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Next-Generation Land Rover Range Rover Photos Leaked

Land Rover's flagship draws influence from the Evoque; by Davey G. Johnson

By AutoWeek Aug 15, 2012 6:59AM
The upcoming Range Rover features a front end redesign that references the Evoque. Photo courtesy of Autoweek.


Land Rover has not been one to radically remake the Range Rover with any great haste. The first-generation ute was in production for 26 years, subject only to incremental improvements. The current vehicle, developed during BMW's stewardship of the brand in the 1990s and early aughts, saw a midcycle engine switch from a Munich-bred bent-eight to Jaguar's well-regarded AJ powerplant.

In an age of carlike luxury utes, the Range Rover feels like a wonderful anachronism. Big, airy and comfortable; trucklike in the best sense of the word.


But while it's been churning out the boxy behemoths, the Range Rover group was also hard at work on the Evoque, which is quite possibly the best small crossover on the market today. It didn't make our Best of the Best list on its dramatic looks alone.


Apparently, the success of its upmarket utelet has led Land Rover to think that brand cohesion requires ditching the Range Rover's 42-year-old snub nose for something a bit more rakish, as seen in these leaked images of the 2013 flagship. 


The trademark tall Range Rover greenhouse remains. Photo courtesy of Autoweek. The tall greenhouse remains, which should be wonderful from an interior-visibility standpoint, but we can't help thinking that these two flavors don't work quite as well together as Land Rover had hoped.


What think ye? The comments section is below. Have at it.


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9Comments
Gary Collier
Aug 17, 2012 1:22PM
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This vehicle has always been ugly but someone is buying them or they wouldn't make them.

 

And seriously, who really cares if this vehicle resembles the flex or if the flex resembles it. They are both not the most attractive vehicles on the road, so maybe they do resemble each other.

frostyross
Aug 16, 2012 4:50AM
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Jees Steve, relax. I think that whoever wants to say that this resembles a Flex certainly has the right to. It DOES resemble the Flex and sorry if for some ridiculous reason that offends you.
 Nobody is COMPARING it's capability to the Flex, it just looks like one.

xquzit98
Aug 15, 2012 12:04PM
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Hmm, it does sort of resemble a tall Ford Flex, I have to agree.  I would have expected a more substantial face lift.
xquzit98
Aug 16, 2012 8:10AM
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Frosty:

 

Steve-80 is just out to pick fights, he did the same thing in the MB G-Wagon story.  And he clearly has an iffinity for vehicles whos styling has barely changed in the last 40 years and will defend them to the death.

DXZ8643
Aug 20, 2012 9:31PM
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Anyone who isn't a Russian mobster, an over-tanned Italian from Jersey, a hip-hop artist, or Vinnie Jones would look like a complete tool driving a Range Rover. And yes, I count Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear as one of these tools since he drives one. 
gary cooper302
Aug 20, 2012 6:05AM
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well honestly by just giving a quick glance of the front it kind of resembles the new ford explorer, anyways land rover should also improve gas mileage in this line of vehicles. 
frostyross
Aug 15, 2012 11:20AM
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The designers of the Range Rover seem reluctant to make this a nice looking vehicle. The headlights are attractive and, well, that's about it. It seems to be turning in to the Ford Flex, a long, flat, featureless body., except for the unattractive lines on the front doors.
Steve-80
Aug 15, 2012 7:30PM
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frostyross and xquzit98,

 

Stop comparing this to a Ford Flex. Does the the Flex have the appearance of a slopping roof line? No! Does the Flex have a slanted rear window?  No! The Flex is a lot boxier than this vehicle is.  If anything, the Flex looks like a large first generation Scion xB, and that's not a good thing either. The Range Rover has always had a tall boxy shape, and clean simple lines.  In addition, the Range Rover has worn this same basic design formula since it was launched in 1970, and will put a Ford Flex to shame, both on and off road. 

 

The design approach to the Range Rover is similar to Porsche's 911 where the design approach is evolutionary.   I like the overall design, but I'm not too wild about the lower part of the front fascia. I have to wait until I see the actual vehicle in person before though.

 

frostyross,

 

The Range Rover is designed to be functional, not pretty like a useless Toyota Rav4.  The Range Rover is a decent looking vehicle, so I don't know where you get your conclusions from. Those "unattractive lines" near the front door are vents to help with engine cooling.  The current generation has them as well. Until you see the vehicle in person, you can't make much of a conclusion. 

 

It's ironic that you complain about the blandness of the Range Rover, but how about the Toyota Land Cruiser/Lexus LX?  They're pretty plain too.  Just like the Range Rover, they're top SUVs too. Again, those vehicles, like the Range Rover, are designed for functionality.  To be honest, this new Range Rover is more exciting than the current Land Cruiser. Good thing this article wasn't about the updated Mercedes G-Class, we'd never hear the end of your complaining about the design!

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