Spyshots: 2013 Range Rover

Before rappers and soccer stars took over, the Range Rover SUV was the most important product that the British company offered. Now, Land Rover has the Evoque and the Sport, so the rugged off-roader can go back to its roots. This is also a crucial model, because all the other models - the Sport, LR4 (Discovery) and LR2 (Freelander) - share tech with the body vehicle.

Thus, a new generation of Range Rover is as important to the company as rock wheels were to Flintstones’ cars.

Our spy photographer caught up with the engineers that were testing the Rangy, and we can now show you a prototype of the model that’s expected to go on sale in 2012 as a 2013 model year. It will reportedly make extensive use of lightweight rivet-bonded aluminum in the chassis. The underpinnings will be borrowed but extensively modified from the Jaguar XJ. Composite materials will also save weight when used on some of the body panels.

The 2012 Range Rover will have a number of panels constructed from lightweight alloys, leading to a total reduction of about 450 kg (992 pounds) reducing. Yes folks, the off-roader will come close to the 2,200 kg (4,850 pounds) area.

Despite the heavy (and strange) camo, the new off-roader, codenamed L405, was caught here in the final stages of development. The impression it gives is that the roof is lower down for a more aerodynamic shape, while the back end is longer.

Interior space will be improved upon significantly, and customers can also expect better fit and finish.

The powertrains for the current model have just been revised, so they will likely carry over to the next generation. The pick of the litter will be the usual V8, which sit in the range over two turbodiesels. Thus, the Range Rover is expected to offer between 260 and 510 horsepower.