THE incoming of the latest edition of the Range Rover L405 from Jaguar/Land Rover Motors into the Nigerian market has further increased auto competition in the SUV segment, as more variety of the automobiles are already on the roads.
Specifically, the introduction of the fourth-generation of Range Rover L405 manufactured by Land Rover has shown that the Nigerian auto market is going places.
This may not be unconnected with Nigeria having been rated as the hub of African auto market in terms of sales by auto manufacturers.
The debut of the Range Rover was first displayed towards the end of last year at the Paris motor show in Paris, France.
But, Land Rover, as a global organisation in its drive about sustainability, decided to set a new benchmark with the debut of the all-new Range Rover in Nigeria.
The auto wheel is the first SUV with a revolutionary lightweight all-aluminium monocoque body structure in the world.
It has a 39 per cent lighter than the outgoing model, thus enabling total vehicle weight savings of up to 420kg (925.9lb).
Speaking at the launching in Lagos few days ago, the President/Chief Executive Officer, Coscharis Group, Dr. Cosmas Maduka said the new Range Rover was another example of how Land Rover is taking the brand forward by thinking globally and targeting modern trends in automobile designing to meet specific regional expectations.
“As I have maintained on previous occasions, our brands are envisioned to remain market leaders in their segments and that is why we associate with them. This latest L405 is designed to break new market and sustain old customers by delivering stunning auto all terrain response performance, while vividly demonstrating Land Rover’s cutting-edge engineering technologies and world-class design excellence,” Maduka said.
He said Land Rover has put into consideration the conservative nature of its customers and has created a vehicle which is environmentally friendly and instantly recognisable as a Range Rover, but takes a significant step forward with a bold evolution of the model’s iconic contemporary design language.
“The Range Rover continues to occupy a unique position in the luxury car marketplace, offering an unrivalled combination of luxury, performance and all-terrain ability. Its predecessors did so well that the Range Rover customers wanted it to remain, but Land Rover as a company decided to make it even better,” Maduka said.
He however said his company’s expectation is that, with this new model, Land Rover will widen the Range Rover market share within Nigeria and globally, adding that “our commitment is to remain relevant and foremost in the automobile sector despite what our competitors do.”
Analysing the Range Rover (L405)’s internal and external features, the Coscharis helmsman said that the car is powered by two diesel engines and one petrol engine; 3.0 L V6 turbo diesel producing 260 PS (191 kW; 256 hp) of power and 600 N·m (443 lb·ft) of torque, 4.4 L V8 turbo diesel produces 344 PS (253 kW; 339 hp) of power and 700 N·m (516 lb·ft) of torque, a single 5.0 L V8 petrol engine unit with two versions, naturally aspirated engine, which produces 380 PS (279 kW; 375 hp) of power and 510 N·m (376 lb·ft) of torque, while N·m (461 lb·ft) of torque.
He said all the engines in the car are mated to eight-speed automatic transmission, adding that the gears can be selected from drive select rotary shifter from the centre console or driver can also manually select gears via the paddle shift controls on the steering wheel.
The car, according to him, has a permanent intelligent four wheel drive with 50/50 torque split and a two-speed transfer box for high and low range options, helping to maintain traction and stability in challenging conditions on-road, off-road, or when towing.
Besides, the Range Rover (L405) has electronic cross-linked air suspension (with variable ride height), with multiple suspension adjustment modes are provided as standard, including access, normal on-road, off-road and extended height.
A new extra intermediate setting adds greater convenience and improves handling across the vehicle’s breadth of capabilities.
The car also has an automated load leveling mechanism.
Besides, there is an advanced intelligent suspension technologies, which assist the Range Rover’s performance and achieve consistent driving refinement, on and off-road.
Its adaptive dynamics continuously analyse vehicle movements over 500 times per second, reacting instantaneously to road conditions and driver actions, while infinitely variable dampers adjust to maintain a composed and balanced ride.
Dynamic response system transforms handling and the comfort for all occupants. It independently adjusts and monitors front and rear suspension units, reducing the amount of body roll during cornering, as well as enhancing control and stability at higher speeds.
The Range Rover’s all-terrain capability features a new second-generation Terrain Response system.
The system monitors ground conditions to determine the most appropriate response to the terrain and automatically optimises vehicle settings for an enhanced and assured experience for almost all driving conditions.
The system provides settings for grass, gravel, snow, mud, sand, and rock crawl, Terrain Response technology instantly reconfigures transmission, suspension, and traction settings for maximum drivability in almost all conditions.
Controlled Acceleration Control prevents excessive speeds downhill, and Hill Start Assist prevents the vehicle from inadvertently rolling backwards.
The Range Rover (L405) has driver and passenger airbags (side, seat-front, thorax and pelvis), plus airbags to protect rear-seat passengers.
Other safety aids include cornering brake control, which helps to maintain stability when cornering by adjusting the driver’s generated brake pressure, along with dynamic stability control to maintain control by reducing engine torque and applying braking to the appropriate wheel and correcting under-steer or over-steer.
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