The Land Rover Range Rover turns 40

On 17 June 1970, the first generation of the Range Rover was unveiled, a true milestone among SUVs and a model that to this day remains a benchmark among 4x4s. 40 years ago, Land Rover created the luxury SUV segment, since until then 4x4s were typically rugged and paid little attention to refinement and occupant comfort.

With an aluminium body, the first generation already featured four disc brakes, and its chassis offered the renowned all-wheel drive. The engine chosen for this first generation was a 3.5 V8 producing 135 CV from Rover. This Range Rover took part in the first edition of the Paris-Dakar Rally in 1979 and also proved its capability on the dunes of the Sahara in 1974.

In 1981 several important updates arrived, such as ABS and automatic transmission, and it also received minor cosmetic changes that remained in place until 1994, when the second generation arrived, the first with a BMW V8 engine and a five-door body. In 2001 the current Land Rover Range Rover was launched, which has also received several cosmetic updates since then.

To conclude the model’s history, in 2005 a new version of the Range Rover Sport appeared, presented at the Paris Motor Show. There is also a special edition of the Range Rover to commemorate its 40th anniversary, called “Autobiography Black 40th Anniversary Limited Edition”, which features a specific exterior design and of which only 700 units will be produced, highlighting the black exterior colour, 20″ alloy wheels, several exterior chrome details and a specific interior with two-tone leather.

Via | Autoblog.it