There's just something about a Range Rover. Perhaps that something is class. It's not about money – though money is never far from mind when you're thinking about a Range Rover. It's about status. It's about elegance. It's about knowing that you're driving the same vehicle that transports royalty. And it's about capability.
I spent a week with the 2011 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged, the same week that our royal friends William and Kate visited from across the pond. I'm sure that William is immune to being impressed by a Range Rover at this point. After all, his grandmother, the Queen of England, has had Range Rovers on her estates for decades.
I hope that Kate is still a little awed by her circumstances, and that she can avert her gaze from her new husband's lovesick eyes for a few moments to admire the magnificent SUV that transports them from event to event.
Viewed from the outside, the Range Rover Supercharged presents an impressive figure. My test vehicle wore a glossy coat of Santorini Black paint, one of ten available hues for 2011. I've always admired how Range Rover's shape and dimensions have been shaped not only by styling choices, but also by function.
Range Rover's short front and rear overhangs result in very steep approach angles, greatly enhancing off-road maneuverability. Its flat hood assures that drivers can see the terrain ahead with a good idea of where the bumper ends.
The body is wide, but feels tucked in. If the nose of a Range Rover fits through an opening, the rest of the vehicle will make it through as well. With the suspension set to on-road mode, ground clearance is 9.1". That figure increases to 11.1" in off-road mode. Standard 20" wheels are sized to climb obstacles, and also give the Range Rover Supercharged an assertive stance. Subtle badging lets careful observers know that a potent engine lurks beneath this Range Rover's hood – no bragging necessary.
Range Rover's interior is certainly fit for royalty. If William should find himself behind the wheel, he should be happy with the supportive driver's seat. A myriad of high tech features abound at his fingertips, including Bluetooth, hard drive-based GPS navigation with voice activation and steering wheel-mounted controls. He may or may not like the thin film transistor (TFT) virtual instrument panel that serves as Range Rover's gauge cluster.
I like the way that it looks and works, but some passengers complained that it looked "cheap" off-axis. I'd advise William to opt for some of the optional technology, like adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring, which will help keep him and his princess safer on long drives.
Range Rover's second row provides ample elbowroom for when Harry and Pippa come to visit, and can be equipped with a rear-seat entertainment system with two headrest-mounted displays ($2,500). That will keep the next generation of little royals occupied while their parents tour the Commonwealth.
Beyond the good looks and creature comforts afforded by the Range Rover Supercharged, the real royal treatment originates under the hood. A 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine nestles comfortably in the frame, ready to unleash 510 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque at the punch of a throttle.
Land Rover claims that's enough to propel the 5,891 lb Supercharged from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds, and I believe them. Range Rover Supercharged is rated to achieve 12 mpg city/18 mpg highway on Premium fuel, which is the same rating as the normally-aspirated Range Rover, which packs a mere 375 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque.
Power means nothing without control. Range Rover's electronic throttle has been tuned for precise delivery, which is crucial for off-road performance, and also for safe driving in parking lots and bumper-to-bumper traffic. Supercharged is not an unruly beast, but a cool, composed partner on the road. Four-wheel drive and four-wheel independent suspension provide flat cornering with minimal body roll, despite the Range Rover's generous dimensions.
Every Range Rover owner should experience the capability of their vehicle off-road at some point, even if they don't make a habit of it. I'd suggest that the Duke and Duchess take a side trip through the countryside of Cambridge. They can test out the newly upgraded Terrain Response, a sophisticated system that modifies engine, transmission, differentials, vehicle dynamics and air suspension on the Range Rover to suit selected conditions.
I didn't have a chance to drive my test vehicle off-road, though I have driven other Range Rovers with previous editions of Terrain Response over a wide variety of off-road conditions. I'm confident that the Range Rover Supercharged will astound.
Will and Kate might want to wait and pay off some of those wedding bills before they decide to buy a Range Rover Supercharged. The list price on a 2011 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged is $94,615 with a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty and complimentary scheduled maintenance on the first service at 15,000 miles. My test vehicle, with options and transportation, stickered out at $106,065.
In this heady atmosphere, there are a few worthy competitors. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo comes to mind immediately, because of its spectacular on-road dynamics. Mercedes-Benz's G55 AMG brings plenty of rugged off-road ability to the table. BMW's X5 M should also get consideration, though it's not my favorite. American royalty like Angelina and Brad will have to be content with the Cadillac Escalade.
For the newly crowned Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, only a Range Rover will do. The 2011 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged is certainly fit for a king -- even if that king is a prince.
