22 November 2001: The new Range Rover has been officially unveiled at a special media and VIP reception at the Design Museum in London. It is only the third new Range Rover model in 31 years. Sales start on 15 February.

Bob Dover, president of Land Rover, unveiled the new vehicle before 200 guests and said he was confident that the new vehicle will continue Range Rover’s reputation as a 'British design icon with great international appeal',

The new Range Rover was designed at Land Rover’s corporate, design and engineering headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, and will be manufactured at Land Rover’s plant in Solihull on a brand new production line.

Many of the traditional Range Rover elements have remained with the vehicle, including the horizontally split tailgate, the bold upright front with its simple grille, the high driving position, the ‘floating’ roof, and the clamshell bonnet.

The new Range Rover moves the design firmly into the 21st Century with uniquely styled head and tail lamps and distinctive – and functional – power vents on the trailing edges of both front wings which help increase the amount of air fed to the engine.

The new vehicle is bigger externally than its predecessor – it has grown longer and taller and has greater ground clearance than before. It is some 4950 mm (195 in) from bumper to bumper and sits on a wheelbase of 2880 mm (113.4 in), increases of 237 mm (9.3 in) and 135 mm (5.3 in) respectively. At 1863 mm (73.3 in) tall, it has grown 45 mm (1.8 in) over the previous car.

Ground clearance, one of the most significant dimensions for an off-road vehicle, has risen by 67 mm (2.6 in) to 281 mm (11.1 in) when the Range Rover is on its highest suspension setting.

The new packaging of the new Range Rover provides greater interior space even though its overall dimensions are narrower. The body itself is 67 mm (2.6 in) wider at 1956 mm (77.0 in) but the overall width – including the door mirrors – is slightly reduced by 37 mm (1.5 in) to 2191 mm (86.3 in).

There is more head, leg and shoulder room for those in the front and an improvement in knee room for those in the rear. In addition, the luggage area is longer and taller than before, with the overall volume rising from 513 litres to 535 litres.

The design team took styling and texture cues from products as diverse as audio equipment, ocean-going yachts, first-class airline seating, fine furniture and jewellery, combining these concepts with the classic ‘wood and leather’ experience expected from a Range Rover. At the same time, a minimalist approach to the controls was taken. A discreet metal finish is used for the detailing around the instruments and controls.

Although there is only one body style and an option between just two engines (3.0-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel and 4.4-litre petrol V8), there are three interior trim finishes, featuring cherry wood, burr walnut and a more sporting alloy metal look called foundry. There are also three seat fabrics – cloth, traditional Blenheim leather or Oxford leather.

As well as foldable armrests front and rear on the luxurious seats, optionally available ‘Contour’ front seats have an electrically adjustable split backrest. Electric control extends to the head rests and there is also a memory facility.

Split rear seats fold on a 60/40 basis and ‘jack-knife’ forward to increase luggage space. The cargo area has luggage loops to allow loads to be securely fastened and there is a ski hatch and bag in the middle of the rear seats.

Heating elements can be specified for all the seats as well as the steering wheel, the warmed leather rim being especially welcome in winter. TW