Next Range Rover Virtual Gauges better look like this #rangerover
As I’ve complained about many times before, the 12” TFT virtual gauge cluster that appeared with the 2010 Range Rover refresh, had better of been a beta test. I believe it was a test of the technology that provided us a taste of what may come in the future. In reality it provided nothing more then something to impress people with, the first time they see it, they can’t believe it. Then when they hear it actually doesn’t do anything more then that, they all say the same thing – gimmick!
So today I read and watched about the new system Cadillac has coming and it just blew me away.
And here’s my hope, what we are seeing right now in our 2010 – 2012 Range Rovers is just a proof of concept and when generation two appears in the next Range Rover, it had better be a leap beyond what we’re seeing from Cadillac, since they’re just starting with the technology, right?
But don’t worry, I’m not holding my breath.
2013 Range Rovers showing more rake?
Recently we heard that some Evoque design cues are coming to the real thing. I don’t have a problem with that as long as they don’t bring over the Sports Command Driving Position. That’s fine for the Evoque but would turn the Range Rover into a Mercedes-Benz GL.
I noticed the more raked windshield in the latest round of spy shots of the L405 Range Rover on the ‘Ring: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/18/2013-land-rover-range-rover-caught-on-a-ring-run/
So I did some very rough Photoshopping and here are the results
The blue overlay being the current L322 Range Rover. I used the driver and front wheel for scale. Again, I realize it’s very rough. Below you can see the two redish lines highlighting the A-pillars from both vehicles with the L322 being on the left and the L405 on the right.
Another item of interest is the how the roof does slope down, like the Sport or Evoque. The L322 has a much more horizontal roof line.
One last shot I thought was interesting:
Looking quickly at that, it almost looks like a Rolls Royce Phantom!?!? They really taped off a lot of the windshield
And finally a couple of profile shots:
What and where is the L486?
Land Rover has various designations for their different models, not sure if they’re technically code names or just alternate ways to reference the vehicles.
Here are a few of the current models:
L316 – Defender
L319 – LR3 & LR4 – Discovery 3/4
L320 – Range Rover Sport
L322 – Range Rover – Current model(2002 –
today), below is a picture used in some technical documents, I don’t have a picture like this for the other models.
L359 – LR2 – Freelander 2
L538 – Range Rover Evoque
L405 – Possible code for the next Range Rover
And back to the point of the post, the L486, it’s been referenced in the press since 2008 or so and has been described by them as a 7-seater Freelander, possibly to be called the Ventura. I take anything from the press with a grain of salt, but since 2008, it hasn’t really been brought up again.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/land-rover-developing-new-7-seater/
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20080624/free/957481398
I wrote about it back in April after finding some of the designers who worked on the project.
And just thought with the LA Auto show going on and Land Rover PR running at full steam, anyone who has a chance should start asking the LR PR people for comments for reactions. Or if you have any info, send it over.
Quick reference back to my article from April, here’s the info, a small reference to the L486 along with the L538, which would become the Range Rover Evoque:
http://www.people4business.com/seller-269321.htm
This person has done a lot of work for Aston Martin & Bentley – they list the specific items. The latest project is listed below:
WARWICKSHIRE (Oct 2007 & ongoing)
CAD ENGINEER – EXTERIOR TRIM – CATIA V5
LANDROVER L538 / L486
Initial design and feasibility studies for the following components: door claddings, rear spoiler, rear finisher, front and rear bumper cover, fender vents. Parametric modeling in Catia V5 to create fully modifiable master CAD models. Use of TCE to save and access data and create product structures. Liaison with styling, CAE and suppliers to mature designs.
Could the L486 be the 5-door Evoque?
And if you have some more current generation code names, please let me know.
One final item, you can see the alternate names in use all over the Land Rover website, below is a header graphic for the Range Rover Sport section, you can see the L320 in its filename:
LRNA_RRS_COMPARE_L320_10_EXT_LOC06-900×200.jpg
![LRNA_RRS_COMPARE_L320_10_EXT_LOC06-900x200[1]](https://i0.wp.com/www.ovalnews.com/wp-content/uploads/LRNA_RRS_COMPARE_L320_10_EXT_LOC06-900x2001.jpg?resize=504%2C114 "LRNA_RRS_COMPARE_L320_10_EXT_LOC06-900x200[1]")
Next Range Rover Spied
I knew this info would start appearing as soon as I put in an order for my next one. And on top of the AutoExpress article, I actually had a Ferrari owner contact me today saying he got some info from another Ferrari owner when they toured the factory in Italy and that in the UK dealers had received a briefing. I know that sounds convoluted & generic, but it’s quite a coincidence.
So anyway check it out below, not much to see with this just being a mule, but what’s going on in the rear there, between the exhausts?
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/257500/next_range_rover_spied.html
Updated – more pics & new article for the L405, thanks HSE2! :
