Monday 28th October 2013

Range Rover LWB & Autobiography Black

For those occasions when the pauper-spec Range Rover simply won't do

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A lot can be inferred about a car's intended audience from its motor show debut city. See the Vauxhall Insignia, announced to the world in London five years ago. Rep car in rep country.

Top car is the Black. This is your 'regular' LWB

So then, the Range Rover long wheelbase and Autobiography Black models. The former is being unveiled simultaneously at the LA and Guangzhou motor shows, the Autobiography Black at Dubai. Says a lot, no?

The LWB Rangie caters even more lavishly for rear-seat passengers than the standard car. Rear legroom is up by 140mm and the seats recline a further 8 degrees (now 17) for the utmost comfort.

Those rear seats can be in either a bench or 'Executive Class' two-seat configuration. Further enhancing the passenger experience is a standard panoramic sunroof and powered side door blinds. All very opulent.

However, for the ultimate in Range Rover decadence, might one prefer the Range Rover Autobiography Black? Only available in LWB form and intended to offer 'an unmatched combination of luxury, design and all-terrain performance', the Autobiography Black is quite literally festooned with equipment.

The RR Autobiography Black. In white

Designed by JLR's Engineered to Order division, the Autobiography Black comes only with the Executive Class rear seats. Each passenger back there is treated to a 10.2-inch rear screen with Meridian audio, leather-covered tables, a shared chiller compartment and configurable mood lighting. The seats of course massage and move in every which way imaginable.

Further unique additions to the Autobiography Black include new wheel designs (smallest size? 21s), a leather-wrapped parcel shelf (!) and exclusive interior colour combos. Which to choose from Ebony/Lunar, Espresso/Tan and Dark Cherry/Ivory? Decisions, decisions....

Both LWB and Autobiography Black versions are offered with all the Range Rover engines, the former only in Autobiography spec and above. Which is Autobiography Black, only available in LWB. Got it? March is the launch date for the long wheelbase car, August for the Autobiography Black.

[giggle]

Ive been using one of the new Rangeys and I can tell you , the last thing you want is the 2 seat conversion in the back.
It just does not work, not enough space width ways so the extra leg room and degree of tilt wont alter that.

[vincenz]

giggle said:

Ive been using one of the new Rangeys and I can tell you , the last thing you want is the 2 seat conversion in the back.
It just does not work, not enough space width ways so the extra leg room and degree of tilt wont alter that.

Are you a fat bd?

[dukebox9reg]

Width? Its as wide as a bus. How fat are you?

Ive seen the prototype LWB and have to say the proportions work better

[dukebox9reg]

vincenz said:

Are you a fat bd?

Beat me to it

[chris333]

So if this is one step up from a FFRR, does that make it a Gold Top RR?

[berlintaxi]

Added to the lottery win list.

[balls-out]

Nice use of sh*t brown leather.

[cookie1600]

Sounds like they are trying to steal a march on the Bentley offering when it comes out.

[Davey S2]

Rear looks like a nice place to be.

[ridds]

How does that tray fit into the centre console then?

[rtz62]

A rear a parcel shelf covered in leather? As much use as tits on a fish.
And the colour combinations? Hmmmmn, you can't buy class, so expect to see Rooney, Ferdinand et al in them at a Premiership ground near you....

[rtz62]

A rear a parcel shelf covered in leather? As much use as tits on a fish.
And the colour combinations? Hmmmmn, you can't buy class, so expect to see Rooney, Ferdinand et al in them at a Premiership ground near you....

[monthefish]

I am the only one to think it doesn't look that comfy?

[Davey S2]

If I had a chauffeur I'd have a Phantom or a Bentley.

For a 4x4 to drive myself I'd rather go for the new RR Sport

[WokkaWokka]

rtz62 said:

A rear a parcel shelf covered in leather? As much use as tits on a fish.
And the colour combinations? Hmmmmn, you can't buy class, so expect to see Rooney, Ferdinand et al in them at a Premiership ground near you....

You've obviously never had a fish with tits my friend.

I'll take my fking parcel shelf in black leather please!

[Drums]

balls-out said:

Nice use of sh*t brown leather.

I have to say I'm pretty in to the st brown leather.

[RacerMike]

Not sure why, but none of the interior pictures show the extended wheelbase. The legroom is frankly ludicrous in it.

[Daggerpie]

I was speaking to a Range Rover rep just before the new model launch and he was telling me they are aiming it more towards the Chauffeur market (already more legroom in the standard cars at the expense of loosing a bit of boot space), although couldn't actually confirm if RR were coming up with a dedicated "chauffeur programme" like Merc, Audi, Jag etc..

I think this new LWB will be definately be a hit it London, although, certainly not enough to give the new S-Class or A8 anything to worry about.

[greggy50]

Do these interior pictures actually show the LWB? As to be honest it looks like it has less space than my Dads old mk3 mondeo...

Edited by greggy50 on Monday 28th October 13:51

[David87]

Very nice. I wonder what percentage of these will ever end up off-road?