The first Autobiography model was introduced at the 1993 London Motor
Show, boasting a wide range of customization options that proved so successful
that Land Rover ended up spinning it into a special edition. It featured a
larger engine, special color schemes and heightened equipment, and saw just 25
examples produced.
In the years
since, Land Rover has incrementally added fax machines, sat-nav, televisions
and more to make its Autobiography models the most luxurious
vehicles on or off the road. The latest Autobiography Black is
built by the new Special Vehicle Operations division, based on the new
long-wheelbase model and available in levels of specification ranging well into
six figures – just the kind of product the Range Rover needs to fend off the
advances of the incoming breed of high-end SUVs from the likes of Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Maybach.
These days
Land Rover has even expanded its Autobiography line to branch beyond its
flagship model and incorporate theEvoque and Defender. And we wouldn't be surprised, given the timing of
this announcement, to see yet another Autobiography model introduced in the
near future, possibly as soon as the New
York Auto Show next month.
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Autobiography enters its third decade at the pinnacle of premium SUV luxury
This year
marks the 21st anniversary of Land Rover's introduction of the Autobiography
designation - then and now the pinnacle of the Range Rover model line-up.
Across two decades Autobiography has denoted the ultimate combination of Land
Rover design and luxury, adapting with changing customer tastes and preferences
to remain a benchmark in the premium SUV market.
The
Autobiography was first announced at the London motor show in late 1993 and
introduced to customers the following year. The responsibility for these models
has always been the work of a dedicated team using finely honed skills and
attention to detail.
The earliest
Autobiography Range Rovers were wholly bespoke, offering customers the
opportunity to indulge their tastes in limitless varieties of paintwork colours
and interior finishes. Demand was so high, Land Rover was prompted to adopt
Autobiography as a limited edition version of its Range Rover, featuring the
larger engine from the long-wheelbase LSE models and distinctive interior and
exterior colour-ways. Just 25 were built, securing their highly prized status
among connoisseurs of the marque.
To maintain
exclusivity and customer appeal, Land Rover has ensured its Autobiography
models remain at the cutting edge of technology features. The original
publicity made much of the fact the rear console could accommodate a fax
machine; since then Range Rover Autobiography has continued to set the pace
with adoption of satellite navigation, television and video systems from as
early as 1997.
Moving into
the third generation Range Rover from 2002, Land Rover addressed increasingly
sophisticated customer infotainment tastes with the introduction of concert
hall-quality audio packages and a multi-play DVD system. Customers could
specify myriad details, from the colour of the sheepskin rugs to type of wood
used for cabin trims. Anyone who wanted something more exclusive only had to
ask - and many did.
In 2011, Land
Rover crafted its most expensive Range Rover yet, the 500 Autobiography. With a
starting price of £120,000, it was targeted at the chauffeur-driven market and
represented a new high in luxury ahead of the arrival of the fourth generation
Range Rover in 2013.
The current
model, with its advanced lightweight aluminium construction, has adopted its
own interpretation of the Autobiography concept with the Range Rover
Autobiography Black. The preparation of the these models is handled by Special
Vehicle Operations, headed by John Edwards, and responsible for engineering and
manufacturing the most exclusive Land Rover model derivatives.
The vehicle
is a full-blooded expression of what today's Range Rover represents, using
high-quality leather and materials allied to a supremely modern and individual
design. Features include a full-length panoramic roof, seats with integrated
climate control and massage functions and the option of an executive twin rear-seat
design with an extended centre console housing USB connection, a sophisticated
entertainment system with independent 10.2-inch screens and electrically
deploying leather-finished tables.
John Edwards,
Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations, said: "For 21
years, Autobiography has given our customers the chance to specify the most
luxurious Range Rovers according to their tastes and desires. Within Special
Vehicle Operations we are continuing this tradition. The latest Autobiography
Black has greater levels of luxury and sophistication than ever before and even
more opportunities for personalisation.'
Current and
forthcoming Autobiography models will be built by the Special Vehicle
Operations team, which is transferring to a new technical centre. This will
include a customer commissioning suite for bespoke services and premium vehicle
personalisation, flexible workshops and a fully automated paint facility.
Autobiography luxury has also been extended further
across the Land Rover line-up to the Range Rover Evoque and most recently to
the iconic Defender. These models have consolidated their appeal as top of the
range Autobiography models, promising more performance, luxury and comfort than
ever before.