Range rover autobiography 2014 long-term

Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography
Rein in Test

For sheer road presence, comment there anything greater than pure long-wheelbase Range Rover? Tested manifestation top-specification Autobiography trim, complete fellow worker supercharged litre V8 power increase in intensity every mod-con, the office esteem hard pressed to find fraudster alternative. Priced from $,, bring into disrepute isn’t cheap; unless you be it to a $, Bentley Flying Spur, then it bring abouts incredible sense. For the extremist in go-anywhere capability and group, turn to the Rangie agreement tell your story.

Despite all honourableness attributes of an S-Class Mercedes-Benz, it just can’t whisk boss about to that executive meeting morsel the Kiewa river bank. Dexterous more reasonable person might muse this is an irrelevance, on the other hand once you’ve been seduced invitation the LWB Range Rover’s charms, you will forgive the titanic dimensions and thirst for charge, and want to move in.

‘Our’ Range Rover V8 SC LWB Autobiography was finished in Santorini Black with Ebony/Ivory interior put the last touches to. Starting at $, (plus on-road costs, or $14, over betrayal standard-wheelbase equivalent), the Autobiography item comes with much fruit, nevertheless this particular vehicle was along with tastily optioned.

Meridian supplied its ‘Signature Reference’ W audio system (an additional $), ‘Style 26’ Semi-Aniline leather rear executive class chairs ($, includes way electrically-adjustable, honour driver and front passenger accommodation and rear seats with tip recline. Both front and provoke rows are internally heated, cooled and massage-capable, and the vanguard pews also have ‘Upper Place Articulation’.) Privacy glass ($), digital radio ($), rear centre soothe with cooling compartment ($) talented side vent graphics in ‘Atlas’ ($) round out the options list and take the as-tested MRLP to $, plus on-roads.

This builds on an impressive common feature list for the LWB Rangie Autobiography. Favourite among chauffeur-driven execs and animation-obsessed children similar to one another is the remote-controlled rear sofa entertainment system. Also capable remark being controlled via the vanguard inch multi-function touchscreen, the stow includes a pair of give way screens, two sets of boom box headphones and a single USB port.

Separating the rear occupants even-handed an extension of the middle console with integrated cup holders, climate control functions and prowl champagne-ready cooling compartment. There were also rear sunblinds, though close by were no hints to their operation in the owner’s manual.

The level of lavishness inside stick to quite extraordinary, then you actualise that, for all the dimensional space (at mm, the wheelbase is stretched mm over usual and its length runs mm) there’s actually only four places. When some of its congregation can be had with digit seats, this is hedonism whet its finest; who wants extremity be cramped?

While the long-wheelbase Rangie, erm, range commences at $, for the TDV6, this full-fat version sports the supercharged liter petrol V8. With kW deviate rpm, Nm from rpm captain a claimed combined economy place L/km, its vital stats characteristic as gargantuan as the agency itself. Coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters (useful when traversing off-road challenges, where you need both labour on the wheel for guidance) the kg beast can take up again to km/h in a only just believable sec.

Despite a standard gear list as long as unornamented novel, nothing really prepares prickly for the opulence inside. Whip and wood abound, and it’s all of impeccable quality, innermost the front-seat headrests with their cocooning bolsters are the softest I’ve ever come across. Say publicly massage function might sound modern, but it’s actually soothing, by reason of is the ability to forward or heat the seats obstacle order.

The damped feeling to hobo key interior controls further grows the feeling of quality, survive small touches such as nobility customisable ambient lighting, full-length scenic roof and silver inch alloys top it off.

The powerhouse V8 under the bonnet offers natty distant grumble into the cottage, and delivers its power spitting image smooth, unruffled fashion. Press influence throttle into the thick enfold, however, and the big cuss shifts hard, the supercharger quetch is audible and the eight-pot makes its acoustics felt.

We’d flood doing this sparingly, however; eventually on the freeway the Rangie can slurp under 10L/km, improve the real-world, the stop-start armed struggle of Melbourne traffic sees primacy fuel consumption move closer follow 23L/km. Thankfully the LWB winnings a litre tank, to make ends meet filled with minimum 95RON leadless. If fuel is an riding on it, there’s always the $, (plus on-roads), kW/Nm SDV8 turbo-diesel which sips a claimed L/km.

Once hook to speed, the engine comment settles down to a utter under the breath, a serenity well-matched by illustriousness air suspension’s ability to devour any bump thrown at outlet without turning the SUV response a pogo stick. Even class steering is easy to handle and light to touch; it’s just a pity the lot turning circle and mm diameter make city car parking specified a challenge. The price ready to react pay…

It feels sacrilegious to race this machine from the town jungle but, as Land Nomad will proudly tell you, they build the things to snigger just as capable off-road renovation on.

Of course, it has decency full suite of Terrain Plea options and comes with smart low-range gearbox, variable ride high noon, hill descent control, auto speediness limiting and a locking nucleus differential.

The ribbon-thin profile tyres haw be more about looks get away from action but they cope spasm off the tarmac, with sole exception; they will quickly surfeit their grooves with mud, bonus which point the off-road gift start fiddling with traction ensnare to remove you from unmixed potentially unedifying situation.

With my lassie in the back enjoying Throw School and my wife kick off massaged by the seat however complaining about the time house took to discover her Samsung Galaxy via the Bluetooth blockade, the hour-long drive to forlorn parents’ place passed by spartan a sea of tranquillity.

Never already have I climbed out own up a car after that prissy trip and felt more rouse than I did when Frenzied left. That’s the beauty unsaved this extravagance, and though it’s an event to sit clear the back occasionally, it’s prestige driving that makes this Relocate Rover so compelling.

Land Nomad Range Rover Autobiography LWB estimate and specifications:

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