Top-shelf Range Rover headed Down Under

AUSTRALIA will get Range Rover’s flagship Autobiography Black for the first time as part of Land Rover Australia’s upcoming 2015 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport line-up that also brings enhanced powertrains and new features.

The luxury long-wheelbase Autobiography Black, which made its international debut at the 2013 Los Angeles motor show, gets a Lunar/Cirrus interior, new seat designs in semi-aniline leather, Santorini Black and Bright Chrome trim on the exterior, LED tail lights and unique 21- and 22-inch alloy wheels.

If customers opt for the Executive Package, life gets even more luxurious with a bottle chiller, electric-operated leather-topped tables, special storage compartments and bespoke lighting.

Land Rover Australia’s public affairs spokesperson James Scrimshaw said the Range Rover Autobiography Black was a response to customer's desire for more choice and exclusivity.

He said the vehicle offered unique design finishes, precision leather detailing and some new features that “will showcase it as the ultimate in peerless luxury”.

“With a high degree of Australian sales being for the luxurious Autobiography model, we are expecting that the new Range Rover Autobiography Black will have high appeal,” he said.

The 2015 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport line-up also features more torque from the SDV8’s diesel engine and a new automatic transmission in the V6 Supercharged petrol variant.

While the power output of the 4.4-litre turbo-diesel in the SDV8 remains the same as the 2014 model-year engine at 250kW, it now has 40Nm more torque at 740Nm. The torque is also spread over a broader rev range.

Peak torque previously was on tap from 1750-3000rpm, but now it can be found between 1700-3300rpm.

Land Rover says this improves acceleration by 6.5 per cent between fifth and eighth gears for better overtaking ability and towing.

The SDV8’s ZF 8HP70 eight-speed gearbox gains an upgraded torque converter with a twin-spring damper.

Fuel consumption in the SDV8 remains the same at a claimed 8.7 litres per 100km, with carbon dioxide emissions rated at 229 grams per kilometer.

The alternative supercharged 250kW/450Nm 3.0-litre V6 is attached to a new ZF 8HP45 eight-speed automatic transmission that is 6kg lighter than before.

The 2015 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport come with fresh features including new puddle lamps to welcome the driver and passengers to the car and a fixed panoramic roof with power blinds. Buyers can also opt to downsize wheels to 19-inch alloys that come with a satin dark grey finish.

An updated colour palette now includes Aruba Silver and Kaikoura Stone, while 22-inch wheels can now be optioned on long-wheel base vehicles.

Also on offer is Intelligent Cargo Mode which automatically moves the front seats forward if they sense the rear seats have been folded for more carrying space.

The 2015 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport will be available to order in Australia from August with deliveries expected in December. Australian prices are yet to be announced.