Land Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue SE - Test Drive
Is This The Ultimate 4X4 from LandRover?
Dec 14, 2008
On paper the signs look good, the Range rover has been given a make-over for 2009 and the maker has added new wheel styles, exterior colours and optional wood and leather heated steering wheels.
Powerful 4x4 V8 Engine
The Range Rover on test was powered by a V8 diesel engine, which gave an output of 200bhp. It had a maximum of 640Nm of torque, which meant there was enough shove to get past slower moving traffic. The V8 powered Range Rover can get from zero to 60mph in 8.0 seconds and has a top speed of 124mph and the power plant is refined, which means that the sound of the unit is not overbearing when on the move.
The Range Rover On the Road
For such a big vehicle the range Rover performs majestically – the ride is flawless, it takes potholes and bumps in the road in its stride. It’s so good that the driver will hardly feel that they are there.
However push on, and the Range Rover has a tendency to roll in the corners when driving enthusiastically. The weight of the car really shows when cornering. Take it onto the motorway and the Range Rover behaves brilliantly, the cabin oozes comfort making long journeys a breeze in this vehicle.
Off-road the Range Rover lives up to expectations thanks to its permanent four-wheel drive. It will tackle the toughest terrain with minimal driver input – brilliant.
Range Rover Styling
The Range Rover is the classic footballer’s car – it is brash, big, bold and menacing. it is quite square to look at but that is one of its appealing facts, it doesn’t have many rounded lines to its body. The range rover is a bold statement. At just under £70,000 it’s everyone that is going to be able to afford one.
Interior of the Range Rover
On the inside, the 4x4 is decked in luxurious materials, there is a high level of leather on the dash and on the seats. Any plastics that are used are of high quality and the switchgear also feels expensive to the touch.
Safety features on the Range Rover
Land Rover have loaded safety kit onto the Range Rover in turn making it one of the safest cars on the market. As standard the 4x4 features four-channel all terrain Anti-lock Braking System with all round disc brakes. Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with trailer compensation.
On the inside there’s plenty of safety kit to keep passengers and the driver out of harms way – airbags are located up front for the driver and passenger, there’s also head airbags for both the driver and the front passenger and rear passengers, the driver also gets a knee airbag too.
Practicality
There’s lots of space in the Range rover both up front and in the rear. While the driving position gives the driver a clear view of the road ahead. It’s child friendly as well – younger passengers will especially like the Harmon/Kardon entertainment system. As they can watch a DVD or plug in MP3 players and listen to music without the noise bothering the driver as our test car had head phones supplied. The DVD twin screen rear entertainment system is priced from £2,400 as it is an optional extra.
Environmentally Friendly
The Range rover emits 294g/km of CO2 but this is offset by the Land Rover Carbon emission programme that it is involved in. Land Rover claims that the first 45,000 miles of the vehicles life is offset by the projects the maker is involved in which include renewable energy, technology change and energy efficiency initiatives.
The Range Rover V8 Vogue SE on test was priced at £69,495 but we also had a number of optional extras on board. These included Active rear locking differential at £446, Four-zone air con at £1,050 and the Venturecam from £400 and the fore-mentioned DVD system.
