Super Size Me
Twenty-three (in words: 23) million vehicles are likely to be sold in China this year. That’s probably more than a third of all sales worldwide for the first time. By comparison, North America will still have about 14 million, Europe perhaps 11 million. Moreover, in the still communist-ruled Middle Kingdom, there were one million new millionaires last year alone (there are now said to be 6.2 million). People who like to spend their money in comparison to the more reserved Europeans. They also want to flaunt their wealth. For this reason alone, it is clear which market has priority for the manufacturers of luxury automotive products.
I used to be like this: when I was asked which three cars I would like to have in my garage if I had a free choice, the answer was that Alfa, maybe that Porsche, and always a Miura. And then there was always the follow-up: and a Range Rover, definitely a Range Rover. I grew up with a Range Rover Classic, as a young journalist I was very close to the second generation (from 1994), I drove the third generation through the desert. With the last Range Rover (LG/L405, from 2012) I had a bit of trouble for the first time, it was too big for me, also a bit ostentatious, pompous in appearance. But it was still somehow “benchmark” if you wanted a vehicle that was really capable both on and off the road. Then there was the 4.4-litre V8 diesel – what a splendour of a diesel engine.
So, at that time we had 4.99 metres in length and at least 2.2 tonnes. And then there was the little anecdote that we always like to tell: At the driving presentation in Morocco, a nice course was laid out in the sand. Nothing rough, with a little care you could have done it in a Fiat Panda (not the 4×4, that is, with that anyway). Next to the track, however, were whole armies of Defenders. To pull the brand new Range Rovers out of their predicament, equipped with plenty of electronic aids. Oh yes, we also had three punctures in one day.
Now we have at least 5.05 metres and almost 2.5 tonnes. Well, it’s not a huge increase in size, it’s less than in width (2.05 metres instead of 1.98) and only slightly more than in height (1.87 metres instead of 1.83). But that’s not the point, all cars are getting more obese – it’s the appearance of the new Range Rover (L460). Sure, it’s a lot sleeker than a G-Class, we don’t want to compare it to the American full-size hunks either (ever look at the Jeep Grand Wagoneer?), Ben-Tanga and the Rolls-Royce thing are “over the edge” anyway, but there’s also something in its majestic appearance that I can’t do anything with: Arrogance. If a Classic Range Rover was somehow like the Queen in wellies and the second generation like Charles in a stable (that was not a good association), the new one is now – Meghan?
The beltline alone is as high as Lionel Messi’s header, the vehicle looks like a moving bunker, especially with the windows blacked out. So in the sense of: We in here can’t do anything with you out there. Because your poverty just pisses us off. We wrote this recently about the Ferrari Purosangue: Vehicles like this new Range Rover are the completely wrong sign in our time. Because these are difficult times, for almost everyone. Except for the Chinese and other nouveau riche, crisis profiteers and climate deniers.
It goes without saying that it drives well. Incredibly comfortable, even on the worst roads. It can also be quite nippy, there is a new five-link rear axle, air suspension anyway, the Indian English have spared no effort. Even though we were not able to drive it through rough terrain, we can assume that it can do this really well, and we definitely don’t want to write off Land Rover’s competence in this area. On the other hand, there are also physical limits off-road, and these are pushed down with 2.5 tonnes. And then again, on the other hand: anyone who buys a Range Rover will be careful to ensure that his tailor-made leather shoes never even get damp. Back then, when the fourth generation was presented, there were some nice “off the record” figures on how often a Range Rover is actually driven in one of the many off-road modes (result: virtually never). Then we will probably be close to zero with the L460. With its 22-inch wheels and low-cut rubber, the car can hardly get off the wet. But it shares this fate with many other SUVs.
Inside, however, it’s good. More restrained than before, because minimalism is, after all, true luxury. And the well-positioned touchscreen allows a reduction to the essentials. We don’t need to argue about the quality of the materials or the workmanship either, far or near the top, but that’s to be expected with a base price of 125,900 euros (146,800 Swiss francs). However: if you sit in the back, you won’t have as much legroom as in a current electric car. Only: higher. What is also not so nice is that you can see into the air vents in a vehicle that can cost well over 200k, but only we saw that because we want to find fault with something. The D350 with its 350 hp 3-litre in-line six-cylinder diesel, which was provided to us, did its job excellently, very smoothly, absolutely sovereign, 700 Nm maximum torque from 1500 rpm is also a very good statement. Whether this engine, which is said to consume at least 8.2 litres, is still up to date today is not something we want to judge here.
Yes, somehow it is a pity that the Range Rover has drifted into the highest spheres. Just as the new Defender is no longer what it once was. The earth keeps turning, sure, but it’s also a question of mindset, of strategy, of assessing the situation. The L460 with its sheer size has probably said goodbye to Central Europe, it no longer fits in standard parking spaces and average car parks, the dentist’s wife no longer wants to drive into town to buy organic parsley in such a large vehicle because she can’t park it anywhere. And on German motorway construction sites, people crawl behind Latvian lorries because there is simply no room in the second lane. And that is also somehow: embarrassing.
“Super Size Me” is a film by Morgan Spurlock from 2004 that is definitely worth seeing. Spurlock documented how he ate at McDonald’s three times a day for a month – and what psychological and psychological consequences this had on him. Of course he was evaluating, as the experimental design clearly indicates. But what he also showed well were some of the fundamental problems of our western society: more and more, bigger and bigger. You don’t have to want to understand this connection with the Range Rover now. But perhaps a little humility would do certain car manufacturers good: Always skimming off the top is anything but sustainable. On the other hand, if you look at JLR’s sales figures, it’s probably simply necessary for its continued survival.
We have more sensible vehicles in our archive.
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