One of the headline grabbing new models of 2012 will be the next Range Rover due in 12 months time, but we 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 camouflaged mule on a public road close to the Land Rover workshops 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 told BCM, “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.