Test Drive Land Rover Range Rover 2013 - HB SUV

Rank above

Since the appearance in 1970, Range Rover was considered the reference to the luxury SUV, with each change of generation ascended to a new, unacceptable height for competitors. Range Range 2006 model year, tested in Spain, became another confirmation of this pattern.

Working on the modernization of the flagship of Land Rover, the engineers introduced hundreds of changes in its design, designed to improve the already excellent consumer quality models. But the most significant acquisition of updated Range motors. Instead of the only gasoline 286-strong 4.4 V8, a inherited Range Rover from BMW AG, the former owner of Land Rover, the model of 2006 model year received two new V8 from Jaguar: atmospheric 4.4 with a capacity of 305 hp and 4.2 supercharged. Due to the supercharger, the latter gives 400 hp Almost one and a half times more Bavarian Motor!

Range Rover with a supercharger identify simpler: It gives it a metal mesh on the grille and side ventilation holes and a chrome-plated shield with the supercharged inscription on the rear door. In the list of external metamorphosis, new front bumper, headlights, lights and luxurious 20-inch casting are also indicated.

We will come back to the superscharge conversation, as well as will get acquainted with a 4,4-liter atmospheric version. Unlike 400-strong Range, the appearance of this model evolved less noticeable. Despite the fact that the grill of the radiator, the side gills, the front bumper, lighting and alloy wheels are also completely new, without having a picture of the former Range Rover before their eyes, find explicit differences to the person of the uninitiated will not be easy. And all due to the fact that Range Rover 4.4 does not have the most metallic mesh characteristic of supercharger.

To understand how much better than the updated model was, we had to make a hundredokilometer march in the Mountains of Catalonia, on a special off-road route where the participants of the famous competitions G4 Challenge were trained, designed to check the strength of the human spirit and iron Land Rover.

Speed \u200b\u200bof the way lay on toll highways, where, unlike the unlimited German highways, the maximum speed limit of 130 km / h, which, however, does not wish to stop us estimate the dynamic capabilities SUV. No, we did not check the maximum speed of an updated Range Rover (his traveling we planned to leave in the Duty Free Airport of Barcelona, \u200b\u200band not at the police station), but be sure to cancel the acceleration imparted yaguarovskim engine failed again.

Compared with the same powertrain, the power of the new 4.4 with variable valve timing system has increased by nearly two dozen forces that provide better throttle response and almost a half-second gain in acceleration to 100 km / h. And for this did not have to pay excessive fuel consumption, on the contrary, a more powerful engine was even more economical! Of course, contribute to the improvement of the dynamics and reduced fuel consumption and introduced a new 6-speed adaptive automatic, replacing the old automatic pyatistupku.

Range received a modified air suspension, which, according to the manufacturer, provides better handling and a smooth ride. Bet here is nothing: this massive SUV surprisingly accurately answers the helm and with the appetite of hungry alligator swallows all road irregularities.

The designers did a good job and passengers over the insulation against external noise. And the work was carried out in two directions: from the struggle by the noise sources and the improvement of the passenger compartment soundproofing. In particular, reduced noise and vibration of the motor, and the front doors were laminated glass have better soundproofing. The result is obvious: when driving in the cabin is worth almost deathly silence, heard except a slight aerodynamic noise caused by the swirling air near the large outside mirrors at a speed of one hundred, but a nice bass rumble of eight acting as accompaniment of vigorous acceleration.

The relaxing sound of silence can enjoy the audio system Harman / Kardon, the power of its 14 speakers capable of snuck up to the listener's livers. Sound system is integrated into a single unit with satellite navigation, supporting the movement not only on ordinary roads, but on the road, as well as a mobile communication system with Bluetooth. To manage this economy, you can use your voice, the touch screen on the front panel or on the steering wheel.

If you have a phone with Bluetooth, then by setting the connection to the onboard system, you can, for example, type SMS using the keyboard displayed on the screen. An image from the rear view camera is also translated on the screen, and even here it is possible to display the transmission operation scheme and the testing of air pressure in tires.

Whether I'm not driving, then I would probably take a front passenger chair, but moved back. Provided, of course, that there is an optional entertainment system with 6.5-inch screens embedded in front seats head restraints, and 6-disk DVDs. It would be charged at the time of the path of any film, but in order not to distract the driver, it would be included in the kit Wireless headphones. You can connect an external source of signal to this system for example, a game console: for the kids the most.

After arriving at the destination and making a coffee break, I again sit down for the wheel, however, already the versions of Supercharged, which will have to drive along a special off-road track.

What ease of Range Rover was the Catalan mountain path, I was struck. I mentally removed the hat in front of the creators of Range Rover: it is perhaps the only car in the world that can combine incompatible things: the luxury of representative limousine and the passability of this all-terrain vehicle.

At one of the most difficult plots, I did not believe that the car would be able to pass. Then the partner took out a portable video camera on the right side of the front panel, and, coming out of the car, sent an electronic eye under the bottom, opening a complete picture of what is happening on the color monitor. This camera, which appeared in the Range Rover, transmits the video signal over the Bluetooth channel and can work up to 10 m from the car, allowing not only to look under the car, but also show the driver hidden from his eye. Making sure that the suspension moves are not yet exhausted, and the boulders are still at a safe distance from protecting the engine compartment, we moved on.

After lifting up, we had a new test steep descent. With one incorrect movement, it was possible to seriously damage the expensive car. Whether we do not have Land Rover, it would be possible to panic, but the company's engineers provided such a situation, equipping the car with a resort system. Shooting a small lever near the CP selector, we activated this system. Now the driver's work is to rotate the rest the rest of the electronics. Accurately dosing the power and shocking wheels, the massive Range step down the slippery stones gently and gracefully, as if the cat.

Upon arrival at the base of the body of our off-road limousines were covered with a thick layer of sand. I asked Land Rover Representatives, will the Light Motor jaguar be lit by a field of such a walk? The British took my question with a smile: it turns out before getting under the hood Range Rover, Yaguarovsky engines were seriously modified: they have improved dust and moisture proof. So, on the updated Range, you can storm both sand veryans and water obstacles with the same success.

In the evening we moved back to Barcelona. The courtyard was dark and noticeably cold. The light snow began to gradually intensified, removal of the mountain, literally half an hour ago immersed in greenery, white bedspread. Snow cover on the asphalt made instinctively reset the speed, but on the Range Rover, which smoked along the winding mountain road by the searchlights of adaptive xenon headlights, we drove all the same much faster than we would venture on another car.

At the foot of the mountain, the snow switched to the drizzling rain, which stopped, it was intensified. However, every minute to pull the lever control of the wiper was not necessary: \u200b\u200bthe rain sensor itself regulated the intensity of the wipers. Closer to Barcelona rain at all stopped, allowing the car to spout. If the version with the atmospheric motor seemed very dynamic, then the 400-strong Supercharged opened to us Range re-: such a rapid acceleration do not expect such a swift acceleration from a mass of two and a half tons. In addition, it is better controlled and better inhibits, in which the merit of the altered suspension settings, 20-inch low-profile tires and powerful Brembo brake mechanisms on the front axle.

Compared to the predecessor, the updated Range Rover with a 4,4-liter engine will cost in Russia exactly $ 3,000 more expensive: in the HSE $ 100 900 configuration, and in a richer Vogue $ 112 900. Version 4.2 Super is not compared with anything: such powerful, There were no quick and luxury SUVs yet, and not only under the Land Rover brand. For the right to enjoy this unique combination of quality, the car will have to pay $ 125 900. And do not try to find him an alternative: it simply does not exist.

Specifications Land Rover Range Rover

Body Universal
Number of seats 5.
Curb weight, kg 2557 (2632)
Full weight, kg 3100
Dimensions, mm:
- Length 4972.
- Width 1956.
- Height 1902.
Base, mm 2880
Trunk volume, l 9972122
Fuel tank volume, l 104.5
Engine:
- Type V8 (V8 with supercharger)
- Working volume, cm3 4394 (4197)
- Power, hp at min - 1 305 (400) / 5750
- torque, NM at min - 1 325/4000 (420/3500)
Transmission Automatic., 6-stupas, with a downgrading nearby, permanent full. drive unit
Tire size 255/60R18 (255/50R20)
Wheel suspension (front and rear) independent
Brakes:
- Front disc, ventilated
- Rear disk
Steering with ur
Price, $ 100,900 (125 900)
* 4.4 (in brackets are given for modification 4.2 supercharged).

Text: Maxim Fedorov
 

A source: Magazine 5 Wheel [04/2005]