Autonomy comes to Range Rover

Land Rover has introduced advanced autonomous driving technologies in the Range Rover with a new model from Special Vehicle Operations (SVO), the Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic.

Since it redefined the luxury SUV sector more than 46 years ago, Range Rover has achieved more than one million sales. The original Classic model debuted in 1970 and over four generations the luxury SUV has established itself as a design reference for all-terrain luxury.

The new SVAutobiography Dynamic brings new levels of performance to the Range Rover, powered by a 405kW V8 supercharged engine. Building on the successful launch of the long-wheelbase Range Rover SVAutobiography, the SVAutobiography Dynamic is available in standard wheelbase specification and comes fitted with specially configured suspension designed to optimise agility without compromising Range Rover’s trademark refinement and comfort.

The 2017 model year Range Rover also debuts a selection of innovative new technologies, which provide the building blocks towards fully autonomous driving. These features include Advanced Tow Assist, an intelligent driver aid that takes the stress out of reversing a trailer.

In addition, Driver Condition Monitor and Blind Spot Assist, which autonomously steers the vehicle back into its lane if sensors detect the driver is steering into the path of another road user, are added to an extensive selection of advanced safety features.

Interior changes include a new larger 10-inch dual view touchscreen display, powered by Land Rover’s market-leading InControl Touch Pro system. The pinch and zoom, tablet-style touchscreen provides a host of new features including customisable homepages, enhanced satellite navigation functions and instant access to the driver’s favourite apps.

“Range Rover has been the world’s leading luxury SUV since its debut more than 46 years ago,” said Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Chief Design Officer. “Design is fundamental to this vehicle and the latest refinements reinforce its status as the ultimate luxury SUV. By offering our customers more choice, more technology and more power we ensure Range Rover remains in a class of its own.”

Land Rover provided the following summary:

The SVAutobiography Dynamic is the most powerful production Range Rover. Its potent 405kW 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine is shared with the acclaimed Range Rover Sport SVR. The engine has been specifically calibrated for the flagship Range Rover and delivers 680Nm of torque, powering the SVAutobiography Dynamic from 0-100km/h in only 5.4 seconds. It is paired with ZF’s eight-speed automatic transmission for seamless gear changes and supreme performance.

The interior takes Range Rover to new heights of desirability and refinement. Diamond quilted leather seats with contrast stitching are available in four exclusive colourways, which complement the Ebony perforated leather headliner, giving an immediate impression of luxury. The front fascia and door casings feature a Grand Black veneer, with an additional Red keyline finish on the door casings. In addition, key features, such as the rotary shift controller, start stop button and pedals have a sophisticated knurled finish. Underlining its dynamic positioning, the paddle shifters are finished in anodized red (except when specified with a tan interior) while the driver’s handbook is bound in quilted leather chosen to match the interior.

The new addition to the range is identified by a series of unique exterior features. The side vents, bonnet finisher, grille, front bumper accents, Range Rover script and tailgate finisher are all finished in Graphite Atlas. Customers have a choice of 21 and 22-inch alloy wheel designs, as well as three unique finishes. The SVAutobiography Dynamic is also the first Range Rover available with eye-catching red brake calipers and Brembo brake technology.

Jaguar Land Rover’s SVO division has fine-tuned the suspension to achieve the optimum combination of performance and comfort. Revisions to the knuckles, links, springs and dampers provide a lower ride height (8mm lower than standard) and more immediate responses.

SVAutobiography Dynamic also features two driver-focused technologies designed to deliver improved body control and agility. Dynamic Response improves vehicle handling and occupant comfort by reducing the amount of body lean during cornering. The system controls the front and rear axles independently, delivering increased low-speed agility, superior high-speed stability and greater steering precision. Adaptive Dynamics monitors vehicle movements up to 500 times a second, reacting to driver inputs and changes in the road surface to provide greater control without compromising Range Rover’s peerless refinement.

In keeping with its more purposeful character, the SVAutobiography Dynamic features bright chrome quad tailpipes that have been optimised to enhance its distinctive V8 soundtrack.

“The Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic has been specially developed by the Special Vehicle Operations team to deliver a more engaging driving experience,” said Mark Stanton, Director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations. “It delivers the ultimate combination of performance and Range Rover luxury, befitting its unique position in the portfolio.”

2017 Range Rover adds convenience through innovative technology

Range Rover is the ultimate expression of luxury and 2017 Model Year customers can access more advanced autonomous technologies than ever before. Advanced Tow Assist debuts and takes the stress out of the potentially difficult task of reversing while towing a trailer.

Using the vehicle’s existing Surround Camera System the clever technology enables drivers to guide a trailer into position with minimal effort. By following the trajectory lines overlaid on an image from the rear-facing camera displayed on the central touchscreen, Advanced Tow Assist is able to automatically steer the vehicle to follow the path selected by the driver using the Terrain Response 2 rotary controller.

Advanced Tow Assist allows even the most inexperienced drivers to manoeuvre a trailer into position quickly, easily and safely – the intelligent set-up even alerts the driver if they are approaching a jack-knife situation.

Specialist technology enhances all-terrain credentials

Peerless all-terrain capability is a cornerstone of the Range Rover family and new 2017 model year Range Rover features a pair of new technologies designed to reinforce its class-leading credentials:

Low Traction Launch – A manually selectable driving mode designed to assist drivers when pulling away from a standstill on slippery surfaces such as wet grass, snow or ice. By controlling the amount of torque that can be applied by the driver, the system reduces the likelihood of wheelspin to maintain traction and ensure smooth acceleration.

The feature can be accessed independently through the central touchscreen and the driver is prompted to engage Low Traction Launch whenever Grass/Gravel/Snow mode is selected using Terrain Response 2. The system remains active until the vehicle reaches 30km/h.

All-Terrain Info Centre – Relays useful information to the driver relating to the vehicle’s configuration and status via the central touchscreen display.

Improved connectivity and intuitive interactivity

The introduction of Jaguar Land Rover’s InControl Touch Pro infotainment is a significant enhancement to 2017 Model Year Range Rover. The class-leading system delivers improved satellite navigation functionality and connectivity while its more intuitive operation is augmented by the new larger 10-inch dual-view touchscreen display.

InControl Touch Pro introduces a series of new app services to Range Rover. InControl Remote Premium allows customers to remotely control vehicle functions such as activating the climate control to cool or heat the car ready for departure, set and deactivate the alarm, and even start the engine. The app will alert owners if their vehicle alarm has been triggered.

Additional InControl Touch Pro Services include live apps that can be downloaded to the system to provide information such as weather reporting and flight tracking.

Improved satellite navigation and services

As part of the new InControl Touch Pro system fitted to 2017 model year Range Rover, the fully integrated satellite navigation has been extensively developed with a range of new features including door-to-door routing. The comprehensive system allows customers to set a destination on the Land Rover-dedicated smartphone Route Planner app.

The app will navigate you to the vehicle, before transferring further directions to the in-vehicle system. Once parked close to your destination, the system will switch back to the smartphone to guide owners to their chosen location on foot.

Commute mode automatically learns frequently used routes, such as the journey to work, and recommends the best route dependent on live traffic data. Meanwhile the sharing function allows owners to share their destination, arrival time and current location with friends, family and colleagues.

The driver is also able to view a partial or full navigation screen within the Virtual Instrument Display, depending on their preference. Rear passengers can also view the journey time and distance to destination using the built-in rear seat entertainment system and even browse navigation maps and send suggested destinations to the driver, who can choose to reject or accept them using the central touchscreen display.

Advanced safety systems

New 2017 model year Range Rover introduces a host of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to the luxury SUV. Standard driver assistance technologies include Rear Park Distance Control, Cruise Control and Speed Limiter and Lane Departure Warning

The additional Drive Pack includes existing features such as Blind Spot Monitor and Reverse Traffic Detection.

The Drive Pro Pack takes the features from the Drive Pack and adds Adaptive Cruise Control with Queue Assist. New to 2017 model year Range Rover is Blind Spot Assist, which automatically applies counter steering if the driver begins to change lane into the path of a following vehicle. Lane Keep Assist is another new feature for 2017 model year. It provides gentle, corrective steering input if it detects the vehicle drifting across the white lines out of its lane.

Unique colours and finishes for most luxurious Range Rover

The level of personalisation available for 2017 Model Year Range Rover is taken to new heights with the introduction of new exterior finishes available through Special Vehicle Operations.

The mix of 19 new colours gives customers a more varied choice of metallic and pearlescent colours, all available in either gloss or satin matte finishes. The additional options range from traditional shades to bolder, more contemporary choices. From spectacular, deep blacks to dramatic reds, the new colours perfectly complement and finish the design of the world’s most luxurious SUV.