Range Rover News

With rumors afoot about Land Rover's troubled parent (Ford) trying to sell off its "Premium Brands" including Jaguar and Land Rover, Land Rover itself is enjoying consderable sales success. Land Rover sold 26,000 vehicles around the world in September, an increase of 34% over the same month last year. FOr the year to date, sales are up more than 15% over 2006, and sales of Range Rovers are up even more. Whether or not the Land Rover division of Ford is profitable may be another matter, but its sales records at least provide a few bright spots in Ford's bleak overall outlook.

Speculation about the sale of Land Rover is coupled to that of Jaguar, since the two brands share powertrains. However, Jaguar is said to be definitely unprofitable, greatly reducing the attractiveness of the combined package to potential buyers.

Whatever happens is unlilely to bring about earth-shaking changes at Land Rover, if past history is any guide. Being bought and sold at regular intervals is a familiar experience for the company, which in recent years has been owned successively by British Leyland, British Aerospace, BMW and Ford. Ford has kept the company for an average amount of time and it is past time, based on recent history, for a new owner to come along. None of the owners has managed to lift Land Rover above the bottom of the vehicle reliability rankings, but all have improved the brand in their own way, and have certainly added to its sales success. We await with interest the arrival of the next foster parent!

October 2007
2008 Range Rover Model Year Updates Summary

Announced as early as June this year, the changes to the 2008 model year Range Rover are minor compared to the past couple of years of major updates. This time the enhancements are confined to some additional luxury features.

Four-zone air conditioning enables rear seat passengers to control their individual heating and ventilation. Special 'climate control' windscreen and side glass is now available in conjunction with automatic rain and headlight sensing. The special glass cuts infrared heat transmission into the vehicle, reducing heat build up when the vehicle is parked in the sun, allowing the air conditioning to function faster on startup.

A redesigned rear seat armrest provides extra stowage space (including a dedicated location for an optional rear seat entertainment remote control), and there is additional leather trim on the heating and ventilation unit and centre console.

There are now a total of seven real wood veneers to choose from, all sourced from sustainable forests, and additional wood veneer elements have been applied to the rear of the centre console. A matching wooden gear knob has also been introduced on some models.

Other trim details include new tread-plates and revised graphics on the touch-screen and instruments. A new interior colour is available, called Storm, as well as two new exterior colours, Alaska White and Lucerne Green, and a fresh set of "designers' choices" for recommended interior and exterior combinations. There is also a new, highly polished 20" alloy wheel design.

The Range Rover has been achieving sales records worldwide, especially since the introduction of the acclaimed TDV8 diesel engine (not available in North America). Sales in the first four months of 2007 were already 19% up worldwide over 2006.

For more details and pictures see the Model Year Details pages here on Rangerovers.net.

May 6, 2007
Range Rover Tuner Peter Cameron Dies

We are saddened to learn that Peter Cameron, founder and owner of Cameron Concepts (more recently known as Special Vehicle Concepts) passed away suddenly on Sunday April 29, 2007. His company was famous among Range Rover Owners for its high-powered supercharged versions of the vehicle.

Peter was the beloved son of Gwen, and the late Teddy of New Zealand. Survived by his wife, Marie; daughters, Ashleigh and Brittany; and young son, Teddy. Also survived by his sisters, Julia (Rex), Lauree (Ken), and Briar (Michael); and his nieces and nephews. He was an energetic entrepreneur, with a gregarious personality and zest for life -an instant friend to all that met him.

Sadly, just before his death his business (Special Vehicle Concepts) had gone through extremely hard times and had to close. As a consequence, upon his death his family lost everything and now has no financial resources, or even a home. A memorial fund has been set up for their support. Contributions may be made to the Peter Cameron Memorial Fund, Wells Fargo Bank, P.O. Box 3488, Portland, OR 97208, for the care and education of his children. For more details on his passing, his family and how to help, see this link.

May 4, 2007
Range Rover Sport Scores Highly in Owner Satisfaction

In the 2007 Consumer Reports ratings, the Range Rover Sport kept up Land Rover traditions by scoring very poorly in predicted reliability but very well in customer satisfaction. In the midsize SUV category, the RR Sport came 12th in Owner Satisfaction in a field of about 65 contenders. 76 percent of respondents said they would buy one again. This compared with 82% for the top scoring Lexus RX330 fwd, and 43% for the Volkswagen Touareg. The median score was 64%. Interestingly, all 11 vehicles ahead of the RR Sport were made by Toyota (including Lexus) or Honda (including Acura). The only other non-Japanese contender to finish in the top 25 was the BMW X5 in 24th place.

This is a considerable achievement and goes far to explain the popularity of the Range Rover Sport, which has outsold even the Discovery 3/LR3 to become Land Rover's best selling model. While the Sport is now being surpassed by its competitors in on-road performance, it os still formidable in this category and no other vehicle offers such superb pavement ability combined with the Sport's established superiority in off road performance. This is a winning combination that encourages customers to overlook higher than average reliability problems to enjoy the unique capabilities of Land Rover vehicles.

April 2007
NHTSA Begins Investigation of Range Rover Front Diff Failures

The NHTSA has begun an investigation of the epidemic of front diff failures that have occured on 2003 and up Range Rovers. It is common knowledge that many if not most of the Range Rovers produced in 2002-2004 have had to have their front driveshafts and diffs replaced due to excessive wear, or in some cases catastrophic failure. (See the common problems and fixes page of Rangerovers.net for many owner reports of the problem). Due to the small number of owners who have taken the trouble to report the problem to the authorities, it has only recently come to the attention of the US government body charged with investigating such problems.

The problem appears to be caused by the lack of a flexible joint on the front end of the front driveshaft. The splines become excessively worn and stripped on the front end of the driveshaft, eventually resulting in catastrophic failure, immobilizing the vehicle and usually requiring replacement of both the driveshaft and the front diff. (For more details of the mechanics of the problem, see the Rangerovers.net RR III Front Diff Problems & Solutions page). In 2006 Land Rover changed the design to include such a joint, apparently eliminating the problem. However on the 2003-2005 models no such cure has yet been implemented, except by an aftermarket source, Rover3 Drivelines, who have stepped into the vacuum and made available a redesigned driveshaft for these earlier models.

Rangerovers.net began learning of the front driveshaft and diff problems soon after the new model was introduced. Aside from the numerous reports on the common problems and fixes page, an informal poll of forum members with Mk III Range Rovers indicated that about 40% had experienced the problem. Discussions with dealer service personnel indicate the problem is even more pervasive. In an effort to cure the problem, Land Rover implemented a succession of solutions based on realignment of the front diff, implementing service campaigns to inspect and realign them under warranty. These campaigns apparently sufficed to carry most of the affected vehicles through the end of the warranty period, but recurrences continued and many owners are now on their second, third or fourth diffs. And, for those whose warranty has expired, Land Rover seems to have ceased paying for the necessary repairs.

If you have more information about the NHTSA investigation, please email me. Meanwhile, if you have experienced the front diff failure problem, you can report it to the NHTSA at this link.

August 6, 2006

Range Rover and LR3 Rated "Least Reliable" Luxury Vehicles

A new "top ten" compilation by Forbes Magazine, using data from both Consumer Reports and J. D. Power, rates the LR3 and the latest 2006 Range Rover as the least reliable luxury vehicles sold in the US. This will come as no surprise to many owners of the new Jaguar-engined Range Rover which seems to be plagued by significantly more problems than its BMW-engined predecessor. Consumer Reports usually refers to models with the lowest reliability scores as "less reliable than average," but in October 2005 it described the LR3 and Range Rover as flat-out "unreliable." J.D. Power gives the 2006 Range Rover below average ratings for all its manufacturing quality categories -- mechanical manufacturing quality, body and interior manufacturing quality, and feature and accessory manufacturing quality.

Most problem reports we have received at Rangerovers.net are not disabling, but are quite annoying to owners who have paid somewhere between $70,000 and $100,000 for a new Range Rover and expect it to be reliable transportation. The frequent problems are also rather embarrassing in a vehicle that is supposed to be suitable for expeditions in the remote backcountry. Systems such as the air suspension, which are most likely to disable the vehicle off road, are among the least field-repairable of any vehicle, since even if a failed spring is replaced the vehicle remains on its bump stops as its computer cannot be reset without a trip to the dealer. Good luck getting a flatbed truck to take you to the nearest dealer when you are halfway up the Rubicon Trail!

Land Rover is undoubtedly aware of its longstanding quality image problem, and keeps saying it is striving to overcome it. Although its record has improved somewhat in the years since the Ford takeover, its competitors have improved more, leaving it stuck at the bottom of the heap. The latest substantially new Land Rover vehicle, the new Freelander, is to be produced at the Jaguar factory rather than the traditional quality-plagued Land Rover one in Solihull, so it will be interesting to see if this ploy serves to improve reliability. With overhanging issues like the continuing unresolved premature front differential failures on 2003-2005 Range Rovers, and the new spate of problems with the new Jaguar-derived drivetrains in the 2006 models, the Rover reputation will unfortunately persist for some years to come even if it miraculously starts producing reliable vehicles today.

Meanwhile, if you purchase or own a Land Rover product, whether new or used, make sure you get the longest possible Extended Warranty!

May 24, 2006
2007 Range Rover Facelift Preview

(Pictures: Official Land Rover press photos)

Land Rover has just released some press photos of the 2007 Range Rovef facelift. The big news is the all-new TDV8 Diesel, developing nearly as much power (272 bhp) and much more torque (472 ft lb) than the petrol/gasoline V8s. The new diesel does 0-60 mph in about 8 seconds (quicker than the 2003-2005 petrol V8) while maintaining the same fuel economy as the outgoing diesel (25.1 mpg combined average). Top Speed is limited to 124mph.

The new 90 degree V8 is 3630cc with 32 valves, twin turbos, twin camshafts and is rated as one of the world's quietest and smoothest diesels. It will probably be available everywhere except the US, where emissions regulations are too strict.

A redesigned dash and cabin trim are part of the package, even though the original RR III interior was an award winner. The new dash looks slightly more cluttered, with the ignition switch moved up on to the dash, the loudspeaker on the top of the dash replaced by air vents, and more switches. A nice Range Rover logo also graces the passenger side of the dash, with twoi gloveboxes controlled by electric switches. 2007 RR

The air conditioning system is said to be improved (it certainly has more vents), and there is an option of cooled front seats. The center console is modified with the gearshifter moved slightly to the left, making room for a new storage container to its right. Wood trim is added to the sides of the console. Also new are the controls for the "Terrain Response" system that is handed down from theDisco 3 / LR3.

Other hand-me-downs from the existing Disco3/LR3 and Sport models include the electrically locking rear diff.

Exterior (see official Land Rover press photo at right) appearance remains the same.

May 2006
Range Rover Sport Outsells Discovery/LR3

The latest Land Rover sales figures for April 2006 indicate that the Range Rover Sport is easily outselling the so-called LR3 in the US (known as the Discovery 3 worldwide). The sporty Sport has special appeal to the well-heeled younger set -- a recent poll on the Rangerovers.net forum indicates that more than half of Sport owners are in the 20-35 age group. During the month of April 2006, Land Rover sold 1,548 Sports, compared to 1,254 Disco3/LR3's and 929 Range Rovers.

Interestingly, while sales of the "real" Range Rover are at an all-time high, sales of the Disco 3/LR3 are down 35% from a year ago, suggesting that the Sport has taken a lot of sales away from the LR3.

January 2006
Range Rover Mayfair Limo New Range Rover Mayfair Limo

Stratstones of Mayfair, London, are introducing a new Limo version of the Range Rover. It uses the supercharged engine, and is stretched 300 or 600 mm beyond normal length. Armoured versions are also available. According to the Stratstones press release, features include

· Enhanced exterior styling

· Full length panoramic glass roof

· Exclusive interior styling

· Electric reclining aircraft style rear seats

· Fridge

· Business/personal audio visual systems (Wi-Fi)TV/DVD

· Engraving/embossing to the interior trim.

· Armouring to level B6 and above, available on request.

A pdf file of photos is available at http://rangerovers.net/custom/Mayfairpics.pdf The launch is being held at Stratstones of Mayfair, Land Rover Dealership, London. UK on Monday 30th January 2006 at 6.30pm.; if you would like an invitation, email Alan Pulsford and tell him you came from Rangerovers.net.

Nokian SUV tire January 2006
Nokian to Make Tires in Range Rover Sizes

I have always thought it odd that no all-terrain tires are available for the new Range Rover, a vehicle that is supposedly designed for all terrains. The stock tires supplied with the vehicle are rated even by the manufacturer (Goodyear) as 5 out of 10 in off road ability. Even winter snow & ice choices are relatively few, and non-existent in the 255/55R19 size most commonly found on Range Rovers. On Nokian's website there is a solicitation asking what sizes people would like them to produce, so I sent in an inquiry regarding the 255/50R19 that is standard on most Range Rovers. They recently informed me that their intention is to start making this size very soon. They already make their "SUV" pattern in in all sizes used by the Range Rover Sport, and in the 255/60R18 size used on base model RRs in many markets
.
Photo: Nokian Hakkapeliitta SUV tires, courtesy of Nokian

See the Range Rover III Tire & Wheel page for more information on tire choices for the new RR.

January 2006
Range Rover Sport Runner-Up in "Four Wheeler of the Year"

Four Wheeler magazine's annual "Four Wheeler of the Year" competition this year included the RR Sport, Hummer H3, Jeep Commander, Suzuki Vitara and Toyota Land Cruiser. The Toyota came out with top honors, with the Range Rover Sport as runner-up.

The Sport did well on the pavement sections of the test, although it only registered a 10.48 second 0-60 time, about the same as a Classic RR could do with the standard 3.9 litre engine 17 years ago. Where it lost points relative to the Toyota was in off-road testing, mainly due to sidewall destruction on its very unsuitable low profile tires (255/55R19 on 19x9 rims), its harsh ride when the suspension is put into high profile, and the "steep learning curve" of the "terrain response" system. The Toyota also had better ground clearance and wheel articulation. The editors opined that they might just have given the Sport the nod if they had been given the Supercharged version and stouter tires.

October 2005
G4 Range Rover Sport Range Rover Sport to Participate in
2006 G4 Challenge

At the Frankfurt Motor Show, the G4 Challenge versions of the Discovery 3 (called LR3 in US) and Range Rover Sport were unveiled. The winch-equipped Range Rover Sport is pictured at right and at top of page in official Land Rover press release photos. (Photo at top of page is on a scouting expedition for the event). The G4-equipped Sport also has Goodyear 255/55R19 MT/R mud terrain tires, skid plates, an expedition roof rack, and rocker panel guards, all of which will become official Range Rover Sport accessories. The Sport is surprisingly adept off road, as witnessed in our recent Rangerovers.net off-road test drive. Each G4 vehicle is also equipped with a kayak and bicycle, since this event is a multi-modal affair which tests the contestants' endurance and skill in more than just off-roading.

For those who don't remember, the G4 Challenge is the 21st century replacement for the Camel Trophy, which was the ultimate serious off-road endurance event. The difference is that the G4 is somewhat watered down and a bit more "Politically Correct", not being sponsored by a cigarette company. Not being a pure off-road event, it generally lacks the extreme four wheeling that characterized the Camel Trophy. As part of its new-found PC flavor, it includes fitness and physical endurance tests involving rock climbing, kayaking and bicycling. Also in contrast to the Camel Trophy, different parts of the event are held in different venues around the world. To appeal to the spandex warriors who tend to donate heavily to organizations trying to close down off-roading, each G4 Challenge vehicle (there are over 130 altogether in the fleet) has a kayak and a bicycle on the roof.

The G4 Challenge was inaugurated in 2003, when the new Range Rover was the star of the show. For the 2006 event, the Range Rover Sport will be the contestants' vehicle in the Thailand and Laos segments of the competition, likely to include some of the toughest off-road segments. (The Freeloader will be used in Rio de Janeiro and the Discovery 3/LR3 in Bolivia). More information on the event is available on the official G4 Challenge website.

July 2005
Land Rover 2nd to Last in Dependability Among All Vehicles,
and 3rd to Last in Initial Quality

Land Rover scored worse than all other vehicles except Kia in the 2005 JD Power Vehicle Dependability Survey. In the more familiar JD Power Initial Quality Study (IQS), Land Rover came third to last for the 2005 model year.

The Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) measures the number of problems over a 3 year period. Thus, the 2005 VDS covers the 2002 model year. In the words of the JD Power press release (June 29, 2005), ""While the Initial Quality Study [IQS], which measures problems experienced in the first 90 days of ownership, can be an indicator of how models will perform over time, our studies consistently show that long-term durability is a tremendously important factor to consumers," said Chance Parker, executive director of product and research analysis at J.D. Power and Associates. "As the number of problems owners experience with their vehicles increases, repurchase intent and the number of recommendations owners will make to others decreases. The study also finds that long-term durability can have a significant impact on a vehicle’s retained value.""

In the 2005 VDS, Land Rover owners reported 395 problems per 100 vehicles, narrowly beaten for the bottom spot by Kia with 397. The most dependable brand was Lexus with 139, and the industry average was 237. In the 2005 Initial Quality Study, Land Rover was beaten for dead last by Mazda and Suzuki, but managed to achieve 149 reported problems per 100 vehicles compared to 81 at top-scoring Lexus.

The dependability results are particularly embarrassing for a maker of vehicles designed to be taken into the outback, far from the nearest dealer or mechanic. Ironically, Land Rover continues to advertize its vehicles as suitable for remote expeditions while neglecting to make them either reliable or repairable in the field. A prime example is the famous electronic air suspension system -- when a problem occurs, the computer goes into "hard fault" mode and the vehicle sinks to the bump stops. Even if the cause of the problem (such as a pierced air spring bellows) is fixed on the trail, the owner cannot reset the fault without the expensive computer test equipment used by the dealer, so the vehicle remains on the bump stops, effectively bringing an end to the off-road expedition. It would be very simple to provide a means of resetting such faults in the field after repairs are made, but even the latest models show no such facility, making owners wonder if they are only suitable for off-road expeditions at the demonstration course on the dealer lot, or within a very short distance of it!

In view of Land Rover's class-beating off-road prowess, it is unfortunate that its higher likelihood of breakdown compared to other 4x4s, coupled with its built-in computerized barriers to repairability, make remote off-road expeditions in a Land Rover more of a challenge than for other brands.

April 2005
Range Rover Sport Nears Launch

An avalanche of details is now becoming available as the new Range Rover Sport model approaches its projected June 2005 on sale date. Of course, you can already order one, and many people have (over 3,000 so far in the UK). Pricing has been announced and will be as follows:

UK: Turbo Diesel Model (2.7 liter V6)                                    £34,995
4.4 Liter V8 Model (ie Discovery engine)                        £44,885
    4.2 litre supercharged model                                             £57,495

US: HSE Model (4.4 liter 300 HP V8 Discovery/LR3 engine) $56,750
Supercharged Model (4.2 liter 390 HP V8) $69,750

Levels of trim will probably vary according to market. In the US, all models will have DVD-based touch-screen navigation, bi-xenon headlights, sunroof, and a Harman/Kardon LOGIC7 audio system. The basic models will have 19 inch alloy wheels, while the supercharged models will have 20-inch wheels, a different grille, different seating surfaces, power vents, chrome exhaust extension, Dynamic Response, Brembo front brakes, adaptive front lighting, the cold climate package, and black-on-silver badging.

Several further details that may not have been clear earlier are now available. While the Sport shares the combined body and frame construction used on the new Discovery (called the LR3 in the US in an apparent effort to shed the Discovery's reputation for unreliability), its wheelbase is 6 inches shorter and the body is smaller overall. Normally, the shorter wheelbase would improve off-road performance, but the stance has been lowered to improve on-road performance, reducing off-road ground clearance and breakover angles.

The same Terrain Response system introduced on the Discovery is used, augmented for on-road use by a Dynamic Response system that intervenes to save your life when a wheel threatens to lift off the pavement while negotiating a bend at 130 mph. The system is pretty advanced, sensing cornering forces and acting on the anti-sway bars to improve body control in corners; the bars are decoupled on the straights for greater ride comfort and off-road for maximum wheel articulation -- another advance in Range Rover suspension design innovation. The Dynamic Stability Control system is also manually switchable.

In an initial road test., the ride was reported to be a bit firm and fidgety on poor surfaces, indicating that the engineers have not yet mastered the art of providing the velvet ride quality of the Classic in an updated form, but this model is clearly aimed at the sports enthusiast who probably will not mind. Off-road ability, while possibly compromised by the low ground clearance, is still sufficient to leave the competitors (in this case the BMW X5 and its ilk) stuck in the ditch.

Rangerovers.net now has a new section on this new model with some interesting pictures and details of the mechanical design, driver controls, performance etc -- see the new Range Rover Sport page.

February 2005
Land Rover Spins Off Older Genuine Parts Operation:
"Classic Parts" Program Launched

Throughout 2004 we were hearing rumors about the discontinuation of genuine parts supplies for older Land Rovers and Range Rovers, including the Classic. This was a huge shock for owners used to knowing they could rely on long-term parts support for their Rovers. Ford apparently wanted to drop support for all models more than about 8 years old, as is customary in "run-of-the-mill" US car companies. Most US cars don't last much longer than that before going to the wreckers anyhow, and most owners of older models do not go to the dealer network or generate profits for the parent company.

Surprisingly for a company that seems to understand brand values like Ford does, it apparently did not realize that part of the attraction of the Land Rover brand is the tradition of vehicle longevity, which cannot be separated from long-term parts availability. While Land Rovers are notoriously needy of service and parts, one of the few logical reasons to own one has always been its basic longevity and the long term availability of parts for even the very oldest models. (As noted elsewhere on this site, if Land Rover steadily strips away the real reasons for owning a Land Rover, it will be left competing on such factors as price, performance, fuel economy and build quality where it is clearly inferior).

The internal debate on the parts issue evidently led Ford to compromise somewhat. What finally happened in October, 2004 was that Land Rover UK and NA spun off the genuine parts operation for "older" Land Rovers to Unipart (the well-known parts manufacturer/supplier in the UK). Under the deal signed with Land Rover, Unipart is taking over the manufacture and distribution of all genuine parts for Range Rover Classic as well as Euro-spec Discoveries through 1994. Most likely, US spec. Discovery I vehicles will soon be added to this line as well. Ford is calling the Unipart line the Land Rover Classic Parts (LRCP) program.

As the dust has started to settle, the meaning of all this is slowly coming into focus. For starters, LR UK has deleted all RR Classic parts from its database and technical information. Dealers cannot order the parts through Land Rover UK or LRNA any longer, but have to order them through Unipart. For UK dealers this is an inconvenience, but for US and overseas dealers it is only possible if they set up a separate account with Unipart in the UK and import parts by their own container freight arrangements. To further madden the dealers, when the program started, the only thing Unipart had in stock was a parts catalog CD for the line - (but no parts!) and dealers, who carry very little parts stock on hand, do not like the importing via container arrangements! Because of pressure from dealers who are still servicing Range Rover Classics, Unipart and Land Rover North America will most likely work out some compromise to ease this situation (if you hear about what happens, please email me).

Naturally, the advertising gurus at Land Rover have been putting a positive spin on all these developments, with press announcements such as the one at
http://www.classiccar.net/npps/story.cfm?ID=78, trumpeting the program as if it is a new enhancement to guarantee eternal parts support for their loyal customers, rather than a scheme to get rid of a supposedly less profitable section of its parts operation.

Rovers North and British Pacific are official suppliers for the "new" Classic parts line, while other US parts suppliers are taking their own active steps to ensure that owners of older vehicles will get continuing parts support even for the oldest models. For example, Atlantic British has announced its own branded parts line called Atlantic British Legacy Parts. These will include genuine parts, quality aftermarket parts, and performance upgrade parts.

If you have any information to help readers understand the evolving parts situation for older Range Rovers, please email me. If we publish it here are happy to keep your name confidential if you prefer.

January 2005
2006 Range Rover Details Released

Land Rover has released pictures of the 2006 Range Rover, showing some striking new exterior details -- front grille and bumper, power vents, lamps and wheels -- and the long-awaited heart transplant from Jaguar in two versions, a knock-off of the Discovery/LR3 4.4 litre engine for the base model, and a 400 HP supercharged 4.2 litre version more worthy of a Range Rover. (Photos are Official Land Rover press pictures). The new model is expected to be on sale starting in about April of 2005, depending on market, continuing the tradition of model year exaggeration that Land Rover has sometimes adopted in recent times.

Both engines use a new torque-based engine management system that, together with drive-by-wire throttle control and variable camshaft phasing (on the normally-aspirated model), continually adjusts the engine to optimize performance, fuel economy and emissions. Due to the increased sophistication, the new engines should provide better fuel economy than the outgoing adaptation of the BMW 7-series V-8.

Range Rover 2006 interior Along with the new engines are some cosmetic changes, with a new front bumper design, new headlamps (which swivel when you turn the wheels, like the old Citroen DS21) and taillights, a slightly different front grille and revised power vents with three vents instead of two. . There are also additional color combinations, and the inevitable revision in the style of the 19 inch alloy wheels. The supercharged models also get a special mesh design on the grille and power vents (as shown on the photo above), 20-inch alloy wheels, and special black-on-silver badges.

Other changes under the skin include "sharper steering, crisper braking performance". The air suspension is said to be "improved", although it is not clear what has been changed as yet. There is more sound deadening, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. A rear-view camera projects directly to the front-fascia screen, and the driver can use touch-screen control for audio, phone and off-road driving information. In an effort to catch up with the aftermarket suppliers, there is also an available rear-seat entertainment package with a six-disc DVD changer, twin screens and headphone pods that are all fully integrated with the vehicle's sound system. If the interior photos are anything to go by, it looks as if the last remaining vestiges of wood have been removed.

The updated model will be officially unveiled at the North American International Auto Show. It and the Range Rover Sport (see below) will be available in North America in the summer of 2005. For spy pictures, see this link. For more information and photos on Rangerovers.net, see the Mk III Range Rover page.

December 4004
2005 Range Rover Model Updates

While we await the major drivetrain changes expected in mid-2005 as 2006 models, some minor updates have appeared in the 2005 model. These mainly involve the navigation system and associated components, as follows:

Voice-activated DVD-based navigation system
4x4 Driver interface
Touch Screen interface
Upgraded harman/kardon® LOGIC7™ surround sound
M.O.S.T.® Fiber-Optic System
Integrated telephone system with Bluetooth™ capability

The copper wiring network that supports the information and entertainment features has now been replaced with a new fiber-optic harness called "MOST" or Media Oriented Systems Transport. This interconnects the GPS navigation with the security system, the car telephone with the entertainment system so it will mute when a call is received, etc. The nav/entertainment system now uses a touch-sensitive VGA screen with 3.5 times higher resolution than the LCD screen it replaced. The GPS system is now voice activated and DVD-based, with a single DVD covering the entire US. It augments GPS signals with dead-reckoning and map-matching techniques when the vehicle loses sight of the GPS satellites. The off-road mode guides you to your destination by degrees and keeps track of where you’ve been by setting trace points which can be followed when returning to your start point.

4x4 Driver Interface: In addition to the usual trip computer functions such as fuel consumption, tank range, average speed and the like, the 2005 system has a 4X4 Driver Interface that graphically displays vehicle settings and positions, such as the angle of the front wheels, the suspension setting and direction of travel. Knowing front wheel position is especially useful when slogging through deep mud ruts.

The harman/kardon® LOGIC7™ surround sound system has 14 speakers using 710 watts of amplification. The six-disc CD changer in the glovebox can play MP3 discs as well. The system can be controlled by voice command, steering wheel controls or the touch screen. The personal telephone integration system allows owners to use their own mobile phone in the car either via an integrated cradle or with the wireless convenience of Bluetooth™ technology.

On US models, the three existing options remain in place:
Heated Accessories Package (heated front and rear seats, an integrated ski bag, and heated steering wheel)
Luxury Interior Package (includes Heated Accessories Package plus 16-way adjustable contour seats & upgraded dashboard, door pull and cubby box lid leather)
Optional 20" alloy wheels with a full-size spare.

As before, there are two wood finishes and six leather colors. American cherry or burled walnut wood can be paired with a multiple of leather choices including: Parchment, Navy, Ivory, Aspen, Sand and Charcoal. For the exterior, Tonga Green replaces Epsom Green and the remaining colors carry over, so the choices are Java Black, Giverny Green, Zambezi Silver, Chawton White, Adriatic Blue, Tonga Green, Alveston Red, Maya Gold and Bonnati Grey.

The MSRP is $73,750. Pricing for the 2005 Westminster will be $86,000 excluding taxes, title and license fees.

Range Rover Sport

November 2004
Range Rover Sport??

It seems like it is now official -- everyone knew Land Rover was working on something based on the "Range Stormer" concept vehicle, and now the official company website has pictures of it, under the moniker of "Range Rover Sport". (To see the pictures, go to Landrover.com and click on "Something New is Coming". Ron Beckett also discovered an article about it that came out November 26th on msn.cars; see this link for the article and pictures. (Picture at right is from one of the official photos, Copyright by Land Rover)

From the information available so far it appears that the new model, to be introduced in mid 2005, will look a lot like a Range Rover Mk III, but will be based mostly on the new Discovery/LR3 platform, using the same 4.4 liter Jag-derived engine. An option will be a supercharged 4.2 liter version producing 385 HP, also to be used in the 2006 Range Rover (see above). This is probably the engine destined for the genuine Range Rover as soon as the contracts for the current BMW-derived engine run out (probably 2006). It will be priced in between the Discovery and the Range Rover, and use some Range Rover-class luxury trim and features mixed in with cheaper plastic parts from the Discovery/LR3.

The RR Sport, as the name suggests, will emphasize on-road performance, but will retain the push button Terrain Response off-road system from the Discovery/LR3. The company claims it will have off road capability "better than any competitor", but since the new model is designed to compete with "soft road" ski field parking lot pretenders like the BMW X3 & X5, Porsche Cayenne and Mercedes ML, the bar is pretty low.

We were hoping Land Rover would not use the Range Rover name on something with less than superior off road capabilities -- if they did it would debase the Range Rover name in the same way the Freelander did with the Land Rover name. It remains to be seen whether this will be the case, but let's hope the Range Rover Sport is not another step in that direction. Hopefully, it will retain the full off road capability of the original -- otherwise PLEASE Land Rover Call it Something Else!!!

November 2004
Will Discovery 3 / LR3 Impact RR Sales?

For the third time in a row, Land Rover has come out with a new Discovery model that borrows heavily from Range Rover technology, and does so good a job of it that it exceeds the level of power and (in some ways) sophistication of the original. The new model is so good that it recently won the Motor Trend SUV of the Year award. All the key features of the new Mk III Range Rover are there -- including the independent air suspension with cross-coupling for improved off road traction and ride. Embarrassingly for Land Rover and for Range Rover owners, the new Jaguar-derived V8 engine has more power than a Range Rover. The LR3 is still somewhat lacking in some aspects such as ground clearance, and does not come close to matching the Range Rover in attractiveness of design, but its pricing level in between the old Discovery II and the Range Rover places it in an interesting niche, competing against other luxury SUVs. It will be interesting to see if some potential Range Rover buyers will plump for the Discovery 3 / LR3. Conversely, a lot of potential Discovery buyers may be put off by the higher pricing and go for a J**p Grand Cherokee instead! Don't be surprised if a new model turns up to fill the gap now opened up in the medium priced segment. Meanwhile, we can assume Land Rover is working feverishly to put more power into the Range Rover so it won't continue to be outclassed by its cheaper sibling.

June 2004
Range Rover Wins On/Off Road SUV Comparison Test

The Range Rover is back to its old ways, winning magazine off road comparison tests. In the July issue of Motor Trend, the vehicle is compared to the other full size luxury SUVs -- the Lincoln Navigator, Lexus LS470, and Infiniti QX56, in a test that includes running the dunes and crawling the rocky trails in Death Valley. The Range Rover won hands down, in a unanimous vote of the testers. One of them, Mark Williams, writes "Pretty damn amazing on gravel and dirt roads, and when pushed on pavement, it feels smooth and locked down. Getting such outstanding ride and handling performance from a hulking SUV is a stunning feat of engineering". The testers found that "when the pavement gives way to boulder-strewn canyons, the Rover marches on utterly unperturbed." As Williams stated, "any time I find myself in butterflies-in-the-stomach driving situations, I want the Range Rover".

May 2004
Feedback to Solihull: Please Make EAS More Field Recoverable

We ave been receiving a steady stream of complaints from owners of the new 2003 and up Range Rovers about their air suspensions collapsing to the bump stops and leaving them stranded. This pathetic scenario is reminiscent of the same situation that happens with monotonous regularity on previous Range Rover models, and we were hoping that Land Rover would realize this is not acceptable on a vehicle designed for off road use in remote areas. One owner in Africa had to drive literally hundreds of miles to the nearest dealer to get the computer reset. It has happened to me twice in Nevada, 400 miles from home and 200 from the nearest dealer. Please, Land Rover, provide us with a manual means of resetting the EAS computer when we replace an air spring or fix the EAS problem. Or provide us with some other way to get around the embarrassment of having to abort our off road trips and drive home on the bump stops.

January 2004
"Range Stormer" Concept Car at Detroit Motor Show

The first ever Land Rover concept car is to debut at the Detroit Motor Show. Named the "Range Stormer" for the purpose of the car show, the vehicle is intended as a definite preview of an additional model line. From the photos available so far, it looks like a road-biased model, with better off road ability than the average all-wheel drive vehicle but not intended as a serious off-roader. Some hopeful signs are a return to a separate chassis rather than a monocoque design, and use of a Jaguar-based supercharged V8 engine that has been optimized for low speed torque and running at off-camber angles. Also featured is a new variant of the air suspension used on the Range Rover -- with so-called "Terrain Response" technology developed by Land Rover, allowing selection of six different "terrain settings". The normal setting is for ordinary driving, while "dynamic" is for high speed or winding sealed highways. Other settings include "sand", deep ruts", "rocks" and "grass/gravel/snow". The more highway-biased features include 22 inch wheels with custom Goodyear tires (yet another model that it will be hard to find tires for).

The new model may be a harbinger of efforts by the owners at Ford to capitalize on the Land Rover brand to produce more high sales volume models, but if the brand name is identified with ski field parking lot posers it will inevitably be weakened in the long run. If the new vehicle is not a Class A off-roader, the use of the word "Range" in the name is of concern as it could seriously weaken the Range Rover image. If, indeed, the new model is to be highway-biased and follow in the footsteps of the Freelander, we hope Land Rover gives this model line a name that clearly distinguishes it from the real off-road models it has traditionally produced, in order not to dilute the Land Rover and Range Rover brand names. Use of the word "Free" in the name would be a possible alternative.

More details and a photo are available at this link.

July 2003
Land Rover Scores Second-to-Last in JD Powers Initial Quality Survey

The latest JD Powers survey of initial vehicle quality (July 2003) placed the Land Rover nameplate at the second to the bottom of the list in initial quality, with 190 problems reported per 100 vehicles during the first 90 days of ownership. The top rated Lexus brand scored 76 per 100 vehicles. (For a report on the survey in USA Today see this link, and for the rankings of nameplates see this link. This is an all-too-familiar result, but it is interesting to note that the Ford-owned Jaguar brand is now comfortably in the top half of the rankings. This gives room for hope that the situation at Land Rover will improve under Ford ownership. Indeed, a recent visitor to the factory in Solihull reports that much more up-to-date statistical quality control measures are now in place on the assembly line, compared to an earlier visit several years ago when quality control amounted to patching up problems after assembly. One thing is for sure -- if you are at the bottom of the list, the only way you can go is up!

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