Teamspeed First Drive: 2013 Range Rover 5.0 Supercharged
The Range Rover just keeps on getting better
Text by Peter Burgess- Teamspeed European Editor

What is it? Fourth generation Range Rover goes all-aluminum for increased performance and improved economy.

Why do I care? The Range Rover is much cleverer than before, combining new levels of technology with an ambiance that’s equal to a Jaguar.

How fast is it? 5.0-liter supercharged V8, 510hp@6,000rpm, 461lb ft@2,500rpm, 0-60mph 5.1sec, 155mph vmax

How much is it? $83,500 – $130,950

We started off on the beach. It’s kinda inevitable with any Land Rover event. The company may want you to choose the new Range Rover instead of an S-Class Mercedes, but they also need you to know it’s the equal of anything that conquers the Rubicon.

So we pile off into the dunes of Essouria in Morocco, lunging at steep inclines at seemingly ludicrous speeds with the front wheels leaving the ground as we crest the top. Then down the other side at just a few miles an hour, leaving the electronics to sort out the grip and descent speed.

Jeep owners who scoff at the luxury and the idiot-proof ability of the Range Rover now have another string to their bow. Land Rover’s established Terrain Response system, whereby you twist a knob to set the vehicle up for one of five pre-conditions – snow, rocks, sand, you get the idea – has been taken to a new level. With Terrain Response 2, simply press that knob in for Auto, and it sorts out the correct setting for you.

As result, steering and keeping an eye on your speed is all the skill you need to tackle most off-road situations in the 2013 Range Rover. Yet beneath the layers of electronic automation, the driver can still explore hidden attributes, like the ability to raise the air suspension to an additional level to increase the river wading ability to a newfound 35 inches.

2013 Range Rover on the road

Over the years the Range Rover had became increasingly heavy and increasingly reliant upon brute power to provide the performance. The 2013 model is very different indeed, primarily because the structure is now entirely aluminum.

That gives a massive weight saving. 1000 pounds is the headline figure, though that’s slightly misleading and the real number is closer to 660 pounds when comparing like with like. Still, it’s a mighty useful saving.

Most world markets focus on the diesels. The popular 4.4-litre V8 gets a 10% hike in power to 335hp, allowing the 255hp 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel from the Range Rover Sport to slot in below. It’s this new model that maximizes the Range Rover’s weight saving.

The 5.0-liter gasoline V8s come in regular 375hp and supercharged 510hp. Quad cams and dual independent variable valve timing are part of the deal on both, as is a new-to-Land Rover 8-speed ZF automatic transmission.

I tried just the supercharged version, a fine engine in a fine car, punching to 60mph in 5.1 seconds and with an “optional” top speed of 155 mph. That translates to 250 kilometers an hour, a figure that Europeans, for some reason, self impose on all but supercars in a spurious attempt to appear responsible. But if you don’t talk nicely to your dealer, your new supercharged Range Rover will do just 140mph, or a mere 130mph if you go for the naturally aspirated version.

At sub-100mph speeds the new model feels decidedly more agile than before, with adaptive damping and Dynamic Response keeping it relatively flat and stable in the curves. A terrific set of Brembo brakes comes as part of the package too.

Design

The design is obviously Range Rover, but also obviously new. The roof is a touch lower, the screen raked back more, the front wheels pushed further forward. Arguably it looks less majestic but crucially it’s far more modern. The Queen might turn her nose up but Will and Kate will love it. (Charles will stick with his ancient Defender and carry on muttering to his roses).

The interior may be all new but there is a familiar, reassuringly solid fascia. Yet it has changed completely, with the button count down by almost 50%, giving a neater, more sophisticated appearance. Shoulder room seems slightly greater and there’s a useful increase in rear legroom.

The lower roof apparently doesn’t have much detrimental effect. Seat comfort in the rear is superb. Optional are Business Class seats – two plush individual armchairs with a wide centre console. They are well served with impressive climate control that’s better than most cars get for front occupants.

The issue with Business Class is that the reclining rear seats don’t fold forward, so no extension of the luggage capacity is possible. As even regular Range Rovers get reclining rear seats, Business Class demands some serious compromises. The cars we drove in Morocco all had optional Luxury Seats that were as soft and reassuring as the womb. Leather is from Bridge of Weir. It’s soft and sensuous, and with a modest application of wood and aluminum, the interior is tasteful and a full luxury class contender.

Start playing with the options list and you’ll come across the Meridian audio system that offers 29 speakers and 1,700 watts. It’s nice, though you’ll need full fat CDs rather than MP3 to really benefit.

Conclusion

You risk running into some national bias with some Brits when it comes to reviewing Range Rovers and Jaguars. Rightly they admire the virtues of these cars but they often have one or two blind spots.

For a car at this price level the satnav display simply doesn’t measure up to the quality of the German marques, and the TFT display for the speed and revs looks cheap. And if you’re after top-notch reliability, then look to Japan not Land Rover – nor Jeep for that matter.

Yet Land Rover owners are a loyal bunch who are forgiving when it come to the SUV they love. There’s no doubt there’s a hell of lot to admire about this new Range Rover. That fact that is beats most rivals – yes luxury sedans too – for its accomplished interior, and can climb mountains and wade rivers long after the Tarmac has disappeared, and goes like hell, is enough to make it a winner. You’ll feel good in the new 2013 Range Rover.

 

I am a fan. The more I look at it, the more the rear half's shape reminds me of the Original RR- i like it.

 

its bada55, very nice

 

Very nice.

It reminds me of the FJ55; Of this era of course.

 

We love our 2012 Sport Luxury. Except for the crappy radio reception.

Bet that Super charged version sounds sweet at WOT. Our does.

 

I saw one in London two weeks ago!
One of the most beautiful car in the world!

 

Headlamps are repulsive. Whole car looks too much like the Evoque IMO

 

I'd rather have a Cayenne Turbo

 

cool!!!! =))

 

Had a new CTT modded to 620hp and tq. It is a great suv in almost every regard except for a high level of luxury and comfort. It had the amenities and the burmester is by far the best, the handling is number 1 for an suv also. The negatives of it are the costs, severe wind noise, harsh ride with 21" wheels, and really not that fast in stock form (look at the mags comparing it to the X5M and ML63). At low speeds its very fast but at highway passing speeds it has too much turbo lag and not enough pull. After the mods it is insane.

I have driven the new RRSC and as all the mags are saying it really competes with Bentley and Rolls Royce in terms of ride quality and luxury. I was so amazed by now smooth and quiet it drove. The steering feel and handling was excellent and it had significant accleration at any speed with no lag (thanks supercharger). I wont argue about the looks because that is pointless, but for me it is gorgeous in person - especially the interior.

Great job to Landrover.

Expecting my delivery in Feb.