Body-colored bumpers and new-look alloy wheels for the base model keynote appearance changes to Range Rover for 2000. This is the ultra-luxury companion to the smaller, less-expensive Discovery. Both these British-built SUVs are products of England's Land Rover. Ford recently purchased Land Rover from the German automaker BMW.
Range Rover is a 5-passenger, 4-door wagon that comes in two models, the 4.0 SE and 4.6 HSE. Both have permanent 4-wheel drive, automatic transmission, and a V8 engine. The 4.0 SE uses a 4.0 liter, the 4.6 HSE a 4.6. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, traction control, front side airbags, and a driver-adjustable self-leveling suspension are standard.
For 2000, Range Rover gets standard auto-dimming outside mirrors, tinted turn signal lenses, and revised instrument graphics. The 4.0 SE's alloy wheels are redesigned, and both models get body-colored bumpers and mirrors, and more interior brightwork, including a chrome gearshift surround.
Land Rover offered a small run of high-performance Callaway versions during 1999 and plans to offer a series of limited-production appearance packages beginning in spring 2000.
Competition
Though this segment has cooled somewhat with the rise in fuel prices, it's still one of the hottest. Our Best Buy is the Ford Expedition. We love the size, comfort, and power of this big SUV. Hot on its heels are the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon. We were very impressed with these vehicles initially, and when we have more time to fully evaluate them we expect them to be Best Buys as well. For a few more bucks you can get the highly recommended Toyota Land Cruiser. Its high price is the only thing holding back this refined and drivable SUV.
News
A redesigned Range Rover loosely based on BMW's U.S.-built X5 is on track for the 2002 model year despite BMW's selling Land Rover to Ford last March. BMW purchased Britain's Rover Group, which includes Land Rover, in 1994 for $1.3 billion, then poured in another $5 billion in an effort to counter troubles with the British company's car operations. BMW, being a fairly small manufacturer in world terms, couldn't sustain that kind of drain, hence the sale. Ford was only too happy to scoop up Land Rover, and for the same reason that moved BMW to buy Rover Group in the first place: Land Rover's worldwide renown in 4-wheel drive.
Recent reports have painted the next Range Rover as offering evolutionary styling and BMW power in V8 and possibly ultra-exclusive V12 models. It would not be outright an clone of the X5, however, having its own platform designed for greater off-road ability in keeping with the Land Rover image. Trouble is, this plan would leave Ford in the uncomfortable position of selling BMW engines. What to do? Our guess is that Ford will substitute its own 4.6- and 5.4-liter V8s from the big Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs, though it would require a crash reengineering effort that could delay the new Range Rover's launch by six months at least. The rumored V12 model would be left stillborn as a result, Ford having no such engine in its arsenal.
There is an alternative scenario, though. Within days of Rover Group's announced sale, reports surfaced that Ford had begun preliminary discussions about taking over BMW. Should that happen, Ford would obviously have no problem proceeding with the new Range Rover as designed.
So stay tuned. This drama is far from over.