By Gary Chan
Pros
- Engine – Smooth as silk
- Ride comfort
- Navigation system
- Status
Cons
- Cartridge changers for CD’s and DVD’s (so 90’s)
- Wind noise
- Gas mileage
- Rear-camera visibility (especially at night)
Vanilla Ice had his 1990’s hit “Ice Ice Baby” referencing his 5.0-liter Mustang in his lyrics: “Rolling in my 5.0 with my rag-top down so my hair can blow; the girlies on standby waving just to say hi …” As funny as those lyrics are, that Mustang engine topped out at 225-hp. Fast forward 20-years and Land Rover’s “5.0” iteration represents the latest in technology and performance incorporating direct-injection and supercharging. 510 hp makes that 1990 Mustang’s output look like a sport compact’s output from today. Just as I loved the Vanilla Ice song (yes, I admit it) from 1990, I loved “rolling” in the Range Rover Autobiography.
Driving Impressions
Loaded already with many standard features found on luxury SUV’s and cars, the only additions were the Autobiography package ($14.5k), Surround Camera system (5 cameras total around the perimeter, $800), and a beautiful wood/leather steering wheel ($1k).
As the most expensive trim, the Autobiography added Aniline leather seats as well as more leather throughout the cabin, wood accents, a 4-zone climate control and special climate glass, Autobiography badging (sill plates, rear, and interior), unique 20” alloys, rear entertainment and HD radio, and adaptive cruise control. What more could you need?
Driving around on either the local streets or on the 101 to Carmel, I was treated to a luxurious ride insulated from road noise. Steering effort is light regardless of the speed. With direct injection and a supercharger, acceleration is linear and instantaneous which proved to be a great attribute entering freeways.
As helpful as all of the camera’s can be during the day, the rear lighting at night provides a somewhat hazy view of the area behind you when backing up.
As noted, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is included, and was used consistently during long stretches of freeway driving. It’s Land Rover’s 3rd generation of ACC and has “12-beams to scan the road ahead ten times every second.” By far, their system is the easiest and least intrusive systems I’ve used accelerating and decelerating seamlessly while maintaining safe distances. You can easily set the distance you would like to maintain between you and the car ahead.
Land Rover Driving Experience School
You can always see Land Rover Discovery’s tearing across sub-Saharan Africa on the TV, but until I actually drove one, I had no sense of a Land Rover’s off-road capabilities. We were given the opportunity to spend a few hours with Mike Igo (Land Rover Driving Instructor) at the Land Rover Driving Experience School at Quail Lodge in Carmel, California.
Land Rover has a total of four Driving Experience schools, located near plush resorts, with three in the US and one in Canada. The Driving Experience schools are a great opportunity where you’ll learn to properly navigate steep ascents and descents, pick the right line on side tilts, and maintain vehicle control on log bridge crossings. Whether you are an avid enthusiast, seasoned adventurer or curious novice, each lesson is customized to your individual skill level.
Range Rover – L322 , designed in 2002. Piece of garbage.
From a piece of garbage company.
Lame.
If you are going to talk trash about a vehicle, at least back it up with some facts. Your opinion carries zero weight or credibility without a sound foundation.
It’s seems dated and out of step with the world at hand.But it’s British and we tend to aspire to there ancient tired products.The last generation originated in the 1950′s this has soldiered on for a decade which is rather long in whats been a super advanced technological era.I think this say’s luxury like Teabager’s say revolutionary .For this high price you are not getting much and for much less you could get many other options.Still the commercials of being the vehicles of Royalty and adventure which makes people salivate.How long this will go on I don’t know but they better get what they can.Since the engines of will be very different will TATA be able to afford to source a Hybrid/Gas or Hybrid/Diesel or Hydrogen or Electric.We will see but I don’t would not bet on it.