2018 Range Rover: Comfier seats, more power, updated dual-screen tech

6 years, 5 months ago - 12 October 2017, Autoblog
2018 Range Rover: Comfier seats, more power, updated dual-screen tech
Following the reveal of a significantly updated Range Rover Sport, Land Rover has shown the refreshed classic Range Rover line.

The updates mirror the Range Rover Sport's in many ways, including the introduction of the Range Rover P400e plug-in hybrid model, but most changes are a bit more minor.

The hybrid Range Rover is badged in the same way as the Sport version, with the P400e name. It uses the same 398-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, and has the same claimed 31-mile range on electric power only.

Aside from the all-new hybrid, the whole Range Rover line sees some mild changes to the exterior. The grilles have fresh patterns and the headlights have been tweaked. The lower grille in the front bumper is slightly simpler, looking more like one large unit. The rear bumper now has more integrated exhaust outlets.

The biggest changes to the lineup are on the inside. The new Range Rover now has the same dual 10-inch touchscreen center stack as on the Range Rover Velar and Range Rover Sport. All seats are now wider with thicker foam cushioning for greater comfort, but they can be upgraded to include 25 massage programs. There's also available "Executive Seating," standard on Autobiography models, which offer 24-way power adjustment and heated arm rests up front. In the rear, Executive Seating provides reclining seats that recline farther than before, while cosseting your passengers with heated and cooled cushions, heated arm rests, and calf and foot rests.

Other new features include the Activity Key first seen in the Jaguar F-Pace (and currently being enjoyed in our long-term fleet) and a Gesture Sunblind, which allows you to open and close the sunroof's sunblind using forward and rearward hand gestures.

On the topic of the Autobiography models, the top tier SVAutobiography Dynamic sees mild changes. It continues to get a unique grille and rear bumper. The supercharged V8 also sees a bump in horsepower from 550 horsepower to 557 horsepower.

Note that the refreshed non-hybrid Range Rovers are given the 2018 model year, while the P400e is a 2019 model year. The on-sale dates will probably reflect those of the Range Rover Sport, which will be available in non-hybrid form early next year, with the hybrid following in the summer.