First Drive 2011 Range Rover |

The original design brief was to build a car that was incredibly capable off-road, but equally as luxurious and comfortable as Rover's saloons of the time.

Despite the obvious advances in technology, that brief has remained the same and the Range Rover is still at the top of its game. The 2011 model arrives in September and features some mild styling tweaks and an all-new diesel engine.

Driving it

There are two sides to the Range Rover. On the road, it's one of the most refined and sumptuous cars you can buy. The air suspension helps to make the ride extremely comfortable, but the handling is never vague, nor is there anywhere near as much body roll as you'd expect from a car of its size.

The steering is light but precise, and the chunky tyres grip tarmac well.

We were also fortunate enough to sample the Rangie on a demanding off-road course, where it came in to its own. Hills that you'd struggle to walk up - or down - were no problem.

Neither was the grille-deep water, or the unfeasibly large rocks; at no point did things become uncomfortable or too shaky inside. Land Rover has improved the Terrain Response system by adding Hill Start Assist and Gradient Acceleration Control, both of which make the Range Rover even more effortless when it comes to the rough stuff.

You feel like an off-roading god, when the reality is that the car's doing all the work for you.

The new 4.4-litre 309bhp V8 twin turbodiesel engine is wonderful. It has an immense 516lb.ft of torque, but a car that weighs between 2,580-2,810kg (depending on the model) needs a gutsy engine. It's fast and emits a luscious V8 growl, but true to form, the acceleration is not vicious.

The Range Rover will hit 60mph in 7.5 seconds, but it gets there with a sense of refined urgency, rather than neck-snapping acceleration. Top speed is 130mph - up from 125mph from the previous model.

The new eight-speed automatic gearbox is equally competent. You struggle to notice it changing cogs it's so smooth.

Summary

Whether you're a serious 4x4 fan or think that SUVs are toasting the planet, you'd be hard pushed not to be taken in by the Range Rover's charms.

It's neither cheap, nor economical but, as the original version proved in 1970, no production car comes close to matching its astounding off-road prowess and simultaneous refinement inside.

Add to that the impressive new diesel engine, smooth gearbox and subtle but tasteful styling tweaks, and you're in no doubt that the Range Rover is still the best luxury 4x4 on sale.





Author: AL
Source: Autolatest & CarAdvice