[Taboleo] Rediscovering Luxury 'All New Range Rover'... Crossing 90cm of Water

Extended Wheelbase with Spacious Interior up to 3rd Row
World's First Equipped with Active Noise Cancelling
V8 Engine Appeal... More Stable Off-Road Performance

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The flagship Range Rover of Land Rover, the epitome of ‘high-end sports utility vehicles (SUVs)’ and a symbol of ‘luxury SUVs,’ has returned as the ‘All-New Range Rover.’ Luxury and off-road driving performance might seem like mutually exclusive terms, but recalling the flood situation that struck Seoul this year, I thought the All-New Range Rover’s powerful off-road capabilities could be a significant advantage even for owners seeking luxury driving in urban settings. I experienced the highly popular All-New Range Rover, which has such a long waiting list that it’s unclear when customers will receive their vehicles, in the Hongcheon and Inje areas of Gangwon Province.

Successful Generation Change but ‘Brand Sensibility’ Remains Intact

The first impression of the All-New Range Rover is that it has become more futuristic. However, the clean and solid brand sensibility remains unchanged. This refined sense is reflected throughout the exterior of the vehicle. Although the internal combustion engine version was released first this year, plug-in hybrid and electric versions of the same model are planned for the future, which seems to have been well considered.

You can immediately recognize that the All-New Range Rover is a ‘high-end SUV’ and ‘luxury SUV’ by looking inside. The new and spacious digital cluster, steering wheel, lever, and various interfaces elevate satisfaction to the highest level. The ample interior space based on its generous size is also eye-catching. Even when the seats are extended to the third row, there is no sense of confinement, thanks to the extended wheelbase. The cargo space is also sufficient, with 1050 liters available in the 5-seat configuration. Folding the second-row seats expands the space to 2727 liters.

In particular, the world’s first active noise canceling through speakers embedded in the headrests cannot be overlooked. Two speakers are located in the driver’s headrest. Like airplane seat headrests, the Range Rover’s headrest can be adjusted closer to the driver. This means the driver can freely adjust the position and spatial perception of the sound they receive.

There are two benefits from this. First is active noise canceling. This feature is now found in high-end earphones and cancels out external noise. In fact, active noise canceling was originally developed for airline passengers who suffered discomfort from noise. This is the first time this technology has been applied to a vehicle. When I first saw it in person, I wondered why no one had applied this idea to cars before, and the effect was clearly noticeable.

The other benefit is music listening. When switched to the Meridian sound system, sound is delivered directly to both ears, providing a very new experience that combines the spatial sensation unique to being inside a car with the feeling of wearing headphones.

Stable Driving Performance, Even More Stable Off-Road Capability

The test vehicle was the LWB P530 Autobiography model. When pressing the accelerator pedal, it delivers a completely different feeling from its ‘heavy exterior.’ It accelerates very lightly, powered by a V8 4.4L gasoline twin-turbo engine producing a maximum output of 530 horsepower and 76.5 kg·m of torque. This heavy body reaches 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds. Although electric vehicles are the trend, the charm of the V8 engine remains strong.

On-road driving was truly ‘luxurious.’ It was smooth and comfortable. When going over speed bumps, it felt as if the heavy body was pressing down on the bump. Because of its weight, any potential body roll during driving is minimized. The vehicle actively maintains body stability, greatly reducing the driver’s burden. The combination of engine performance, body control, and ride comfort makes driving this large vehicle far from burdensome.

The off-road performance is even more stable. After on-road driving, I drove on mountain roads in Inje, Gangwon Province. Despite deep ruts caused by recent heavy rains, there were no problems at all. While ordinary vehicles wouldn’t dare attempt such terrain, the All-New Range Rover can actively respond to ground conditions by adjusting its ground clearance in two stages. Also, as the vehicle actively maintains stability while climbing mountain roads, there was no significant sense of burden.

After driving on mountain roads, I tested the off-road performance at the ‘Argo Experience Center’ located in Inje. It was impressive how naturally the vehicle could drive on dry gravel, sand, mud, and water surfaces. Despite its large size, it was easier to handle regardless of ground conditions. Another great advantage was the various cameras positioned around the vehicle, allowing the driver to see blind spots not visible from the driver’s seat through monitors. Selecting the lowest-positioned camera even allowed viewing fish underwater during water crossings. It was truly a unique experience.

Honestly, I had thought that off-road performance might not be very meaningful for general users who mainly drive in urban areas. However, after the heavy rains in the Seoul metropolitan area this year caused widespread vehicle flooding, my perspective changed somewhat. The All-New Range Rover’s off-road capabilities are expected to be highly effective even in flood situations. It could drive safely on roads submerged in water with mud, sand, and gravel, which are slippery. Those who struggled with debris on roads during this flood will understand how essential this capability is. Additionally, the wading depth of up to 90 cm means the vehicle can be safely driven out before being fully submerged. Remembering the countless high-end vehicles flooded in Gangnam, this single opportunity is invaluable. Although the vehicle’s intended direction hasn’t changed, the reality of our environment has shifted so much that this test drive felt like a complex and newly revealing experience.