Fourth-Gen Range Rover First of New-Model Blitz

ALPINE, NJ – A slimmed-down ’13 Range Rover rolls out at an extravagant preview event here, weighing 700 lbs. (318 kg) less than its predecessor thanks to copious use of aluminum in the body and frame.

The venue is a palatial house that has been on the market the past four years for $65 million.

Scheduled to appear in dealer showrooms in early December, the fourth-generation Range Rover is the first new model developed since India’s Tata bought the British brand from Ford in late 2008.

“We're delighted with Tata ownership,” says Andy Goss, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover North America. “It's allowed us to invest in new vehicles.” Tata spends $3 billion annually in research and development in Jaguar Land Rover, he notes and “that shows their commitment.”

Despite Tata's ownership, “I suspect most of our customers don't know we're an Indian-owned company,” Goss adds. But the infusion of Tata’s investment will allow an expansion of Jaguar Land Rover's product portfolio. This will include small and large-size SUVS for Land Rover and small and large sedans for Jaguar.

“There's a whole plethora of new models coming,” he promises.

The ’13 Range Rover will be available in four trim levels: Range Rover, which will account for 25% of sales; HSE, the volume model with 35%; Supercharged with 34%; and Autobiography, the top-of-the line model that will account for the remaining 6%.

Prices range from $83,000 for the base model to $130,950 for the Autobiography. The HSE starts at $88,500 and the supercharged model is $99,950. Average transaction prices are close to the manufacturer’s suggested price because the cars are so well-equipped, says Simon A. Turner, product manager.

“I expect a rich mix to begin with in 2013, but this will level out to a similar mix that we have this year later on,” he says.

The U.S. accounts for 28%-30% of global Range Rover sales, making this the largest market for the brand. The U.K., where the vehicles are built, and Europe are next, while demand continues to grow in Russia and China.

“Range Rover supply will be tight well into the (’13) model year,” Turner says.

There is no order bank for the new model, but many retailers already have taken deposits on the new Range Rover. All Autobiography models are custom-ordered, and delivery can take two to four months in the U.S.

The three models in the lower trim range mostly are purchased off the sales floor because so few options are offered on those vehicles, Turner says.

The Range Rover was introduced 42 years ago and made its high-water mark in 2004 when sales hit 13,546 units. The best year for Land Rover in the U.S. was 2007 with 49,550 deliveries.

Overall Land Rover sales jumped 22.4% to 28,038 units through August, compared with year-ago, according to WardsAuto data. However, Range Rover deliveries were down 15.7% to 5,490.

The fourth-generation Range Rover is all-new from the ground up, although the powertrains carry over. The ’13 model points to the future of the luxury SUV segment, Goss says. It is more streamlined and aerodynamic.

He claims the new model is the first all-aluminum SUV in the world, boasting a subframe and suspension made of the lightweight metal. Many other components also are made of aluminum.

Technology-wise, the ’13 Range Rover features Terrain Response 2, which optimizes driver control of the vehicle. This new-generation system constantly monitors road and driving conditions and automatically adjusts the SUV's settings to suit the terrain and even cornering maneuvers.

The Range Rover still is powered by a 5.0L V-8 engine. The naturally aspirated model generates 375 hp and 375 lb.-ft. (508 Nm) of torque. The supercharged version generates 510 hp and 461 lb.-ft. (625 Nm) of torque. About 60% of customers will purchase the naturally aspirated engine, Turner predicts.

As of Sept. 1, there were only 1,800 unsold Range Rovers on the ground in the U.S., says Jack Devine, a Land Rover marketing executive. “With sales averaging about 600 units per month, we should be sold out when the new vehicle arrives in our dealerships in early December.”

The ’13 Range Rover is the first model in the coming product blitz made possible by Tata’s investment, Goss says. He predicts Land Rover will have a greatly enlarged product lineup in five years that will drive sales to new highs.

“That doesn't mean we want to compete on volume (with German luxury brands),” Goss says. “We don't have aspirations for selling 250,000 units annually in North America.”