Landrover through the years

The first Land Rover ever made had a 1.6-litre engine and an 80-inch wheelbase. The picture shows the first version they made before it went into full production. They later made longer versions with wheelbases of 107 and 109 inches, and shorter ones at 86 and 87 inches. In 1951, they started using a 2.0-litre petrol engine, and in 1957, they added a 2.0-litre diesel option. By the end of the year, they were selling Land Rovers in 70 countries, and they started selling them in the US in 1949.

Minerva, a Belgian company, started making bicycles in 1900. Just two years later, they also began making cars. By the time World War 2 started, Minerva's car production had slowed down. However, in 1954, they struck a deal with Land Rover to build the Series I Land Rover. They made these under license until 1956.

After ten years of making the Series I, they introduced the Series II. It came with a new 2.25-litre petrol engine. They also updated the body design, adding a curved shoulder line that remained the same until they stopped making this model nearly 60 years later.

Land Rover found it beneficial to let other companies make their cars overseas. So, in 1958, they teamed up with a Spanish company called Santana to put together kits of parts to assemble Land Rovers. This partnership lasted much longer than the one with Minerva, all the way until 1983.

The Series IIa got a new 2.25-litre diesel engine. In 1969, they moved the headlights from inside to the front edges of the car's wings. Starting in 1967, they also offered a 2.6-litre straight-six petrol engine for the long-wheelbase models, like the one shown in the picture.

In the US, luxury SUVs were really popular. If Land Rover wanted to grow, they needed to compete in the high-end market. So, they began working on their own luxury SUV. It used a V8 engine that Rover had started making under license from Buick just three years before. To keep it a secret, they labeled each prototype as "VELAR" to confuse the media.

The original Range Rover is often seen as starting the trend for luxury SUVs, but its interior wasn't that fancy. The 1963 Jeep Wagoneer actually beat it to the luxury SUV scene. However, the Range Rover did push Land Rover to keep improving and making their cars more luxurious and advanced.

For serious off-roading, you need a strong engine with good power and torque. The 3.5-litre Rover V8 from the Range Rover was perfect for this. It transformed the Series III Land Rover from a slow car to one with really good performance, though it did use a lot of fuel.

Swiss supercar builder Monteverdi started converting two-door Range Rovers into four-door models in 1980 and Land Rover noticed its success. So LR developed its own version, which went on sale the following year. In 1982 the 100,000th Range Rover was delivered – the same year that an automatic gearbox first became an option.

In 1983, Land Rover introduced the County model, which had a 110-inch size. It used the same coil-spring suspension as the Range Rover, had a five-speed gearbox, front disc brakes, a one-piece windscreen, and optional power steering. A year later, they launched the shorter 90 model with three doors instead of five.

There was a big gap between the Land Rover and the Range Rover, which Japanese brands like Mitsubishi and Toyota filled with SUVs like the Shogun and Land Cruiser. Land Rover wanted in on that market, so they introduced the Discovery. It started as a three-door model and shared its base with the Range Rover. Initially, you could pick from a petrol V8 or a turbodiesel engine.

Some people call all old Land Rovers "Defenders," but the name didn't actually come into use until 42 years after the Series I was introduced. They started using the name to distinguish it from the newer Discovery. The renamed Defender also got a new 200 TDi turbodiesel engine, which was already being used in the Discovery.

In 1992, the Range Rover got even fancier with a long-wheelbase version. It was the first off-roader to have features like air suspension and electronic traction control.

The follow-up to the Range Rover Classic was really fancy and looked great, but it had problems when it first came out and wasn't reliable. Because of this, most of them are gone now. But someday they'll be sought-after by collectors because there won't be many left.

To sell more cars, Land Rover needed to make their vehicles smaller and produce them in larger quantities. The Freelander was the solution, funded by BMW after they bought Rover, including Land Rover, in 1994. This compact SUV had a new Hill Descent Control system that made off-roading easier. It came in three-door or five-door options and could be powered by petrol or diesel. The Freelander quickly became Land Rover's best-selling model.

The second version of the Discovery didn't look that different from the first, but it was a much-improved car. It had better build quality and a longer body with three rows of front-facing seats, unlike the first Discovery which had side-facing seats that flipped down in the back. All versions of the new Discovery had five doors.

They also added a new turbodiesel engine called the TD5, and introduced Active Cornering Enhancement (ACE), a computer-controlled hydraulic system that helped control the car's roll when turning.

The third version of the Range Rover was a big step up in luxury and off-road capability. BMW mostly funded its development, and Ford got the benefits when they bought Land Rover in 2000. While it still had some reliability issues, the new Range Rover with its monocoque construction was a strong competitor to luxury saloons.

Ford really went all out with the Discovery 3 (called LR3 in the US), making it much better than the older models. European buyers could choose a smooth 2.7-litre V6 turbodiesel engine, while a 4.4-litre petrol V8 was also an option. This gave the Discovery great performance and refinement. Even though it was heavy, it was still really good off-road.

Designed to fit between the Discovery and the full-size Range Rover, the Range Rover Sport was smaller and more affordable but still great off-road and very luxurious. It competed with the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne and came with either a supercharged 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine or a 2.7-litre V6 turbodiesel.

The first Freelander was a good earner for Land Rover, but it had reliability problems and needed an upgrade. The Freelander 2, introduced in 2006, was a major improvement in quality, comfort, safety, and off-road capability. It used the same 'EUCD' platform as some Ford cars from that time, like the 2006 Mondeo and 2007 Volvo V70.

Though it was mostly an updated Discovery 3, Land Rover called the Discovery 4 a new generation of their popular seven-seater. In the US, it was sold as the LR4. The Discovery 4 had improved brakes, steering, and suspension, an updated Terrain Response system, and a new version of the 2.7 TDV6 engine that was now three litres.

When Land Rover unveiled the Range Rover Evoque, it closely resembled the LRX concept from three years earlier. 

The fourth-generation Range Rover looked much sleeker and addressed its weight by using an aluminium structure, reducing weight by 420kg (924 lbs). It had more technology than before and came with a choice of engines: 5.0-litre V8 petrol (either naturally aspirated or supercharged) and V6 or V8 diesels. Even the least powerful model could reach speeds over 130mph.

The first Range Rover Sport was nearly ten years old when Land Rover introduced its replacement in 2013, and the new version didn't disappoint. 

Picking up where the Freelander 2 left off, the Discovery Sport continued to move Land Rover into the luxury market. 

On Friday, January 29, 2016, Land Rover enthusiasts and workers felt a mix of emotions as the last Defender was produced in Solihull. This final model, a soft-top 90, was given the registration H166 HUE, honoring the brand's first prototype, HUE 166, which is now part of Land Rover's collection.

Introduced in 2016 but available for purchase in 2017, the fifth-generation Discovery offers top-notch luxury. It's a big leap from the basic original model with its separate chassis. The new version has a single-body design, but it still keeps the Discovery's knack for carrying seven people through tough landscapes. 

Many might not know what "Velar" means on Land Rover's new luxury SUV, but that's okay. What's clear is that it's a really sleek 4x4 that catches your eye in the showroom. While we're not sure it's worth the high price, there's a lot to appreciate about the Range Rover Velar.

The 2019 return of the Defender was one of the most talked-about car launches of the year, maybe even the decade. After driving it both in Namibia and at home in different versions, it's clear why. It's smooth on the road, tough off-road, and packed with features to compete with BMW, Mercedes, and Audi. It might just be one of the most versatile cars out there.

The original Land Rovers were green, and today's models carry on the tradition, though this one's grey. Beneath the familiar Evoque looks, it's got a 197bhp turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with a 107bhp electric motor. This combo emits just 32g/km and can go 41 miles on electric power alone. 

The classic off-roader is back in its fifth generation as the sleek L460. Land Rover faced a challenge: giving it the robust look of a Range Rover while improving aerodynamics for better fuel efficiency. Still, the top-tier 530bhp 4.4-litre V8 gets a decent 24mpg, impressive for a hefty SUV. The popular choice is the 3.0-litre straight-six diesel, offering 289bhp and 36.7mpg.

For nearly 20 years, the Range Rover Sport has shown that SUVs can be both tall and sporty. Earlier versions missed the mark, but the latest L461 model launched in 2022 nails the balance: it's comfortable, sporty, and great off-road.

On winding roads, it handles like a dream. Whether you pick the 298bhp diesel or the 572bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8, you won't be disappointed with the performance.

When you want to relax, it becomes a quiet and comfortable ride. While it might not match the full Range Rover's capabilities, it comes pretty close.