[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/cars\/the-new-range-rover-gills-instead-of-grilles\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/cars\/the-new-range-rover-gills-instead-of-grilles\/","headline":"The New Range Rover \u2013 gills instead of grilles","name":"The New Range Rover \u2013 gills instead of grilles","description":"Where I live, Range Rovers fall into two distinct categories, the school run tank or the mud splattered, somewhat-more-luxurious-than-the-usual-workhorse utility vehicle driven by farmers dressed head to foot in olive green, which may be rather ironic considering it\u2019s standing as a \u2018green\u2019 vehicle. I\u2019ve always been mildly staggered by the price and ceasing to believe it, always\u00a0end up\u00a0doing a bit of a double take. I can’t argue with the credentials of a vehicle that has essentially remained in production, albeit […]","datePublished":"2012-08-16","dateModified":"2012-08-16","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/range-rover.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/range-rover.jpg","height":577,"width":577},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/cars\/the-new-range-rover-gills-instead-of-grilles\/","about":["4x4 Cars","Cars","Sports, Performance & Prestige Cars"],"wordCount":640,"keywords":["closing ceremony","Evoque","factory in solihull","george michael","Land Rover","london 2012 olympics","Range Rover"],"articleBody":"Where I live, Range Rovers fall into two distinct categories, the school run tank or the mud splattered, somewhat-more-luxurious-than-the-usual-workhorse utility vehicle driven by farmers dressed head to foot in olive green, which may be rather ironic considering it\u2019s standing as a \u2018green\u2019 vehicle.I\u2019ve always been mildly staggered by the price and ceasing to believe it, always\u00a0end up\u00a0doing a bit of a double take. I can’t argue with the credentials of a vehicle that has essentially remained in production, albeit with many changes, for around 42 years though. It serves a purpose.The Range Rover is unique in the modern car world as having not spent too much time in a wind tunnel. It could never be argued that this vehicle was designed for speed over comfort, although with 516lb foot of torque and a top speed of 140mph it is no slouch either. Of course, all that torque goes mostly into propelling this beast from standing to actual forward movement – this car weighs a little shy of 3,000kg after all.From a design perspective, you cannot argue that Land Rover has achieved its aim of making a rather un-aerodynamic vehicle look modern and sleek. So where do they go from here?The sporty front grille and matching side grille of the latest incarnation\u00a0might be\u00a0a hint of things to come, if pictures of the latest soon-to-be all new Range Rover are anything to go by.Let\u2019s look at the good news first then; the use of a lightweight, aluminium monocoque body will decrease the massive weight of this beast by around 420kg, and the updated air suspension will, according to Land Rover, give greater cornering confidence. Too much body-roll while cornering is of course something many 4x4s inherently suffer from. The purported extra length will give 118mm more legroom for the rear occupants too.The British designed and engineered new Range Rover will be built in a new factory in Solihull, which is of course, the best news of all.Land Rover also say the new Range Rover will offer a \u201ctransformation in fuel economy and CO2 emissions\u201d \u2013 although I doubt this piece of spin will push the panic buttons of many other manufacturers.But it\u2019s not all leaping in the air and clicking your heels together. Let\u2019s put aside any misgivings you might have about such a hulking beast even existing for the time being and take a long hard look at it. The side view does look a bit like it’s been designed with the use of a set-square. If you buy one of these, you will forever have to glance down at some fish gills each time you open your door while catching the Evoque-like headlamps creeping around the side of the car out of the corner of your eye.While there\u2019s no price as yet, it\u2019s pretty clear that with such a revamped design from the wheels up and an even more luxurious interior, the price will undoubtedly be hiked accordingly. And with the rumoured extra length, it does ask the question who and where is this vehicle for?I can\u2019t see many of these appearing in the narrow streets of our increasingly non-car friendly cities, so maybe Land Rover are actually targeting the increasing export market. After all, Land Rover already export to over 160 markets around the world.Maybe that\u2019s it; Land Rover are aiming this vehicle specifically at the kind of market that would have delivered the stars, chauffeur driven, to the closing ceremony at the London 2012 Olympics \u2013 after all, if you book George Michael, you wouldn\u2019t want to let him drive himself to the arena, would you?Full specifications will be released in September 2012 while customer deliveries will commence from early 2013.Images from http:\/\/newsroom.jaguarlandrover.com"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Cars","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/\/cars\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The New Range Rover \u2013 gills instead of grilles","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/cars\/the-new-range-rover-gills-instead-of-grilles\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]