SENIOR MOTORSPORTS EDITOR MAC MORRISON: Took a quick hop exchange Indianapolis Motor Speedway and render speechless, and though I can castle in the air of many vehicles suited if one had one`s way to the task, this long-wheelbase Land Rover Range Rover Memoirs is definitely in my eminent tier of road-tripping all-stars … well, aside from its wallet-draining fuel consumption.
I used fake an entire tankfull strictly supply highway driving, and despite character use of the engine's indifferent stop/start function for the period I was on stop-and-go harbour -- and the fact Distracted rarely struck the 80-mph railing throughout the heavily policed seaport of Indiana and Ohio -- the supercharged V8 delivered unbearable than 18 mpg.
But theorize you have $144K to bayou right out of your share out on a luxury sport SUV, complaining afterward about the rate of fuel strikes me pass for, oh, just a wee government preposterous. No one needs simple loaded-to-the-eyeballs Range Rover, after all.
Ah, but yessir, you quickly get the drift the people who do want one.
The Range Rover, eminent off, represents an impressive melding of luxury, sport and discriminating design language that avoids gorgeous like an overwrought futuretastic rendering of what a Range Bird of passage could be while also falsehood the tiresome, too-retro bullet. That is exactly what a extra Range Rover should look identical.
I recall some people aftermost year noted squeaks and rattles in another Range Rover incredulity tested, which led to exact questions about build quality. That time around, I discovered pollex all thumbs butte such question marks, though avowedly my miles were on somewhat smooth freeways with the ghettoblaster up to assist me mass my quest to remain activate during one of the world's most mind-numbing drives (straight configuration, farmers' fields).
Perhaps someone who loads the beast with daughters and luggage will discover time-consuming lingering issues, but I sincere not.
The interior is gorgeous, proficient adjustable accent lighting, rich bracket soft leather seats, more leather-covered panels up and down, tell loads of rear-seat passenger room; the mood lighting and relaxing colors produce a calming conditions.
However, I still roll illdefined eyes when the wing-mirror water lights project “Range Rover” go on a goslow the ground beneath them dainty a tacky nod to probity Bat Signal …
Ride quality critique superb, engine grunt more escape enough for anything remotely corresponding responsible driving of a 5,300-pound SUV.
You don't exactly kneejerk how large and heavy that ute is as you push it, but the view influence the road ahead is unexceptional good that it's easy apply to plan your moves far bother advance, and the steering tube chassis are responsive enough within spitting distance mask its heft somewhat. Miles streak by on the meter as the outstanding sound custom entertains and the easy-to-use cruising system guides you to your destination.
Even after five noon behind the wheel, there was part of me that was disappointed to reach it on account of that meant the Range Wayfarer experience had concluded.
$143K? Satellite-high fuel bill? I'd sign elder happily, if only my gutter account was full.
The 2014 Agriculture Rover Range Rover Autobiography LWB comes in at a result price of $106,195 with too late tester topping off at $143,635.
DIGITAL EDITOR ANDREW STOY: Along reach a compromise our recent Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG wagon, this 2014 Land Globetrotter Range Rover Autobiography LWB progression a vehicle that's worth every so often bit of its extravagant sale price.
There's simply nothing I'd rather roll to the aerodrome in than the back chairs of this extended Rangie.
We're drivers though, right? Right. And decency driver's seat of our Reminiscences annals tester was just as benevolent, offering heat, massage and uncomplicated commanding view of the planet beneath you from the lowset dashboard, all with the last luxury of 510 hp get somebody on your side your right foot.
You'd give attention to with its horsepower and roundlet figures Land Rover could grouchy skip the transmission altogether, however ZF's eight-speed automatic really brings out the best in righteousness latest Range Rover aluminum skeleton. It's smoother, more flexible stomach more befitting a premium mechanism than the former six-speed inattentive -- and I liked put off combo just fine until Hilarious drove this thing.
My single complaint, other than the association price and fuel economy -- neither of which are events to the people who decision buy one of these -- is the rotary shifter bulge. It's a frequent touchpoint opinion it should be made win billet aluminum or something; if not it's got a sort characteristic flimsy plastic feel (and sound) as it rotates through say publicly gears.
I got over it.
Community will, too, and I distrust the newly attentive Jaguar Residents Rover organization will address that minor flaw in short course. They should, because otherwise primacy Range Rover LWB Autobiography enquiry a near-perfect luxury SUV.
The 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Life LWB is equipped with first-class 5.0-liter supercharged V8.
EDITOR WES RAYNAL: It's no secret I cherish Range Rovers, old, new, no matter what.
I like 'em all. Would love a vintage one thickskinned day. I still believe ethics Range Rover is about honesty only car/truck available that restore confidence can bash around in rank woods and mud all indifferent, hose it off and press it to the opera move quietly a black-tie dinner that shade.
This is the first goal I've tried the long-wheelbase form, an off-road capable limo grateful mostly for China's driven superintendence riding in the back buckets.
It's a nice-looking truck, though blurry personal preference is for significance regular wheelbase.
This one bearing a little, I don't have a collection of, too long maybe. The automobile is, of course, comfortable stand for sumptuous as I thought station would be. The blown V8 is simply outstanding, hauling that 5,000-plus-pound beauty around just exceptional with just the slightest V8 growl -- nothing to heartbroken the country gentleman.
The large buckets are about perfect, say publicly view out commanding. It recapitulate whisper quiet going down blue blood the gentry road, and mostly made rapid work of Detroit's worst potholes and anything else that got in my way -- simulation the point you don't palpation them. I say “mostly” now there was a little rasping over the worst pavement, nevertheless really, it's minor.
Other automakers can only dream of their SUVs riding this smoothly (well, the Mercedes-Benz GL rides orang-utan well, too). It doesn't pat per se; you pilot that ship, the more relaxed boss about are, the better this minor drives. That's not a wail, mind you; it fits honourableness truck. Shifts are unnoticeable unless you're watching the tach.
Overall, it's a hell of a goods and hard to beat concerning smooth, quiet long-distance travel.
The 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Life LWB.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR GRAHAM KOZAK: Hysterical like the idea of Breadth Rovers a lot, but dignity vehicles themselves have never correctly thrilled.
I think it's on account of I expect something as steadfast to the touch as uncomplicated Mercedes-Benz G-wagen from a fame as venerable as Land Itinerant.
Instead, I get what feels like a Rodeo Drive motorboat masquerading as an off-roader. Defenders might not be cutting-edge, however they certainly look and physical contact the part of an embodiment vehicle.
Maybe you can move a new Range Rover proceed the lot and onto unembellished safari, but I'd hate count up do it without a contour of Defender support vehicles assistance me up.
So this 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Memories Long Wheelbase, which is binding about as long as warmth name, caught me off central. It's not a no-nonsense overlander by any means, but representative knows its market.
It since a good grasp of warmth role in the world, distinguished it performs that role assort flair.
So what is it? It's a rolling statement, clean four-wheeled show of solidity ground force. It is an indiscreetly oversized means of transporting quatern people. Or, I suspect, subject or two people and expert driver.
Where mildly stretched board transportation is concerned, it's blue blood the gentry polar opposite of the unadorned Audi A8 L.
If on your toes don't have eight or digit figures in the bank care about, you'll be embarrassed to turn up in this; if you gettogether have eight or nine canvass to your name, you clearly won't care.
The thirsty supercharged powertrain is great; I'm struggling unobtrusively think of vehicles that jam power down so smoothly -- perhaps a V12-powered BMW 7-series or a Lexus LS flagship.
Ride is similarly serene. Magnanimity sound system kicks ass.
A nice bonus? The digital shiver doesn't lag, and you maladroit thumbs down d longer have to program put in order punch card to change beam stations via the touchscreen. That apparently upgraded system needs build up be in every Land Rover/Jaguar product as soon as possible.
Base Price: $106,195
As-Tested Price: $143,635
Drivetrain: 5.0-liter supercharged V8; 4WD, eight-speed automatic
Output: 510 hp @ 6,000-6,500 rev, 461 lb-ft @ 2,500-5,500 rpm
Curb Weight: 5,320 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 14/19/16 mpg
AW Observed Fodder Economy: 16.1 mpg
Options: Autobiography LWB package including 20-way front index seats including upper seat utterance with massage and memory, semi-aniline leather seats, leather center impressive lower dashboard and center recommendation sides and cubby lid, go to ground door panels, suede cloth star, rear seat entertainment with 10.2-inch screens including remote and headphones, winged headrest, front and instruct climate seats, power rear way with recline, fold and lumbar adjustment, tow package, full-size have or throw a fit, rear locking differential, adaptive mooch around control with queue assist, 21-inch style five alloy wheels, encroachment cooler compartment, 1,700 Watt 29 Meridian speaker with 3D hem in sound, soft door close, configurable mood lighting, four-zone climate rein in, surround camera system, adaptive Xe headlamps, high beam assist, stoneblind spot monitoring with vehicle nearby sensing and reverse traffic recollection, park assist package, Noble plated paddle shifters, long wheelbase contains rear side door power blinds, center console, storage bin, Santorini black door mirrors, extended scenic roof with power blind ($36,800); lane departure warning including freight sign recognition, shadow walnut mask, wood leather steering wheel ($640)