Land Rover isn’t just content to dominate the luxury off-road market; it’s got its sights set on a piece of the luxury-car pie as well. The company introduced the ultra-exclusive long-wheelbase Range Rover Autobiography Black at the Los Angeles Auto Show, with the intent of providing a unique alternative to traditional luxury sedans.
Why not? The Mercedes S-Class and Audi A8 have long-wheelbase, all-wheel drive models, after all. The stretched Range Rover adds 7.3 inches of legroom to the rear seat, and enables the rear seats to recline when equipped with the “executive seating” package. The front passenger seat slides forward to provide additional room for the right rear-seat passenger as well. Further luxury enhancements are focused on rear-seat comfort, including an extended console with powered leather writing tables, LED mood lighting, a panoramic sunroof and powered side shades. There’s also a “chiller compartment” for cold drink storage, headphones for the entertainment system. The driver (or chauffeur) isn’t neglected either, as both front and rear seats have heat and massage functions.
On the outside, the Autobiography Black edition features a black enamel and chrome finish on the grille and two exclusive wheel designs to set it apart from the rest of the Range Rover lineup. The fresh styling introduced this year fits the long wheelbase nicely, with taut, smooth side panels and a tall greenhouse giving the extended-wheelbase Range Rover the look of a factory-built limousine. Because it’s an SUV, the step-in height is somewhat glamorous as well.
Land Rover didn’t say how the extended wheelbase affects off-road performance (though it’s unlikely to ever be an issue), but the underpinnings and chassis are the same as those of the very capable Range Rover, so odds are this is executive transport that won’t shy away from rough roads or bad weather.
The extended-wheelbase Range Rover Autobiography Black goes on sale in March of 2014.
