Review: JLR's fourth-generation Range Rover that costs Rs 1.5 crore

New Delhi, Nov 30: Tata group-owned Jaguar Land Rover has launched the fourth-generation Range Rover in India with a price of Rs 1.5-1.8 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi). This price tag makes the Range Rover the priciest SUV in India, breaking into the territory of super luxury cars.Range Rover, widely popular and among the best SUVs of the world, will be imported as a completely built-up unit, and is available in diesel and petrol V8 variants. The luxury SUV will be sold through the 15 Jaguar-Land Rover dealerships across the country. The new 2013 model was engineered from the ground up, but retains the original essence. The SUV will be produced at a new manufacturing plant located in Solihull, UK, using new low-energy aluminum body construction technology. The all-aluminium chassis makes the SUV lightweight (by almost 450 kilos) thus adding to the fuel economy, handling and the overall performance of the car. Recently, Range Rover received a five star rating at the recent crash tests conducted by Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Program). The SUV was put to a front impact test, side barrier test, side pole test, pedestrian protection, and child and adult protection. This is the second vehicle after the Range Rover Evoque which had received the same results in 2011.The SUV is available with a turbo diesel engine and a supercharged petrol engine. The first is the 5.0-litre supercharged petrol and the second one is the 4.4-litre TDV8 turbocharged diesel engine. The supercharged petrol V8 continues as the alpha male offering effortless acceleration from the 375kW/625Nm engine. While on the other hand, the 4.4 Liter turbo diesel engine in an 8 cylinder V8 layout puts out 338 Bhp of peak power and 700 Nm of peak torque. Both engines are mated to an 8 speed automatic transmission. The SUV has a bigger wheelbase that improves driveability and provides more space. There have been some improvements as well on the front end as the carmaker has revamped the SUV's headlights and fog lamps and has packed it with a new bumper. The previously rounded fog lamps have been uplifted to match up with the rest of the appearance. Similarly, interiors have been given a facelift too. Interior changes include a new re-designed steering wheel with beige-black colour tones and this same tone is played at the center console and instrument cluster. The gear stick has also been changed to risen gear knob. Inside, beautifully-stitched leather all around the cabin, including the roof, gives the impression of class. There's a top-of-the-range 29-speaker Meridian audio system. Besides, the suspension is improved for better ride comfort and in the backseat, there is 4.7 inches of additional legroom compared to previous models.New and improved interior features include:* Keyless entry, soft door close with power latching, power upper and lower tailgates, cooler compartments, and electrically deployable towbar* High-end audio from British specialists Meridian* High-resolution displays, including a full digital instrument cluster and the central 8-inch touch-screen with * Dual-View functionality* Voice control and connectivity * Upgraded seating* Interior illumination – LED illumination for ambient lighting, including the ability to change the color scheme to suit the driver's moodOn the centre tunnel, the SUV offers a much cleaner set of dials for the gearbox and four-wheel drive settings, which rise up when the car starts and sit flush when the car's stopped. This surely gives you a sense of real whiff of class and makes you believe that you're genuinely in something big. The 2013 Range Rover also has a new Terrain Response 2 Auto system that is fully automatic and selects one mode the transmission needs to be in depending on the surface. This sets the SUV apart from other luxury models available in the market, as the system automatically adjusts the traction control, throttle response, and other settings based on the surface the vehicle is traveling over.Features to aid drivers include:* Electric Power Assisted Steering, which enables Park Assist* Two-channel Dynamic Response active lean control, and Adaptive Dynamics with continuously variable damping* Adaptive Cruise Control – with new Queue Assist feature that enables the system to operate at low speeds and down to a complete stop* Intelligent Emergency Braking (including Advanced Emergency Brake Assist) – to help drivers avoid a collision if the traffic ahead slows quickly* Reverse Traffic Detection – to warn drivers of potential collisions during reversing manoeuvres* Blind Spot Monitoring – with new Closing Vehicle Sensing feature enables the system to detect vehicles which are closing quickly from a further distance behind* Surround Camera System – with T Junction view, Trailer reverse park guidance, and Trailer hitch guidanceSo if you're looking for a premium SUV with great off-road abilities, then the Range Rover is an obvious choice. The 2013 model will surely appeal to those users who are interested in technology and want more arresting styling with proportions that surpasses its predecessors. All the designing and improvements certainly shows that Range Rover is now more serious about stealing customers away from the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E- and S-Class, Audi A6 and A8, and BMW 5- and 7-Series. All in, the 2013 Range Rover looks to be loaded to the headliner (available in three different colors, natch) with equipment to easily conquer every conceivable environment, from the Desert of Katch to the roads of Ladakh.