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The Second-Generation Range Rover

Crossing badly surfaced, potholed roads in many 4x4s is often a bruising encounter. Not so in the P38A-series Range Rover, a car which incorporated air suspension. And nowadays a second-generation Range Rover is comfortable on the pocket, too...

But that does not mean that the car is less capable when the going gets tough. No, with lusty 4.0 or 4.6-litre versions of the Rover V8, the new-for-1994 Range Rover could still get through despite the conditions. That was the easy part for the British engineers - the difficult bit was to offer passengers a comfortable on-road ride to match the car’s superlative off-road performance.

A task they achieved to perfection. Not only did it feature air suspension, the latest Range Rover also had much improved ergonomics, a fine leather interior and, particularly in later years when in BMW’s ownership and under the direction of German engineer Wolfgang Reitzle, much improved build quality.

The Second-Generation Range Rover The Second-Generation Range Rover

The Buick-based V8 benefited from the latest Bosch Motronic engine management system (from the BMW 7 Series). For the last time in a Range Rover, a manual gearbox was offered but most customers preferred the ZF automatic.

The Second-Generation Range Rover
The Second-Generation Range Rover The Second-Generation Range Rover

It was a comfortable, high-quality car for long distances and had the legendary off-road capability of all Land Rover products. The air suspension allowed the car’s ride height to be adjusted for the prevailing conditions, seemingly allowing the big 4x4 to ‘hover’ over obstacles.

The Second-Generation Range Rover

This 4.6 HSE is a fine example. Unlike many, it’s spent little time in rough country and is the perfect car for driving on paved roads, safe in the knowledge that it could cope with almost anything you throw at it when off the beaten track.

Realted Links

You can find many modern and classic Range Rovers in the Classic Driver Marketplace

 

Photos: Jan Baedeker