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A 2014 Range Rover Rant, or How you’ll always know if you’re listening to a Pop or Rock station; always.

I’ve been ranting about the utility of 12.3” TFT LCD screen that Range Rover has used for its virtual gauges since 2010. When I drove a 2013 model for the first time, it was the first thing I was hoping to see. There was audio info and even navigational cues in the once black void between the two “gauges”. Now having a full week in with my 2014.5, I can say it’s missing the last bit of polish. I’m not going to address the frustratingly slow interfaces yet, this rant is specifically calling out the display of song information(or lack thereof) on both the digital gauge screen and the center touchscreen. Here we go…

The gauge display when playing a Sirius Satellite Radio song: sat-gauge1 :

It shows us that it’s Sirius, SAT 1 shows us that it’s a channel on the first screen of SAT presets, not that I care. Seriously, does wasting that space with SAT 1 help anyone? Does anyone care that it’s the first page of SAT presets? Anyone? “Bridge” is the channel name and the Channel number is 32. Notice it does not display the song name or artist name. So let’s look to the 8” touchscreen and its default Home menu for the information we’re seeking – notice the information to the right of the “Audio/Video” button. maindisp-home

Here we see again it’s SAT 1, the preset page(can anyone explain why I should care?). It’s playing Channel 32, Bridge. But this time we get a new and totally amazing piece of information – is it the song title? Is it the artist?? No, it’s the genre of the station currently playing. Then below that they kill more space with the Meridian logo because that’s the mode I have it in. So yes the music sounds great but by default, we still don’t know what we’re listening to. But we know it’s a Rock station, so that really, really makes up for it.

So let’s be daring and hit the Audio/Video button, maybe the information we seek is there… maindisp-av
Great! Finally, we really get some more info, well just one new piece of glance-able info – the artist’s name. If we want more info, then you’ve got to press that “i” button.

So maybe you’re thinking it’s just a Satellite Radio issue, it’s got to be better when playing from an iPod. Right? We’ll do this one in reverse. Audio/Video display for iPod song – Album/Artist/Track all displayed!! maindisp-av-ipod

Home menu shows us the Song Title – it would be nice if they lost the Meridian logo and gave us Artist too. As the driver, I couldn’t care less about any marketing deals they’ve made. There are Meridian logos on the physical speakers in the car, I don’t need a digital one too. And yes, you could pick Dolby or DTS and the appropriate logo is shown but who really cares? It’s a waste of very limited visual space.

maindisp-home-ipod

The gauge display, again a little more info but still plenty of useless redundancy. So the Music: iPod line tells us it’s playing from the iPod. The second line with iPod is showing the name of my iPod, which is just “iPod”. Then the final line we get Track number and Song title.

gauge-ipod1

The name of my iPod just exacerbates the issue but it also proves a point, why is there such redundancy? Yes we need to know the source, I’m fine with that but why not place the iPod’s name on the first line and use the new, now empty space for the Artist name? It’s better than Satellite Radio but still needs improvement.

It’s these frustrating little details that take an almost perfect vehicle and make it less so. And the worst part is that these are all features that are constantly in your face, you’re looking at one of these screens and always missing key info that could very easily be displayed – a frustrating reminder of what could be.

How much of this is regulations and contracts and how much is actual design?

But hey, at least we know it’s a Rock station…

Michael2014-05-11T02:16:55-04:00April 19, 2014|

Wow, didn’t realize how slow the touchscreens in the ALL NEW Range Rover & Range Rover Sport were!

Video review below cued up to the touchscreen review – look how long it takes for the AV screen to appear after hitting the button – what year is this? 2002? No wait, it’s the “ALL NEW” 2014 Range Rover Sport.

And same for the Range Rover in this comparison between it, an A8 and the new S-Class. The Range Rover is an amazing vehicle and the review is clear that it was their car of the year BUT it just fails completely when you compare the tech with the older A8 and the new S-Class. It’s embarrassing.

Can you believe how slow it is in responding, how is the GPS screen not appearing instantaneously – or at least give some kind of loading indicator? Instead it seems you press the button and wait a second.

And something I’ve complained about since they first revealed it in 2010 – the drivers virtual gauge cluster. When you compare the graphics to what Mercedes is doing with the exact same tech it is… Can you guess? EMBARASSING!

Rumors of a big upgrade coming for 2015 are hopefully true, but knowing Land Rover it will probably be 2012 tech.

Michael2013-11-16T01:38:08-05:00November 16, 2013|

14MY Family Picture Time, starting with the 2014 Land Rover Discovery

As previously discussed this a nice refresh for the aging Discovery. This is the latest set of images, adding 20 more than we had before!

Click on through:

And now a little of my wonderful editorial, ha!

The Wade Sensing feature we’ve seen on the new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport – interesting note – both of the Range Rovers have better wading depths than the Land Rover!

This is the one that just bothered me:

Why don’t they center the Terrain Response icons?

uncentered-tr-disco

I’m sure this is from a big professional photo shoot but maybe use a can of compressed air next time to get rid of some of that white dust settled into the controls.

disco-dust2

And in the bottom right corner, maybe some blue wiring insulation?

disco-dust3

Michael2013-11-14T01:54:57-05:00November 14, 2013|

Exterior features of the Range Rover Autobiography Black (lots of chrome)

With this latest special edition came the first major round of exterior tweaks, specific to the Autobiography Black:

Autobiography Black Badging & Signature Rear Lamps – along with a glimpse of the new chrome horizontal trim

Updated finish for front grill (and a green oval!)

Side vents get refreshed look with chrome additions and the L badge for the LWB. Land Rover seems to be into these new door badge designations lately – with the Hybrid and the 2014 Discovery getting them too. I really like how the side vents look, it’s a great compromise between the full Atlas vents and the standard body color.

Here’s another view of the front, the changes to the grill are more noticeable. The auxiliary vents now getting a metallic surround. I’m not a huge fan of what they did with those vents. The metallic vents are one of my favorite little details on the regular Range Rover Autobiography. But on that model only the horizontal fins are metallic, the actual surround stays body color. Too me it just seems more elegant with the metallic fins just floating in body color. This looks heavier and more slapped on.

And finally the 21” 7-spoke polished chrome wheel

I like it.

Michael2013-11-09T04:52:14-05:00November 4, 2013|

Is this what we’ll see for the MY2015 Range Rover Family?

I don’t post too many rumors, they just don’t interest me and most never come true. That’s why I haven’t posted anything on the “Grand Evoque” or “Evoque XL” that we’ve been reading about. Are we sure this “Grand” model isn’t just the next Evoque on the new Jaguar aluminum platform?

Now call me a hypocrite – the info below was posted on a few Land Rover forums and while it may just be wishful thinking on my part, I do hope it’s true. After using the ICE (NAV/Audio/Etc) in my sister’s 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the current gen Range Rover system is an embarrassing joke.

Enjoy and thanks for letting me post it Steve.

http://www.rangerovers.net/forum/24-range-rover-mark-iv-l405/69994-when-next-refresh.html#post535946

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic21405.html

From SteveK/Stevek1173:

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JLR has already stated that updates will now be annual. This recent trend has proved very encouraging in terms of sales performance year on year. Sweeping midlife updates as in all previous generations will not happen from this model onwards (the new Sport is included in this new strategy).

Updates are generally circulated to dealers around the Feb/Mar time frame for the following MY updates. This information is generally not communicated to the end customer so as not to compromise current MY sales. However the growing eagerness and interest of people together with the help of forums such as this one helps customers in hearing of the possible changes coming, albeit earlier than the manufacturer would like.
I understand the current improvements coming for MY15 are as follows :
Significant update to engine range to meet euro 6 emissions and improve mpg (requirement for all new cars effective Jan 1st 2015).
Possibility of the new Hotfire JLR engine to join line-up as an entry level model. The new engine factory is due to open in Wolverhampton, UK in March 2014. It’s confirmed for the Sport in MY15. Not available in all markets and U.S. will not be one of them, unfortunately. Unless you all complain I suppose!
Significant update to infotainment, GPS and accompanying seating controls via touch screen display. Think Apple IOS meets Telsa S. This will feature throughout the JLR range and is something they have been working on for sometime. Featuring a HD screen albeit with the loss of the dual view function currently available (this is due to the dual view technology currently unable to work with HD screens apparently). This new system is ‘wow’ I’m told and finally features such things as album artwork a la iTunes.
9speed ZF auto gearbox standard throughout range as previewed and available now on MY14 Evoque.
Torque Vectoring standard throughout range.
Airbag deployment within seatbelt restraints standard on AB optional on rest of the range.
Driver Head-up display standard on AB optional on rest of the range.
Heated front seat armrests standard on AB optional on rest of the range.
Improved climate seating cluster.
Terrain Response 2 standard throughout range.
Extra large water bottle standard throughout range.
Improved LED mood lighting standard on AB optional on rest of the range.
Full LED lighting throughout the vehicle standard throughout the range.
3 new body colours including options of all body coloured gills and sill line.
3 new interior wood choices.
3 new wheel designs.
LWB model to be officially announced and available Sep/Oct 14.
RS higher performance model to be officially announced and available Sep/Oct 14.
5 year one off payment service pack as available in the New Range a Rover Sport and Evoque models.
The MY15 model is available for delivery Sep/Oct 2014.

I must stress that this is the current plan as I understand it and as of now. A lot can happen between now and next year! Many of the items still depend on passing the testing process and/or manufacturing partners ability to deliver to the timeline.

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Michael2013-10-18T11:42:18-04:00October 18, 2013|