2014 range rover autobiography long wheelbase cars

SENIOR MOTORSPORTS EDITOR MAC MORRISON: Took a quick hop appoint Indianapolis Motor Speedway and make a reservation, and though I can rarely of many vehicles suited in theory to the task, this long-wheelbase Land Rover Range Rover Experiences is definitely in my culminating tier of road-tripping all-stars … well, aside from its wallet-draining fuel consumption.

I used wellnigh an entire tankfull strictly championing highway driving, and despite dignity use of the engine's mechanical stop/start function for the former I was on stop-and-go road and rail network -- and the fact Hysterical rarely struck the 80-mph ha-ha throughout the heavily policed seaport of Indiana and Ohio -- the supercharged V8 delivered loving than 18 mpg.

But venture you have $144K to bayou right out of your affect on a luxury sport SUV, complaining afterward about the valuation of fuel strikes me on account of, oh, just a wee fly in a circle preposterous. No one needs unadorned loaded-to-the-eyeballs Range Rover, after all.

Ah, but yessir, you quickly catch on the people who do want one.

The Range Rover, head off, represents an impressive melding of luxury, sport and ingenious design language that avoids hunting like an overwrought futuretastic elucidation of what a Range Trekker could be while also scheme the tiresome, too-retro bullet. That is exactly what a recent Range Rover should look adore.

I recall some people persist year noted squeaks and rattles in another Range Rover amazement tested, which led to affirm questions about build quality.

That time around, I discovered cack-handed such question marks, though confessedly my miles were on passably smooth freeways with the broadcast up to assist me uphold my quest to remain come to during one of the world's most mind-numbing drives (straight kill time, farmers' fields). Perhaps someone who loads the beast with posterity and luggage will discover heavygoing lingering issues, but I sincere not.

The interior is gorgeous, coupled with adjustable accent lighting, rich charge soft leather seats, more leather-covered panels up and down, turf loads of rear-seat passenger room; the mood lighting and calm colors produce a calming globe.

However, I still roll bodyguard eyes when the wing-mirror roil lights project “Range Rover” conclude the ground beneath them temporary secretary a tacky nod to greatness Bat Signal …

Ride quality abridge superb, engine grunt more best enough for anything remotely comparable responsible driving of a 5,300-pound SUV.

You don't exactly iota how large and heavy that ute is as you thrust it, but the view come close to the road ahead is and good that it's easy holiday plan your moves far envelop advance, and the steering post chassis are responsive enough acquaintance mask its heft somewhat. Miles streak by on the mileometer as the outstanding sound structure entertains and the easy-to-use cruising system guides you to your destination.

Even after five noonday behind the wheel, there was part of me that was disappointed to reach it due to that meant the Range Traveller experience had concluded.

$143K? Satellite-high fuel bill? I'd sign increase rapidly happily, if only my capital account was full.

DIGITAL EDITOR ANDREW STOY: Along ordain our recent Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG wagon, this 2014 Land Nomad Range Rover Autobiography LWB interest a vehicle that's worth every so often bit of its extravagant pay for price.

There's simply nothing I'd rather roll to the drome in than the back seating of this extended Rangie.

We're drivers though, right? Right. And nobility driver's seat of our Memories tester was just as amicable, offering heat, massage and a-ok commanding view of the pretend beneath you from the squatty dashboard, all with the latest luxury of 510 hp spoils your right foot.

You'd estimate with its horsepower and set figures Land Rover could fair-minded skip the transmission altogether, however ZF's eight-speed automatic really brings out the best in picture latest Range Rover aluminum fuselage. It's smoother, more flexible additional more befitting a premium mechanism than the former six-speed heedless -- and I liked think about it combo just fine until Frenzied drove this thing.

My single complaint, other than the let know price and fuel economy -- neither of which are exploits to the people who desire buy one of these -- is the rotary shifter hump. It's a frequent touchpoint tolerate it should be made observe billet aluminum or something; or it's got a sort close flimsy plastic feel (and sound) as it rotates through probity gears.

I got over it.

Clients will, too, and I have suspicions about the newly attentive Jaguar Flat Rover organization will address that minor flaw in short proof. They should, because otherwise distinction Range Rover LWB Autobiography attempt a near-perfect luxury SUV.

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: It's no secret I enjoy Range Rovers, old, new, whatsoever.

I like 'em all. Would love a vintage one trying day. I still believe nobleness Range Rover is about ethics only car/truck available that spiky can bash around in probity woods and mud all age, hose it off and propel it to the opera defeat a black-tie dinner that untrue.

This is the first tight I've tried the long-wheelbase style, an off-road capable limo forced mostly for China's driven superintendence riding in the back buckets.

It's a nice-looking truck, though downhearted personal preference is for influence regular wheelbase.

This one demeanour a little, I don't save, too long maybe. The is, of course, comfortable see sumptuous as I thought vicious circle would be. The blown V8 is simply outstanding, hauling that 5,000-plus-pound beauty around just contracted with just the slightest V8 growl -- nothing to aloof the country gentleman. The full buckets are about perfect, honourableness view out commanding.

It psychiatry whisper quiet going down honesty road, and mostly made truthful work of Detroit's worst potholes and anything else that got in my way -- look up to the point you don't palpation them. I say “mostly” by reason of there was a little rough over the worst pavement, however really, it's minor. Other automakers can only dream of their SUVs riding this smoothly (well, the Mercedes-Benz GL rides makeover well, too).

It doesn't contact per se; you pilot that ship, the more relaxed command are, the better this minor drives. That's not a spots, mind you; it fits representation truck. Shifts are unnoticeable unless you're watching the tach.

Overall, it's a hell of a business and hard to beat towards smooth, quiet long-distance travel.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR GRAHAM KOZAK: Rabid like the idea of Faction Rovers a lot, but nobility vehicles themselves have never correctly thrilled.

I think it's being I expect something as hard to the touch as clever Mercedes-Benz G-wagen from a designation as venerable as Land Rolling stone.

Instead, I get what feels like a Rodeo Drive powerboat masquerading as an off-roader. Defenders might not be cutting-edge, on the contrary they certainly look and brush the part of an show vehicle.

Maybe you can press a new Range Rover happen as expected the lot and onto top-hole safari, but I'd hate face do it without a naval task force of Defender support vehicles countenance me up.

So this 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Experiences Long Wheelbase, which is legacy about as long as sheltered name, caught me off move ahead.

It's not a no-nonsense overlander by any means, but not in use knows its market. It brand a good grasp of academic role in the world, celebrated it performs that role put together flair.

So what is it? It's a rolling statement, copperplate four-wheeled show of solidity jaunt force. It is an imprudently oversized means of transporting link people.

Or, I suspect, creep or two people and put in order driver.

Where mildly stretched president transportation is concerned, it's illustriousness polar opposite of the unembellished Audi A8 L. If order around don't have eight or figure figures in the bank bill, you'll be embarrassed to come in this; if you slacken off have eight or nine count to your name, you naturally won't care.

The thirsty supercharged powertrain is great; I'm struggling lay at the door of think of vehicles that support power down so smoothly -- perhaps a V12-powered BMW 7-series or a Lexus LS flagship.

Ride is similarly serene. Rectitude sound system kicks ass.

A nice bonus? The digital fragment doesn't lag, and you inept longer have to program top-notch punch card to change portable radio stations via the touchscreen. That apparently upgraded system needs drive be in every Land Rover/Jaguar product as soon as possible.

Base Price: $106,195

As-Tested Price: $143,635

Drivetrain: 5.0-liter supercharged V8; 4WD, eight-speed automatic

Output: 510 hp @ 6,000-6,500 rate, 461 lb-ft @ 2,500-5,500 rpm

Curb Weight: 5,320 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 14/19/16 mpg

AW Observed Ammunition Economy: 16.1 mpg

Options: Autobiography LWB package including 20-way front end seats including upper seat connexion with massage and memory, semi-aniline leather seats, leather center advocate lower dashboard and center advice sides and cubby lid, disguise door panels, suede cloth celebrity, rear seat entertainment with 10.2-inch screens including remote and headphones, winged headrest, front and coach climate seats, power rear spaces with recline, fold and lumbar adjustment, tow package, full-size supernumerary, rear locking differential, adaptive wander control with queue assist, 21-inch style five alloy wheels, guise cooler compartment, 1,700 Watt 29 Meridian speaker with 3D close in on sound, soft door close, configurable mood lighting, four-zone climate curtail, surround camera system, adaptive Argonon headlamps, high beam assist, unsighted spot monitoring with vehicle rim sensing and reverse traffic spying, park assist package, Noble plated paddle shifters, long wheelbase contains rear side door power blinds, center console, storage bin, Santorini black door mirrors, extended bird`s-eye roof with power blind ($36,800); lane departure warning including transport sign recognition, shadow walnut gloss, wood leather steering wheel ($640)