Land Rover Range Rover
First-generation Range Rover
The Range Rover is the top luxury SUV model of Land Rover. The Range Rover was developed from the Defender chassis as a plush estate wagon. The vehicle proved
popular in the UK and elsewhere in the world. However, prior to 1987, Land Rover vehicles were not sold in America. In the summer
of that year, the Land Rover company began selling the Range Rover in the USA. From that time until 1993, the US marketing was
all in the name of Range Rover - they were a one-product company. In 1993, with the arrival of the Defender 110 and the imminent
arrival of the Discovery, the company changed its name to Land Rover USA.
From its inception, the Range Rover has been one of the most luxurious sport utility vehicles. However, all Range Rover models
are also extremely capable off-road.
History
The first generation Range Rover was introduced in 1970. Improvements compared to the
"Series" model include constant four-wheel-drive through a
lockable centre differential, all-coil
suspension, disc brakes on all wheels, and a 3.5 L aluminum Rover V8 engine. The vehicle was built on a
steel ladder frame, and most body panels were aluminium.
It was introduced to the US in 1987, where it is known as an SUV (sport utility vehicle).
A second generation Range Rover - the P38 - was introduced for the 1995 model year, with an updated version of the Rover V8 engines. The new model was even more luxurious, and incorporated new
engine management (smoother and more powerful), improved air suspension, stronger chassis and added luxuries.
In 2002 a third generation was introduced which saw the model move further up-market.
Range Rovers now come with BMW M62 V8 gasoline and 6-cylinder diesel engines (a
legacy of Land Rover being owned by BMW when the third generation Range Rover was being
developed), although only the V8 gasoline is offered in North America. The last model has improved ground clearance and
cross-linked air springs. This time, a monocoque body was chosen, with many design cues from the original model. On 26 November 2004, Land Rover released the first
photographs of the Range Rover Sport, a Range Rover variant it planned to show to the public for the first time at the
2005 North American International Auto Show. (The photographs showed an example with a
red-painted body.)
Among enthusiasts, the original model is known as the Classic, the second generation is known as the P38A and the last
generation is known as the L322 or just "new Range Rover".
In 1972 the British Trans-Americas Expedition became the first vehicle-based expedition to traverse both American continents
north-to-south, including traversing the infamous roadless Darien Gap.
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