with the trademark look. The 2013 Range Rover will be slightly wider and longer with the head and tail lights getting influenced by the Evoque. The renderings made by MotorBeam rendering specialist Zaid Muhammed truthfully reflect what we had seen during our interview. The interiors will remain more or less the same with slight changes/tweaks being made to the dashboard. The design of the exteriors has been frozen as we speak, the interior is yet to be finalized. A long wheel base version of the Range Rover is being worked on for the Chinese market (just like the XJ is offered in XJL trim).

The next generation Range Rover will feature active pedestrian safety. In case of a collision, the hood will pop up taking the impact thus reducing injuries to the pedestrians.



http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...on-land-rover/

[cfrp]

I can see the front end lending some design cues from the Evoque. Not bad but what they need to change to make it as popular as the Evoque is make it more SLEEK. Sleek is the key. The previous Land Rovers and Range Rovers were very boxy. The Evoque is such a sleek car, it just looks sexy.

[arrivalanche]

I got to see this truck in person and it's pretty dope. It looks like a big body evoque. I know details but I can't legally say anything.

[arrivalanche]

And none of those engine options are correct.

[import_nation]

Well let us know when you are allowed to tell

From the renderings it doesn't look like an Evoque to me. The front grill has some inspiration but the rest looks like a normal Range Rover.

[cfrp]

And none of those engine options are correct.

incorrect as in the size of the engine or the number of cylinders? No way Range Rover wouldn't use a V8 in their full size off roaders.

[arrivalanche]

From what I know, the big RR will be the same for a while. Where you will see changes is in other "slightly smaller" versions.

[arrivalanche]

smaller cyl # with higher output

[import_nation]

So I'm guessing they are going with 4 cylinder turbos. Good thing for fuel economy.

[Luc]

Well let us know when you are allowed to tell

From the renderings it doesn't look like an Evoque to me. The front grill has some inspiration but the rest looks like a normal Range Rover.

I agree, don't see much of a resemblance