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We take the new the new mk IV Range Rover out into the desert and mountains of Morocco to put it through its paces
The mk IV Range Rover is a thing of simplistic beauty. Its clean lines wrap a simple, clean, practical shape in some rather fine clothes. Its look gives the car an elegance that can easily appeal to all, rather than overblown chintz destined only for the super-rich.
The car's designer, Gerry McGovern, had a tough job to do. Owners of the previous car wanted the new one to be essentially the same as the L322, but slightly better. One mistake, one slip, and he could have dropped Land Rover in some serious trouble.
It's a good thing he didn't then, isn't it? As well as ensuring the exterior is neat and tidy, Gerry kept the interior pleasingly simple. The preceding Range's interior was over encumbered with buttons and the like -- now it's largely operated from a touch screen, keeping the lines nice and clean.
Making the Range Rover larger also means that the new car has more space in the rear for people with legs -- something the old car was missing.
All of that, however, matters very little. What really matters is how it drives...
Very, very well. The Range is still the SUV Supreme; its comfortable on road, capable off road and, if you spec the right engine, punishingly fast.
Interior noise was benchmarked against the likes of the Bentley Flying Spur and the Rolls Phantom, so it's very quiet. Its speed, should you choose the 5.0-litre supercharged option (because why not?) is... unnerving. Nothing that size should cover ground quite as well as the Range Rover does. I'm told that it was clocked at 180mph on a test circuit, too. So its supersaloon quiet and supercar (ish) fast on road. Off road? It's everything you expect a Range Rover to be as the video will show you.
The tech side of things allows it to be so special, but the simple engineering of the thing is incredible. Its bodyshell weighs as much as a BMW 3-Series, which means its light. So light, in fact that it uses ¾ of the fuel its predecessor supped. Smart.
Give the Range to an experienced off roader and they'll show you things you didn't think were possible. Give it to a novice and it'll amaze them with what they never dreamed
they could get away with.
McGovern said that the Range Rover had to be comfortable at the Opera or the Outback. He made sure it is, too.
Specs
Range Rover
Engine: 5.0-litre Supercharged V8
Power: 510bhp
Torque: 461lb ft
0-60mph: 5.1seconds
Top speed: 140mph
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