Range Rover V-8, 3.470 cm³, 88,9*71,1 mm, 9,35:1, 2 carburettors, electric fuel pump, 268 Nm 2400 rpm, 93 kW (126 H) 4000 rpm, front engine, longitudinal, 4-M + off-road gears, all-wheel drive, limited slip differentials, rigid axles, coil springs, spring leveling, discs, 205 R 16 (6") box frame, 86 liters, 4,47/2.54/1,771,77m, turning circle 12.3 m, two-/four-door, 1.800/1.880 kg, 710/630 kg, 155 km/h, 1970-1995.

1970 one was still a long way from the popularity of today's SUV. Land-Rover's second series was just on the market, just as tough as the predecessors. Rather unsuitable for everyday use and much too slow. A little more luxury and practicality was required, and the Range Rover fulfilled that, e.g. with its large, two-part tailgate.

At the same time, as an all-terrain vehicle, it should be easy to maintain. Washable plastics dominated the interior. Nevertheless, it had well-padded seats without headrests, which in the two-door model could be folded forward with some difficulty. There was even an extra door opener for those sitting in the back.

Hard to convey today, the first Range Rover had no power steering despite a V8 under the bonnet. Up until the 80s you had to be content with four gears and an automatic was not available at first either. After all, the transfer case was already connected directly to the drive. The cardan shaft forward ran to the right of the engine.

The huge tank, quite common at the time, was quite far back, but was refueled from the side because of the double tailgate. The tank cap with a chain cannot be lost. Thanks to the sturdy ladder frame, the steel structure could easily be held with the good all-round view, which was also typical for the time. The struts of the glasshouse seemed so unstable that the seat belts had to be fastened to the seats.

The cargo space had little cladding, especially on the folding rear bench. After all, its possible capacity was enormous. On the part that folded down, you could sit and drink coffee. Even the license plate could then be folded down for a law-abiding ride. Depending on the protruding load, the upper pane with the frame could be closed again.

The bumpers were strangely made of aluminum. The front one even had an opening in the middle through which the V8 (!) could be started with a crank. It was a long way to the engine because it was almost crouched inside against the bulkhead. Typically equipped with one SU carburettor for each cylinder row. And where there was no power steering, you also looked in vain for air conditioning in the first Range Rover.

An off-road reduction was added to the four gears. This means that the good terrain characteristics of a Land Rover are also retained in this model. The lock in the middle wasn't missing either. And all of this despite a rather comfortable design and generous motorization. The V8, however, was reduced in its performance in favor of better pulling power.

What was unusual at the time was the permanence of the all-wheel drive. Despite a certain affiliation to the automotive upper class, this initial version did not dispense with its rigid axles, but had now with coil springs, guided on various handlebars and height-leveled. The interior and especially the dashboard were surprisingly stinted. The enormous consumption was supposedly a little more under control thanks to the higher compression. Strange car, where already at 14 liters residual content the warning light came on.

It is probably the kind of success that the manufacturer did not expect. In the morning to the terrain and in the evening to the opera. And if there is no suitable terrain for the capabilities of the Range Rover, not bad either. This is how the genre of the Sport Utility Vehicles came about, although they do not necessarily come close to the abilities of the founder of the genre.