Range Rovers are renowned for providing a level of refinement and luxury which gives the occupants a sensation of serene isolation from the hectic world outside. In developing the new model, Land Rover engineers set out to capture that same feeling, but to enhance the experience for both passengers and driver. The cabin is a significantly more refined and relaxing place to be, and for passengers, particularly those in the rear, there is a step change in the amount of space on offer, along with a luxurious choice of premium features. At the same time, the driver benefits from more composed and agile handling, which complements the characteristic Range Rover feeling of effortless performance and confident control. The latest connectivity and display technologies enable customers to seamlessly integrate their portable devices while travelling in the car.
“The state-of-art new platform and suspension architecture has enabled our engineers to take the Range Rover to a new level of refinement and driving dynamics,” said Nick Rogers, Range Rover Vehicle Line Director. “Customers will immediately notice the lower noise levels and suppler ride, while the extra room to stretch in the rear will come as a revelation.”
Refined and luxurious interior environment
From its hushed interior and exceptional ride quality, to its luxurious cabin and spacious rear compartment, the new Range Rover provides customers with a supremely relaxing and comfortable environment to travel by road. All occupants enjoy the same peerless refinement and luxury experience, with their comfort being assured by the latest interior technologies.
Reduced noise levels for a harmonious and serene cabin
At every stage of the development process, Land Rover engineers have applied meticulous attention to detail to ensure that the new model meets the highest luxury car standards for refinement, providing occupants with an imperious isolation from the external environment. All unwanted sounds and traces of harshness have been eliminated through the use of advanced computer simulations earlier in the engineering phase, followed by painstaking optimisation with test cells using sophisticated analysis tools like specialised acoustic cameras.
Powertrain refinement has been enhanced through the use of new dual-isolated engine mounts on the diesel models. Overall engine noise levels have been further reduced on the new model, particularly on diesel models where combustion noise has been significantly reduced, assuring a refined sound quality across the full operating range. Under hard acceleration there is only a subtle acoustic reward to reflect the effortless performance, while the engines remain hushed at cruising speeds.
A special acoustic lamination applied to the windscreen and front/rear side door glass helps to further reduce combustion noise as well as wind noise. Wind noise has been minimised through analysis with computational fluid dynamics, and exhaustive wind tunnel tests. Key areas, such as the shape of the A-pillar and door mirrors, were optimised early in the development process. The new model now rates as best-in-class for wind noise, with a seven percent reduction over the outgoing vehicle, and comparable to the best executive saloons.
The Range Rover’s all-new aluminium body structure has been designed using the latest ‘multi-dimensional’ CAE optimisation tools to achieve outstanding stiffness and refinement. The structure incorporates extremely stiff chassis attachment points, to further minimise the transmission of noise and vibrations, while the use of stiff, lightweight alloy suspension components, along with carefully optimised bushes, help to eliminate road noise. These enhancement help to reinforce the Range Rover’s position as a clear class-leader for road noise, with superior refinement to the best luxury saloons.
Other innovative solutions to enhance refinement include the use of sound-absorbing foam ducts for the HVAC system, in place of hard plastic, and the mounting of the air suspension compressor on the main vehicle battery to damp unwanted vibrations. All operating sounds within the new Range Rover, from door closing sounds to the noises made by switches and motors, have been rigorously analysed and refined to create a harmonious and premium sound quality for all occupants.
