LA Auto Show: Range Rover Introduces A Stretched Version: Comments

[William Maley]

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William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

October 28, 2013

The Range Rover is family is growing once again with the introduction of a new long-wheelbase model that will make its debut at the 2013 LA Auto Show in November. Land Rover says they have extended the body in front of the rear wheels to add 5.5 inches of rear-legroom. The back seat can be equipped as a bench or individual rear seats with a center console. The individual rear seats can recline up to 17 degrees. LWB models will also come with powered door blinds and a panoramic sunroof.

The Range Rover Long Wheelbase will come in the Supercharged and Autobiography trims, which means a Supercharged V8 with 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque.

Also being introduced at the 2013 LA Auto Show is the new Autobiography Black trim level. This is billed as Jaguar Land Rover’s ‘Engineered To Order’ (ETO) division first vehicle. The Autobiography Black trim comes with tweaks to the grille, badging, and trim. There is also a set a seven-spoke twenty-one inch wheels.

The big changes lie inside. For starters, the individual back seats are fully adjustable and come with lumbar massage and recline. There is a rear center console with electrically deployable tables that are wrapped in black leather and include a cupholder and USB ports. The console also has a chiller to keep drinks cool.

Land Rover says that only 100 Range Rover Autobiography Black models will be coming to the U.S. in 2014, with 25 of those coming in a Valloire White pearlescent paint color.

Source: Land Rover

Press Release is on Page 2

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected]or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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LAND ROVER EXTENDS APPEAL AND EXCLUSIVITY OF RANGE ROVER WITH LONG-WHEELBASE AND AUTOBIOGRAPHY BLACK VARIANTS

• Long-wheelbase Range Rover vehicle offers customers extended rear seat comfort
  
• The 2014 Range Rover will be available in standard (SWB) and long-wheelbase (LWB)
  
• Rear seat luxury and comfort is enhanced by close to eight inches of extra wheelbase
  
• Global debut will be at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show in November
  
• Autobiography Black Edition launched as the new pinnacle of the Range Rover line-up
  
• Luxurious new amenities offered in an exclusive edition with distinct leather and veneers
  
• Ultra luxury rear seat experience includes reclining, extending and massage-equipped seats and custom crafted comfort and work amenities
  
• U.S. debut will be at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show in November
  
• New offering to meet growing demand for an ultra-luxury edition of the Range Rover
  
• Sales of all-new all-aluminum Range Rover up 39 percent YTD, 2013
  
• The all-new Range Rover was the first SUV to ever achieve the highest score in J.D. Power and Associates APEAL survey
  

(MAHWAH, NJ) – October 27, 2013 - Land Rover is extending its family of peerless luxury vehicles with the introduction of long-wheelbase variants of the Range Rover vehicle and the addition of an exclusive new ultra luxury edition– the Range Rover Autobiography Black.

These two new Range Rover variants meet strong global demand for enhanced luxury, rear seat ambiance and exclusivity at the pinnacle of the Range Rover line-up.

RANGE ROVER LONG-WHEELBASE

Debuting at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show, long-wheelbase Range Rover models have 5.5-inches more rear seat legroom than standard-wheelbase models and when equipped with the optional executive seating package, an increased seatback recline of 17 degrees. Customer deliveries of long-wheelbase range rover models are expected to commence in late Q1 2014.

The additional 5.5-inches (140mm) of rear legroom has been achieved by lengthening the unibody in front of the rear wheels. The signature floating roof and distinctive Range Rover silhouette are retained.

Long-wheelbase variants will initially be available on Supercharged and Autobiography trim levels with either a three-across bench seat or individual rear seats with a center console. The individual rear seats can recline to 17 degrees, a full eight degrees more than in the standard-wheelbase. All long-wheelbase vehicles will be equipped with standard powered door blinds and a panoramic sunroof, and carry a distinctive ‘L’ badge insignia displayed on the lower front door trims.

RANGE ROVER AUTOBIOGRAPHY BLACK

New levels of exclusivity with Range Rover Autobiography Black

Land Rover has created a new ultra-luxury flagship, the 2014 Range Rover Autobiography Black, which will make its U.S. debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. The new Range Rover Autobiography Black interior has been carefully crafted and tailored to meet customer needs with subtle but distinctive detailing. The interior has been appointed and finished with the highest quality leathers and materials.

Available in long-wheelbase only for the U.S. Market, the Range Rover Autobiography Black has been designed and engineered by Jaguar Land Rover’s ‘Engineered To Order’ (ETO) division to build upon the already exceptional Range Rover with extended levels of luxury, comfort and design in an exclusive offering.

A limited build of around 100 units is planned for the U.S. market in the 2014 model year. The first 25 will be built in Valloire White pearlescent paint.

Subtle but distinctive exterior detailing

A number of exterior elements to the Autobiography Black give it a subtly distinctive character. A unique design and finish has been given to the front grille and side vents along with badging in black enamel and chrome. Signature rear lamps, a chrome accent finish to the tailgate and auxiliary vents to the front add to the unique detailing of this vehicle. A new exclusive 7-spoke 21-inch with a high gloss polished finish further differentiates the Autobiography Black.

“The Range Rover Autobiography Black is the latest step in our transformational journey that moves luxury to another level. This vehicle is an intensely design focused response to our customers’ desire for more choice and exclusivity,” says Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Design Director and Chief Creative Officer. “The highest standards of precision detailing, together with the use of the finest crafted materials, have been achieved inside and out. Autobiography Black represents the pinnacle of desirability in the world of luxury inhabited by our Range Rover customers.”

First class travel

The Range Rover Autobiography Black incorporates an individualized front and rear seating package with a bespoke seat cover design. Both front and rear seats have seat memory and climate control available. The sumptuous leather seating is complemented with a massage function and bolsters with adjustable 18-way front seat including upper seat articulation.

Furthermore, this package offers the ultimate in rear seat luxury with two individual fully adjustable seats and a new center console to offer supreme comfort and functionality. Rear passengers benefit from the addition of lumbar massage and powered recline, 10.2” Rear seat entertainment screens feature navigation journey displays and the right hand side rear passenger seat is equipped with a powered recliner calf rest for further comfort.

With a new design made exclusively for the Autobiography Black, the rear center console includes electrically deployable tables covered in black leather with integrated USB charging sockets and cup holders. A chiller compartment provides additional space for glasses and bottles and increased stowage is available towards the rear. The headphone storage trim can be removed to reveal a ski hatch while the entire rear console can be illuminated in harmony with the vehicle’s mood lighting settings.

Configurable LED mood lighting allows the owner to set the tone by varying the intensity of the lighting from a range of 10 colors. This feature is concentrated on the door handles and stowage compartments, as well as along the lines of the lavish, veneered surfaces on the center console. The footwell lighting can also be adjusted to ambient light color rather than plain white.

Finer details include leather-wrapped rear cargo trim, A, B and C-pillar trim and a perforated leather finish on the door insert. The seat backs, ski hatch, cargo trim and upper D-pillar, are also leather wrapped. Tread plates feature an illuminated ‘Autobiography Black’ script, while a brushed stainless steel tailgate trim completes the detailing.

Three exclusive interior color combinations are available with the Range Rover Autobiography Black at launch; Ebony/Lunar, Espresso/Tan and Dark Cherry/Ivory, the latter including a unique dual-tone seat.

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