A choice of gas, diesel, and plug-in hybrid variants

It took a while for Coventry Motors Corporation, the brand's exclusive distributor in the Philippines, to bring it in (the pandemic is partly to blame). The delay helped the hype (a lot), as all units of the 2022 Range Rover have already been bought and paid for.

Why the excitement and the buzz about this fifth-generation model? First, it now uses a new aluminum body structure that shaves off almost 400 kilograms from its curb weight. This improvement also makes it the first all-aluminum SUV in the world. Second, it is the first generation of the model with seven seats (in the Long Wheelbase body). Third and most importantly, it is the first-ever Range Rover with four-wheel steering. The rear wheels can turn up to 7.3 degrees to improve cornering and maneuverability.

Your eyes do not deceive you. Yes, this is an all-new model, and while you can argue that the shape and design appear the same, the designers will beg to disagree. The gaps between the exterior panels have been minimized for a flusher fit and to create the impression it is milled from one piece. The simple and clean design also allows it to lower its drag coefficient to 0.30, making it, as per Range Rover, the most aerodynamic luxury SUV in the world. It maintains its three defining lines: the falling roofline, strong waistline, and rising sill line.

The cabin is typical of the brand. It uses premium materials mixed with high-tech equipment. The driver gets a 13.7-inch digital instrument panel, while the infotainment system has a 13.1-inch touchscreen display with Land Rover's latest Pivi Pro interface. Connectivity options include Bluetooth and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The second-row seats have 11.4-inch displays. In the full-option Autobiography, the Executive Class rear seats have an eight-inch touchscreen display on the center armrest. Audio comes from a 35-speaker, 1,600-watt Meridian Signature sound system. The top-spec Autobiography variant offers a noise-canceling system.

Two Range Rover body styles are available: the standard HSE five-seater, and the new long-wheelbase version (LWB) version that can accommodate a third row for adults.

Customers can choose between three engine options: a diesel, gasoline, and a plug-in hybrid variant. They all pair to only one transmission, an eight-speed automatic.

The diesels are the HSE D300 with a 3.0L turbodiesel that produces 300-PS and 650-Nm of torque, and the HSE D350 and the LWB Autobiography D350 with 350-PS and 700-Nm.

Gas variants come in the top-spec LWB Autobiography P530 using a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 with 530-PS and 750-Nm of torque, and the plug-in hybrid variant HSE P440e with a 3.0-liter inline-six turbo paired to a 48-volt hybrid system that puts out 440-PS and 620-Nm of torque.

An all-wheel-drive layout replaces the four-wheel-drive system for better fuel economy and to reduce drivetrain overuse and wear. The chassis still uses the adaptive air suspension and is complemented by navigation information to soften the ride based on road conditions.

Safety features and other creature comforts include Active Noise Cancellation, cabin air purification, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, active lane control with lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, front and rear parking sensors, and automatic high-beam, among others.

The 2022 Range Rover starts at P15.990 million with the HSE P440e PHEV. The HSE D300 Diesel goes for P16.990 million, the HSE D350 Diesel at P17.390 million, and the top-of-the-line LWB Autobiography D350 Diesel and P530 Gasoline will set you back P21.390 million.

As per Range Rover Philippines, all 25 units that came in have already been sold. They are accepting orders, but deliveries for the next batch will be sometime in August 2023.