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Secret new model spotted on test
publication date: Dec 24, 2011
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author/source: Robin Roberts
One of the headline
grabbing new models of 2012 will be the next Range Rover due in 12 months time,
but Wheels Within Wales can give you a preview today.
The fourth generation luxury off-roader has been undergoing
trials of its powertrain and electronic systems at the famous Eastnor Estate
test centre in Malvern Hills and we spotted this mule on a public
road before it headed back to its Gaydon
base. |  |
The new Range Rover will replace the current model launched
in 2002 and is likely to be a star at the Paris motor show and then the North
American International Auto Show in Detrot in January 2013.
Land Rover is keeping very quiet about its new luxury
off-roader but its known to want to raise the price still higher than the
current model, £86,345, to maintain its exclusivity and desirability and
distance it from the Discovery.
Updated petrol and diesel engines and eight-speed automatic transmission
are being developed for the fourth generation Ranger and will incorporate fuel
saving and energy recovery systems to reduce emissions while improving economy and
there may even be a version which includes some version of hybrid drive.
At the Frankfurt show this autumn, Land Rover were talking
about their Terrain-i scanning device to warn of obstacles when off-road, Wade
Aid sonar technology to assess water depth and Land Rover Terrain Response
System, which automatically optimises the car for any environment. Expect these
to be fitted to versions of the next Range Rover.
Inside, even higher equipment levels can be expected with
supreme materials specified and a visible departure from the marine-inspired
look of the current interior. The interior designers have also worked at
increasing the room available for occupants even if the load-space is not much
more than the present car.
A Land Rover insider said, "Range Rover has always set
the standard for cars in this class and it will continue to do so with the new
model when it goes on sale."
After the runaway success of the Range Rover Evoque this
year, the prestige brand is full of confidence for its new Range Rover flagship
and it's busily developing its new Defender as well while it also works on the next
Freelander. |
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