As you probably know, the Range Rover Classic hit the assembly line back in 1970 at the Solihull factory in the United Kingdom, and was also made in Australia and Venezuela. Production of this model ceased completely in 1996, and over 326,000 units are said to have been made during this time. Its successor, the second generation, was made between 1994 and 2001 in the UK, and from 2001 to 2012, Land Rover made the L322 generation of the popular SUV.
The L405, which as aged very nicely to be honest, this writer thinks, was made from 2012 to 2021, and one year later, the L460 hit the assembly line. This is the latest generation of the Range Rover, and besides the Solihull factory, it is also put together in India. Gerry McGovern is responsible for the design, and he also left his mark on the 2010 Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Discover 4, Discovery Sport, and other models over the years, including the latest generation of the iconic Defender.
Now, four years without any serious updates is plenty of time for a vehicle in today’s car world, so it is no wonder that the modern-day Range Rover is now getting a mid-cycle refresh. Land Rover started testing the first prototypes in the open a few months ago, and our spy photographers encountered one of them earlier this week. Fast-forward to present day, and we get to see it again courtesy of a new set of spy shots that just ended up in our inboxes.
Photo: SH Proshots
The tester in question had its entire body wrapped in camouflage. Well, save for the pillars, roof, and door mirror casings, because these will carry over with no changes, just like the entire profile, bar the wheels, probably, as we expect the model to get fresh options. After all, it is a mid-cycle refresh that we are talking about, and not an entirely new generation.
However, despite the trippy vinyl stickers, it is clear that the visual updates on the outside are quite modest, to say the least, and chances are that those who are unfamiliar with the design of the current Range Rover will mistake it for the upcoming one. We cannot see and black plastic cladding at the front, aka the fake stuff, and that means that we can see the design of the bumper and grille.
The size and the shape look pretty much the same as before, but we can see that the mesh has been altered and now features smaller horizontal slats that are positioned very close to each other. The headlights look the same as before, but we reckon the daytime running light signature must have been updated. And as far as the front bumper goes, it seems to soldier on from the current model.
Photo: SH Proshots
Replacing doors, windows, front fenders, and rear three-quarter panels is pricey, so these are the same. Further back, we can see that the “new” Range Rover still has vertical taillights, though these should be fresh once the model goes official, just like the rear bumper, and the discreet diffuser attached to it.
It is still too early to talk about the interior, because it has yet to open up to the camera. However, reports speak about the facelifted Range Rover perhaps adopting a curved infotainment screen. The digital gauge cluster, steering wheel, trim and upholstery, and other things could also be updated for the facelifted iteration.
Rumor has it that the powertrains will probably carry over unchanged, for the most part, and this means that the BMW-sourced 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, featuring mild-hybrid assistance, and delivering up to 607 hp, will still be part of the offering, alongside the inline-six turbocharged 3.0-liter mills, including the PHEVs, and the inline-six diesel for Europe.
Some also believe that the upcoming Range Rover’s chassis could be tweaked with emphasis on making the ride more comfortable. After all, the model still tries to take a swing at the likes of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680, Bentley Bentayga, and Rolls-Royce Cullinan, as well as the lesser premium full-size SUVs, and it pretty much bridges the gap between the latter and the former models.
We have yet to learn when Land Rover plans to introduce the facelifted Range Rover, but the updated high-rider might end up sitting under the spotlight officially sometime over the next few months. Chances are that it will reach showrooms across North America for the 2028 model year, with an obvious emphasis on the words “chances are.” What’s your take on the updated Range Rover? Does it look more appealing than the outgoing one, or is the upgrade simply not worth it based on the current information?
