Range Rover turns 40

The Range Rover will celebrate its 40th birthday on 17 June, 2010. 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).

"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." Phil Popham, Land Rover Managing Director.

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.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Range
• Rover
• 40
• Anniversary

[saladriot]

@VTolDL1000 im sorry, the patrol isnt the 'best' offroader, the 'height' of luxury nor is it anywhere near as stylish, and the rangerover is also very contageous, my dad had 2, a classic, and p38 only ever havin the air springs cos after he went over a speed bump abit too speedy, the front susp collapsed, but that was his fault, the rangerover is one of the most significant cars in history

[gonzccs]

There´s nothign you can do better than a Range Rover!

[oarih94]

@riky95oo jeremy clarkson

[riky95oo]

@oarih94 Who?

[jamesysam002]

@VTolDL1000 Land Rover invented that segment. If Land Rover didn't think to make a Defender, or the Range Rover, then Nissan or Toyota wouldn't have copied.

[bigbossnazi]

whats the name of the song?

[alexmarkou1000]

@OneOfaKind949 hybrid- mr smith(ultimatum)

[Playerfication]

big change

[saavaa]

@FearISaWMD Last time i checked TATA isn't a country, so probably correct way of saying would be India FTW! but for me Range Rover always gonna be British, no matter who own the company.

[bananaboots989]

@qasim0004 yea, the ride is sooo smooth, and it handles offroad good as well