The Mud Life Magazine

View Original

Review: 2015 Range Rover 5ltr, V8 Supercharged Monster!

What is it?

It's only the best 4x4 ever, that's what it is. Ok, I might be a little biased here.

If it was up to me there wouldn’t be any words here, this 'review' would be completely devoid, bereft and totally lacking of text in any form whatsoever, just photos.  Photos of what I firmly believe to be the best and certainly one of the most beautiful vehicles in the world.  However, Muddy Madam suggested that I make an effort and at least string together a couple of coherent sentences, ‘cos apparently it’s the ‘done thing’.

On the road

Magnificent.

Off the road

Like a mountain goat.

Interior

Palatial.

Engines ‘n’ transmissions

A 500bhp, fire breathing monster.

Safety Stuff ‘n’ Equipment

Lots and lots of stuff.

Buying / Owning

Expensive!!

Conclusion

I guess that you have already figured out that I adore the supercharged Range Rover, and I may even be a little biased.  The thing is, whilst both the 3ltr 250bhp TDV6 and 4.4ltr 330bhp SDV8 diesel engines work well in the L405, you can't escape the feeling you get with the petrol V8, it oozes silky smoothness with a relentless, thump-in-the-back acceleration that's akin to a jet on take off.

I suppose if I'm going to be critical I would have to mention that the exhaust note is too quiet, then there's the horrible digital dash. Also, I found that the windscreen washers aren’t up to scratch for such a big windscreen, oh and the piano black side corner air vent surrounds reflect street lamps up the corners of the windscreen, which is annoying. But these are just minor irritations, I'm fairly confident that could tolerate them.

Fighting against temptation, I found myself utilising cruise control quite a lot, it’s powerful yet quiet car, and 30mph feels like 15mph, and so on, one could easily lose ones driving licence.  Besides, cruise control helped cope with its thirst, though I didn't think a combined mpg of 20 wasn't that bad for such a huge vehicle.

The 4th generation Range Rover isn't just a beautiful vehicle to look at, it's equally at home on any surface, doing whatever task you ask of it.  Just like the old brochures used to read, 'A car for all reasons, a car for all seasons.'  Though I may have just made that last bit up!