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AUTO REVIEW
through town or hustling over the highway round-view parking cameras, adaptive head- SUV since the glorious third generation ap-
on the way to the lake house, the Range lights with automatic high-beams, blind- peared almost 15 years ago. But competitors
Rover LWB imparts a distinctive sense of spot warning, automated parallel-parking like the Lexus LX 570, Cadillac Escalade,
well being to driver and passengers under all assist, adaptive cruise control, nicer wheels, and Infiniti QX80 have all been improv-
circumstances. In fact, the only times I could ventilated and massaging front seats, and a ing—and let’s not forget the just launched
even sense the extra wheelbase was around front cooler box. Bentley Betayga—so Range Rover is staying
tight turns or while parking. vigilant with new versions to maximize their
As always, innumerable options are there appeal. I can’t relate to the Autobiography
When the latest (fourth generation) ver- for the choosing. And if you really want to Black, but the LWB and diesel variants make
sion of the Range Rover launched in 2013, stand out, the ultra-lux Autobiography pack- a lot of sense. Here’s to competition and all
only two engines were offered, both V8s. age gets you a loaded vehicle with unique the good things it brings.
Now the base engine is a 340 HP super- 21-inch wheels, upgraded leather trim on
charged V6, with 510 HP supercharged V8 the headliner, dashboard, and other places, If you’re in the market for this kind of ve-
and 245 HP turbocharged V6 Diesel en- nicer front seats with massaging capability, hicle, call Phil Hornbeak at 210-301-4367.
gines available as options. While the two gas and lots of extra exterior color choices.
powered motors are unsurprisingly thirsty at Steve Schutz, MD, is a
17/23 and 14/19 MPG city/highway for the For a fortunate few able to shell out board-certified gastroenterol-
V6 and V8 respectively, the Diesel does $190,000 or so, the Autobiography Black ogist who lived in San Anto-
much better at 22/28 MPG. Most owners edition comes with many bespoke trim nio in the 1990s when he
won’t care about those fuel economy num- pieces, large entertainment screens in the was stationed here in the U.S. Air Force. He
bers, but if you do, the Diesel Range Rover front seatbacks, electronically deployed has been writing auto reviews for San Anto-
is the way to go. leather lined tables for rear seat passengers, nio Medicine since 1995.
and many other niceties. Only 100 Autobi-
Naturally, Range Rovers, which start at ography Black edition Range Rovers will be
around $85,000, come well equipped, but a available this year, and all will be LWB.
sampling of interesting options includes sur-
The Range Rover has been the luxury
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