Off-road technology
Land Rover's Terrain Response system is now standard equipment on the Range Rover, making off-roading as simple as turning a five-position dial to match the terrain encountered, such as snow, sand, mud, ruts and rock crawling. The system optimizes traction for each surface type. It also manages the Range Rover's Electronic Air Suspension (EAS) system, to ensure appropriate ground clearance is provided.
EAS is capable of raising the front of the Range Rover by 61-mm (2.4-in) and its rear by 51-mm (2-in) to extend the vehicle's ground clearance. A computer performs load-leveling duties while also continuously adjusting the ride height to maintain ground clearance, which at its maximum is 280-mm (11-in). This contributes to an impressive 34-degree angle of approach and a 26.6-degree angle of departure, and in off-road mode a 30-degree breakover.
Augmenting the Range Rover's off-pavement prowess is its Four-Wheel Electronic Traction Control (4ETC) arrangement, which directs power to wheels with traction while preventing those without from needlessly spinning. An electronically controlled centre differential automatically locks to further prevent wheel spin. Of course, a Land Rover wouldn't be such without low-range gearing, which in the Range Rover is engaged with the push of a button.
The final hi-tech element of competent off-roading, and safety for that matter, is the Range Rover's Dynamic Stability Control program, designed to keep the vehicle on-course and under control in compromising situations such as high speed cornering or sliding due to icy roads.
On-road civility
How a vehicle so capable off the road can be so comfortable and quiet on the road is a difficult paradox to comprehend. The Range Rover exhibits manners and refinement consistent with luxury saloons. The vehicle is one of the smoothest riding full-size SUVs I have sampled. It wins the battle for ride supremacy with the aid of enormous suspension travel.
The sophisticated underpinnings are remarkably efficient at absorbing surface aberrations that would normally jar a conventionally sprung off-road capable SUV. So where's the offset? Well it's expressed in handling dynamics. The Range Rover leans significantly when cornered hard, during which its substantial mass of 2,590-kg (5,698-lb) becomes apparent. This is not a vehicle that's quick on its feet, even by SUV standards. That said, it manages to stay-the-course quite confidently when subjected to urgent directional changes.
Land Rover's Terrain Response system is now standard equipment on the Range Rover, making off-roading as simple as turning a five-position dial to match the terrain encountered, such as snow, sand, mud, ruts and rock crawling. The system optimizes traction for each surface type. It also manages the Range Rover's Electronic Air Suspension (EAS) system, to ensure appropriate ground clearance is provided.
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| The vehicle's height can be adjusted to increase the ground clearance. |
EAS is capable of raising the front of the Range Rover by 61-mm (2.4-in) and its rear by 51-mm (2-in) to extend the vehicle's ground clearance. A computer performs load-leveling duties while also continuously adjusting the ride height to maintain ground clearance, which at its maximum is 280-mm (11-in). This contributes to an impressive 34-degree angle of approach and a 26.6-degree angle of departure, and in off-road mode a 30-degree breakover.
Augmenting the Range Rover's off-pavement prowess is its Four-Wheel Electronic Traction Control (4ETC) arrangement, which directs power to wheels with traction while preventing those without from needlessly spinning. An electronically controlled centre differential automatically locks to further prevent wheel spin. Of course, a Land Rover wouldn't be such without low-range gearing, which in the Range Rover is engaged with the push of a button.
The final hi-tech element of competent off-roading, and safety for that matter, is the Range Rover's Dynamic Stability Control program, designed to keep the vehicle on-course and under control in compromising situations such as high speed cornering or sliding due to icy roads.
On-road civility
How a vehicle so capable off the road can be so comfortable and quiet on the road is a difficult paradox to comprehend. The Range Rover exhibits manners and refinement consistent with luxury saloons. The vehicle is one of the smoothest riding full-size SUVs I have sampled. It wins the battle for ride supremacy with the aid of enormous suspension travel.
The sophisticated underpinnings are remarkably efficient at absorbing surface aberrations that would normally jar a conventionally sprung off-road capable SUV. So where's the offset? Well it's expressed in handling dynamics. The Range Rover leans significantly when cornered hard, during which its substantial mass of 2,590-kg (5,698-lb) becomes apparent. This is not a vehicle that's quick on its feet, even by SUV standards. That said, it manages to stay-the-course quite confidently when subjected to urgent directional changes.
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| The Range has a muscular yet sophisticated presence on the road. |