TBH, from what I've seen of the L405, and the general impression I get about TATA making the brand more trendy, I would rather buy a Porsche Cayenne. If I am going to compromise the very thing which makes the RR brand so appealing then one might as well have something which drives more like a car, has supercar performance, German build quality, is significantly more reliable and is cheaper to buy in the first place.

L405 = Too expensive, Too much like a soft roader, too effin "Victoria effin Beckam" and just doesn't keep the traditional LR and RR values from what I see so far.

I get that things change, one has only to look at the evolution from Classic through P38 to L322. All good stuff.

But Snort? C'mon, that's a DISCO4 in a dress. So it's a Discovery Sport before the branding a-holes got hold of it.
Evoque? Yeah, that's a Freelander Sport, again before the branding people got hold.

And now it seems, very sadly, L405 will go the same way. I really hope that I'm very badly wrong or it will be a truly sad day for the RR brand.

mzplcg wrote:

I really hope that I'm very badly wrong or it will be a truly sad day for the RR brand.

remember when production of the ford cortina finished and ford introduced the jelly mould sierra, everyone slated that and said it was ugly but it wasnt long before all cars looked that way..
what i have see of the l405 so far [which aint a lot tbh] is that its ugly as well but wait till you see it in the flesh adn driving down the road ,i bet it wont be long before you start thinking that you want one.. ... - .- -.




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I don't think anyone with reservations is resisting change (the L322 was a big change, and an extremely successful one).

Thing is the L322 is a brilliant modern interpretation of the classic Range Rover, I don't think people will say that of the L405. It will be lighter, faster, will drive more like a car but do we want a Range Rover to drive like a "SUV" or normal car : no!
I completely agree with "mzplcg"'s comments.
But of course I do hope I'm completely wrong and that we will marvel at the car once it will be unveiled... but I'm in doubt!

Trommel wrote:

I don't think anyone with reservations is resisting change (the L322 was a big change, and an extremely successful one).

So BMW didn't cost-cut the L322 by building it around E38 and E39 architecture then?

I shall have to abstain on the looks of the L405.

I am so old-fashioned that I only ever seem to like the older model of anything. I couldn't move from my P38 to that ugly L322. Then, six months ago, as the L322 was approaching discontinuation, I decided I loved its looks and bought one. I used to hate the bland, smooth Bentley Arnage. But now, 14 years after it was launched, and 3 years after deletion, I now quite fancy cherishing an example from around 2002.

Cars take a while to win me over, but at least I'll never get bitten by first-year depreciation!  2003 4.4 HSE Epsom Green / Sand. Lovely!

The platform thing - it apparently has a unique bulkhead, suspension subframes and seating position, but I wonder if the (undesirable) Sport-style high console is related to the shared floorpan.

mzplcg wrote:

If it loses capability, panache and that certain understated Englishness in the name of money chasing bling

CSK wrote:

I think as a keeper, the 5L Supercharged Autobiography is the one to have.
Not sure about Diesels as a long-term ownership as they are more complicated and the 5L is kind of the ultimate engine and will be regarded as such in future.

Was thinking about it CSK, there are some 1year old with few miles on the clock for good money. I'm using it alot between Monaco and Switzerland and currently I manage both ways with one filling, one way is aprox. 380KM. With a Supercharge I'd probably would need two fillings..I'm open for suggestions But for the moment I want to wait and see the new one

JJ

Yes I'm sure you do but petrol is way cheaper than diesel in Switzerland so if you fill it right up before going back to your tax heaven I'm sure there won't be a lot in it costwise!

I've seen several L405's on the road recently in a range of colours. They were all being driven hard and seem to be very stable at speed. The overall look is impressive, almost aggressive and in keeping with the current model when on the move. Can't comment on the lights other than to say the horizontal LED's built in to the headlights look good. I'm waiting until after the launch before deciding whether to pick up a late current model or go for a new one.

All cars now have these LED daylight running lamps, is it just me or do they nearly all look like a council house at Christmas with them on?

The L322 is still the most expensive car developed by a "British" manufacturer at 2 billion.

Wonder what they have spent on the L405 ?

The BMW board told the Engineers to go and build a 4x4 Bentley, which is what they did in my opinion. 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

mjdronfield wrote:

Wonder what they have spent on the L405 ?

.