Decades ago, someone at Land Rover had the crazy idea to create a 4x4 vehicle that was upscale, luxurious and advanced. Originally intended as a more comfortable alternative to a Land Rover 4x4, the original Range Rover was brought to market with a number of firsts that helped it pave the way for an entire market of luxury utility vehicles.
Today, the upscale crossover / SUV scene is one of North America's hottest-- and it's jammed with brands from across the globe. Like it or not, if it weren't for the world's first posh-ute from England, much of the advances and accomplishments in today's global SUV scene wouldn't have been possible and, ask yourself, what would have rappers pimped for the last 10 years?
After all, according to Land Rover, the Range Rover was the world's first vehicle built to be as good on the road as off of it. With a place in history as the first fully capable luxury 4x4, it balanced itself well with one foot in the dirt and one on the tarmac. The recipient of a multitude of awards for on and off-road performance, the Range Rover was even exhibited in the Louvre museum as a work of art. Talk about multi-talented!
"The Range Rover is really four vehicles in one" said Land Rover's managing director, Phil Popham. "It's a seven-days-a-week luxury motor car, a leisure vehicle that will range far and wide on the highways and off-road trails of the world, a high performance car for long distance travel, and a working cross-country vehicle."
After 40 years and 3 generations, sales continue to soar-- and the model remains popular with celebrities, outdoors enthusiasts, families and even farmers.
Continual re-invention of the Range Rover while bearing its roots in mind has been vital to its success. An automatic viscous-coupling 4x4 system, antilock brakes, traction control and adjustable air suspension all worked to keep the Range Rover on the edge of luxury utility technology. Numerous special and limited-edition models were marketed, too-- and many a proud owner will talk your ear off about the yet-unmatched engineering supremacy built into each and every machine.
Today, the upscale crossover / SUV scene is one of North America's hottest-- and it's jammed with brands from across the globe. Like it or not, if it weren't for the world's first posh-ute from England, much of the advances and accomplishments in today's global SUV scene wouldn't have been possible and, ask yourself, what would have rappers pimped for the last 10 years?
After all, according to Land Rover, the Range Rover was the world's first vehicle built to be as good on the road as off of it. With a place in history as the first fully capable luxury 4x4, it balanced itself well with one foot in the dirt and one on the tarmac. The recipient of a multitude of awards for on and off-road performance, the Range Rover was even exhibited in the Louvre museum as a work of art. Talk about multi-talented!
"The Range Rover is really four vehicles in one" said Land Rover's managing director, Phil Popham. "It's a seven-days-a-week luxury motor car, a leisure vehicle that will range far and wide on the highways and off-road trails of the world, a high performance car for long distance travel, and a working cross-country vehicle."
After 40 years and 3 generations, sales continue to soar-- and the model remains popular with celebrities, outdoors enthusiasts, families and even farmers.
Continual re-invention of the Range Rover while bearing its roots in mind has been vital to its success. An automatic viscous-coupling 4x4 system, antilock brakes, traction control and adjustable air suspension all worked to keep the Range Rover on the edge of luxury utility technology. Numerous special and limited-edition models were marketed, too-- and many a proud owner will talk your ear off about the yet-unmatched engineering supremacy built into each and every machine.
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| Photo: Land Rover |