british car company Land Rover, whose specialization is the release premium cars off-road, was born in 1948. The Wilkes brothers became the founders of the enterprise. Maurice Wilkes was then chief designer, and Spencer Wilkes was chief executive of the British automaker Rover. As conceived by the leading managers, the Land Rover project was supposed to help Rover survive difficult times owned by the company. But over time, the company occupied its own confident niche in the global automotive market.
Land Rover 1st generation 1948
Since 2008, Land Rover has been owned by the Tata Group, which owns the Indian car manufacturer Tata Motors.
The American military jeep Willys was taken as the basis of the first Land Rover car. Post-war Britain had a difficult metal situation, but aluminum was plentiful, as were aircraft parts. The Wilkes brothers were able to obtain from the government the capacity of the Meteor Works plant and the approval of the project for the production of simple four-wheel drive cars with an aluminum body.
Land Rover 1968
Even before the official date of registration of Land Rover in 1947, a pre-production sample of a new car with the name Center Steer was ready. The car had a ladder-type frame, a motor and transmission from a Rover passenger car, a body painted green with paint from military aircraft. Having made 25 prototypes of the new car and renaming the novelty Land Rover, the creators presented their SUV at the Amsterdam Motor Show. Where the car, as the history of the Land Rover company notes, was of great interest among specialists and ordinary motorists.
Range Rover 1st generation 1970
In the first year of release (1948), the number of issued off-road vehicles Rover was equal to all the Rover passenger sedans that came off the assembly line. And in 1949 it was already sold twice more jeeps than a year earlier.
In 1950, the first-born Land Rover underwent modernization. Improved the system all-wheel drive(the driver could choose between full and rear-wheel drive with a lever), the working volume of the engine increased, versions with different wheelbases appeared.
Land Rover Discovery 1 generation
In 1957, a 2-liter diesel engine was installed on the Land Rover, and a 2.3-liter gasoline unit appeared a year later.
In 1959, the production of SUVs exceeded 250 thousand copies, the car was appreciated by firefighters and rescuers, military and civil services.
In 1965, the half-millionth Land Rover car was produced, the range of engines installed on cars expanded to include six-cylinder engines.
Range Rover 2 generation
In 1968, the British SUV got a V8, a new all-wheel drive system and disc brakes. Land Rover became part of the British Leyland Motor Corporation.
In 1970, a significant event takes place in the history of the company - the debut of a new Range Rover model. A car with a stunning design (it was exhibited in the Louvre next to the painting by Leonardo da Vinci "La Gioconda", as an example of modern art) and a comfortable interior. The off-road qualities of the novelty were not inferior to the traditional Land Rover.
Land Rover Freelander, 1997
During the 70-80s of the 20th century, Land Rover and Range Rover are constantly being refined and improved, the company's cars take part in the Paris-Dakar rally raid and a specially created extreme competition for Land Rover and Range Rover SUVs - Camel Trophy (1980-2000) .
Land Rover Discovery 3
In 1989, a third model appeared - Land Rover Discovery.
1990 - The classic Land Rover gets a new name Defender.
In 1993, the British company came under the control of the German BMW.
Year 1994, the second generation of Range Rover appears, premium SUV becomes more luxurious and more expensive.
Land Rover Defender 90 and Defender 110, 2011
In 1997, another novelty Land Rover was created, the first model of the company with a monocoque body - Land Rover Freelander. This vehicle opens the era of crossovers. Land Rover Defender 90 with eight passengers was able to climb the highest mountain in Europe - Elbrus (5642 meters), thereby proving its extraordinary off-road capabilities.
In 1998 Land Rover Defender is undergoing significant modernization and updating, the start of sales of the 2nd generation Land Rover Discovery.
Ford took over Land Rover in 2000. motor company. By the way, the same fate befell Lincoln, Volvo, Aston Martin and Jaguars.
Range Rover Evoque
In 2001, the 3 millionth Land Rover SUV rolled off the assembly line, the Land Rover Discovery 2 was recognized as the best 4x4 by Auto Express magazine and the new 3rd generation Range Rover premiered.
2003 - Restyled Rover Freelander.
In 2004, the Land Rover Discovery3 premiered at the New York Auto Show.
In 2005, after modernization and restyling, the second version of the SUV with a shortened body appeared - Range Rover Sport.
Year 2007 - the start of sales of Freelander 3.
In 2009, the fourth generation Rover Discovery appeared.
In 2011, the line-up replenishment - in the face of a compact luxury crossover Range Rover Evoque.
Range history Rover in four generations
Currently, Land Rover and Range Rover SUVs are represented in Russia and the CIS countries by all manufactured models: Defender 90, Defender 110, Freelander 2, Discovery4, Evoque, Range Rover and Sport Range Rover.
The production of Land Rover and Range Rover SUVs is carried out at the UK enterprises in the cities of Solihull and Halwood. The third Freelander in addition to the UK is produced in Aqaba (Jordan) and Pune (India).
The car owes its appearance to two engineers of the British company Rover, the Wilks brothers, the classic military Jeep Willys and the situation in England after the war. Although, as is known, the country has avoided direct enemy invasion, years of air raids, bombardment by V-1 projectiles and V-2 ballistic missiles, the work of industry and Agriculture wear and tear turned the island into a state with a fairly deformed economy. England desperately needed to export its products. But what could she offer a destroyed Europe?
The Rover Group, which was founded in 1884 and created, by the way, the bicycle in its modern form, moved from the bombed-out Coventry to Solihull, where it launched the production of pre-war car models. However, both the British themselves and their neighbors on the continent needed something else that would meet the simplicity of design and maintenance, and most importantly, the versatility of the realities of those harsh times.
Spencer and Maurice Wilkes bet on an extremely simple and passable car based on the Jeep Willys, but in a civilian version. Fortunately, they knew for certain that nothing like this was planned in their native Rover. What killed two birds with one stone. Firstly, by replacing steel with “flying metal”, they achieved a significant reduction in the weight of the machine. And secondly, we found worthy replacement steel sheet, which was then in short supply, having purchased duralumin, which was abundant from the aircraft industry, which had sharply slowed down after the war. She also adopted the connection of body parts with rivets. As for the other units, engine, transmission, they were taken from both the faithful Jeep Willys and the then Rover models.
An interesting detail. The brothers, apparently so confident that foreign customers, including those from neighboring left-hand drive Europe, would also buy the car, placed the driver’s seat of their car not on the right, in English, or on the left, in European style, but in the middle. In order not to mess around with the rearrangement of the chair on special export copies.
The prototype, yet unnamed, was ready in six months. And got the name during the full tests of the machine. It was invented by Maurice, combining the name of the company in which he served, and the purpose of the novelty, Land Rover turned out, something like a “rural Rover”.
At the end of April 1948, the car was presented at a salon in Amsterdam. Resounding success. Before the end of the year, the brothers are building a trial batch of forty-eight cars with engines, gearboxes and upgraded axles from Rover cars and selling them for 450 pounds each. Just three months after the start of mass production, the SUV was sold in 68 countries around the world. You can imagine this: out of 48 pre-production cars produced in late 1947 - early 1948, eighteen are in good health to this day!
A car with a 48-horsepower, and a little later, a 50-horsepower engine, weighing 1.2 tons, with brick aerodynamics, developed a maximum speed of 75 kilometers per hour. With an almost complete absence of what is called comfort. open, in best case with a soft top-canopy, without doors, jumping on potholes and extremely noisy. But in demand by farmers, artisans, hunters and just people who happened to live in areas with bad roads.
The Land Rover name has long been firmly associated with all-wheel drive vehicles. Despite constant improvement and development, the whole story behind unique cars Land Rover, clearly testifies to the constancy of the main idea, which is the combination of unchanging goals and values and a strictly focused approach to development.
Already in the late 50s. The 250,000th Land Rover rolls off the lines at the Solihull plant.
In the 1960s, the demand for all-wheel drive cars mobile, and Land Rover was at the forefront of a new emerging market segment. In an attempt to find The best decision challenge, Rover engineers sat down to develop a vehicle that would combine comfort and driving performance family car with Land Rover off-road capabilities.
The result of their work was the Range Rover, put into production in 1970. and instantly aroused universal stormy admiration. The iconic design of this model has achieved a unique level of recognition by being exhibited in the Louvre in Paris. In addition to the unique comfort, the car had outstanding off-road qualities.
During the 1970s and 80s, the evolution of Land Rover and Range Rover continued, and recognition of Land Rover vehicles grew with events such as the Paris-Dakar Rally demonstrating the marque's outstanding resilience. Since 1990 a car that millions of people recognized at first sight as classic SUV Land Rover, was renamed Defender. The iconic Defender, a long-wheelbase Land Rover designed to be versatile reliable car of the post-war period, for 50 years it has been produced practically without change and its appearance resembles the same post-war model. The model is still considered the best all-wheel drive SUV.
In the late 80s, Land Rover hits the world with another premiere. Discovery was first shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1989, marking the creation of a new niche - a comfortable family car 4 × 4 with excellent off-road qualities. Deprived of the Spartan utilitarianism of its predecessor, it appealed to different categories of consumers. In Europe goes on sale the most budget version- with a 2-liter gasoline engine.
By the mid-90s, the famous Range Rover is still out of competition, and is the universally recognized standard of luxury all-terrain vehicle. In 1994 new owner BMW concern is carrying out its cardinal updating. The car was offered with three types of engine - V-shaped 8-cylinder displacement of 4.0 or 4.6 liters, as well as a turbocharged diesel bmw volume of 2.5 liters. By the end of the 90s, the Range Rover received improved fuel injection from BOSCH, an improved interior and new optics.
In 1997 Freelander is introduced, a more compact car focused on sports and recreational applications, which has taken the lead in Europe in terms of sales in the 4×4 class. Freelander becomes the ancestor of the now popular SUV platform from BMW. This is the first Land Rover model with a monocoque body, independent suspension all wheels and a transverse engine. It is equipped with 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines with a working volume of 1.8-2.0 liters. In 2003, the model underwent significant changes in appearance, and received new optics, bumpers and interior trim. There was such a joke: Land Rover, in addition to SUVs, produces souvenirs - badges, T-shirts, baseball caps and Freelander. Although the smallest Landy was looked down upon and scolded for its lack of a downshift, sales soared to 70,000 a year in 1998. And for five years in a row - until 2002 - Friel remained the most popular all-wheel drive in Europe. The car lasted on the assembly line for almost 10 years. The car lasted on the assembly line for almost 10 years. A larger Freelander 2 on the EUCD platform shared with the Volvo XC60 was shown in 2006 in London.
Since 1998, the updated Discovery Series II has been produced. The car received an improved chassis, a unique 5-cylinder diesel engine, with a revolutionary (at that time) system direct injection injector pump. The problem of corrosion resistance of the body was also solved. In 2003, Discovery II undergoes a face-lift and acquires modern "signature" features that make it related to the new Range Rover family.
And since the end of 2002, Land Rover has been launching the new flagship New Range Rover, which carries the stylistic heritage of its predecessors, but is technically revolutionary different from them. The rejection of the frame, dependent suspension and the already archaic lower V8 model of the 50s makes New Range Rover leaders in the range of modern luxury SUVs.
In the spring of 2004, Land Rover introduced the all-new Discovery 3. If New Range Rover had common features with its predecessors, then in the case of Discovery 3 current owner brand, Ford decided to create a car from scratch. The all-new third generation Disco with Range-inspired styling received independent suspension. The frame integrated into the body made it possible to lower the center of mass. Off-road, the driver is assisted by an electronic assistant Terrain Responce, sharpened under different kinds coatings.
Then, in 2005, a new favorite appeared among Land Rover SUVs - Range Rover Sport, with impeccable dynamics and driving characteristics. The company needed a car lighter and faster than the Range, able to race Tuareg, Cayenne and BMW X5 on equal terms. It is 8.5 cm lower and 17.5 cm shorter than the regular Range, but the five-liter V8 compressor engine accelerates the car to hundreds in less than six seconds. According to motorists, which is the most successful decision of Land Rover developers in its entire history. At least until the advent latest model- The Range Rover Evoque, new for 2010, combines superb sports car performance with truly superb design performance.
Since the 60s of the last century, Land Rover has changed hands a lot and often: British Leyland (1968-1998), British Aerospace (1988-1994), BMW (1994-2000), Ford (2000-2008). And finally, the Indian TATA, which bought the British SUV manufacturer, complete with by Jaguar. The Indians paid $2.3 billion, but minus $600 million for Jaguar and Land Rover pension plans, the blue oval received $1.7 billion. Besides, concern Ford promised to help with engines, platforms, other components and technologies - for the duration of the transition period, Ford undertook to finance Jaguar and Land Rover dealers around the world.
It's safe to say that Land Rover has gone from a simple and utilitarian 1948 product to an automotive legend. Very few competitors can boast the same level of recognition and respect that Land vehicles Rover. However, the main testament to the correctness of Land Rover's values is the cars themselves: it sounds absolutely incredible, but two-thirds of all Land Rover vehicles ever made are still in service!
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tata Sons and Tata Motors, Mr. Ratan Tata promised that both companies will maintain their unique distinctive features. However, SUVs will use less fuel thanks to the widespread use of aluminum and the introduction of hybrid technologies. In addition, the Land Rovers are working on replacing the legendary Defender with a more modern SUV codenamed Project Icon. What will come of all this, time will tell. Although the Land Rover company did not lose face even with bad owners.
Today, Land Rover is the only company that exclusively manufactures vehicles with permanent drive 4?4. This pure dedication is perhaps the main reason why Land Rover's values of freedom, adventure, fortitude and, most importantly, being true to yourself, are so evident in all of the company's vehicles.
When it comes to SUVs, the mind of a motorist immediately gives out several brands whose cars have long and firmly become symbols of overcoming the most difficult obstacles. One such brand is Land Rover. In fact, this British company has never produced anything other than SUVs. Moreover, for 65 years of existence, there were not so many cars in the Land Rover lineup. But what! Without knowing the history of the brand, it is difficult to understand, and therefore today InfoCar.ua will tell you what Land Rover cars had to go through to earn the reputation that they have today.
Farmer's Man
Many great things begin with a banality. The history of Land Rover began with the fact that the director of Rover Cars, Maurice Wilkes, who also owned land on the island of Anglesey, was in dire need of someone universal car, which would combine the characteristics of a tractor and an SUV. Once, immersed in yet another thought, Wilkes drew an image of such a car in the sand and immediately realized that this was exactly what he needed. Enlisting the support of his brother Spencer, Maurice and his engineers plunged headlong into work, taking the American Willys Jeep as a basis, and assembled the first prototype of a new car. Wilkes immediately came up with a name for it - Land Rover.
The experiments did not last long. In 1948, the first Land Rover with a 1.6-liter engine and, of course, all-wheel drive, rolled off the assembly line. Those were difficult times for the UK. There was a shortage of steel in the country, but the Wilks brothers found a way out by using aluminum instead. And hit the mark. By creating a simple, cheap and durable design, they instantly made the Land Rover an incredibly popular car. So much in demand that a year later the company's production facilities could not cope with orders.
Do you know that…
…over its 65-year history, Land Rover's iconic oval emblem has undergone many changes. They say that a bank of sardines served as a source of creative insight. The graphic designer ate them at lunch, the can left an imprint on the drawing board, and the artist copied it as a badge for the car.
In 1950, Land Rover improved: now the driver could use an additional lever to choose between rear or all-wheel drive. In addition, buyers were offered various body options and wheelbase lengths. Well, the second generation of the SUV debuted in 1958 - with the next innovations and another increase in popularity. A marketing study conducted by Rover in the 1960s showed that the Land Rover brand owns about a third of the world market for all-wheel drive vehicles. This is real confession!
At the same time, Land Rover management understood that the peak of popularity of the first model and all its variations was already over, and the industry was not standing still. needed new project, a new engine of progress, a new off-road landmark. And he was found. Rather, it was invented: in 1970, Range Rover appeared at the Geneva Motor Show - not only all-terrain, but also comfortable, capable of satisfying the needs of wealthy customers. It was this model that determined the future of Land Rover as a manufacturer of luxury cars.
As the years passed, the Range Rover changed generations, engines and trim materials, replenished with new equipment, but in spirit remained the same as it appeared before the public in 1970. This is the essence of the philosophy and Range Rover, and all other models of Land Rover, whether it be Defender, Discovery or relatively young Freelander.
Land Rover in service
Cars with the capabilities that Land Rover had from the very beginning could not remain purely civilian. It is quite logical that the British army became interested in them, after the war they used Austin Champ, which was difficult to maintain and capricious in operation. No less logical is the fact that after some time, Land Rover became standard cars protectors of Her Majesty. The British company fulfilled all the wishes of the military, creating modifications for a variety of needs - from ambulances to truly military equipment.
One of the most famous military Land Rover was the 109 Rover-11 model, built on the basis of the Series IIA. For its characteristic color, this car was called the "Pink Panther", and the color was not chosen by chance - it was ideal for disguising a car in the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, where in the late 1960s the British army guarded airfields and military bases, and also carried out patrols terrain. Four fuel tanks, two batteries, two solar compasses, two Hotchkiss machine guns, a Carl Gustav anti-tank rocket launcher, four smoke screen launchers, a box with automatic rifles were installed on the Pink Panther ...
Another well-known military vehicle based on Land Rover is Shorland. It was created by two Irish engineers, the brothers Short and Garland (hence the name), taking the same Series IIA as a basis. The car retained the classic layout, with a front engine, but the body was welded from inclined armor plates that provide protection from small arms. In the fighting compartment there were places for three crew members: on the sides - the driver and commander of the vehicle, and in the center - the shooter, for whom an armored turret from the Ferret armored personnel carrier with a Browning machine gun was installed on the roof. Over time, Shorland has been improved many times and, oddly enough, it is still being produced to this day, being in service with the police and special forces in more than 40 countries, including Argentina, Bahrain, Botswana, Brunei, Burundi, Cyprus, Kenya, Kuwait, Lesotho, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Pakistan, Portugal, Syria, Thailand, UAE and Northern Ireland.
Fight check
You can talk all you want about the outstanding qualities of Land Rover cars, but no one will believe these words if they are not backed up with facts. In order for such facts to exist, the British company throughout its history arranged long-term expeditions with its creations, where almost everything was. Here are just a few examples...
In 1972, a group of British Army soldiers on two Range Rovers made a run from the north of Alaska to the southernmost point of Argentina, during which they crossed the so-called Darien Gap, which has notoriety an area of dense forests and swamps, making land communication between Central and South America impossible. Loaded with all sorts of supplies, the cars withstood the grueling six-month journey better than many of the group: thirty people had to be evacuated by air due to insect and snake bites.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Range Rover, Land Rover Series 3, Defender, Discovery and Freelander models competed in the Camel Trophy Rally, which ran from the Amazon Basin to the Far East, Australasia, Africa and Siberia.
Do you know that…
…Land Rover Discovery was the first all-wheel drive vehicle to feature airbags for the driver and front passenger.
On September 14, 1997, a serial Land Rover Defender 90 and eight crew members climbed the highest peak in Europe, Elbrus, conquering a height of 5642 meters. True, it was not possible to lower the car under its own power, and as a result it was lost.
August 8, 2008 Steve Burgess and Dan Evans were the first in the world to cross the path from Siberia to Alaska (through the Bering Strait) in a car, of course, it was a Land Rover. In this case, a Defender 110 pickup truck. The car was equipped with floats, and the propeller was driven by a rear driveshaft.
Land Rover today
In our story about Land Rover, we deliberately tried not to touch on the financial and organizational side of the history of the brand. Like everyone, she had both great and difficult times. The owners have also changed. Moreover, many times: in the 1960s, Land Rover formally passed from the hands of Rover to Leyland, and then British Leyland; in the 1980s, the company was owned by the Rover Group and British Aerospace; in 1994, Land Rover came under the leadership of BMW, in 2000 the Germans sold it to Ford, and now the legendary british stamp and does belong to the Indians represented by Tata Motors.
But all this, by and large, is not so important. More importantly, Land Rover is still alive, and still revered. The only difference is that now these are not simple and cheap SUVs for farmers, but premium cars stuffed with the most sophisticated electronics, sometimes even glamorous, but retaining the character that the Wilks brothers laid in them 65 years ago.
In tribute to tradition, Land Rover is now releasing the Defender, whose appearance has not changed much in 30 years. The flagship Range Rover, Discovery, and Freelander have not gone anywhere. But there was a completely new range brands Rover Evoque is a symbol of the new time, devoid of brutality and full of youth style. Yes, this is a step away from traditional forms, but the step is so successful that Land Rover dared to experiment in a similar style even with an unshakable leader. model range– Range Rover. And the engineers have developed a hybrid modification of their flagship. And, as expected, they immediately sent him to prove his worth - on an expedition from the Land Rover office in Birmingham to the Indian headquarters of Tata. Times change, Land Rover philosophy doesn't.
Land Rover is a British automaker that produces premium all-wheel drive off-road vehicles. Owned by Indian Tata Motors and part of the group Jaguar Land Rover. The headquarters is in Wheatley, Coventry.
The brand appeared in 1948, and the company of the same name was formed only in 1978. Prior to this, the brand was part of the Rover product line.
In the post-war years, British industry was in decline. Strategic materials were distributed according to quotas among enterprises capable of producing competitive products intended for export. Before the war brand Rover fast and elegant cars were going, but now they were not in demand. The market craved something simpler and more reliable. In addition, there were difficulties in obtaining necessary spare parts. The head of the company, Spencer Wilks, was looking for something to load the idle capacities of his enterprise.
At this time, his brother Maurice Wilks could not find spare parts to repair his army Willys. Then the brothers came up with the idea to create an alternative Willys, an inexpensive and undemanding all-terrain vehicle that would be useful to farmers. The automotive industry has been one of the priorities in the recovery of the British economy. The Wilkes brothers received government approval to resume production of civilian cars and settled in the new Meteor Works plant in Solihull. During the Second World War, this enterprise produced engines for aircraft and tanks. Therefore, many sheets of aluminum accumulated here, which were later used for the body of the first Land Rover car.
The American Willis Jeep was taken as the basis for its development. The bodywork was made from Birmabright aluminum alloy, a lightweight, easy-to-machining material that kept costs down. In addition, it was resistant to corrosion, making the machines of the brand durable in the most severe operating conditions. The design of the car was also as simple as possible. Instead of pressed steel parts for the chassis, the designers decided to weld pieces of scrap steel and then assemble and use them as a supporting frame. The result was a strong and reliable chassis that was inexpensive to manufacture.
The assembly of the first prototype was completed in the summer of 1947. He received the name Center Steer. A pre-production sample was shown in the spring of 1948 at an exhibition in Amsterdam. On his hood was brand new automotive industry name is Land Rover. The novelty aroused great interest among the public, much to the surprise of its creators.
The first cars were ascetic. They received a green color used for aircraft, a ladder-type frame, a centrally located steering wheel, a 48-horsepower 1.5-liter engine, a special galvanized frame coating, and all-wheel drive. Reliable and simple machines were in demand. Just three months after the start of production new SUV already sold in 68 countries. The maximum speed was only 75 km / h. It was a noisy and tough machine, which nevertheless became a favorite of farmers.
Land Rover Series I (1948-1985)
Initially, the Wilks brothers considered their new brainchild to be some kind of “intermediate” option that would help the company survive Hard times However, already in 1949, the number of SUVs produced exceeded the number of Rover sedans.
The novelty brought income, which made it possible to introduce a number of improvements. Since 1950, machines have been equipped upgraded system drive, which allowed the driver to choose between front and rear wheel drive. Several wheelbase lengths and several body variations were introduced. The car was very popular with the military: it was listed in the armed forces of several countries.
Since 1957, Land Rover cars could be equipped with diesel engines. Then came the closed aluminum body and thermally insulated roof. The spring suspension was replaced by a spring suspension. The first classic Land Rover has survived to this day. Since 1990, he has been known as Defender.
In parallel with the release of utilitarian all-terrain vehicles, the company was developing a car that could combine the comfort of a sedan and the cross-country ability of an SUV. A year after the launch of the first Land Rover, the Station Wagon model appeared with a seven-seater closed body. The list of equipment included a cabin heater, a double-blade windshield wiper, upholstered doors, leather seats, spare wheel protection cap. The body with a wooden frame and aluminum cladding was developed by Tickford. However, the car turned out to be too expensive and did not have the success that its creators had hoped for. But next model became a true legend.
Range Rover appeared in 1970 and was designed mainly for American market. It was equipped with a Buick V8 gasoline engine with a permanent all-wheel drive system and long-travel spring suspension. The car became an exhibit of the Louvre as an outstanding achievement in the field of automotive design. For many years to come, this model has become a leader in its class, setting new quality standards.
The program to launch the car in the North American market was called Project Eagle. The model was equipped with a forced motor, thanks to which the maximum speed exceeded 160 km / h, and the acceleration time to 100 km / h was 11.9 seconds. In 1985, Range Rover of North America was founded. The car was designed for wealthy buyers, so it was equipped as standard with cruise control, air conditioning and automatic transmission gears.
Land Rover Range Rover (1970)
In the 80s, the company also implemented another large-scale project, which resulted in the famous Discovery, designed for family use. The car was based on the Range Rover, but received a simpler and cheaper body. Its debut took place during the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1989.
In 1993, the 1.5 millionth Land Rover comes out, and a year later Rover company Group buys BMW AG. The Bavarian automaker immediately took up the design of the new Range Rover model, which was supposed to be fundamentally different from its predecessors. The car received a specially designed chassis and a reconfigured V8 engine. In addition, it could be equipped with a 2.5-liter BMW diesel engine. Electronics controlled everything in the novelty - from security systems to self-leveling suspension.
In 1997, the most small car— Freelander. Then there was a joke that Land Rover, in addition to SUVs, produces a variety of souvenirs: badges, baseball caps, T-shirts and Freelander. However, despite the skepticism, when the “baby” appeared, it quickly became popular: already in 1998, 70,000 units of the model were sold. For five years, until 2002, Freelander remained the most popular all-wheel drive car in Europe.
He earned the love of the public not only for his good size and all-terrain characteristics inherent in the brand, but also for a large number of unique patented technologies. So, he was the first to receive the HDC slope control system, which allowed him to safely descend an inclined plane. It became the first model of the brand with an independent suspension of all wheels, a monocoque body and a transverse engine. In 2003, Freelander was updated with new bumpers and interior, as well as new optics.
Land Rover Freelander (1997-2014)
In 1998, the updated Discovery Series II was introduced with improved chassis, a new five-cylinder diesel engine and an innovative pump-injector direct injection system.
In 2003, the flagship New Range Rover was released with a monocoque body, independent suspension and a new power unit. He immediately becomes one of the leaders among luxury SUVs.
In the spring of 2004, the Discovery 3 model was introduced, created from scratch. It was equipped with an independent suspension, as well as an electronic assistant Terrain Responce, which changes settings depending on the type of road surface. The frame, integrated into the body, lowered the center of mass.
In 2005, a new flagship, the Range Rover Sport, appears on the market, which is considered by many to be the best car in the world. Land history Rover in terms of handling and dynamic performance. He was loved for his compactness, maneuverability and excellent all-terrain qualities.
Land Rover Range Rover Sport (2005)
In 2006, official sales of brand cars in Russia began. Buyers love the British models for their reliability, handling and high quality, paying tribute to their off-road performance and comfortable ride. The best-selling models in Russia are the Range Rover Evoque, Freelander, Discovery and Range Rover Sport.
In 2008, the brand, along with Jaguar, is bought by Indian company Tata Motors.
Debuted in 2011 compact crossover Range Rover Evoque. It is offered in three and five door versions, with two or four wheel drive. The Range Rover Evoque was designed for city driving. One of the main objectives in its design was the reduction of CO2 emissions and high fuel efficiency. In the first year of production, 88,000 units of the model were sold. The car was warmly received by automotive experts and journalists. It was named "Car of the Year" by the authoritative publication Auto Express, as well as "Off-Road Vehicle of the Year" (Motor Trend) and "Car of the Year" (Top Gear).
Now Land Rover continues to develop its line of vehicles and improve its models. Not last place in research and development devoted to reducing emissions and hybrid technologies, which continue the technological evolution of one of the most respected automotive brands in the world.
Land Rover Range Rover (Range Rover)
Story
One of the legendary models of the eminent British brand has come a long way from sketches to real embodiment in metal. The brand's management decided to build this SUV back in the 1950s, but it took about twenty years to develop the model, approve its design features, and finally create a prototype. For the first time, a test sample of the car was presented in 1967 (a total of 26 were made), and it took another two years for road tests and fine-tuning of all components and assemblies of the model. Range Rover made its official debut in 1970.
The car turned out to be so successful both from a stylistic and technical point of view that in the same year it became an exhibit of the Louvre and was referred to as "the best work of industrial design of our time." The first generation, later called the Range Rover Classic, was produced for 25 years. At first, the car did not differ in its now inherent premium interior features - it was a “workhorse” that could move perfectly off-road, and tolerably - in the city.
However, compared to the Land Rover model range that already existed at that time, the Range Rover was a revolutionary car in its own way. Before this, it concerned its running gear, where springs were used in the rear suspension, not leaf springs. The drive was permanent complete. The model had a frame body structure with a ladder-type chassis.
Until 1980, Range Rover was produced in one body modification - a three-door station wagon, and, starting in 1981, a five-door version of this car was introduced.
The first generation of the model was equipped with four petrol (3.5, 3.9 and 4.2 liters) and four diesel (2.3 and 2.5 liters) engines. They were aggregated with 4 or 5-speed manual transmission, and in the 1980s - and 3 or 4-speed automatic transmission. Since the mid-1980s, the car has gradually moved away from the image of a simple SUV, turning into a premium car.
The interior of the Range Rover began to be dressed in leather and expensive woods, a premium audio system, air conditioning and other equipment providing passenger comfort appeared. For a quarter of a century during which the Range Rover Classic was produced, its design was practically unchanged - slight cosmetic changes were made in 1986 (the radiator grille, front bumper, side mirrors and door handles).
The second generation Range Rover (factory code P38A) was introduced in 1994.
The car has significantly increased in size, received an elongated wheelbase, but retained the body structure and exterior features inherent in the first generation. New for the model were the grille, headlights (rectangular), front and rear bumpers, rear lights. But the main changes have occurred in the technical "stuffing" of the car. Range Rover has an innovative air suspension that allows you to change the ride height depending on road conditions.
In addition, starting from this generation, Range Rover is available in only one body modification - a five-door station wagon. This generation of the SUV was equipped with two petrol (4.0 and 4.6 liters) and one diesel (2.5 liters from BMW) engines. Paired with them worked 4-speed automatic or 5-speed mechanical transmission.
The third generation Range Rover (L322), presented in 2002, was produced with the direct participation of engineers and designers concern BMW, which by then had gained control of Land Rover.
The car again grew in size, and received a full set of premium equipment from the fourth generation BMW 5 Series. The exterior and interior of the car have been solidly transformed, but again, as in the case of the second generation of the model, the main changes have occurred in the technical “stuffing” of the Range Rover.
Starting from this generation frame structure the body gives way to the carrier, the mechanical transmission is discontinued, and the air suspension is modernized. The design is also changing rear suspension- in the third generation, it is independent, which makes it possible to make the car more comfortable for movement in urban and highway modes.
The Range Rover (L322) has experienced several facelifts in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011.
The car was equipped with gasoline and diesel engines from different manufacturers. So, 4.2 and 5.0 liter petrol units were developed by Jaguar, 4.4 liter engines for the model were produced by brands such as BMW and Jaguar. Diesel engines of 3.6 and 4.4 liters were produced by Ford, and the 2.9 liter engine went to an SUV from BMW. Engines were aggregated with 5, 6 and 8-speed automatic transmission with function manual switching gears.
In the fall of 2012, at the motor show in Paris, Land Rover introduced a new, fourth generation of the Range Rover SUV (L405).
Exterior
The British from Land Rover remained true to their conservative traditions and did not make significant stylistic changes in the appearance of the fourth generation Range Rover. The front of the car received minor cosmetic changes. Appeared new grille U-shaped radiator, and the Land Rover logo has moved from the bottom to the middle perforated "rib" of the grille. The headlights have also become narrow, which have acquired a wing-shaped shape, bi-xenon optics and LED daytime running lights.
The design of the front bumper has changed: a narrow central air intake extends along the entire length of the bumper, and above it - the side sections, barred by three horizontally arranged "blades". The panel covering the central air intake has built-in rectangular fog lights. The hood of the car remained the same shape, as well as the front pillars, the roof.
On the profile of the car, new three-leaved “gills” are visible, located behind the front fenders. These "gills" are stylistically combined with moldings running along the bottom of the doors (all of these elements are made of aluminum). Side mirrors have acquired a different, oval shape. Slightly changed the design of the stern of the car.
The C-pillars of the model are now set at a sharper angle, giving the impression of a bulge at the rear of the car. The tailgate of the fourth generation Range Rover has a smaller glass, trapezoidal niche where the license plate is placed. Rear lights became more elongated, acquired the shape of the letter "G".
Interior
The interior of the car has radically changed, especially the driver's workplace. Range Rover received an updated instrument panel U-shaped, covered with an arcuate visor. The tachometer and speedometer have been significantly enlarged, as well as the full-color on-board computer screen located between them.
The four-spoke steering wheel of the fourth generation of the model has also changed: it has a new hub in the shape of the Latin letter “U”, thicker than the previous generation, a rim with precious wood inserts, and comfortable keys remote control multimedia system and cruise control on the side spokes.
The central, T-shaped console got rid of a lot of buttons (which was inherent in the third generation of the model). In its upper part there are central air ducts, under them there is a rectangular touch screen standard multimedia system. The lower part of the console is occupied by the vehicle's climate control unit. On the wide central tunnel is a round gear selector joystick, followed by another joystick, with which the driver can select the mode of operation of the car's air suspension. On the front passenger side of the central tunnel there is a deep niche for small things. A central armrest with a container is installed between the front seats. The central tunnel divides the car's cabin into two parts, both at the front and at the rear. Moreover, in the rear part of the cabin on the tunnel there are cup holders that duplicate the controls of the multimedia system, and an armrest.
The front seats of the car - with wide backs and seats, are equipped with pronounced lateral and lumbar support. Full-color screens of the multimedia system are mounted in the headrests of the front seats.
There are also two rear seats, and they, like the front ones, have lateral and lumbar support. In the roof of the car there is a panoramic sunroof with a curtain,
Specifications Range Rover 2013
The fourth generation of Range Rover is built on the new L405 platform with a wheelbase of 2922 mm. The length of the body is 4999 mm, width - 2220, and height - 1835 mm. The body of the car of the supporting structure is completely made of aluminum, which lightened the curb weight of the car by 39% compared to the previous generation.
The car is equipped with two diesel and one petrol engines. The base 3.0-liter diesel engine develops 258 horsepower. 4.4 liter diesel unit has a capacity of 339 horsepower. And the power of gasoline 5.0 liter engine is 510 horsepower. All engines are aggregated with an 8-band automatic transmission. The drive of the car is full.
In Russia, Range Rover IV is estimated at 3,996,000. This version is equipped with a three-liter diesel engine that produces 248 horsepower. Also available is a 4.4-liter 339-horsepower diesel modification worth 4,765,000 rubles. The option with a five-liter 510-horsepower gasoline engine costs at least 5,305,000 rubles. All versions are equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
