2013 Range Rover Takes Stance on Paris Floor

Gracing the halls of the Paris Motor Show today, the 2013 Range Rover with its lightweight aluminum chassis stood for all to see.

Already officially revealed earlier this month, the latest offering from Land Rover’s line of off-road capable luxury vehicles make serious improvements over last year’s model. But those improvements aren’t in the areas you might expect, at least not unless you’ve been paying attention to the new truck already.

Those changes don’t come in the engine bay. Instead, the SUV moved to an aluminum chassis that, paired with loads of parts in the suspension made from the same metal, combine to shed a shocking 700 lbs in the American-spec V8 model.

That means the truck will be able to use its same 5.0-liter V8 while offering a 22 percent fuel savings over the previous model according to Jaguar Land Rover CEO Ralf Speth. Despite keeping the same 375-hp base engine, the car’s power should be significantly more noticeable thanks to those weight savings. Those with a penchant for more punch may also choose the supercharged version with 510 hp.

Land Rover also dropped its ZF eight-speed automatic transmission in this year which couldn’t have hurt the aforementioned fuel savings.

Better fuel economy and a lighter design won’t be the only benefits either. Passengers will also enjoy a better ride thanks to a reengineered four corner air suspension. That revision allows the car to automatically adjust its suspension settings according to the car’s environment.

There will also be 4.7 inches of extra legroom in the regular wheelbase model and a long wheelbase version available for those with tastes for limousine luxury.

Pricing for the luxury SUV will start at $83,500, which is a $4,000 climb over last years model but still probably something most brand loyalists will gladly swallow for the well-updated truck. Of course that price is only the beginning, with higher-spec models running well into the six-figure range. The Autobiography edition, for example, will cost $126,665 while the “Ultimate Edition” will run a hefty $170,000.