NZ braces for its biggest-ever range of 'Rangies'

It’s the long and short of the new Range Rover, and the 2022 range includes two seven-seater models and a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle for the first time.
Land Rover New Zealand has confirmed pricing for a seven-model range that starts with the short wheelbase D300 at $209,000.
The all-new Range Rover was unveiled in October 2021. Land Rover chief executive Steve Kenchington says within hours of the global reveal, the company’s retailer network had taken more than 60 pre-orders without final confirmation of pricing, arrival timing or model specifications. The presales represent a minimum purchase commitment of $12.5 million and marked a new local record.
Mr Kenchington says the new model “solidifies the distinguished status of this vehicle with minimal yet refined physical upgrades and new advanced technology, capability, and modern luxury features.”
For the first time, the Range Rover will now be available in a seven-seat variant, along with an extended range of plug-in hybrids. There is also a full-electric model launching in 2024. There are short and long wheelbase versions – but not in the sense of old school Defender-style Land Rovers. Think more the standard-length BMW cars and their ‘Li’ long wheelbase ‘max-legroom’ version.
Defying global supply chain doom and gloom, Land Rover expects the first shipment of new Range Rovers to arrive from mid-2022. The Range Rover SV and PHEV models will arrive later in the year.
Land Rover NZ is hoping to secure a large allocation of production following overwhelming demand for the vehicle.
“The new Range Rover is an evolution of flawless luxury and peerless character. The vehicle leads in a league of its own, with minimalist detailing creating a tranquil cabin of state-of-the-art technology and unmatched capability,” said Mr Kenchington, adding that the new Range Rover is undoubtedly the most desirable luxury SUV on the market.
“Unsurprisingly, the new Range Rover broke a record with over 60 presales made just hours after its reveal to NZ customers – we expect this demand to skyrocket again when the vehicle launches in the country.”
The new Range Rover is priced from $209,900 for the D300 SE standard wheelbase variant. The top of the range, the P530 SV is priced from $339,900.
Though other brands had tentatively tried to break into a market for comfortable ‘station wagon’-style 4WDs around the same time, it was the original Range Rover that created what became the SUV category when it launched in 1972, and it now aims to break new ground in 2024 with the full electric offering. It is part of Jaguar Land Rover’s new global Reimagine strategy – described by the company as ‘a sustainability-rich reimagination of modern luxury, unique customer experiences, and positive societal impact’. Following on from the electric Rangie, Land Rover will expand in following years with six pure-electric vehicles, along with more PHEV variants.