Range Rover turns 40
The second-generation vehicle, known as the P38a, went on sale in 1994 and was replaced in 2001 by the current model. The 2010 Range Rover stands as the world's first vehicle as good on road as off-road. It was the first fully capable luxury 4x4 and is a milestone in the development of the SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle). Later this year, a further member of the Range Rover family will be added, taking the portfolio to three model lines. The new vehicle will be smaller, lighter and more fuel efficient, tying in with the Range Rover brand's commitment to environmental sustainability.
A Brief History of the Range Rover
1966 - Work began on the first Range Rover prototype, known as the '100-inch station wagon'.
1970 - The original two-door Range Rover - subsequently known as the Classic - goes on sale.
1971 - Range Rover receives the RAC Dewar award for outstanding technical achievement.
1972 - The Range Rover is the first vehicle to cross the Darien Gap on a British Army Trans-America expedition.
1974 - Range Rover completes west to east Sahara desert expedition - 7,500 miles in 100 days.
1977 - A modified Range Rover wins the 4x4 class in the London-Sydney Marathon, a gruelling 30,000 km (18,750 miles) event and the longest ever speed-based car rally.
1979 - A specially modified Range Rover wins the first Paris-Dakar rally (a Range Rover wins again in 1981)
1981 - First production four-door Range Rover appears along with the first factory-produced limited edition Range Rover - the 'In Vogue'.
1982 - Automatic transmission becomes available on Range Rover.
1983 - Range Rover 5-speed manual gearbox is introduced.
1985 - The diesel-powered Range Rover 'Bullet' breaks 27 speed records, including a diesel record for averaging more than 100mph for 24 hours.
1987 - Range Rover launched in North America.
1989 - Range Rover is the world's first 4x4 to be fitted with ABS anti-lock brakes.
1990 - Limited Edition CSK - named after founder Charles Spencer King - is launched as a sportier Range Rover.
1992 - Range Rover Classic is the world's first 4x4 to be fitted with electronic traction control (ETC).
1992 - Long-wheel base LSE (known as County LWB in the US) launched.
1992 - Automatic electronic air suspension introduced, a world first for a 4x4.
1994 - Second-generation (P38a) Range Rover goes on sale.
1996 - Range Rover Classic bows out after total production of 317,615 units.
1999 - Limited Edition Range Rover Linley appears at London Motor Show.
2001 - All new Range Rover (L322) launched.
2002 - Half-millionth Range Rover produced at the Solihull plant.
2005 - Second model line - the Range Rover Sport - launched.
2006 - Terrain Response and TDV8 diesel introduced.
2009 - Range Rover features all-new LR-V8 5.0 and 5.0 supercharged petrol engines and technology updates.
2010 - Range Rover celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Famous Range Rover owners
From princes to politicians, the Range Rover boasts a swag of celebrity owners, they have included;
-The Queen, who had one of the very first production Classics, as well as second- and third-generation models.
-Prince Charles, who has had his latest Range Rover converted to run on biodiesel.
-Johnny Cash, whose Classic appeared in a French production of The Jungle Book. It was matt black, embellished all over with brightly coloured hand-painted jungle plants and animals.
-James Bond. Range Rovers have appeared in many 007 films and in Quantum of Solace, James Bond (Daniel Craig) drove a Range Rover Sport in the Bolivian desert.
-Peter Sellers. The British comedian was one of many celebrities in the 1970s and 1980s who drove customised Wood and Pickett-modified Range Rovers. They were more luxuriously specified than the contemporary Range Rover and were precursors of the Range Rover Vogue model.
-Madonna. Her wedding car at Skibo Castle in Scotland was a second-generation Range Rover.
-Pope John Paul II. The Pontiff's 'popemobile' was a converted Classic, featuring bullet proof glass.
-Jeremy Clarkson. The Top Gear star owns a Range Rover and recently proclaimed it 'best car in the world' in The Sunday Times.
-The Sultan of Brunei. One-time 'richest man in the world' has many Range Rovers, including a custom-made gold-plated model for official ceremonies.
-Britney Spears, Angelina Jolie, Pamela Anderson, Greg Norman, Mel Gibson, Michael Douglas, Michael Jordan, Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise, Kiefer Sutherland.
