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Fighting fit at 40 the iconic Range Rover prepares for the future
publication date: Jun 5, 2010
Range Rover will celebrate its 40th birthday on 17
June.
One of the most significant vehicles in the history of motoring, the
Range Rover was the world's first vehicle as good on-road as off-road.
It was the first fully capable luxury 4x4 and was a milestone in the
development of the SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle).
Phil Popham, Land Rover managing director said,
"Land Rover has a unique history of product innovation.
|  | "But the Range
Rover probably remains the most historically significant vehicle we have
ever launched. It is one of the most important vehicles in the history
of motoring."
There have been three generations of Range Rover. The
original, now known as the Classic, went on sale in 1970 and continued
in production, with numerous upgrades and a multiplicity of variants,
for just over 25 years.
The second-generation vehicle, known as the P38a, went on sale in 1994
and was replaced in 2001 by the current model. The continuing success of
the Range Rover ensured that other premium makers jumped into the
booming luxury SUV market. The latest version has enjoyed higher annual
sales than any previous models and continues to be popular around the
world. Sold around the world, from London to Los Angeles, Sydney to
Shanghai, Turin to Tokyo, the Range Rover remains the ultimate choice
for the luxury SUV customer.
"The Range Rover is really four vehicles in one," says managing director
Phil Popham. "It's a seven-days-a-week luxury motor car; a leisure
vehicle that will range far and wide on the highways and noways of the
world; a high performance car for long distance travel; and a working
cross-country vehicle."
From princes to politicians, from rock gods to rock climbers, from
footballers to farmers, the Range Rover has always appealed to a diverse
group of customers.
A second model line, the Range Rover Sport, was launched in 2005, aimed
at more sports-oriented driver-focused customers. It has been a great
success, and in 2007 was Land Rover's biggest selling vehicle worldwide.
Later this year, a further member of the Range Rover family will be
added, taking the portfolio to three model lines. The new vehicle will
be smaller, lighter and more fuel efficient, tying in perfectly with the
Range Rover brand's commitment to environmental sustainability. Yet it
will be no less premium, no less luxurious, and no less special than the
other Range Rover models.
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