New 2013 Range Rover launch: full details

The new Range Rover has been revealed at a celebrity-packed event at the Royal Ballet School in Richmond Park. The all-new model has been five years in development and is only the fourth all-new Range Rover in the model's 42-year history.

Land Rover wants this L405 Range Rover to become not only the world's best 4x4, but also the world's best luxury car. It has in its sights models such as the Mercedes S-Class and Bentley Flying Spur as well as the Mercedes GL and Porsche Cayenne.

New 2013 Range Rover revealed
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The 2013 Range Rover's styling

The styling retains the classic Range Rover cues but is sleeker and more contemporary. The front end references the Evoque and the side wing gills of the current model have been moved back to the front doors, creating a distinctive new feature. This has been enhanced by a lower graphic line that stretches rearwards and is offered in three contrast finishes. The roof also now comes in three contrast colours.

Flush-fit glass and bolder, simpler lines mean the new Range Rover is very striking in the metal. Similar in size to the current model, it remains a big machine - nearly two metres wide and more than 1.8 metres tall - but Range Rover engineers revealed it is actually shorter than an Audi A8.

Despite similar dimensions, the new Range Rover is a massive 420kg lighter than the current model - because it is made entirely from aluminium. Thanks to a £1 billion investment, it is the world's first all-aluminium SUV and the cutting-edge bodyshell is built at the Land Rover Solihull plant in a brand-new, low-energy facility. It weights from just 2,160kg.

It is 10% more aerodynamic than before, with a coefficient drag factor of just 0.34. The underbody is completely flat and active vanes in the grille automatically adjust to blank it off when not necessary, further reducing drag.

First class interior

The interior fully shows Land Rover's ambition for the Range Rover to become a genuine luxury alternative to a Mercedes S-Class. Materials are richer, design more modern and features improved. Bridge of Weir leather is fitted to every model and covers "virtually every surface" including the seats, dashboard, doors and rooflining.

MSN Cars sat inside the car during a briefing event at Gaydon: it really is an impressive interior, with classy, luxurious detailing and top-notch quality. The 'command' driving position is retained and further enhanced with better visibility: Land Rover's even made it easier to see traffic lights at junctions, for a truly panoramic forward view.

Three choices of real wood veneer are offered: each comes from sustainable sources and is handmade. All have an intentionally modern, "highly contemporary" twist, in designer McGovern's pursuit of giving buyers "the feeling that there is no better place to be". It is simpler too: there are 50% fewer buttons.

The rear is bigger with 118mm more legroom. It is also easier to get in and out as the door openings are larger and the seats lower. The air suspension even lowers so it's even easier for the rich and famous to get in and out. A posh new executive class option is available at the rear, with two fully adjustable chairs that are just as comfortable as those in the front.

Range Rover's latest gadgets

The new Range Rover is packed with gadgets. Three grades of Meridian stereo are offered, including a 1,700w range-topping system with 29 speakers and a subwoofer built into the aluminium chassis. Four-zone climate control is available, the front seats can electrically adjust in 20 directions, twin eight-inch rear DVD screens are offered, buyers can have a fridge in the back and the doors even now soft-close.

A dramatic new feature is the electronic split tailgate, with automatic operation of the 'scissor-style' upper and lower halves. Computer synchronisation ensures they can never clash.

The new Range Rover has Park Assist, which can control the steering and automatically park the big Rangie - which is likely to be a real boon to owners. Reverse Traffic Detection uses radars to warn about potential collisions when reversing out of parking spaces.

Active cruise control can adjust speeds to traffic flow, even bringing the Range Rover to a stop if necessary, while Intelligent Emergency Braking uses radar to warn about possible collisions, again auto-braking if necessary. All models get powerful six-piston Brembo brakes, a brand normally fitted to supercars.

The fastest, greenest Range Rover ever

There are three engines, starting with the first ever V6 diesel in a Range Rover. Because the new model is so much lighter, this 258hp 3.0-litre motor is as fast as the current V8, hitting 60mph in 7.4 seconds - but it is much greener. It averages 37.7mpg and emits 196g/km CO2.

The revised 4.4-litre SDV8 produces 339hp and reaches 60mph from rest in 6.5 seconds. It averages 32.5mpg and emits 229g/km. The petrol alternative, Land Rover's 5.0-litre supercharged V8, benefits the most from the big weight reduction. It can reach 60mph from rest in just 5.1 seconds and rush on to a limited 155mph. It averages 20.5mpg: even this is 10% better.

Next year, a diesel hybrid will be offered. Land Rover says it is targeting CO2 emissions of under 170g/km and average fuel economy of 45mpg. This will easily make it the greenest Range Rover ever, by far - with fuel economy that's more of a match to the much smaller Freelander 2.

The best SUV off-road is better on-road too

On-road handling is much more agile, says Land Rover. The faster two engines have a new two-channel Dynamic Response air suspension feature, which can modify anti-roll rates independently front and rear. Engineers say we should anticipate big improvements here. The ride is also even better, with big improvements focusing on low-speed comfort.

It will be superb off-road. A clever new air intake system breathes through the gap between the wing and bonnet - enabling the car's wading depth to rise 200mm to an amazing 900mm. This is easily the best of any production vehicle.

New Terrain Response 2 is now fully active, monitoring the ground hundreds of times a second to change the drive mode automatically without pressing any buttons. The new Range Rover also has 50% more wheel travel than a BMW X5.

Overall, the new Range Rover has improved significantly in every key area. It is greener, faster, handles and rides better, is more able off-road and is even better for passengers.

Prices for the new Range Rover start at £71,295 for a 3.0 TDV6 HSE: order books open this month and deliveries start later this year.

New 2013 Range Rover revealed
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