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Few brands have the aura and the prestige that the modern Range Rover does. With over five decades of heritage to call upon, the Range Rover is in a class of its own, as it combines unparalleled luxury with state-of-the-art technology and breathtaking performance.
How has the brand evolved over time to become the force that it is now, and what did previous designs of the Range Rover look like, since Land Rover created the model 40 years ago?
Following the Range Rover prototypes in the ‘60s, Land Rover launched the first Range Rover model into the market in 1970. The vehicle was built by British Leyland, who desired to create a larger model than the existing Land Rover, and it was dubbed the “car for all seasons” as part of the marketing campaign.
Topping out at 100mph, the Range Rover broke the mould of the Land Rover predecessor, with performance coupled with off-road capability and practicality. Now known as the Range Rover Classic, the early model was a three-door design – different from the Range Rover we have grown to love over recent years.
Despite largely being a classic design, instantly recognisable as a Range Rover, there have been changes to the design, most notably in the 1980’s when the first five-door model was launched. Having undergone a few tweaks and styling changes throughout the 70’s, this was the first major shake-up for the Range Rover. The increased practicality was a bonus for families, with easier access making longer trips more comfortable.
In 1995, the second-generation Range Rover, the P38A-Series, launched and was an upgrade in luxury from the classic model that had been around since launch. Included on this model were leather seats as standard, as well as the addition of air suspension offering supreme ride comfort. The luxury aspect of the Range Rover was not at the cost of any practicality, as it became known for a combination of style, elegance, and performance.
When the next-generation Range Rover launched in 2001, the brand was at this point owned by BMW. The L332 was designed as a luxury car from the off, and one notable update was the removal of a manual transmission option. As BMW sold the brand to Ford, there were updates to the third generation Range Rover, including in 2005 the BMW petrol engines being replaced by Jaguar offerings.
The first departure away from the classic Range Rover design came in 2004, with the launch of the new Range Rover Sport. With a shorter wheelbase and sleeker design, the Sport was priced closer to that of the Land Rover Discovery, whilst it retained the classic Range Rover look and feel. Further models of the Sport have been released since, with the model instantly becoming a bestseller.
The variations of the Range Rover did not stop there. Subsequentnew designs have emerged, including the ever-popular Evoque, and the Velar offering a mixture of performance and luxury.
Range Rover models continue to evolve and keep up with customer demands and changing fashions and trends, while always keeping the classic Range Rover luxury and quality. For more information and to check out the range of new and used Range Rover models available, view our listings.