Sri Lanka’s luxury SUV market warms up as new Range Rover debuts

By SHABIYA ALI AHLAM

The new Range Rover, unveiled in Sri Lanka just weeks ago, has already seen 135 units prebooked. The first shipment of this luxury SUV, offering greater refinement and personalisation than ever before, is set to arrive in the island nation in June.

The roll-out will be staggered initially, with smaller batches arriving each month. Despite the strong pre-order numbers, Access Motors General Manager Sanjaya Jayasinghe noted that demand was expected to be even higher.

“We were initially expecting pre-orders to reach about over 200. But as prices increased, the market became more hesitant. Even though this segment is not price-sensitive, the drop in demand was still more than we anticipated,” Jayasinghe told Mirror Business at a private viewing in Colombo yesterday. The new Range Rover is priced from Rs. 147 million.

However, Jayasinghe expressed confidence that orders will increase as the market stabilises. While the model comes in a variety of exterior colours, Sri Lankan buyers tend to opt for more conventional choices. The most commonly ordered colours are Ostuni White, Fuji White, Batumi Gold, and Santorini Black. “The Sri Lankan market is not bold enough yet,” quipped Jayasinghe while walking through the colour ranges.

The new Range Rover offers a suite of efficient mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid power trains, with a fully electric version set to join the lineup soon. Buyers can also choose between four-, five-, and seven-seat interiors, available across both Standard and Long Wheelbase body designs. Staying true to its heritage, the new Range Rover is defined by three signature design elements: the falling roofline, strong waistline, and rising sill line.

These features, combined with a short front overhang and a distinctive new boat-tail rear with a practical split tailgate, create a refined and commanding profile. Innovative technology enhances the new Range Rover’s appeal. Power-Assisted Doors come with hazard detection and anti-pinch safety features for effortless entry and exit. Inside, the Versatile Loadspace Floor and Tailgate Event Suite provide exceptional practicality and luxury, while the Auto-Folding Loadspace Cover adds convenience. Land Rover’s latest Electrical Vehicle Architecture (EVA 2.0) and Software-Over-The- Air updates ensure seamless connectivity.

The Pivi Pro infotainment system features a 13.1- inch curved touch screen with haptic feedback, while rear passengers enjoy 11.4-inch HD touch screens and an eight-inch touch screen controller, offering a first-class travel experience. Advanced lighting includes highd e f i n i t i o n Digital LED Headlights with a 500-meter beam range and Adaptive Front Lighting. Meanwhile, Remote Park Assist allows smartphonecontrolled parking, and All-Wheel Steering with Dynamic Response Pro enhances agility and stability. Electrification is a key focus, with Extended- Range Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) options offering up to 100 km of pure-electric driving.

A fully electric model is set to debut in 2024. The P530 Twin Turbo V8 delivers enhanced performance and efficiency, while mild-hybrid (MHEV) engines optimise fuel economy. Buyers can choose from an expanded range of materials and finishes, including innovative textiles and tactile Ultrafabrics.

Land Rover continues its collaboration with Kvadrat, Europe’s leading premium textile manufacturer, to offer a sustainable, high-end alternative to traditional leather, reducing carbon emissions by 75 percent. The new Range Rover will be exclusively produced at the Solihull Manufacturing Facility in the UK, using a state-of-the-art production line housed in the same building that once produced early Series Land Rovers.

Purchasing the new Range Rover from Access Motors, the only authorised dealer in Sri Lanka, includes a three-year manufacturer warranty and a two-year extended warranty from Jaguar Land Rover. “And only we can offer the manufacturer-approved service standards, maintenance, and software updates,” said Jayasinghe.

Pix by Kithsiri de Mel