Tag: New Range Rover

New Range Rover SV Coupe

Post author By Uygar Kilic
Post date March 26, 2018

Since the Range Rover was first introduced, we haven’t seen a coupe version recently, despite the fact that the initial Range Rover was a coupe. Why coupe? The answer is very simple. A short wheel base works better off-road. In particular, when you try to go over an obstacle, the shorter wheel base makes your life easier. That’s why the Lada Niva and the Mercedes G-Wagon are offered with short wheel base versions.

The reason why Land Rover offers a coupe Range Rover is not for improved off-roading. That’s very obvious given the standard 23-inch wheels! I really don’t know any other passenger vehicle with standard 23-inch wheels except buses and trucks.

Long story short, the Range Rover SV Coupe is just an expensive limited edition. Unfortunately the Land Rover team did not wish to revive the off-road DNA of the Range Rover with this coupe. The proof? The body is lowered by 8mm! When you add this up with the 23-inch wheels, the only off-roading you can do will be climbing the pavements in Mayfair, London. Just forget any other off-roading experience with this Range Rover.

The SV Coupe is powered by a 5-lt V8 Supercharged petrol engine with 565-HP and 700Nm. The transmission is an 8-speed ZF auto, and this monster needs 5.3-sec to reach 100 km/h! The top speed 257 km/h!

What about the technology? Like the original Range Rover, it offers nothing close to the Audi Q7, the Bentley Bentayga or the aging Mercedes GLE/GLS class! There are laser and LED headlights but the rest is outdated technology from 2012!

Overall, the Range Rover SV Coupe looks amazing, and has revived the real Range Rover. The performance is mind-blowing. The interior is the best interior in its class. However, the lack of driving assistance systems and semi-autonomous driving features just make this car outdated from the beginning.

Keep in mind that the SV Coupe is limited to 999 vehicles with a starting price tag of £240,000!

Photo Credit // Land Rover

Tags Land Rover, New Range Rover, Range Rover, Range Rover SV Coupe

Cars

The New Range Rover / Silent Luxury

Post author By Uygar Kilic
Post date October 13, 2017

The new Range Rover was recently announced, just a couple of hours ago. Actually, it is not a brand new car, only a facelift. As the Range Rover Velar introduced a new interior with new touch screens and more features, the rest of the Range Rover family had to be revised.

Now the new Range Rover looks more like an SUV from the 1990s, and, if you push hard enough, it can perfectly fit into the 1980s, especially with Miami Vice. If you have no idea what Miami Vice is, it was the coolest TV series in the 1980s.

The new Range Rover is using reductionism, basically the design director of Land Rover just changed his mind and contrasted it with his design of five years ago. The design team removed everything that was unnecessary, because they had placed too many unnecessary things into the design.

The interior of the new Range Rover is really well built, two large touch screens look cool but I do not know how functional they are. The steering wheel has the touch sensitive buttons and they will be a headache, because, they may assume you touched the buttons but you were just holding the steering wheel.

The interior features are really improved and moved far away from being an off-road vehicle. Actually, this is supported by the lack of a rear differential lock on the website. I could not find it, but I am sure, it is still offered for the V8 engines.

The driving assistance systems are improved but still a decade behind the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and two decades behind the new Audi A8. The Audi A8 is the pinnacle of driving assistance because, it uses artificial intelligence and machine learning.

The exterior of the Range Rover looks better with the camouflage. I never liked the new design approach for the Range Rover products. They looked like jewellery more than an SUV. Range Rovers are designed for off-road conditions not for the roads of Mayfair, London.

I cannot visualise a Range Rover with flashing blue lights in a diplomatic convoy. That job is done perfectly by the Toyota Land Cruiser.

Overall, the new Range Rover is a really good car. However, it is not great due to its decade gap with the driving assistance system. It is really good, but an average Mercedes-Benz C-Class offers much better safety and assistance than the brand-new Range Rover. That is really important. Also, there is no semi-autonomous driving feature available. Instead, Land Rover has focused on the luxury benefits rather than the utility benefits. All these years, I moaned about the Range Rover and the main reason for this was that it did not satisfy my goal of technology. It solves a problem called boosting self-esteem and luxury experience. Unfortunately, the problems solved by the Range Rover are not my problems.

Photo Credit / Land Rover

Tags Land Rover, New Range Rover, Range Rover

Cars

Why Do I Moan About Range Rover All The Time?

Post author By Uygar Kilic
Post date December 30, 2015

If you have ever read my articles about Range Rover, you would have noticed that I have a massive issue accepting that the new Range Rover is a great car. And there is one reason for this; I can imagine how the Range Rover might be a great car if it was built with the technology of Mercedes-Benz or BMW.

I guess my emotional attachment to Range Rover’s off-road abilities always leads me to imagine this alternative fantasy version of the new Range Rover: an SUV with semi-autonomous driving, radar guided cruise control with steering-wheel assist and stop & go features, a navigation system that works perfectly, seat massage system that would make massage salons jealous, crash prevention systems that can stop the car by itself and tighten your seat belts and warn for a rear-end collision, pedestrian detection system, night vision system…the list could go on forever.

However, Land Rover was struggling to save their business at the time that Mercedes-Benz was designing the AirBus inspired S-Class. As a result of the gap, Range Rover is several years behind in the driving assistance competition. This accounts for my steady disappointment.

I know myself, if I get the chance to buy a Range Rover, I will visit the dealer, drive the car. And then I will go straight to the BMW showroom and order an X5! Or order a Mercedes GLE! I would do this in the full knowledge that I know neither the X5 nor the GLE would be as tempting as the Range Rover and I would never establish an emotional bond with them. However, I would fall in love with the driving assistance systems that are offered on the X5 and the GLE. But whilst driving either an X5 or GLE, I would still be thinking about the Range Rover.

In the end, knowing the potential of the new Range Rover and seeing this vehicle without the contemporary driving assistance systems annoys me! Hopefully, Land Rover will have hired many BMW engineers and their future vehicles will improve immensely. Until that time, I would stick with the X5 or the GLE!

Photo Credits | Land Rover

Tags Land Rover, New Range Rover

Cars

YouTube Interview with Gerry McGovern and the New Range Rover

Post author By Uygar Kilic
Post date November 12, 2015

Land Rover recently revealed a new video on YouTube, ‘45 years of Range Rover: Gerry McGovern discusses his design inspirations’. It is a short interview with Gerry McGovern, who designed the new Range Rover.

The new Range Rover is not good looking car. If I said it is ugly, it would be a bit unfair, but there is no hint of the Range Rover in this generation. In particular, the fake air vents and the departure from the ‘form equals function’ design philosophy. When I say form equals function, you may remember Frank Stephenson, as he is the designer who designed the previous generation of Range Rover, which I still love.

If you know me personally, you would be saying, ‘Frank is your friend and that’s why you love that Range Rover’. Absolutely not! The main reason for my emotional attachment to the previous generation is the clean design. Every design item on that previous generation of Range Rover had a role. The design wasn’t there to impress someone at Mayfair, London. It was there do a job.

However, Gerry McGovern moved away from this design philosophy and created fake air vents on both sides of the new Range Rover and moved away from the simple design to a poser design. Honestly, I would never associate the new Range Rover with an off-road experience; I would associate it with Prada sunglasses or a Fendi handbag. The Range Rover’s off-road DNA is gone, and with a 22-inch wheel, you can’t do off-road. It is that simple.

During the interview, Gerry McGovern mentioned that he loves the Patek Philippe Calatrava wristwatch for its simple and clean design, as every detail is simple and does a job. So, what was the role of the fake vents on the new Range Rover?

I know, I am focused on the air vents and have become very negative about the new Range Rover, but details make the difference, and I would really love to see a Range Rover that offers state-of-the-art technology and a design that reflects the DNA.

I know that many people from Jaguar Land Rover read my blog; however, that’s my personal view.

Photo Credit | Land Rover

Tags Gerry McGovern, Land Rover, New Range Rover, Range Rover

Cars

Range Rover Holland & Holland Edition | Canon 50 mm f 1.8

Post author By Uygar Kilic
Post date January 31, 2015

Range Rover Holland & Holland long-wheel base edition, I spotted this brand new Range Rover at Stratstone’s Mayfair, London dealer. And decided to approach from a Canon 50mm f 1.8 lens. This lens provide a unique photography option even at low-ligh conditions. And with f 1.8 aperture value, you will get lots of blur background but you need to be careful with this.

Range Rover Holland & Holland edition is the most luxurious Range Rover ever made, it is made by Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations. Despite being long-wheel base, Holland & Holland edition does not look that long. Inside the Range Rover, there are lots of leathers and all optional features are standard to improve luxury experience. The boot has a special storage! The best part of the Holland & Holland is the reclining seats at the rear. These seats can recline up to 17-degree, that’s a lot. Believe me and you can easily fall asleep. Actually, I really love reclining seats at the rear and it is really hard to get one! You can have it with Mercedes-Maybach, optional with Rolls Royce Phantom and standard with Range Rover Holland & Holland edition.

This comparison leads to price tag! Range Rover Holland & Holland edition is £180,000! And very expensive for an SUV, however if you are planning to buy Mercedes-Maybach or Rolls Royce, this price tag can be reasonable. However, you need to think again. If you wish to have all these luxury items without the Holland & Holland edition on a Range Rover long-wheel base, you will save around £40,000. And if you are planning to save money on a luxury car, you would probably will never buy a Range Rover.

Range Rover Holland & Holland long-wheel base edition’s technical details are; it is either powered by a 4.4-lt 334 HP SDV8 diesel engine or 5-lt 503 HP supercharged petrol engine with 8-speed automatic gearbox. And keep in mind, Range Rover’s are not light!

Tags Holland & Holland, London, Mayfair, New Range Rover, Range Rover, Stratstone

Fashion

The Vogue Editors Go To Fashion Week vs. Laws of Physics

Post author By Uygar Kilic
Post date September 23, 2014

British Vogue magazine recently revealed a YouTube video that explains their moments during the London Fashion Week, The Vogue Editors Go To Fashion Week vs. Laws of Physics. I started to watch the video and as usual, it started with a lovely Range Rover (I don’t like the new Range Rover). Nothing wrong with this, even though Range Rover literally has ageing high tech gadgets.

The Range Rover started to pick-up editors, of course the driver picked them up. Range Rover cannot drive by itself. And when they started the journey, I noticed that none of the British Vogue editors were wearing their seat belts. I know in London, the average speed of travelling is like 20-30 km/h. And they are seating at the rear seats!

However, laws of physics do apply to all of us! Regardless of our speed, title or seat position. It is very simple, if an object rapidly decelerates, our body cannot cope with the huge amount of g-force and we hit to object that is in front of us. And this is called an accident, consequences of rapid deceleration.

I can imagine their work load during the London Fashion Week, however they are still in public road, they are not escorted like in annual UN meeting. And also, many people perceive them as a role-model, therefore I would highly suggest British Vogue team to wear their seat belts.

Never forget, airbags are designed to be working effectively when the seat belts are on!

Tags London Fashion Week, New Range Rover, Vogue Magazine

Cars

How It Feels to Live in UK? Land Rover #Hibernot

Post author By Uygar Kilic
Post date February 7, 2014

How it feels to live in UK? This is one of the most common question, which I came across most of the time. And I started to explain the weather and so on. Hopefully, Land Rover helped me to answer this question with a great advertisement, #Hibernot. I cannot say, I am a fan of the Land Rover product range except Defender and Discovery 4, however this does not prevent me to promote their creative and innovative projects.

The #Hibernot is one of these, really creative, fantastic scenario and the result is very simple, British weather! When you arrive to UK don’t expect to experience Spanish summer and start complaining, before arriving to UK just watch the video of Land Rover #Hibernot.

Photo Credit

Land Rover

Tags Hibernot, Land Rover, New Range Rover

Cars

New Long Wheelbase Range Rover

Post author By Uygar Kilic
Post date October 28, 2013

New Long wheelbase Range Rover is recently revealed to public. After a very long time, Land Rover offered a vehicle with a long wheelbase option. The main reason for this decision is to compete with Mercedes S-Class, Bentley Flying Spur and some how Rolls Royce Ghost. Personally, it was very good decision to offer longer version, because some people willing to have more legs room at the rear.

However, longer vehicle does not mean that you suppose to offer wheel as big as a truck. Long wheelbase Range Rover is available with 21-inch and 22-inch wheels! And also Land Rover claims that longer Range Rover will have the same off-road capabilities with these huge wheels. Let me make this simple, if you are driving a vehicle with 21 or 22-inch wheels with low profile tyres, you have no chance to deal with adverse condition during an off-road journey. That’s why Mercedes G-Wagen and Toyota Land Cruiser offer high profile tyres to cope with rocks and mud. What Land Rover claims with the long wheelbase Range Rover with 22-inch wheels for off-road are similar to Christian Louboutin offers hiking experience with Monicarina Veau Velours boots.

Long wheelbase Range Rover offers very high level of luxury but still lack of the high technology of a German SUV. Unfortunately Range Rover cannot detect pedestrians at night like the new BMW X5! I know Range Rover offers a very high level of luxury but it needs more high-tech features.

And long wheelbase Range Rover cost more than £140,000. It is very expensive on each currency :) Keep in mind, Audi A8 offers four-wheel drive and the same level of luxury with a better price tag!

Photos Credits

Land Rover

Tags Christian Louboutin, New Range Rover, Range Rover

Cars

New Range Rover Experience

Post author By Uygar Kilic
Post date June 12, 2013

New Range Rover Experience! I decided to give another chance to the new Range Rover. As I expected my opinions did not change after the seconds visit. I still find it a bit interesting and needs more technological improvement. Especially, after the new Mercedes S-Class and upcoming Audi A8 and BMW 7-Series. The benchmark for high technology in automotive shifts into a different level.

And unfortunately, Range Rover does not offer these technologies. Such as, active lane assist with steering wheel correction. This is available in Ford Kuga but not in new Range Rover. However, not all the Range Rover customers are worried with these features. They want more luxury and glamour.

Interior of the new Range Rover is luxury and offers massage and individual rear seats. Also, very well made. I couldn’t find any mistake! However, I still find the exterior of Range Rover similar to a luxury fashion accessory like a sunglass. New Range Rover is too shinny for a Range Rover and lost its off road DNA from after this new design.

People like me always complain about radical changes, I really want to see the tough character of the Range Rover instead of Bond Street friendly look. However world is changing and design language is changing as well. It is impossible to satisfy everyone!

There is always a demand to Range Rover, because it is Range Rover. Status of achievement! You cannot have this psychological feeling with other SUVs. If you are successful, you should buy a Range Rover, thus other people will recognise your success.

If you are successful and do not wish to announce it, buy the Mercedes M-Class!

My suggestion for the new Range Rover: Replaces the screens with a higher density screens. Design a new user interface. Offer new pre crash technologies. And better plastic. The rest of the vehicle is really good!

Lastly, don’t get influence by my comments. New Range Rover is a very good car and visit a dealer before making a decision. Don’t be lazy and sit in front a screen to judge a car :)

Tags Land Rover, New Range Rover, Range Rover

Cars

Personalised New Range Rover with a Minor Revision

Post author By Uygar Kilic
Post date May 1, 2013

Personalised new Range Rover. Many people love to personalise or customise their cars, especially the expensive ones like the new Range Rover. So, I decided to join this trend and did a minor revision, which creates a personalised look to Range Rover.

I removed the air vent inspired side vent design items from the front door of the Range Rover and made it flat like the previous model. This small revision creates a unique look and moves the design of the new Range Rover closer to form follows function design philosophy. Also creates a cleaner look in the door sides, from rear-end to front-end.

I am definitely sure this personalisation can be done by any workshop very quickly :)

Pictures’ Copyrights

Land Rover

Tags Design, Land Rover, New Range Rover, Range Rover, SUV