Following in the footsteps of a legendary car can be difficult, because you are always measuring yourself against your predecessor. Just think of iconic cars like the Volkswagen Beetle, the Fiat 500, or the Ford Mustang.
Thirty years ago it was Land Rover’s turn, when the brand presented the second generation of the Range Rover.
It all started in the 80s
Since its launch in the summer of 1970 the first “Range” has always been oriented towards luxury. Years later, in 1988, the second generation begins to be born and the project is called internally Pegasus (a reference to the air suspension). Then the name changes to Project 38A o P38Alike the building where the project participants work.
George Thomson is Land Rover’s Styling Director and is tasked with translating the original design into a contemporary style that will appeal to both existing and new customers. Several concepts are produced, involving famous names such as Pininfarina, Italdesign Giugiaro, Bertone, John Heffernan and Ken Greenley.
The design of Bertone and the proposals from the Land Rover design department reach the final selection and 1:1 models of each of them are produced.
However, intensive market research and acceptance tests with participants from different countries show that Bertone’s design is not recognisable enough as a Range Rover, so it is chosen Thomson team design.
Land Rover
Range Rover (P38, 1994-2002)
Land Rover
Range Rover (P38, 1994-2002)
The debut
Il September 29, 1994 the “New Range Rover” is shown to the public. It is the first new model presented by the Rover Group after the acquisition by BMW but the Munich-based company is not involved in this project; it will be later, always remaining interested in this car in particular.
The new 1994 model offers more complete equipment and a very premium character to position itself above the Land Rover Discovery.
In June 1998the Range Rover is subjected to a light faceliftrecognisable externally by the white lenses of the front direction indicators, the darkened rear light clusters with a transparent upper part and the black, rounded frames of the rectangular main headlights.
Six- and eight-cylinder engines reign supreme
In addition to several special models, the P38 is mainly available in three engine variants and two equipment variants:
- SE: 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine with 136-140 kW (185-190 hp; 1994-2002)
- HSE: 4.6-litre V8 petrol engine with 160-165 kW (218-224 hp; 1994-2002)
- DSE: 2.5-litre R6 diesel with 100 kW (136 hp, BMW M51D25; 1994-2002)
The V8 variants are further developments based on the Proven Rover V8 blockwhich debuted in its basic form as early as 1960 in the Buick Special, while the diesel models use a specially adapted version of BMW’s 2.5-liter six-cylinder M51.
Land Rover
Range Rover (P38, 1994-2002)
The P38 is also based on a ladder-type chassis, in this case with rigid axles guided by wishbones and a Panhard bar all models are equipped with electronically controlled air suspensionwhich allow the ground clearance to be adapted to the respective operating conditions.
Land Rover
Range Rover (P38, 1994-2002)
The P38A was built from mid-1994 to early 2002. One last curiosity: the automotive journalist Jeremy Clarkson He called it the “London Taxi” because of its resemblance to the Metrocab. In fact, both the Range Rover P38 and its successors were perceived by residents of London’s wealthy neighborhoods as taxis.
Source: it.motor1.com
