Mid Life Crisis?

How old do you have to be before you can be called an icon? Maybe no time at all, like a MINI, or maybe forty years like a Range Rover.

Next week sees the luxury 4x4 reach its 40th birthday, which must be cause for celebration.

Still the pinnacle of practical premium motoring for both the urban wealthy and the country set, the Range Rover is a very different beast to that of the original two door 'Classic' that was launched in 1970. Originally designed to offer the comfort of a Rover saloon car with the off-road ability of a Land Rover, it could be argued that is was a very early 'crossover' design.

Through Royal approval, a significant number equipped with blue lights on the roof, and even a Papal conversion, the Range Rover gained an instant credibility that has endured.

Now packed with technology, lightweight aluminum construction, and a cow hide or three in every car, luxury does not come cheap. Starting at a little under £68,000 and rising to around £84,000, the latest generation of Range Rover is a vehicle for those that belong to the top echelons of society. This is of course why the Range Rover Sport was conceived and introduced to appeal to a more dynamic customer. Let's face it, there is obviously less 'new money' than old, and the RRS ticked all of their boxes.

Coming right up to date the new baby Range Rover, originally conceived as a small eco Land Rover, will open up the brand to another audience and another lower price point when it goes on sale later this year. It could be that the brand is going back to its roots with a more affordable two door model capable in all situations, but by offering a 2WD drive train it feels more like a dilution of what made the brand attractive in the first place.

Of course, very few of the Range Rovers of today utilise the exceptional off-road ability that they all have as part of their DNA, so is a having a 2WD a big deal? Would we be bothered if the Ferrari prancing horse were seen on the front of a family saloon? Let's hope so.

Is it a good move for Land Rover to offer 2WD models?

11/06/2010 Brian Breakwell

How the hell will the 2 WD Range Rover be able to avoid getting stuck in Chelsea or Toxteth? It.s a disgrace.