Since 1970, Range Rover has been synonymous with luxury, traversing the globe with everyone from royalty to rock stars at the wheel. Now the company, which has led by example over its decades in the automotive industry, has a team of engineers in Sweden preparing Range Rover for its all-electric future – and there's a waitlist for a reason
Geraldine Ingham, Range Rover Managing Director, is fascinated by how people spend time in their cars. “For some, it’s a sanctuary,” she says, “for others, an extension of work or home.” Whatever the experience, it’s a luxury one favoured by scores of high profile figures, from the late Queen Elizabeth II to fashion elite such as Victoria Beckham and Calvin Klein.
The first Range Rover was unveiled in 1970, with its combination of supreme capability and elegant design met with critical acclaim. Over the subsequent decades, the original three-door design became a four-door, technical features evolved and hybrid possibilities were introduced – but the silhouette of the vehicle always trace back to the original, giving Range Rover a timeless feeling. “I love that a Range Rover is instantly recognisable,” Ingham says. “The latest generation is also incredibly modern and sophisticated – a perfect fusion of design and engineering working in harmony to deliver minimal shutlines and an uncluttered interior,” she goes on.
Photo: Courtesy of Range Rover
According to Ingham, Range Rover’s raison d’etre is to ‘lead by example’ in the luxury space, but it sees its clients as “life’s leaders” too. “Our clients have incredible refined tastes, they are well travelled, value their time, and appreciate fine details with a focus on the journey and story behind our materials’,” she elaborates.
In other words, Range Rover is a lifestyle. Fittingly, the company has been hosting curated, immersive and one-of-a-kind experiences across the globe (only accessible to select clients) under the name of Range Rover House. From the ski resorts of the French Alps to the Californian coast, the Range Rover House brings its unique brand experience to life in the places that it knows its clients “relax and spend their private time.”
Photo: Courtesy of Range Rover
Photo: Courtesy of Range Rover
Photo: Courtesy of Range Rover
Here in Scandinavia, being out on the road comes with additional requisites, be it flurries of snow or remote forest roads All considerations that Range Rover has well and truly covered. “We’ve led the way over the years with patented technologies and innovations to ensure clients can cross challenging terrains or drive through tough conditions with ease, Ingham says. “It’s all about instilling a sense of quiet confidence – knowing that the vehicle will keep you safe, and automatically sense and select the right settings so our drivers can focus on the road ahead.”
It’s all about instilling a sense of quiet confidence – knowing that the vehicle will keep you safe, and automatically sense and select the right settings.
Geraldine Ingham, Range Rover Managing Director
A case in point is the new Range Rover Sport SV Edition One, which Ingham describes as “probably the most road-baised, dynamic SUV that we have ever created.” Unmistakable in its shape and lines, the newly launched model boasts taut surfacing, a dynamic stance and muscular proportions. “Our latest Rover Sport embraces fully our modernist approach of vehicle design whilst amplifying its unquestionable sporting and confident character,” weighs in Professor Gerry McGovern OBE, Chief Creative Officer, JLR.
Geraldine Ingham, Range Rover Managing Director. Photo: Courtesy of Range Rover
Beyond the distinctive British DNA of Range Rover, there are strong ties with Scandinavia. So much so that its engineering teams were recently based in Sweden, putting the upcoming Range Rover Electric through its paces to ensure its ability to withstand very low temperatures with minimal impact on battery and performance. The Electric, which will launch later in 2024, will be the company’s first all-electric Range Rover. “Particularly in Scandinavia and parts of Europe, we know this is hugely anticipated by out clients – and out waiting list reflects that,” Ingham says.
In addition, Range Rover has committed to fully electrifying its family of models by the end of the decade. “Right now, every Range Rover is available as a plug-in hybrid, and these will continue to be available for the foreseeable as the world switches across to EVs at a differing pace,” Ingham explains.
Photo: Courtesy of Range Rover
Photo: Courtesy of Range Rover
Photo: Courtesy of Range Rover
With her unwavering ascination with how others spend time in their cars, Ingham shares that for her, it offers up “thinking time” and also the opportunity to “enjoy some music to switch off from the day-to-day”. So it’s no surprise that Ingham’s favourite feature of the Range Rover Sport SV is the ‘Body and Soul’ seat feature – a world-first audio experience build into the front seats to enhance wellness. “In simple terms, it allows you to ‘feel’ the music through transducers that are actually built into the seat itself.”
Staying true to its luxury brand values, the Sport SV’s ‘Body and Soul’ feature also translates with unparalleled wellness benefits, with audio tracks built into the vehicle’s infotainment allowing those in the front seat to feel as relaxed or invigorated as desired. “I love getting behind the wheel after a long day,” Ingham says, “and turning up a great track to calm the mind and help me switch off and it’s a feature we anticipate will be really popular with our clients.”