Today’s culture thrives off of being boundless, and having the ability to personalize your lifestyle in as many areas as you can is an added bonus. Land Rover has been a company to offer vehicles without limitations, SUVs that go virtually anywhere that four wheels can claw a path. The latest Range Rover is not only a nearly limitless vehicle when it comes to conquering trails and roads less traveled, but it is one of the most luxurious SUVs on the road today.
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The new 2016 Range Rover Supercharged Long Wheelbase (LWB) that has graced my garage this week is for those who want to live large and don’t take no for an answer in life. The Range Rover with a powerful Supercharged V8, 122.8-inch wheelbase, and large leather-encapsulated cabin, is the epitome of living large luxury.
Land Rover doesn’t hold back with its largest Range Rover line with the longer wheelbase. Getting things in gear, literally, is left to a 510 horsepower and 461 lb-ft of torque Supercharged V8 engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Sending power to all four wheels through a nearly indestructible and intelligent full-time all-wheel-drive system controlled by Land Rover’s latest Terrain Response2 system giving the Range Rover Supercharged LWB has the proper off-roading chops to conquer small navigable mountains. Moreover, the Range Rover is able to plow through about 3-feet of water without hiccup thanks to clever design and a high-mounted intake.
See Also: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged LWB Autobiography Review & Test Drive
While most buyers of the lavishly appointed Range Rover Supercharged LWB will never take such a vehicle off-road, it’s nice to know you have the capability, if you’re ever feeling adventurous and don’t mind scratching one of those 21-inch wheels. Where the Range Rover spends most of its time, on the local Town Center shopping lots and Rodeo Drive storefront avenues, all passengers will feel right at home living in the lap of luxury on the way to buy those new Jimmy Choo high-heel pumps at Saks Fifth Avenue. The supple ride quality at the hands of an adaptive air suspension system keeps the Rover composed and relaxed. Though, pushing the Range Rover Supercharged LWB aggressively has dire consequences, which are mostly obvious for such a high-statured vehicle. There is excessive body roll and an unassured feeling that can break the driver into a cold sweat when entering an exit ramp too hot. The steering is somewhat lackadaisical with a light feel and requires several turns lock to lock with a rather poor turning radius. All of these traits are mostly expected for a vehicle that could be considered by some as the consumer SUV-limousine.
On the plus side, Land Rover has done its homework to put the latest Rover on a diet to lighten its body by 700 pounds than its outgoing generation through the judicious use of aluminum. Together, with its lighter body and thrusting Supercharged V8, the Range Rover LWB is poised to get quickly up to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. While the acceleration is probably the only thrilling part of its road-going performance, the Range Rover Supercharged LWB is soft and supple luxury through and through that eats up bumps and road imperfections like a fat kid eats chocolate cake. Cruising on the highway the Range Rover demands attention, in more ways than one, including the attention of the nearest gas station to fill the massive 27.7-gallon tank of premium fuel that steadily burns at an EPA-estimated rate of 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. For me, I took a trip to a few neighboring cities and was able to get 21 mpg through careful right-foot action and steady cruising in heavy Interstate-95 traffic. Ending up in stop and go traffic and navigating several stoplights going through the districts of Disney World quickly diminished my fuel mileage to nearly 13.8 mpg, even with the persistent engine stop-start system enabled.
Land Rover doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the lavish interiors of the top-trimmed Range Rover in the prided long-wheelbase variant. The light colored perforated massaging 18-way power adjustable leather front seats are supple and offer just enough support and give that you feel as if you’re sitting in a comfy couch in your home. The rear seating, nearly as comfortable as the front seats, have more than enough legroom giving the rear occupants a sense of residing in a small RV and the benefit of heating and ventilation with power adjustable seat backs. It’s prudent to note that opting for the long-wheelbase version of the new Range Rover adds a stunning 7.3 inches of rear legroom over the normal Range Rover.
Most materials are soft-touch and wrapped with leather throughout the cabin except the piano-black plastic and brushed aluminum trim. There isn’t anything left out of the luxury theme in the latest Range Rover Supercharged LWB. The use of the infotainment system can be a bit annoying at times with slow responses to your input and a few confusing menu screens. Additionally, the available-at-anytime 360-degree camera system is more useful for going off-road than it is to get a representation of what’s around the vehicle when parking unless you only utilize the default rear camera for a single rearward perspective. Fortunately, the 360-degree parking sensor system is there to alert you progressively as you approach objects with the living-large Rover. The dashboard controls and large 12-inch driver’s gauge cluster are all simplified and easy to use. Entry and exit of the Range Rover Supercharged LWB is also simplified thanks to an access height setting for the air suspension that will automatically lower the vehicle by a couple of inches if it is set to do so.
Never before has the limousine business had a mainstream competitor in an SUV that you can pick up at your local Land Rover dealership. Nevertheless, that’s just what you get in the Range Rover Supercharged LWB, a supple luxury land yacht with a tall stature and huge greenhouse by the way of its massively-sized windows with power sunshades for the rear seat windows.
The price of admission, about $109,190 including destination for my test vehicle, is on par with what you expect to pay for a large luxury SUV. Though, with the Range Rover Supercharged LWB you are limited to a five-passenger setup. Moving to the top-trimmed Range Rover Autobiography with executive seating, cuts you down to only four passengers due to the additional luxury appointments accessed through a large rear center console. Living large is a literal thing for Range Rover seekers, and I totally get it.
The Range Rover Supercharged LWB starts at $108,195 while the standard wheelbase Range Rover 3.0 LR-V6 Supercharged starts at $84,950 before any fees or destination charges.
>> Get the best price on the Land Rover Range Rover from a network of local dealers now. <<
