Bloody hell! |
| 2006 Ranger Rover Sport Supercharged (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com) |
The Range Rover brand is an interesting one for many reasons. Historically, this brand has, and still does, create some of the most capable off-roading trucks ever conceived. Likewise, it is also recognized for being one of the most luxurious and desirable SUVs on the planet. Should you, for some odd reason, not be convinced of this, watch one episode of "Cribs" on MTV. Every celebrity that is featured has at least one Range Rover in their garage. The question is then: How did this car maker go from being covered in mud to be being draped in bling?
Land Rover earned its stars and stripes in the late 1940s as a military vehicle. It was not until 1970 when the first generation Range Rover was introduced. This truck is often regarded as the first luxury SUV and I have to agree; every time I see a Range Rover Country LWB, I cannot help but want to see if the Queen is riding in the back. Twenty-five years later, BMW got the keys to the shop and launched the second generation of the
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| 2006 Ranger Rover Sport Supercharged (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com) |
Range. This one was more luxurious, more powerful and featured many new technological gadgets including an adjustable air suspension. Ford took over in 2001 and by 2003 had once again revamped the flagship luxury SUV and incorporated Jaguar V8s into the engine bay of the Big Rover. Finally, the world laid their eyes on the Range Rover Sport for the first time at the 2005 Detroit auto show.
The look of the RangeIn the late 80s and early 90s, it began to be cool to be seen in, for all intents and purposes, a nice truck. Range Rover caught on and by 1995, R & R had successfully married the utilitarian with the luxury. Even so, there is nothing organic about a Range Rover; it is a stylish block on wheels with a dry albeit well executed no-frills interior. If you recall the
Range Stormer Concept from late 2004, you will clearly see the familiar notice that the Sport is strongly inspired by the 2-door design exercise. The square shoulders and broad haunches of the truck clearly state: "I own the road!" Sporting 20" wheels, being Vesuvius in color and sounding like a 1,000 lb raging bat out of hell, the Sport is the best looking SUV on the market along with
Audi's Q7.
On bard, five passengers will find good room for every appendage in
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| 2006 Ranger Rover Sport Supercharged (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com) |
cluding the head. From the driver's standpoint, I really like how the center-stack is close to the front occupants; there is barely any need to reach or extend an arm to come into contact with the audio or climate controls. Most of the materials used are of good quality; I was taken aback when I found a Ford Focus power mirror knob. Otherwise, fit and finish is also good however it does not match BMW or Lexus in outright class.
