2015 Range Rover Supercharged LWB
The latest generation of full size Range Rovers have been a massive success, with sales so far exceeding demand that there are still months-long waiting lists, over a year after the SUV’s debut. Parent company Land Rover has now bolstered the range by offering Americans a long wheelbase (LWB) version that, while still being limited to two rows of seats, gives the cosseted back seat occupants another five and a half inches of extra stretching out room.
It’s evident from the outside that this is one massive machine; the disparity in the lengths of the front and rear doors only emphasizes the limousine-like qualities of the LWB model. The Range Rover is one imposing beast, with huge presence, both literally and figuratively. Inside it is a sumptuous place to be, barely less regal than a modern Bentley in its leather-lined and deep-pile carpet opulence. The cockpit’s seeming decadence actually masks an architecture that is beautifully simple; though one’s choice of wood and leather will determine whether it looks discreet and refined or over-the-top. Regardless, most every surface occupants touch is of exceedingly high quality; that the front seats aren’t quite as comfy as they look, and that the infotaintment interface is antiquated, matter rather less when you grip that gorgeous steering wheel or fire up the massage function of the seats. Back seat guests can recline their optional bucket seats to 17 degrees, allow them to better hide from paparazzi.
These latest Rangies are all-aluminum monocoque designs, and while their structures weigh less than previous models, modern levels of equipment mean they are still behemoths. Not that you’d know that, the first time you sink throttle through the deep pile carpet, for this Supercharged model runs like the proverbial scalded cat, racing through its eight gears like a sports car of only a few years ago. 0-60 arrives in about five seconds, though it feels even faster, sitting up so high. 510 horsepower and a quick-whitted, close-ratio gearbox will do that.
Show the Range Rover a set of corners and the irrational resemblance to the company’s own Jaguar F-Type R only continues. As long as your inputs take into account the masses involved, this Range Rover will unravel a twisted set of tarmac like almost nothing else near its size. Body roll and pitch are admirably contained, and this massive SUV shrinks around you like few others. Likewise braking performance is staggering for something so large.
There is a price to pay for such iron-fisted body control, and it is in the brittle low-speed ride that undermines the sense of refinement once present in Range Rover proceedings. Transverse ridges and potholes phase it, and manhole covers are this machine’s nemesis. While ride quality does improve as speed rises, the Range Rover LWB never quite settles, with little jiggles still afflicting it even on runs down apparently smooth highways and interstates.
Obviously this hasn’t impacted the success of the latest Range Rover in the slightest; nor should it be considered a deal-breaker to those who reside in urbania. But it is a shame, as predecessors were so exemplary in this respect. One has to wonder if it is a conscious choice on the part of corporate executives, at it afflicts all the current range of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles. Regardless, the Range Rover Supercharged is a stunning example of the modern sport utility vehicle, with the emphasis firmly on sport and a dollop of extra utility courtesy of the longer wheelbase of this model.
EPA ratings: 14/19mpg; 16mpg combined
Price as tested: $122,930
Here is what Range Rover has to say.
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