2010 Range Rover Vogue Autobiography Links
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Late last year when Car Showroom joined the world’s media to sample the 2010 Range Rover lineup at the global press launch in Scotland, we were staggered by the superb technology, refinement, luxury features and performance – on-road and off-road.
In Scotland we covered the whole range of roads plus some incredibly tough off-road tracks.
Now, after a week in the flagship Autobiography model here at home, we remain convinced the luxury Brit has again raised the bar for full-size premium SUVs.
But this brilliance does come at a price and at $229,500, the Range Rover Autobiography in indeed in rarified air – substantially more expensive than the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG or GL500 and the BMW X5M or X6M. But even so, the Rangie’s price still undercuts Audi’s new Q7 V12 TDI by more than $25,000.
What You Get
With the Autobiography model you get everything that Range Rover does – done in one stunning vehicle. This is as good as full-size luxury SUVs get.
With so many features and technologies, the owners’ manual is more than one book – it’s almost a library in the glovebox.
From the scintillating supercharged V8 engine through the five digital cameras - displaying a 360 degree view outside the vehicle - to the sumptuous heated and cooled leather seats, split-screen DVD entertainment system and 14-speaker audio system, the Autobiography more than justifies its sticker price before you hit the engine start button.
Even the headlight washer system is impressive and designed to beat the toughest off-road mud. The high-pressure jets of water look like they could quickly erase all of New York’s graffiti.
Then you must consider the sports car-like on-road dynamics and out-of-this-world off-road agility.
Whether you’re a car enthusiast or not, if the Range Rover Autobiography doesn’t impress, best to check you still have a pulse.
Under The Hood
Power comes from an all-new 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine - a massive advance over its predecessor. Power is up by 29 per cent to 375kW at 6,000 rpm, while torque has increased by 12 per cent to 625Nm between 2,500 rpm and 5,500 rpm. Mercedes-Benz’ ML63AMG matches the Rangie for power and, with 630Nm, is marginally ahead on torque, while BMW’s twin-turbo V8-powered X5M eclipses both with 408kW/680Nm.
The Autobiography delivers marginally improved fuel consumption (down by 7.3 per cent to 14.9l/110kms) and CO2 emissions are down to 348g/km. Fuel tank capacity is 104.5 litres and Range Rover says the low fuel warning alarm will sound when the tank gets below eight litres.
Developed in conjunction with sister company Jaguar, the blown V8’s heart is a compact sixth generation twin vortex Roots-type supercharger feeding air through twin water-cooled intercoolers.
Drive is to all four wheels via a ZF six-speed automatic transmission with an intelligent sports mode.
The Interior
Colleagues’ comments about the number of switches and dials on the center console did cause comparisons with the Boeing 747. But they are easy to use and necessary to operate the staggering number of technologies and driver aids.
Special mention must be made of the 12-inch TFT screen which replaces the traditional instrument cluster with ‘virtual’ dials. It’s brilliant and actually has two modes – one for on-road driving and one used when you’re in low-range 4WD.
Between the rev counter and speedometer is a message center with a display the driver can customize via steering wheel switches – from system warnings, outside temperature and vehicle information to audio and telephone information. In off-road mode, the message center displays a remarkable amount of information such as steering angle, wheel articulation, suspension and Terrain Response system settings.
Premium luxury features are everywhere and the smell of the Semi-aniline leather is superb – even the roof lining and dashboard fascia are leather trimmed. Burr Wood Veneer is the standard Autobiography accent trim but our test car had the no-cost option Black Lacquer.
Front and rear seats have heating and cooling functions and the electronic adjustment of the drivers’ seat and steering wheel provides brilliant a driving position. You do sit high - this is a Range Rover trait.
The leather-wrapped steering wheel has a heating function for winter and contains a myriad of switches/ buttons, the operations of which become clear as you get familiar. Fortunately the cruise control (three simple buttons on the lower left) is one of those wheel-mounted functions.
The entertainment system is a 14-speaker Harmon Kardon system and there is a separate system for the rear with two screens mounted in the back of the front headrests. Bluetooth, USB and iPod connectivity plus voice control for the navigation is all included.
Mounted on the center console, the 12-inch TFT screen has a dual-view function enabling the passenger to view the entertainment system DVD while the driver retains the satellite navigation screen. It’s called Parallax Barrier and Range Rover says this is the world’s first automotive application of the technology.
Naturally the rear seat accommodation is equally luxurious and the Car Showroom juniors enjoyed the view from the their similarly high-mounted positions.
The luggage area is beautifully trimmed with a massive capacity up to 2,099 litres. We did find the standard luggage area cover (a solid, folding partition) a little sticky at times.
Exterior & Styling
With Range Rover’s classic proportions, minor exterior changes included in the 2010 update refine the detailing and deliver a cleaner, more contemporary look. New headlights with LED technology maintain Range Rover’s trademark inter-locking circle design and the fog lights have been relocated to the lower front air-intake.
The front bumper is smoother and more rounded and Autobiography secures a ‘Noble’ mesh finish for the front and side vents.
The rear features new taillights which are LED and include ‘three-stripe’ directional indicators.
On The Road
With your driving position settled, you still feel high in Range Rovers but even when we tackled our high speed mountain roads, the combination of supportive seats and the nicely sorted chassis dynamics delivered flat, stable cornering and a brilliant ride.
Despite its hefty 2744 kgs kerb weight, that scintillating supercharged V8 propels the Autobiography from zero to 100km/h in just 6.2 seconds – that’s faster than an FPV GT Falcon. And with massive 3800mm/354mm six-piston brakes we were unable to detect any fade when we tossed the Autobiography at high-speed down some closed mountain roads in Scotland.
Around Melbourne’s CBD, refinement levels were supreme and even though you’re constantly aware of the Rangie’s size - and despite its 12-metre turning circle - all those cameras considerably eased the challenge of parking in our city car park.
We don’t have space to details all of the technologies available when you venture off-road – not to mention the impressive approach/departure angles and wading depth. But in Scotland we did traverse a river with water cascading over the bonnet – in a $230K vehicle with leather interior!
And with a towing capacity is up to 3,500kgs, those who tow two-horse floats or large vans and boats will love the Rangie’s ability.
Verdict
It’s fair to give credit where credit’s due – at Car Showroom we’re all huge fans of the BMW X5 and X6 as well as the Mercedes-Benz ML and GL and the Audi Q7 – there’s no weak link in any of them. But the Range Rover Autobiography can stand toe-to-toe with them and the equivalent American vehicles (such as the Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade, neither of which are sold locally) and stake a claim to be the ‘World’s Best’.
The Competition
Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, throw-in the Porsche Cayenne and you’ve assembled a very strong field of rivals for the Range Rover Autobiography. In our mind what splits them is the interior – the Range Rover has that quintessential British look and feel. Whether that is your cup of tea may be the casting vote for buyers in this segment.
Likes:
Magnificent interior; breathtaking performance; commanding off-road ability
Dislikes:
It’s heavy and while fuel economy is not the worst in the segment, it’s still considerable
2010 Range Rover Vogue Autobiography Links
The Range | Photo Gallery | News & Reviews
Range Rover Vogue Autobiography Photos
