Range Rover creates special editions to celebrate 50 years
Fifty years after its introduction to the market, Range Rover is celebrating its achievement through a limited run, 1 970 units, of special edition namely the Range Rover Fifty.
Fifty years after its introduction to the market, Range Rover is celebrating its achievement through a limited run, 1 970 units, of special edition namely the Range Rover Fifty. Featuring alongside the exclusive model are Westminster and Westminster Black editions. Furthermore, Land Rover has also announced that the straight-six Ingenium diesel engines which utilize 48V Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology will make their debut in Range Rover models.
In its 50th year of production, the Range Rover model line-up will see a host of enhancements made and will include the latest in connected features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now featuring as standard across all models. The connected characteristics are further bolstered with up to eight 4G Wi-Fi connections and an embedded Spotify app which provides access to over 50 million music tracks and more than 700 000 podcasts to the occupants. This forms part of the Touch Pro infotainment system which is accessible via the Touch Pro Duo 10-inch touchscreens featuring central on the facia.
Occupants also gain access to 17 sockets ranging from USB plugs, HDMI connectors and 12V charging points which can power smart devices and or provide input to the infotainment system. Connectivity and entertainment for the rear occupants are further bolstered with the inclusion of two 10-inch entertainment touchscreens fitted to the rear of the driver and front passenger seats. Music and other audio sources are played through a choice of Meridian audio systems, with 380W or 825W Surround systems and a 1700W Signature sound system on offer that are made up of 13, 19, or 29 speakers.
Additional safety technologies come in the form of Lane Departure Warning, Emergency Braking, and Cruise Control with Speed Limiter which now features as standard across the model range while Adaptive Cruise Control remains optional. Range Rover also included some creature comforts such as the latest Cabin Air Ionisation system with PM2.5 from Nanoe, the system filters the air and removes particles less than 2.5 micrometres in size to improve air quality.
The cabin also sees the incorporation of three-zone ambient lighting which gives occupants a choice of 10 individual colours in different intensities coming from the tri-colour LEDs. Vehicle safety is also bolstered with the inclusion of Ultra-Wide Bandwidth key technology which results in the key transmitting over a wide bandwidth to prevent criminals from copying the signal.
Encompassing all these new features is the Range Rover Fifty which is based on the Autobiography edition. The Fifty will include a variety of exclusive options on the exterior such as the accents finished with Auric Atlas and two 22-inch wheel options, one of which will feature a unique finish. The Fifty moniker features a unique script created by Prof Gerry McGovern OBE, Land Rover’s Chief Creative Officer and will feature on the exterior as well as on the “1 of 1970” centre console plaque, headrests, dashboard and illuminated tread-plates. Customers can choose in between four exterior colours and in extremely limited numbers opt for one of three Heritage exterior solid paints created by Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations.
In addition, the Fifty, Range Rover also announced a Westminster Edition which is based on the Vogue model and will be exclusively available with a 4.4-litre SDV8 in South Africa. The special edition vehicle sets itself apart with Privacy Glass and 21-inch diamond turned alloy wheels and a range of solid, metallic and premium metallic exterior finishes. The inside is finished with Grand Black veneers on the dashboard and door trim and headlining comes finished in suede cloth.
The Westminster also includes a sliding panoramic roof, soft-close doors and a powerful 19-speaker Meridian Surround sound system. Additionally, customers can choose the Westminster Black Edition which sees the addition of a Black Exterior Pack and a choice of three Gloss Black wheels with a 21-inch nine-spoke design and a 22-inch Gloss Black nine split-spoke design featuring.
Range Rover is also introducing the Ingenium diesel engines to its model line-up. The new engine manifests as a modular aluminium engine architecture which in combination with the 48V mild-hybrid technology results in a smooth and efficient option in motivation. Available in a variety of outputs consisting of 183 kW, 221 kW and 258 kW the new Ingenium diesel offers superior performance than the V8 it replaces while remaining efficient and lightweight. The 3.0-litre D300 Ingenium diesel promises a return of 8.6L/100km while the D350 achieves 9.2L/100km.
The new Range Rover and special edition Westminster and Westminster Black are expected to launch in South Africa toward the end of 2020 although the 48V Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle will be introduced at a later stage.
