The Range Rover is 40

The range rover is 40

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The Range Rover celebrates its 40th birthday on June 17.
One of the most significant vehicles in the history of motoring, the Range Rover was the world's first vehicle as good on-road as off-road. It was the first fully capable luxury 4x4 and was a milestone in the development of the SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle).
There have been three generations of Range Rover. The original, now known as the Classic, went on sale in 1970 and continued in production, with numerous upgrades and a multiplicity of variants, for just over 25 years.
The second-generation vehicle, known as the P38a, went on sale in 1994 and was replaced in 2001 by the current model. The continuing success of the Range Rover ensured that other premium makers jumped into the booming luxury SUV market. The latest version has enjoyed higher annual sales than any previous models and continues to be popular around the world.
A second model line, the Range Rover Sport, was launched in 2005, aimed at more sports-oriented driver-focused customers. It has been a great success, and in 2007 was Land Rover's biggest selling vehicle worldwide.
Later this year, a further member of the Range Rover clan will be added, with some versions of the new smaller offering two as well as four wheel drive. The new vehicle will be smaller, lighter and more fuel efficient.

Range Rover's timeline

1966 Work began on the first Range Rover prototype, known as the '100-inch station wagon'
1970  The original two-door Range Rover - known as the Classic - goes on sale
1971 Range Rover receives the RAC Dewar award for outstanding technical achievement
1972 The model is the first vehicle to cross the Darien Gap, on a Trans-America expedition
1974 Range Rover completes west to east Sahara desert expedition - 7,500 miles in 100 days
1977 A modified Range Rover wins the 4x4 class in the London-Sydney Marathon.
1979 A specially modified Range Rover wins the first Paris-Dakar rally (it won again in 1981)
1981 First production four-door appears along with the first limited-edition - the 'In Vogue'
1982 Automatic transmission becomes available.
1983 A five-speed manual gearbox is introduced.
1985 A diesel Range Rover breaks 27 records, and averages 100mph (160km/h) for 24 hours
1987 Range Rover launched in North America
1989 Range Rover is the world's first 4x4 to be fitted with ABS anti-lock brakes
1990 Limited Edition CSK - named after founder Charles Spencer King - is launched.
1992  Range Rover Classic is the first 4x4 to be fitted with electronic traction control (ETC)
1992 Long-wheelbase LSE (known as County LWB in the US) launched
1992 Automatic electronic air suspension introduced, a world first for a 4x4
1994 Second-generation (P38a) Range Rover goes on sale
1996 Range Rover Classic bows out after total production of 317,615 units
1999 Limited Edition Range Rover Linley appears at London Motor Show
2001 All-New Range Rover (L322) launched
2002 Half-millionth Range Rover produced at the Solihull plant
2005 Second model line - the Range Rover Sport - launched
2006 Terrain Response and 3.5-litre TDV8 diesel introduced
2009 Range Rover features all-new LR-V8 5.0 and 5.0 supercharged petrol engines.
2010  Range Rover celebrates its 40th anniversary
2010 All-New compact Range Rover to be revealed at Paris Motor Show

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