2013 Range Rover Revealed With Massive Weight Savings

Land Rover has revealed its new 2013 Range Rover model, ushering in a fourth-generation of its flagship SUV after a 10-year lifecycle with its predecessor.

The latest Range Rover model clearly features styling that has become a trademark to the SUV, but the British automaker has evolved the design to a much sleeker, contemporary vehicle. It was undoubtedly a delicate process to combine the traditional box-life features that the Range Rover has been known for, with a rounder, smoother redesign that is prominent on the front-end design. In a way, it borrows a bit of design from the Evoque model, without departing from the traditional Range Rover styling.

But the biggest changes aren’t with the aesthetics; the new Range Rover features a monocoque body and all new aluminum suspension components which makes it 39-percent lighter than the steel predecessor used from 2002-2012. That is upwards of 900 lbs in weight savings – depending on the trim level – thanks to the unibody design.

Take the 2013 Range Rover equipped with a 5.0-liter V8 for example. The naturally-aspirated SUV will probably weigh in at around 5,200 lbs which is 700 lbs less than the 2012 model. It is also expected that the supercharged V8 powerplant (510-hp) will return alongside the 5.0-liter naturally-aspirated V8 engine (375-hp). It’s not expected that the powerplants will have any performance gains for the 2013 model year. It will however, featured an eight-speed ZF transmission, tossing out the previous six-speed automatic.

To improve the Range Rover’s handling and ride, the automaker has re-engineered the SUV’s four-corner air suspension, and the Terrain Response off-road system now adjusts the vehicle’s settings automatically to fit its environment.

As for the interior, the 2013 Range Rover now boasts an extra 4.7 inches of rear legroom, with an optional two-seat package with a rear center console. The Meridian audio system will be borrowed from the Evoque, while the massive 12.3-inch TFT LCD will once again be seen at the front center console.

The 2013 Range Rover will make its official debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. It is expected to go on sale in North America in early 2013, or later this year, if we’re lucky. Pricing is expected as it gets closer to its release.