First photo with fourth-gen Range Rover

2013 Range Rover

This is the first photo of the upcoming fourth generation of the Range Rover. The British magazine Autocar has managed to find out how the new Range Rover will look like, before going on sale in early 2013. The vehicle is currently undergoing some tests before it will officially replace the current model. With the launch of the fourth-gen, Land Rover is bringing the most significant technical leap in the car’s 42-year history due to the reason that it now features an aluminum monocoque platform.

The new Range Rover is going to be more expensive than the current generation, so expect to find a starting price of approximately 65,000 pounds, while the top-spec model will set you back about 120,000 pounds. As far as the design is concerned, there aren’t that many changes in comparison to the current version, but it doesn’t feel that boxy as the version you see on the roads today. The nose of the SUV is now inclined rearwards while the stand-off bumpers have been removed in favor of a smoother design.

We should find the distinctive gill vents found on the third version, while the headlights are partially wrapped onto the car’s body side in a rather unusual styling. At the back, the Range Rover’s light clusters are now slimmer.

The car’s new lightweight platform uses the technology that Jaguar developed for the XJ, the pressed-and-riveted technology which is going to shave off about 400kg from the curb weight of the vehicle. According to various sources, if the new version of the Range Rover will be fitted with the new generation of the V6 gasoline engine that is developed by JLR, the lightest version of the new Range Rover will be able to weigh less than two tones. However, there isn’t any certain info regarding the power unit lineup of the upcoming Range Rover.

The British automaker is also developing a hybrid version of the new Range Rover which will use a new V6 engine linked to an electric motor. This model is scheduled to arrive towards the last part of 2013 and will have CO2 emissions of only 150 g/km, according to sources.

Inside the cabin we should find a similar leather-covered interior with the double-decker dashboard theme, along with just about the same look for the heater controls, column stalks and the design of the steering wheel. The most significant change will be that the instruments are going to be displayed on a TFT display while the center console is going to be occupied by a large touchscreen display. We should also expect for more room for the rear passengers since the current generation of the Range Rover has been criticized for being too cramped, even though it is a luxury vehicle.

Source: Autocar.co.uk