- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
5.0SC, 8 cyl.
- Engine Power
375kW, 625Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 13.8L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4XC
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Quick Spin – Range Rover Autobiography
The car: Range Rover Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged
From: $240,100, plus on-road and dealer costs
Vitals: 5.0-litre supercharged V8, 375kW/625Nm, 8-sp auto, 4WD, 13.8L/100km, 322g/km CO2
What is it?
A high riding limousine that also happens to be one of the world's most capable off-roaders.
What does it say about me?
You appreciate the finer things and one day you want to go off-road ... but the furthest off-road you're likely to go is the ski-fields.
What doesn't it say about me?
That you're understated.
Who else is driving one?
The Rangie is quite a drawcard with celebs the world over, from Jessica Simpson (and her dog) and David Beckham to Angelina Jolie and Michael Jordan.
What colours does it come in?
Crisp white, a beaut metallic “Firenze Red”, deep metallic “Aintree” green, bronze, two shades of black (“Santorini” and “Mariana”) and just about any shade of silver or grey you could hope for (“Siberian”, “Indus”, “Luxor”, “Orkney” and “Causeway”). And that's before you choose the interior colours ...
If it were a celebrity, who would it be?
Daniel Craig. Well-dressed, suave, sophisticated and thoroughly British but muscular, strong, capable and powerful when it needs to be.
Why would I buy it?
Because you'll feel like royalty driving one. It's impressively luxurious and gives you a commanding view of the road. Unlike most luxury off-roaders it also has heritage; Land Rover went out on a limb in 1970 when it invented the whole luxury off-roader category, something that has since had many a fancied brand joining in for a slice of the market.
Will it let me down?
It doesn't feel like it will, but reliability isn't a Land Rover strong suit; the brand consistently ranks poorly in independent quality surveys.
Does it cost too much?
Err, yep. This flagship supercharged Autobiography will set you back a quarter of a million bucks, although at least you're getting plenty of metal for your money. And hey, the price means that there's a fair chance the neighbours won't be following suit.
Is it safe?
There are the requisite airbags surrounding occupants, but it's the size and height of the Range Rover that brings inherent occupant protection benefits in a crash.
Will it get me noticed?
Absolutely – more so if you buy one in black and tint the windows for an air of mystique. Range Rovers have always had a bold on-road presence and this fourth generation model ramps it up with some taut styling cues and interesting LED lighting touches that give it a modern flavour.
Any gadgets I can brag about?
The entertainment system is a winner. Excellent Meridian sound system and easy to use touchscreen. Then there's the video component; dual screens in the rear can be fed separate channels (TV and DVD, for example) while even the front seat passenger can watch on the fly thanks to the excellent dual view screen that serves the regular touchscreen controls to the driver and a video to the passenger.
What's missing?
There's plenty of fruit but some of the advanced crash avoidance or warning systems available on many luxury models (auto braking and lane departure warning, for example) aren't available, while even blind spot warning is relegated to the options list. And despite a computer-game-like instrument cluster (it's a colour screen that displays instruments) there's no digital speedo.
How's the cabin ambience?
In a word, brilliant. Just like the exterior the interior melds luxury touches with a functional utilitarian flavour perfectly. Well-chosen quality materials and a dash dominated by two vertical support pillars looks the business. Comfy front seats are complemented by trademark folding arm rests.
Does it go?
Better than any 2.2-tonne off-roader deserves to. From a standstill it's claimed to hit 100km/h in 5.4 seconds, which is quicker than many fancied performance cars. The hefty 375kW is impressive enough, but it's the 625Nm and slick eight-speed auto that makes it a genuinely brisk thing in a straight line. Short first and second gears means it leaps with intensity and you're never left short on oomph.
Does it like corners?
Light steering makes corners a snip, but at the end of the day there's no hiding the bulk. While it does better than most serious off-roaders through the twisties it begins to feel ponderous if you ramp up the pace.
What about bumps?
Air suspension makes for a sumptuous ride over rolling bumps and at higher speeds. The big Range Rover feels comfortable and controlled. But those hulking 22-inch wheels with relatively low profile Continental rubber can jar into sharp bumps.
And off-road?
Here's the Range Rover's drawcard. As well as being excellent on-road it's brilliant off it. Great ground clearance teams with all the right hardware (constant four-wheel-drive system and low-range gearing) as well as some fancy electronics that give the car a great chance of making it through or over whatever you're attempting to tackle. The Terrain Response system – which tailors everything from throttle response, ride height and instrumentation to the traction control and braking systems – is also a great touch. Just be careful of those 22-inch tyres, which history suggests won't cope as well with serious off-roading as well as smaller ones fitted to other Range Rovers.
What about service stations?
Good chance you'll get to know your local servo operator well. While Land Rover has shed 420kg from the heft of the Rangie it's still a big beast. Throw in the uber performance that you'll occasionally be tempted to enjoy and it's easy to surpass the claimed 13.8 litres per 100km. Thankfully the 105-litre fuel tank gives you at least 600km between fills.
Would you buy one?
Yes, yes, yes ... and no. I'd have a Range Rover in a heartbeat – it's a genuinely impressive machine that nails its luxury 4WD brief. But as tempting and impressive as the supercharged V8 is if it were my money I'd be putting on one of the just-as-excellent (but not quite as quick) diesel engines.
What else should I consider?
Not much really. The Porsche Cayenne is smaller and sportier but doesn't have the wow factor of the Range Rover. The Lexus LX570 will follow it into the scrub but doesn't look or feel as special (although it'll leave you with spare change for a luxury convertible for the days you don't want a big car).
The Spin
The world's most refined and capable luxury SUV.
The Translation
This thing will go anywhere (almost) and pamper you every kilometre. Just start saving now...