*** Interested parties should note, this vehicle was subject to a CAT S insurance loss in 10/2018 ***
Highlights
- Superb, sumptuous interior
- 2993cc V6 diesel engine, with electric assistance
- Legendary off-road ability
- ULEZ Exempt as it has Gen 2 Euro 6 engine
The Appeal
The first Range Rover prototype was built in 1967 and the car was launched in 1970, advertised as ‘The Car for All Reasons’, and boasting a 100mph top speed, hydraulic disc brakes all round and a revolutionary four-speed, dual-ratio permanent 4WD drive system. The car moved upmarket in the 1980s, and was first introduced in the USA in 1987.
By the 2000s, Land Rover was acutely aware of its reputation as a manufacturer of environmentally-unfriendly vehicles, a sensitivity heightened after climate protestors targeted LR’s Solihull works.
The company’s answer was to invest in new technology: first came lighter, more fuel-efficient cars and improved diesel engines and gearboxes followed, in 2015, by a hybrid version of the top-of-the-range Range Rover.
Instead of a plug-in hybrid, Land Rover went down the same route as the Toyota Prius – combining the transmission with an electric motor and a battery, and using these to help out the engine. Although the fuel savings were marginal, the Hybrid Range Rover was very similar to drive to the standard versions, giving buyers the performance they wanted combined with a clean(er) conscience.
All this came at a price; the Hybrid was only available in the top-end Autobiography spec, with the list price for the long-wheelbase version – as this example – an eye-watering £110, 150. That money, as you might expect, bought a lot of car: a palatial interior, cutting-edge in-car entertainment and excellent performance, plus the Range Rover’s legendary off-road ability.
The History and Paperwork
- MoT until June 2023
- Past MoTs
- Full service history
- Current V5
- Original owner’s manual and leather folder
- Two sets of keys, plus remote heater fob
Potential buyers should be aware that the V5 records that the car has been salvaged after structural damage (Category S), but has been declared suitable for repair after a technical evaluation. The vendor reports that the damage took place under the tenure of a previous owner, but as he believes the car was vandalised, with damage to the bodywork and the windscreen, he is mystified as to why this should have led to a Cat S write-off.
The car’s MoT history records that it has passed tests each year since required.
There’s a full service record, downloaded and printed from the car’s online history, plus an original owner’s manual in its smart leather folder.
The vendor bought the car in February 2022, but now wishes to invest some money in his new business and so has decided to sell the car to release funds.
The Interior
- Fabulous leather seats
- Rear TV screens
- Huge legroom for rear passengers
- Great driving position
- Privacy blinds
- Huge 909-litre load bay
- Unused spare wheel
The Sunday Times’s reviewer, writing about this exact model, wrote that “…you could slip out of the cabin and into a suite at the Hotel de Paris in Monaco without missing a beat”. Open the doors and you can see what he meant – the car’s interior is opulent, spacious, airy and supremely comfortable, and looks amazing. The leather seats, both front and back, would not be out of place in an exclusive gentleman’s club. Rear-seat passengers have their own individual screens, and the in-car TV works perfectly – our photo shoot was accompanied by the BBC News Channel. The sound system (with multiple Meridian speakers) is everything you would expect of a car with this list price.
There’s an electric sunroof, which works as it should.
The condition of all this is outstanding, given the car’s age and mileage. That the seats, carpets interior door panels and dashboard are in such good condition is testament to both the high quality of the original materials and careful ownership. There are virtually no signs of wear on any of the seats, the carpets have been protected by the original branded mats and have no marks or wear evident.
Thanks to that long wheelbase, rear-seat passengers have acres of legroom, and can raise the privacy blinds with door-mounted switches while watching their seat-back TVs.
The driver’s door pocket compartment contains the socket that fits the locking wheel nuts.
The load bay is huge, and is as clean and tidy as the rest of the car. Beneath the boot floor is a space-saver spare wheel and tyre, which look unused, and there is the original jack and a clever strap, in its original bag, that helps to remove the spare wheel from its well.
As is common in Range Rovers, the tailgate is split-level, and just inside the load bay is the control for the hidden towbar, which moves into place at the flick of a switch, as well the controls to raise and lower the rear seats electrically.
The Exterior
- Classic Range Rover profile
- Optional replacement front grille fitted
- Original front grille supplied
- Ultimate Black paintwork
- Good wheels and tyres
- Excellent badges, lights and glass
Despite its long lifetime and technological advances, the Range Rover’s profile is still distinctive and instantly recognisable. This example looks sleek and understated with its Ultimate Black paintwork (presumably repainted after the write-off, and done to high standards), tinted rear windows, all-black trim and black wheels, with the optional replacement front grille the only brightwork on the car’s exterior. The vendor still has the original grille and will supply this with the car.
As is to be expected of a car that lives in London, all four wheels have some signs of kerb damage, with the rear offside being the most noticeable.
The Mechanics
- 3-litre diesel/electric engine
- 8-speed automatic transmission
- Full service history
- Starts and runs well
- Clean, well-ordered engine bay
The hybrid-powered Range Rover is little different to drive from the standard diesel variant. Press the’ engine start’ button and, depending on the battery charge, it will either operate silently, under electrical propulsion, or fire up the diesel engine. Select ‘Drive’ on the eight-speed automatic gearbox and the system will function according to the driving conditions; alternatively the driver can select ‘EV On’ mode, which prioritises electric operating mode.
A digital instrument display tells the driver how much power is being used, from a range of 0-100%, and indicates when the battery is being recharged during deceleration.
The Hybrid’s performance, with a fully charged battery and the engine and electric motor working together, was claimed to be the same as the Range Rover SDV8, with a 0-60mph time of 6.5 seconds but improved fuel economy.
As was evident even from the short drive across west London to our photo location, this example drives and handles extremely well, but from inside the cabin the engine is silky-smooth and quiet. As far as we could tell, all the electronics work as they should.
Under the bonnet, there are no visible issues and the car comes with the added reassurance of that full service history.
Summary
The Range Rover can truly be called a motoring icon, with a fifty-plus-year model history and a reputation for combining luxury, performance and off-road capability in a way that no other manufacturer has ever quite managed to emulate. This example, despite its chequered past, looks fabulous and the interior surroundings have to be seen to be believed – it’s a supremely refined and comfortable driving environment, brimming with technology. It’s ready to be driven and enjoyed by a new owner (and his or her passengers!).
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.
