Test drive Land Rover Range Rover 2002 - 2005 SUV

The servant of your Majesty

The door slammed silently, with turning the key, the steering wheel and the seat themselves took a previously tuned position, a land rover screensaver arose on a large monitor, music sounded and purn the climate control system fan. Mighty and impregnable in appearance, like a real house of an Englishman, a car, obediently reviving, let me into his world. A world fenced off from the bustle of an almost impenetrable sound insulation and high image. A particle of the daily aura that surrounds the billionaires of Santa Barbara and the English Royal Blood Special Autonomous Okrug for a short time - for only a couple of days - is available to me.

During this time, it was necessary to understand if he was good, this new rang. After all, only at first glance a farmer in a tailcoat, as they called him 30 years ago, almost did not change. In fact, this is a completely different car.

Classics of conservative design

What is new in him? - you ask. The same massive angular body, chopped shapes with precisely verified proportions, a beveled rear door, a rectangular optics ... Indeed, the British sacredly honor traditions. The true connoisseurs of the good old porter and the saddle of the lamb to this day flaunt before the whole world in classic trousers a little shorter than it is customary, and drink tea with milk at five o’clock in the evening.

Even the revolutionary here is its own, special, truly traditional. Say, in the new rangge rover, all the power elements of the body frame are cast from aluminum. From the same winged metal door, front wings, hood. Let us recall, however, that half a century ago, the great-grandfather of the current Rangge, the very first Lend Rover, flaunted in an aluminum dress. And, nevertheless, it seems that the famous conservatism is now receding. To start at least with the fact that the frame structure and a dependent suspension have sunk into oblivion. Bearing a steel body with 2.5 times increased (up to 32,000 N.M/Grad) to twist the rigidity - this is from now on the new English canon.

And the appearance, remaining one hundred percent recognizable, still, one cannot but admit, it has changed. Four pairs of crystal purity of round lenses in front, elegant reflectors from the back, characteristic gills of air intakes on the sidewalls are very memorable details that make a strict rangge costume simultaneously stylish and fashionable. And how else, can it be possible to hit the mud in the mud, if the rang, although the past generation is the only one of the cars awarded to be exhibited in the Paris Louvre.

Hidden potential

And yet, you must agree, an external gloss and internal luxury would be enough if it was about some other car. From the Rang Rover, we are waiting for much more. Yes, of course, the aroma of the skin is expensive, scattering buttons not only on the front panel, a console, but also on the steering wheel - all this is in order of things by car at a price of $ 100,000. The electric drive is all that you can imagine, including, for example, head restraints And a retractable monitor. The keys, buttons, handles are concisely grouped and understandable without reading any abstruse instructions.

But what is the legendary all-around, created, as British newspapers wrote to the early 70s to surprise the cross-country cross-ruler and the comfort of Rover, if only a couple of tiny flags on the tunnel between the seats in the cabin? One is a demultipliter, the second is an activating mechanism of the HDC system, which automatically limits the speed on steep slopes.

What is this farmer in a tailcoat? Rather, a large and powerful passenger car, built in the fashionable style of the station wagon for suburban walks. It seems that he will have to be tight, I put on an off -road. Or is I mistaken? And, I honestly, not without a share of doubt, hit the road. Now let's figure out what rang you are actually
 


The top of the iceberg innovation

The first feeling that from pressing the accelerator pedal somewhere in the bowels of the engineering space, the catapult lever was torn. I really did not expect that this dreadnought weighing 2.5 tons would rush forward. And our franchis giant, like a true gentleman, delicately hinted to me: it is worthless, they say, to trample the pedal. Moreover, her move is quite short. Here are the times - how can I go to the subjugation of the off -road with such a sensitive pedal? The wheels in two accounts will break into the slip and firmly put the powerful, but helplessly digging deeper the car.

It wasn't there! It turns out that the drive mechanism is made in such a way that when the reduced (by the way, the serious gear ratio 2.7), the pedal's stroke automatically increases, allowing jewelry to dose traction on wheels. And with a disconnected demultiplier, the gas is already coincided with a significantly smaller value.

We were convinced that there are many secrets in the car? No? For example, I got acquainted with her further, the more clearly I understood that it was the successful combination of all -resistant abilities with excellent behavior on the asphalt is one of the main highlights of the car. And the mechanism of the accelerator drive is only the peak of the iceberg of innovation.

Bavarian priorities

The ZF gearbox is similar to the one that is installed on the BMW-X5, which, as you know, is distinguished by an enviable temperament. Engine - 4.4 -liter eight with a capacity of 286 liters. With. - Also Bavarian inheritance. The steering of a rack type - again with a cervical bmw, changing the amplification parameters depending on the speed. Add here the front suspension on the racks of McEferson and double levers from the back, and even a long-standing ridge of the Range Rover pneumo elements. Do you think such a machine should feel on the asphalt? That's right - great. From the first low start, Basovito and menacingly growling with a motor, she demonstrates enviable agility. The predecessor, by the way, also did not suffer from a lack of dynamics. The new all -terrain vehicle is almost a second faster. For example, on the tests conducted on the German highway, Nurembergring, the third-generation Range went around its dad for as many as 30 seconds on a 24-kilometer circle.

However, it is most impressive how dashing a high car can be rebuilt and how clearly it obeys not an empty steering wheel. Hang the wheels in corners - easily. And how small by the standards of crooks the rolls in corners! If desired, you can deploy this colossus yula with puffs of smoke from under the wheels, you just need to not forget to disable the system of dynamic trajectory stabilization (DSC). The car can be a lot. Suspension, steering and engine are extremely fruitful symbiosis.

Just don’t blame me, you will hold the tachometer arrow by the red zone - and 20 liters of fuel per hundred not the limit. Although will such a gluttony of a person who has forbidden the ranga rover concern? Incidentally, unlike the same X5, the creators did not even establish an eco -meter, well aware of its irrelevant. They acted easier - a 100 -liter fuel tank was hoisted under the rear seat. Our majesty cannot be disturbed by the need for frequent refueling visits.
   
Visual icons of the Demult-Glicky and HDS systems are simple and understandable
        
 
TV can be watched in traffic jams, and during movement the monitor will turn off
     
  
Without a special CD with a detailed map of Russia, the navigation system is useless

With the help of an electric drive, even the head restraints of the front seats are regulated
      
 
As befits a car, taking care of his owner, even in trifles, the Range Rover can boast of the steering wheel heating system

LED indicators of the suspension operating modes gleam in the sun
 



English heritage

We have created a car with the widest functionality, ”said Bob Douver, General Director of the Lend Rover. But, as I understand it, the car owes all its outstanding driving qualities only once such a fruitful cooperation with the Bavarians - a German motor, checkpoint, steering. And what is your own, English? No, of course, opening the hood, I found nothing new, revolutionary. But during the interrogation with addiction on the pit, he was very surprised when he found that in the power unit, for example, crankcases of an increased volume. A simple technique that allows you to prevent destructive oil starvation on steep rises and slopes.

Further inspection revealed that the system of air intakes has been changed. But most of all I was struck by this. What length should the drive shafts be on a car that can independently increase the road clearance from 170 to 280 mm? And if even in the extreme upper position, turn the steering wheel to the limit? Any jipper, I think, will understand me. Shruses from such bullying will not last long. The British found a simple way out - the drive can move in a slotted connection. However, do not clog your brains with technical tyagomotin - the owner of the rangja may never know about it. It is much more important that the car may be that even the recognized classics of a all-resistant genre, and not at all, are not at all technical delights. The professional duty obliged me to experience the alternate in all modes.

Rovers from Viscount Linley

Linli-ley equipment has always been considered the most refined. To start with the fact that even a proprietary emblem on the leather chairs of such machines is cut by a laser. All the interior decoration elements are only dark in color, there is also an ebone tree. Paul covers the woolen carpet from Scottish sheepskin, and additional thin -line rugs are laid under the feet. The CD of the navigation systems stores detailed maps of most countries of the world, in addition to the liquid crystal display on the central console in the head seats of the front seats, additional screens are mounted. According to the creators, about 100 hours of handmade is required to finish such a car.

In Russia, there are no new ranga-rover from the fashionable designer of Viscount David Linly furniture yet, but be sure that they will soon appear.

On the stilts on the ditches

Today, many cars are capable of by the will of the driver to change the road clearance-Citroen-S5, Audi-OLROUD, some BMW-X5 for the American market. But the Range Rover was the first all-terrain vehicle on which such a system appeared.

The turn of the lever on the central console, and the car that had just fallen to the ground, imposingly raises the stern at first, and then the front. Only a few seconds, and you clearly feel how much you sit now. From the side this spectacle is even more spectacular. As if a mighty beast wakes up, straightens his back and examines his possessions with a royal look. Now the minimum road clearance under the map is 280 mm. Surely, I must say, a value. For comparison, for example, in Lend Croizer, Gelendevagen, Pajero, patrol only 220.

The most interesting thing is that in such a magnificent position you can not only be transplanted through obstacles, but also quickly go. Just imagine - under the wheels of potholes, bumps, pits, potholes. God forbid them generally overcome another rogue, and Range, swinging calmly, know himself ahead. Captivating energy intensity. The body will almost not move, and you will not forget an hour that the asphalt has long ended.

But you should not do this. An inconspicuous, but important inscription is displayed on the tidy: do not exceed a speed of 50 km/h. I exceeded, and the body itself sank to an average level of 225 mm above the ground. Thank you, at least warned.

But about one unpleasant moment in the operation of the electronics air suspension and did not think to warn.
 
If you leave the car in this position, smart pneumatic suspension will soon decide that the off -road is over
     
Even such a sensitive position does not allow you to sign the wheel to the end. Compared to the predecessor, the moves of the rear suspension are increased by 10, and the front - by 5 cm
 



Vicious circle

I'm talking about. The predecessor could also boast of a similar system. The amplitude of his, so to speak, was 125 mm, and he danced, exclusively obeying the driver.

The new car received a more advanced system. Here, electronics with pneumatics can live their life. Undoubtedly, it is remarkable when, with increasing speed, the car itself falls to the ground: aerodynamics improves, the center of gravity is reduced, the car becomes even more acute in vihi. But there are special cases.

A steep rise, turn, a broken track in front, and then no less dangerous descent. I turn on the lowered (now you can do this at speeds up to 15 km/h). I hope for the central differential torsen - a system, in which case, capable of conveying all 440 n/m torque, even on the only tenacious wheel holding the ground, and boldly let the all -resistant to storm the obstacles ...

All -terrain vehicle for thicknesses

In Russia, prices for a new ranga-rover start at $ 87,800. So much is asked for a car in a modest basic equipment: a leather interior, an electric drive of the front seats, heating the steering wheel, chairs, windshield, mirrors, a divided climate control system, stereo with CD -Hegger, 4 airbags, as well as rain sensors, parking and 18-inch light alloy wheels.

The rang-rover who visited our test, equipped with a satellite navigation system (about $ 3500), a phone, 19-inch discs, costs $ 97,600. However, this is by no means the most expensive all-around from Solikhalla. You can add options and increase the cost to $ 100,700.

When the front wheels already climbed to the top, I doubted whether the car was crossing the slope without hitting the bottom? For greater confidence, he stopped, opened the door and tried to see if there was a place for the maneuver. The inspection lasted 10 seconds, no more. But, alas, this turned out to be enough for the electronic brains to give a command of pneumatics to lower the car again. Why? For what? Who asked? Smart electronics, it turns out, understood the stop as the end of the off -road and decided to be overwhelmed.

You can’t move on - now we’ll definitely sit on the belly. And you can raise the car again only if you start moving again. Otherwise, pneumatics does not respond to the driver’s commands. Such a vicious circle from which I had to get out in reverse, and then still from acceleration (the main thing is not to stop!) To conquer the top.
   
Minimum (left) and maximum clearance - 170 and 280 mm, respectively



Capable of more

Well, the new ranga is not without flaws, but he has much more advantages. Let the electropneumatics too intrusively offers its services. But it is thanks to it that the machine has excellent energy intensity and wide possibilities of changing the gleam. Is the engine to indecent vorab? But what is thanks to him the temperament! Skeptics with foam at the mouth will prove to you that with an independent suspension and a high -speed engine there is nothing to do on off -road. I was convinced that the British managed to prove the opposite. On the asphalt, the car is definitely better than any full -fledged crook.

Modern ranga is not cheap and never will be like that. It never occurred to anyone to call him a farmer now, even in a tailcoat. Despite the fact that thanks to the efforts of domestic thicknesses, most of these solid machines play the role of an image maker, a security servant who cleans the road by another BMW seven or Lexus, believe me, they are capable of more.
 
In this huge trunk, ski equipment, bicycles or expensive bags will look especially good

If it happened to take out the spare, special drive belts, clinging to the lower door leaf, will save your back from radiculitis



For a high image of the brand, classical courageous appearance, good assembly quality, excellent reactions to pressing gas pedal, good painful motor in the entire speed range, adjustable road clearance, high level of comfort.

Against the large fuel consumption, a complex algorithm for the work of pneumatic suspension, high price.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Source: Magazine "Limousine" [07/02]