The iconic Range Rover has a legacy of producing legendary cars that have left a lasting impression in the automotive world. From its introduction in 1970, the Range Rover Classic set the stage as the world’s first luxury SUV, combining off-road skills with refined luxury. Can you get more iconic than that?
Join us below to discover the most iconic Range Rovers from over the years, from classic vehicles traversing the desert to modern marques offering stylish solutions to everyday needs.
- Range Rover Classic
Of course, we had to start with, quite literally, the most classic model. The Range Rover Classic is widely regarded as the first luxury SUV, offering a starting platform for the modern ‘Chelsea tractors’.
Initially introduced in 1970 – with a rugged Land Rover interior – it quickly gained popularity among wealthy landowners and evolved into a more luxurious vehicle.
Despite this trend, the Range Rover Classic retained its off-road capabilities while offering a refined interior, achieving notable victories in endurance rallies such as the London-Sydney marathon and the Paris-Dakar rally. Although it took until 1987 for the Range Rover Classic to reach North America, it enjoyed a brief but influential presence before being succeeded by the second-generation P38a model.
- 1971 Trans-Americas Expedition Range Rover
In 1971, just a year after Range Rover’s launch, this iconic marque faced a huge challenge when one of two vehicles, accompanied by six men, was air-dropped into the Alaskan winter.
The mission of these two iconic Range Rovers was to drive 18,000 miles to the southernmost tip of South America, overcoming the treacherous Darien Gap — a nearly impassable 250-mile stretch of dense jungle. It is a remarkable tale.
- Range Rover Sport
The iconic Range Rover Sport showcases a sleek and athletic appearance that sets it apart from most other Range Rover models, emphasising its on-road capabilities. However, Land Rover ensured that off-road enthusiasts were not left behind by equipping the Range Rover Sport with their renowned Terrain Response system, which adjusted the vehicle’s electronic settings to suit various driving surfaces, catering to those who enjoyed off-road adventures.
In both the 2009 and 2014 model years, the Range Rover Sport received significant updates, including a centrally-mounted colour touchscreen, serving as the control hub for essential functions such as satellite navigation, audio system, climate control, and the telephone system.
The enhancements made to the Range Rover Sport reflect Land Rover’s commitment to continuously refining and advancing their vehicles. By combining its signature off-road capabilities with a more streamlined design and sophisticated internal features, the Range Rover Sport offers a unique blend of performance, luxury, and versatility.
- 2nd Generation Range Rover (P38A)
In 1994, the automotive world welcomed the second-generation Range Rover. This iteration was developed based on a modified version of the first-generation platform, boasting several enhancements including an advanced adaptive suspension system with five adjustable ride heights, improved safety features, and an infusion of luxury by its new owner, BMW, through exquisite finishes.
One of the biggest visual alterations from its predecessor was the adoption of rectangular headlights, giving it a distinct and updated appearance, while this iconic Range Rover also marked the final chapter for the Range Rover’s manual transmission.
5. Range Rover Velar
Land Rover created the Range Rover Velar to fill a gap in its product lineup and expand its presence in the luxury SUV market, aiming to create a model positioned between the smaller Evoque and the larger Range Rover Sport. By introducing the now iconic Range Rover Velar, Land Rover wanted to attract drivers seeking a sleek and stylish SUV with a focus on modern design and advanced technologies.
The latest Range Rover Velar models feature various components, including two 2-litre diesel engines producing 180 and 240 horsepower respectively, both paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It also has a larger 3-litre diesel engine, along with two trims of a 4-cylinder petrol engine, delivering 250 and 300 horsepower. Finally, there’s a formidable 3-litre supercharged V6 engine generating an impressive 380 horsepower.
Despite all these state-of-the-art features, the name ‘Velar’ isn’t anything new to Range Rover – it was actually derived from the codename used for the original Range Rover prototypes in the late 1960s.
- 1995 Range Rover County Convertible
This interesting, yet equally iconic Range Rover is a highly customised version that originally started as a five-door Classic model from the final production year. Extensive modifications were made to transform it into a distinctive two-door ‘troop carrier’ convertible.
To achieve this unique look, the doors, roof and rear gate were removed, while additional alterations include the installation of a custom roll bar, fabric top, and rear jump seats.
Significant upgrades were also made to the 1995 Range Rover’s running gear, including a 4.6-liter V8 engine for improved performance, along with a lifted Old Man Emu suspension system to enhance off-road capabilities. Range Rover also installed new brake pads and rotors to ensure optimal stopping power, while the bodywork appears to have been executed with attention to detail, resulting in a visually appealing custom design.
- Paris-Dakar Range Rover
In a remarkable feat, a Range Rover achieved victory in the inaugural Paris-Dakar rally held in 1979. This triumph marked a significant milestone for the Range Rover and solidified its reputation as a capable off-road vehicle.
Building on this success, another Range Rover participated in subsequent rallies, namely the 1981 and 1983 editions.
During the 1981 rally, this particularly iconic Range Rover demonstrated its endurance and determination, finishing 27th overall. However, the journey wasn’t without obstacles, as the vehicle incurred a penalty along the way.
Despite these challenges, it persevered and crossed the finish line, joining a select group of only 42 vehicles out of the 179 initial entries that successfully completed the demanding race.
Undeterred by past difficulties, the Range Rover returned to the Paris-Dakar rally in 1983. Unfortunately, technical issues arose during the course of the rally, forcing the vehicle to retire prematurely. While this outcome was disappointing (understandably), it doesn’t diminish the Range Rover’s commendable performance in tackling one of the most gruelling and challenging off-road races in the world.
- 4th Generation Range Rover (L405)
In 2012, the fourth-generation Range Rover made its debut. It brought significant advancements, including a reduction of over 900 pounds compared to its predecessor, which was achieved in part by using an all-aluminium unibody instead of a heavier steel one.
Another important change of this iconic Range Rover was its introduction of various powertrain options – it became the first Range Rover to offer hybrid, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, showcasing Land Rover’s commitment to environmentally friendly technologies.
In addition to its advanced powertrain options, the fourth-generation Range Rover also introduced the elevated SV Autobiography trim, catering to its customers seeking more luxurious driving experiences.
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