2003 Land Rover Ranger Rover...Continued

Dubbed ãConcept Oysterä during customer research, the vehicle that would eventually carry the name Range Rover had been developed with the North American market in mind from the start. The first running prototype was completed in the late summer of 1967. In 1968, the name Range Rover was formally adopted, with production beginning in March 1970. At launch, the vehicle was capable, rugged and carried a certain level of comfort and luxury that was previously unknown to Land Rovers.

For many years, Range Rover was kept apart from the other Land Rover vehicles. It seemed to be positioned above the other product, apart from its higher price, but things have changed. The new styling seen in this new Range Rover will be carried over to other product.

Back to driving. My first experience of Hill Descent Control was in the Discovery.

Hill Descent Control was invented by Land Rover, and is new to Range Rover. It operates in all gears, both forward and reverse, high and low. This is especially useful when an attempt to drive up a sand dune fails, creating a potentially precarious situation. Normally the braking force is on the front wheels. But you need it on the rear in order to back down under control. I was advised to ãjust select reverseä, and then Hill Descent Control. The algorithm is swapped around giving the braking force to the rear wheels, allowing you to reverse back down the slope safely. Now Iâm not suggesting we all go out and find sand dunes to try this on, the state of California frowns on this, but if you need it, its there.

The Land Rover instructors set up a special test course so we could test the Range Rover and our off-road abilities. Iâm glad to say we all passed.

In North America the new Range Rover is only available as one model, a high spec HSE. There is only one engine and drive train. The 4.4-liter motor is part of the development from Land Roverâs four-year ownership by BMW. Designed and built in Germany itâs the best motor ever fitted into a Range Rover, but for us purists itâs sad to see the original Rover V8, a engine first developed in 1953, gone.

With a price of around $70,000 the Range Rover buyer is well defined. They are mostly male, mostly married and about half of them are in the empty nest stage. They are very well educated. They have a particularly low median age, 46, and are very wealthy, with a median income of around $280,000. Not surprisingly, dealers are not having a problem selling the vehicle. As one local dealer told me, ãWe canât keep them on the lot. Iâve received four and they went the day they arrived.ä

The 2003 Range Rover isnât for everyone. Yes it is a lot of money, but you get a lot of vehicle and you can take it just about anywhere, in comfort, safety and luxury.

The Range Rover is at Land Rover dealers now. If you want one and you havenât put down a deposit·Oh well!