2003 Range Rover 4.4 HSE - Clearly It Has No Equals
Sublime, that's the best one word description I can come up with to describe the new 2003 Range Rover. It looks, thinks and behaves like it's supposed to, with impeccable manners and unparalleled good taste.
Due to the many SUV upstarts vying for the limelight I've questioned whether the Range Rover would be able to maintain its revered kingpin status in the luxury sport utility war it initiated, but now there's no uncertainty. Nothing currently available comes remotely close. The Ford Premier Auto Group (PAG) controlled division has put there mark on a legend and, like Jaguar, it's a lot better for it.
The quality of interior materials used clearly separates it from other luxury brands, now dominated by domestic entries that include its own second cousins once removed, the much upgraded Lincoln Navigator and all-new Aviator. Only the BMW X5 comes close, but looses points for austerity when judging it on the basis of luxury.
But that said it does feels a lot like a BMW on the inside. And I don't just mean the soft touch plastics, solid feeling wood dash pieces and beautifully detailed metal trim. It's more how it drives really. The leather clad steering wheel, that grips as if it were derived from a 5-Series sport sedan, is replete with buttons for audio, cruise control and voice activation, some of which look all too familiar.
The déjà vu has more to do with the Bavarian company's involvement in the new Range Rover's development - remember Ford bought Land Rover from BMW only recently. That said its long industrial-style metal horn buttons on either side of the steering wheel hub are completely original, looking fabulous while especially effective. The gauges are also silver rimmed and designed to appear like a fine timepiece, stunning.
Sublime, that's the best one word description I can come up with to describe the new 2003 Range Rover. It looks, thinks and behaves like it's supposed to, with impeccable manners and unparalleled good taste. Due to the many SUV upstarts vying for the limelight I've questioned whether the Range Rover would be able to maintain its revered kingpin status in the luxury sport utility war it initiated, but now there's no uncertainty. Nothing currently available comes remotely close. The Ford Premier Auto Group (PAG) controlled division has put there mark on a legend and, like Jaguar, it's a lot better for it.
The quality of interior materials used clearly separates it from other luxury brands, now dominated by domestic entries that include its own second cousins once removed, the much upgraded Lincoln Navigator and all-new Aviator. Only the BMW X5 comes close, but looses points for austerity when judging it on the basis of luxury.
But that said it does feels a lot like a BMW on the inside. And I don't just mean the soft touch plastics, solid feeling wood dash pieces and beautifully detailed metal trim. It's more how it drives really. The leather clad steering wheel, that grips as if it were derived from a 5-Series sport sedan, is replete with buttons for audio, cruise control and voice activation, some of which look all too familiar. The déjà vu has more to do with the Bavarian company's involvement in the new Range Rover's development - remember Ford bought Land Rover from BMW only recently. That said its long industrial-style metal horn buttons on either side of the steering wheel hub are completely original, looking fabulous while especially effective. The gauges are also silver rimmed and designed to appear like a fine timepiece, stunning.