Refreshed 2017 Range Rover detailed and Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic launched
Land Rover has released key details about the refreshed 2017 Range Rover and announced the launch of a new model, the Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic.
THE REFRESHED 2017 Range Rover promises improved driver assist and all-terrain technologies as well as the fitment of Land Rover’s InControl Touch Pro communications and infotainments system. It gets a 10-inch screen and is identical to the system we reviewed recently in the Jaguar XE. Deliveries of the updated Rangie begin in early 2017.
The refreshed Range Rover debuts Land Rover’s Advanced Tow Assist, Driver Condition Monitor and Blind Spot Assist, “which autonomously steers the vehicle back into its lane if sensors detect the driver is steering into the path of another road user”. Standard driver assistance technologies include Rear Park Distance Control, Lane Departure Warning and, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). This intelligent technology uses a forward facing camera to detect a risk of collision and warn the driver, and applies full emergency braking if the driver fails to respond.
Other new additions include, Low Traction Launch which is designed for low-speed take-offs on slippery surfaces. The system can be activated manually via the InControl Touch Pro system which will then prompt the driver to select Grass/Gravel/Snow via Terrain Response; the system then controls the amount of torque supplied. In effect, it dulls the throttle response to ensure you don’t over rev and thus break traction. The system remains active until the vehicle reaches 30km/h.
And a special Range Rover-only app in the InControl Touch Pro suite, called InControl Remote Premium allows owners to “remotely control vehicle functions such as activating the climate control to cool or heat the car ready for departure, set and deactivate the alarm, and even start the engine. The app will alert owners if their vehicle alarm has been triggered”.
Pricing for the refreshed Ranger Rover starts at $183,300+ORC while the new SVAutobiography model lists at $316,000+ORC. The most powerful production Range Rover ever, it runs a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 that makes 405kW and 680Nm of torque, and is the same engine that runs in the Range Rover Sport SVR. It gets an eight-speed automatic and will sprint to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds.
On the inside, it gets “diamond quilted leather seats with contrast stitching are available in four exclusive colourways, which complement the Ebony perforated leather headliner, giving an immediate impression of luxury. The front fascia and door casings feature a Grand Black veneer, with an additional Red keyline finish on the door casings. In addition, key features, such as the rotary shift controller, start stop button and pedals have a sophisticated knurled finish. Underlining its dynamic positioning, the paddle shifters are finished in anodized red (except when specified with a tan interior) while the driver’s handbook is bound in quilted leather chosen to match the interior”.
The SVAutobiograpy gets a bespoke suspension tune, including revisions to the knuckles, links, springs and dampers which lower the ride height (8mm lower than standard). Featured on Jaguars, the SVAutoibiography gets the Group’s Dynamic Response and Adaptive Dynamics which adjusts the dampers to improve body control under hard cornering
Mark Stanton, Director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, said: “The Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic has been specially developed by the Special Vehicle Operations team to deliver a more engaging driving experience. It delivers the ultimate combination of performance and Range Rover luxury, befitting its unique position in the portfolio.” Because that’s what we’ve all been crying out for, right, a castle on wheels that handles like a sports car…
