The History of the Range Rover
Even though the Range Rover is one of the youngest British marques, it has a rich history. In this article, we’re going to take a look at its evolution, from its initial conception to where it is today.
When was the Range Rover first sold?
The Range Rover was first conceptualised in the 1950s as a larger version of the Land Rover. However, the idea was shelved until 1966, when engineers got to work on creating the first prototype of the Range Rover. Referred to as “The Velar” to keep its production under wraps, it had a different headlight and grille configuration to the Land Rover.
Production of the Range Rover was so top-secret that the first 26 vehicles didn't even contain the Land Rover badge! However, upon its release in 1970, the Range Rover was well received – it even went on display in the Louvre in Paris, where it was described as an “exemplary work of industrial design”.
As such, it probably comes as no surprise that every one of the 40 pre-production Velar models is still accounted for today. Now considered classic heirlooms, they were exceptionally hard to drive due to their thin steering wheels and large windows.
1970s – 2000s
After the success of the 3-Door Range Rover in the 1970s, the 4-Door Range Rover was released in 1981, providing more options to the model's rapidly growing fan base.
In 1994, the Second Generation Range Rover was introduced. This was more luxurious than its predecessors and included the rectangular headlamps that the manufacturer is now well known for.
The Third Generation Range Rover was created 7 years later, entering showrooms in 2001. It was the first of the range to utilise a single shell body and was inspired by the design of The Italian Riva speedboat, prioritising aesthetics over all other factors.
The company continued to launch new models well into the late 2000s and early 2010s. The 2005 Range Rover Sport was the first SUV and demonstrated the Land Rover Group's commitment to performance. 2011, meanwhile, saw the introduction of the Range Rover Evoque, which was the manufacturer's first convertible. It was named “Car of the Year” by numerous journalists.
Following this success, the Range Rover Hybrid (2013), the Fourth Generation Range Rover (2012) and the Second Generation Range Rover Sport (2013) were all launched, providing plenty of choice for drivers.
Taking inspiration from the first model, the Velar was released in 2017 – a truly full-circle moment.
Present day
The Range Rover has sealed itself as one of the leading car brands both in the UK and worldwide. If you're looking to get your hands on a Land Rover in Leeds, we have a range of Range Rover models in stock, including the Evoque and the rebooted Velar. Contact us today if you want to get your hands on one of these incredible cars.