Land Rover has announced the launch of the New Range Rover. The fourth generation of the iconic Range Rover line, it is the ultimate luxury SUV first launched over 40 years ago. Sales will start in Ireland in January next.

Completely redesigned, it is the world's first SUV with a lightweight all-aluminium body, taking the capabilities of the marque's flagship to a new level, with even greater luxury and refinement, enhanced performance and handling on all terrains, and significant advances in sustainability.

"Launching the all-new Range Rover represents a major milestone for Land Rover, being the first exciting output from an unprecedented investment in premium vehicle technologies," said John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director.

"The new Range Rover preserves the essential, unique character of the vehicle - that special blend of luxury, performance and unmatched all-terrain capability.  However, its clean sheet design and revolutionary lightweight construction have enabled us to transform the experience for luxury vehicle customers, with a step change in comfort, refinement and handling."

While instantly recognisable as a Range Rover, the new vehicle takes a significant step forward with a bold evolution of the model's iconic design language. At just under 5m long, the new Range Rover has a very similar footprint to the outgoing model, but with a smoother and more streamline profile - the most aerodynamic Range Rover ever.

Inside this car has a modern and pure character, incorporating distinctive Range Rover details, but still fresh and very contemporary. The cabin retains clean and elegant surfaces which are flawlessly executed using the finest leathers and veneers.

Land Rover tell us that the new Range Rover has been engineered from the ground up to be the most refined, most capable Range Rover ever.  With the adoption of the latest body and chassis technologies, the vehicle's all-terrain performance has moved on to another level, both in the breadth and accessibility of its off-road capability, and its on-road handling and refinement.

A new lightweight suspension promises class-leading wheel travel, providing exceptional wheel articulation and composure to deal with the toughest conditions. Outstanding traction and dynamic stability is also promised from the proven Range Rover full-time intelligent 4WD system, with a two-speed transfer box, working in parallel with the sophisticated electronic traction control systems.

Its strong structure with enhanced body geometry for all-terrain conditions gives you a wading depth which has improved by 200mm to 900mm, and its position as the best towing vehicle in its class with a 3,500kg trailer capability.

Customers have a choice of a petrol 510PS LR-V8 Supercharged and two diesel (3.0-litre 258PS TDV6 and 4.4-litre 339PS SDV8) engines, all of which are now paired with a smooth and responsive eight-speed automatic transmission.

True to the Range Rover DNA, the new model features the unique Command Driving Position, placing the driver in an elevated, upright seating position - typically over 90mm higher than other premium SUVs - to provide a supreme sense of confidence and control.