London Premiere for New Range Rover

LONDON, Nov. 21 -- The new Range Rover has been officially unveiled at a special media and VIP reception at the Design Museum in London.

It is only the third new Range Rover model in 31 years. The elegant vehicle will be available in Europe from February 2002, and in North America in late spring.

Bob Dover, chairman and chief executive officer of Land Rover, told the guests, ``We are confident that the new vehicle will continue Range Rover's reputation as a British design icon with great international appeal. It is truly distinctive, providing outstanding capability both on- and off-road, while at the same time incorporating interior appointments unmatched by any luxury vehicle.''

Also attending the reveal was Dr. Wolfgang Reitzle, the president of the Premier Automotive Group -- Ford Motor Company's premium automotive division - - and the man responsible for the new Range Rover's original concept.

Imposing, avant-garde, distinguished by striking features, yet still clearly a Range Rover -- are words that best describe the latest interpretation of the world's pre-eminent luxury off-road 4x4.

Led by Land Rover design director Geoff Upex, the design team behind the third generation Range Rover has created a vehicle that blends key styling cues with eye-catching modern 'jewellery'.

Many of the traditional Range Rover elements have remained with the vehicle since the original was launched more than 30 years ago and today form an integral part of the Range Rover's design DNA.

The new Range Rover embodies all those iconic features, yet moves the design firmly into the 21st Century with uniquely styled head and tail lamps and distinctive -- and functional -- side power vents. These metal-look vents on the trailing edges of both front wings help increase the amount of air fed to the engine, while the eye-catching headlamps are both stylish and efficient.

In order to make the new Range Rover more spacious inside, the new vehicle is bigger externally than its predecessor -- it has grown longer and taller and has greater ground clearance than before. Larger external dimensions translate directly into more interior space. There's more head, leg and shoulder room for those in the front and an improvement in knee room for those in the rear. In addition, the luggage area is longer and taller than before.

Interior:

If the exterior of the new Range Rover can be seen as an evolution of the traditional shape, the sumptuous interior represents a real revolution.

Typical Range Rover customers know and understand luxury and the interior of the new vehicle reflects the understated quality they expect. While developing the interior of the car, the design team took styling and texture cues from products as diverse as audio equipment, ocean-going yachts, first- class airline seating, fine furniture and jewellery, combining these concepts with the classic 'wood and leather' experience expected from a Range Rover.

The new Range Rover was designed at Land Rover's design and engineering headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire. It will be manufactured at Europe's most advanced assembly plant located at Solihull, England.