The full history of Land Rover vehicles has over 60 years of reliability, high cross-country ability and maximum comfort for the driver and passengers. Initially Land rover was an exclusively British corporation, but in 1994 it was acquired by BMW.

Today, the impressive range of cars of the legendary Land Rover company, for which the concept of bad roads simply does not exist, is considered one of the most demanded and prestigious cars, perfectly emphasizing the status of its owner.

From World War II to the present day

During the Second World War, industry in Britain received a constant income, with the end of hostilities, financial flows dried up. The country's leadership was forced to look for solutions to this situation. This can be considered an important impetus in the history of the development of the entire British automotive industry, and the Land Rover brand in particular.

Taking advantage of the difficult economic situation in the country, Rover quite easily received approval from the country's leadership for a new launch of mass production passenger cars... The company was provided with a completely new plant located in Solihull, which was rebuilt before the outbreak of the war, and throughout its entire course produced military equipment, being classified.

This is how the history of the land rover company began, which, on a very large territory of the plant provided to it, could afford to start the production of a small number of car models, which first came off the assembly line before the war. A new idea for entering the market was proposed by the brothers, who were managing the company at that time - to create a simple and inexpensive "transport" with a minimum need for scarce sheet steel.

The whole story land brands rover would have been completely different without creating the first post-war car with the same name, the prototype of which was the Willis Jeep. It was extremely simple in daily operation and reliable car with excellent cross-country ability, for the production of which a minimum of steel was required. The vehicle was a temporary option for Land Rover to overcome a difficult period of strict steel quotas.

Through life a winner

In the history of the land rover, the sharp decline in "interest" in aluminum, which was noted after the war, played a huge role. Since it was much cheaper than steel, the engineers came up with the idea to more widely use it for the body of the new model. Aluminum was not only easier to process and required less resources, but also had a high corrosion resistance.

The lack of metal has had an impact on the chassis of the car. The inability to manufacture steel chassis parts, the large economic costs that were required for this, prompted the engineers to come up with an original solution. Pieces of steel (in the form of scrap), which were in abundance, were welded together, subsequently collecting in a supporting frame. This not only saved resources, but also made it possible to produce a frame that has never been seen before in land rover history.

In the spring of 1947, the assembly of the prototype began, and by the summer it was completely ready. As it turned out, just such a car fully met the needs of society at that time. By the spring of 1948, 25 samples of the new car had already been collected. It was announced at an exhibition held in Amsterdam, where it was a huge success, becoming not a temporary, as planned, but a popular SUV for many years.

Perfection carried through the years

In the same year, the number of new SUVs produced was several times higher than the number of sedans produced by the company, providing a constant income. This made it possible to start modernizing the model, and in 1950 a completely different all-wheel drive system was implemented in the history of the Land Rover brand. By means of a special lever it was now possible to switch between full or only rear wheel drive.

In the 60s, Land Rover significantly updated the list of cars produced. In addition to the forward control variant of the car, the list of cars produced by personal orders has been expanded. For example, a landing vehicle weighing only 500 kg appeared, designed to be delivered to the combat zone by air. Throughout its history, the Land Rover has "visited" construction sites, helped firefighters and doctors - all due to its unsurpassed characteristics in terms of cross-country ability.

After a serious market research, carried out in the same year, it turned out that Land Rover had managed to "conquer" more than a third of the global SUV market. After that, it became clear that the company was completely open new market cars for connoisseurs of outdoor activities.

It all started with the intention of engineers to make only a small part of the improvements to the already released version. But as a result of painstaking work on the new development of the specialists of the Rover design studio, a fundamentally different car has turned out, with the already proven rigid frame and lightweight body, characterized by high corrosion resistance. The car, dubbed the Range Rover, would then be exhibited at the Louvre, and the public got to know it in 1970, and the car instantly made a real sensation.

Range Rover was produced with two doors, complemented by a tailgate. The exterior of the car was not chic, but its sales literally beat all records. Its exceptional reliability will be confirmed a little later by a group of military personnel who have made a motor rally on it from Alaska to Argentina, where Range Rover has never let down its creators for six months, having overcome all the tests with honor.

Stay true to tradition by changing the look

In the 80s, the company began to implement the Project Jay project, as a result of which the history of the Land Rover Discovery car model, belonging to the class family cars... The basis was the already proven Range Rover wheelbase with a lightweight and inexpensive body. As a result of the work, the long history of land rover discovery started, which the public saw for the first time back in 1989.

If Discovery and Range Rover confidently took over the luxury car segment, the victorious story of the updated Land Rover Defender began a little later. This model has proven itself, for example, among fans of outdoor activities. This was facilitated not only by the comfort of the car and its excellent handling, but also by the unsurpassed off-road performancethat have not been surpassed by other manufacturers so far.

After the acquisition of the Rover Group by BMW Corporation, the lineup continued. The design of a new car has begun. As conceived by the designers, the new Range Rover was supposed to be completely different from the previously produced cars. A fundamentally new chassis was developed for it and the V8 engine was "redesigned". In addition, the engineers have provided for the possibility of equipping the car with a 2.5 liter diesel engine.

The new car was equipped with the latest electronic system that controlled absolutely everything - from the perfect system responsible for driving safety, to the suspension, which was made self-leveling. The new model was named Range Rover Classic, and this luxury car existed for 26 years, during which more than 300 thousand copies rolled off the assembly line.

The history of the Land Rover Freelander model, in contrast to the history of defender or discovery, began relatively recently. Despite the fact that there are enough models in the small SUV market, the Freelander's appearance could not go unnoticed as it inherited all the best characteristics of the legendary brand. Since the start of work on this model, a lot of the latest developments have appeared in it, without which it is already unrealistic to imagine a car.

Thus, HDC (controlled descent) was developed and patented, based on the ABS, and this is just one of hundreds of Land Rover innovations. The appearance of the Freelander car did not become a point in the history of the company's development. In 2005, car enthusiasts showed a genuine interest in the new model launched on the market - the Range Rover sport, which for a number of characteristics became the best carby mobile throughout the history of the land rover. This is a versatile, maneuverable vehicle with excellent cross-country ability and comfortable driving style on any road. The capabilities of the "legendary" car can be seen in the video

Range Rover is the legendary SUV produced by Land Rover, the flagship vehicle of the concern. Country of origin of Range Rover - Great Britain. The car began to be produced in 1970. During this time, he managed to appear in many films. The world fame of the model was brought by a series of James Bond paintings. Currently, the Land Rover concern is a manufacturer of models fourth generation Evoque and Sport. These cars are very popular. The company produces up to 50 thousand cars a year.

Development of the first car models

The company began attempts to create an SUV back in 1951. The Willys army SUV was taken as a basis. The engineers wanted to create the same reliable all-terrain vehicle for the needs of British farmers. During the war years, the company's plant produced aircraft engines. Many sheets of aluminum remained from this production, which were used for the bodies of new cars for the needs of the country. Rover, a manufacturer of military equipment, was thus provided with a high-quality aluminum alloy, resistant to corrosion, which increased the service life of the vehicles.

In parallel with the production of cars for farmers, the company was developing a more comfortable SUV. But the first models of such cars were too expensive and not popular. It took several decades to create the future legend.

First generation

The Range Rover Classic model was produced by the British company from 1970 to 1996. During this time, more than 300 thousand copies were sold. The first cars were designed for test drives. Real sales started in September 1970. The model has been constantly improved and refined. Since 1971, the company has started producing 250 vehicles per week.

The car had a unique design for its time. For some time he was exhibited at the Louvre as one of the exhibits. The model was in great demand, and its price rose rapidly. Until 1981, the car was only available in a 3-door version. These cars were considered the safest and most robust. In addition, the model was fully compliant with US export requirements.

Disc brakes were installed on all wheels of the car. The aluminum hood was replaced with a steel one, which increased the overall weight of the car. The model was equipped with a powerful and reliable Buick engine. The machine was designed to enter the American market. At the same time, the country of origin of Range Rover is Great Britain.

In 1972 a 4-door model was developed. But she never made it to the market. Then came the 5-door SUV.

The Range Rover Monteverdi was launched in 1981. The car was designed for wealthy buyers. It was installed new salon leather and conditioner. The success of this model allowed the company to begin developing a four-door car. The new model was equipped with a 3.5-liter engine, an injection system and two carburetors. The car could accelerate to 160 km / h. This set a new record for SUVs. Polyester bumpers, original body paint, finest wood interior trim and other features new model from others. The cars were equipped with carburetor and injection engines.

The company has developed the Discovery car for family use. The model received a cheaper body. The disadvantages of cars of the first generation include their high cost, lack of automatic transmission. generations were not for sale.

Second generation

Range Rover P38A production began in 1994, 24 years after the first vehicles were introduced. In 1993 the company became the property of BMW. At the same time, England was still called the country of origin of Range Rover.

More than 200,000 copies of this five-door SUV have been sold. The models were equipped updated version gasoline engine V8, in-line six-cylinder diesel engine M51 from BMW with a 2.5-liter turbocharger. The car was offered in an improved configuration.

Its advantages include stylish design, interior roominess, excellent specifications, safety. Disadvantages of the model - fuel consumption, high price repair and spare parts failure electronic systems.

Third generation

Range Rover L322 appeared in 2002 and was produced until 2012. This model was deprived frame structure... It was developed in collaboration with BMW. The model contains common components and systems (electronics, power supplies) with bMW cars E38. But the country of origin of Range Rover is still England.

In 2006, official sales of the company's cars began in Russia. In 2006 and 2009, the model was updated. The exterior of the car was changed, the interior was redesigned, the engines were modernized, the list of available options was expanded.

Fourth generation

The Range Rover L405 was unveiled at the 2012 Paris International Motor Show and has an aluminum body. When creating this machine, engineers used the latest technology... The model is equipped with a comfortable and roomy body. Currently, the British company continues to develop new car models. Few have the question of which country the Range Rover is produced. Tradition remains tradition.

In the mid-1960s, the British company Rover began to create a versatile all-metal SUV - a more comfortable alternative to the Land Rover, which could be offered on the American market. Serial car, unveiled at the 1970 Geneva Motor Show, was named Range Rover. It had a three-door body with aluminum panels, a spring suspension (instead of a spring suspension in the then utilitarian ""), disc brakes and permanent all-wheel drive. Stood under the hood gas engine V8 with a volume of 3.5 liters and a capacity of 135 liters. from.

Over the next years, Range Rover has been constantly modernized. In 1981, they began to produce a five-door modification of the SUV, and over time, versions appeared with a better and more expensive interior trim. In 1984, the engine was upgraded and received a fuel injection system, and its output increased to 155 forces. In 1986, the Italian 2.4-liter turbodiesel VM (112 hp) began to be installed on the Range Rover, and later its volume was increased to 2.5 liters (power increased to 119 hp). this unit was replaced by a 2.5-liter Rover turbodiesel engine developing 111-122 liters. from. Petrol versions have also been improved: in 1990, the SUV received new motor V8 3.9, and in 1992 - a 4.2-liter "eight".

For a long time, all Range Rovers were equipped with four-stage mechanical boxes gear. In 1982, as an option, customers began to offer a three-stage "Chrysler" "automatic", and since 1985 - a four-stage. The old "mechanics" in 1983 was replaced by a new, five-speed.

In 1992, a version with a wheelbase extended by 203 mm appeared. AT last years, after the debut of the second generation car, the SUV was sold under the name Range Rover Classic and could be equipped with air suspension from the new model. In total, until 1996, 317 thousand first-generation cars left the assembly line of the Solihull plant.

2nd generation, 1994

The second generation Range Rover was launched in 1994. The SUV, offered only with a five-door body, has become more comfortable, more luxurious, more powerful and more expensive. It was installed "Rover" gasoline engines V8 4.0 and V8 4.6 with 190 and 225 hp from. respectively. The turbo diesel Range Rover received a 2.5-liter inline six-cylinder BMW engine. Transmissions - five-speed "mechanics" or four-speed "automatic". All versions had permanent four-wheel drive and air suspension. The second Range Rover left the market at the end of 2001, with a total of 167,000 cars produced.

3rd generation, 2002

The third generation of the SUV, which entered the assembly line in 2002, was created with the participation of BMW, which then owned the British brand. The Range Rover had a steel monocoque body with aluminum attachments, fully independent air suspension, automatic transmissions only, and a host of electronic systems.

Under the hood of the car were Bavarian engines: an inline six-cylinder turbodiesel with a volume of 2.9 liters (177 hp) or a gasoline V-shaped "eight" with a volume of 4.4 liters and a capacity of 286 hp. from. Both were combined with a five-speed automatic transmission. In 2005, after Land Rover was sold to Ford, power units BMW was replaced by "Jaguar" gasoline V8 engines: the 4.4-liter developed 306 hp. with., and a 4.2-liter with a compressor - 390 forces. The automatic transmission has become a six-speed. Then Range Rover received updated design, and a year later, a new diesel engine - V8 3.6 with a capacity of 272 liters - began to be installed on the SUV. from.

In 2009, another restyling of the model was carried out. The range of motors has been completely renewed. The five-liter gasoline "eight" in the atmospheric version developed 375 liters. with., and in the compressor - 510 forces. The new turbo diesel TDV8 with a volume of 4.4 liters (313 hp), unlike other engines, was equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission gear.

British car company Land Rover, which specializes in the production of premium vehicles high cross-country ability, was born in 1948. The Wilkes brothers became the founders of the enterprise. Maurice Wilkes was chief designer at the time, and Spencer Wilkes was the chief executive officer of the British automaker Rover. As conceived by the leading managers, the Land Rover project was supposed to help Rover survive the difficult times that befell the company. But over time, the company took its own confident niche in the global automotive market.

Since 2008, Land Rover has been owned by the Tata Group, which owns the Indian car manufacturer Tata Motors.
The first Land Rover car was based on the American military Willys jeep. In post-war Great Britain, there was a difficult situation with metal, but aluminum was abundant, as well as spare parts for aircraft. The Wilkes brothers were able to obtain from the government the capacity of the Meteor Works plant and the approval of the project for the production of simple four-wheel drive vehicles with a body made of aluminum.

Even before the official registration date of Land Rover in 1947, a pre-production sample of a new car with the name Center Steer was ready. The car had a ladder-type frame, an engine and transmission from a passenger Rover, a body painted green with paint from military aircraft. Having made 25 prototypes new car and renaming the novelty Land Rover, the creators presented their SUV at the Amsterdam Motor Show. Where is the car, as the history of the Land Rover company notes, enjoyed great interest among specialists and ordinary motorists.

In the first year of production (1948), the number of Land Rover SUVs produced was equal to all Rover passenger sedans that came off the assembly line. And in 1949, twice as many jeeps were sold than the previous year.
In 1950, the first-born Land Rover underwent modernization. The all-wheel drive system was improved (the driver could choose between all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive with a lever), the engine displacement increased, and versions with wheelbases of different lengths appeared.

In 1957, a diesel 2-liter engine was installed on the Land Rover, and a year later a 2.3-liter gasoline unit appeared.
In 1959, the production of SUVs exceeded 250 thousand copies, the car was appreciated by firefighters and rescuers, military and civilian services.
In 1965, the half-millionth Land Rover car was released, the line of motors installed on auto motors expanded due to six-cylinder engines.

In 1968, the British SUV got a V8, new system all-wheel drive and disc brakes. Land Rover became part of British Leyland Motor Corporation.
In 1970, a significant event took place in the history of the company - the debut of a new Range Rover model. A car with a stunning design (was exhibited in the Louvre next to the painting by Leonardo da Vinci "La Gioconda", as a sample contemporary art) and comfortable salon... The off-road qualities of the novelty were not inferior to the traditional Land Rover.

During the 70-80s of the 20th century, Land Rover and Range Rover are constantly undergoing improvements and improvements, the company's cars take part in the Paris-Dakar rally and a specially created extreme competition for Land Rover and Range Rover SUVs - Camel Trophy (1980-2000) ...

In 1989, the third model appeared - Land Rover discovery.
1990 - The classic Land Rover is renamed Defender.
In 1993, the British company came under the control of the German BMW.
1994, the second generation Range Rover appears, the premium SUV becomes more luxurious and more expensive.

In 1997, another novelty Land Rover was created, the first model of the company with a monocoque body - Land Rover freelander. This vehicle opens the era of crossovers. Land Rover Defender 90 with eight passengers was able to climb the highest mountain in Europe - Elbrus (5642 meters), thereby proving its extraordinary off-road capabilities.
In 1998 Land Rover Defender undergoes significant modernization and renovation, the start of sales of the 2nd generation Land Rover Discovery.
In 2000, Land Rover became the property of the Ford Motor Company. By the way, the same fate befell Lincoln, Volvo, Aston Martin and Jaguar.

In 2001, the 3 millionth Land Rover SUV rolled off the assembly line, Land Rover Discovery 2 was recognized as the best car with four-wheel drive 4x4 according to Auto Express magazine and the premiere of the new 3rd generation Range Rover.
2003 - Rover Freelander was restyled.
The 2004 Land Rover Discovery3 premiered at the New York Auto Show.
In 2005, after modernization and restyling, a second version of the SUV with a shortened body appeared - the Range Rover Sport.
Year 2007 - the start of sales of Freelander 3.
The fourth appeared in 2009 generation Rover Discovery.
In 2011, the lineup was replenished with the compact luxury crossover Range Rover Evoque.

Currently, Land Rover and Range Rover SUVs are represented in Russia and the CIS by all manufactured models: Defender 90, Defender 110, Freelander 2, Discovery4, Evoque, Range Rover and Sport Range Rover.
Land Rover and Range Rover SUVs are manufactured at Solihull and Halwood UK factories. A third Freelander besides the UK is produced in Aqaba (Jordan) and Pune (India).