2002 Land Rover Range Rover HSE Sport Utility 4-Door 4.6L

Absolutely gorgeous 2002 Range Rover HSE with very low mileage. Electronic Air Suspension (EAS) works flawlessly. Heat and AC work as they should without issue. No sagging headliner that is problematic on the Range Rover models. Fully functional NAV & 6 Disc changer/tape deck. Recent updates include: - Custom suede headliner (7/14)- New track bar installed (1/14)- (4) New brake pads and discs installed (1/14)- New custom Flowmaster exhaust (10/14). New sway bar link (1/14)- New MAF (Mass Airflow Sensor) (4/14)- New O2 Sensors (3/14)BODY SHAPEThe Range Rover design team considered a wide range of more daring designs. but evidently saw the buyer as very traditional and the resulting body shape was criticized by some as bland. Certainly it can be difficult to distinguish at a distance from the some lesser sport utility vehicles and minivans. However the new shape did retain certain styling cues from the older design. such as the castellated hood and the black "C" pillars. The newer version had an extremely low drag coefficient and much lower wind noise. making it a superb high speed cruiser with a top speed of 111 mph for the 4. 0SE and over 120 for the 4. 6HSE. The Mark II/P38 body is more spacious than the Classic. and retains the much-loved rear tailgate arrangement which makes for pleasant afternoon tea stops in the field. The spare tire is repositioned under the loadspace for the spare tire. while the fuel tank is moved to a less vulnerable position forward of the rear axle. There is even a glove compartment and drink holders. CHASSIS AND ENGINEWhile sharing few components. the redesigned model bore considerable mechanical resemblance to the Classic. The steel box section chassis was even stronger and heavier; the curb weight of the vehicle was up to about 4. 00 lbs. The 108 inch wheelbase was the same as the earlier County LWB. and aluminum body panels were used for the front fenders. the doors and tailgate. The engine was still the aluminum pushrod V8 but was reworked in many details. improving strength and longevity and providing 4-coil distributorless ignition. Even more smooth running than the old engine. it was renamed the 4. 0 to distinguish it from the old 3. 9 of identical displacement. It produced slightly more power and torque which were needed to motivate the increased weight. An HSE model used a stroked 4. 6 litre version of the engine. SUSPENSIONThe electronically adjustable air suspension designed into the 4. 0/4. 6 model is similar to that on the Classic County LWB models. which in retrospect (having an almost identical wheelbase). can be seen partly as a test bed for the redesign. Vehicle height can be raised and lowered over a 5-inch plus range (compared with a 1-inch range in such imitators as the Ford Expedition air assisted suspension option). In the lowest "access mode" setting. the suspension is grounded almost to the bump stops to allow the vertically challenged to get into the vehicle without standing on a stepladder as required for other serious off-road vehicles. Normal height is only occasionally used. because at highway speeds the body lowers itself an inch below normal to increase stability. When venturing off-road. high profile can be selected for an instant 1. 6 inch lift above "normal" (2. 6 inches above the highway ride setting). Finally. there is an "extended profile" in which the system's "brain" senses that the body is grounded and pushes the wheels down even further until they find terra firma to extricate the vehicle. saving the owner the indignity of having a Range Rover pulled out of a "stuck" by some lesser vehicle. The characteristics of this setup also mean that the dynamic response and "feel" of the ride does not vary. like a conventionally sprung vehicle. from hard when unloaded to mushy when loaded. Maximum departure angle is maintained even under full load. and the suspension is much more difficult to "bottom out". Finally. the headlights are always aimed level regardless of load. Solid axles front and rear (redesigned to increase strength. reduce unsprung weight. reduce bump steer and increase ground clearance) were retained -- a vital off-road feature which is becoming rare in today's SUVs. The pesky swivel pin housings that leak and need constant maintenance on the Classic were eliminated. and the CV joints are lubricated by grease trapped within a rubber boot. Front axle location is similar to Classic models. with a Panhard Rod and antisway bar. The rear suspension employs innovative composite fiber trailing links that resist torsion and therefore eliminate the need for a rear antisway bar. A Panhard Rod is used for lateral location instead of the previous A-frame. The roll center was lowered. Articulation is nominally reduced but under testing it still easily exceeds that of any other production 4X4. Articulation is increased in high profile mode rather than decreased as on the Classic. It is comforting to note that suspension compliance is still sufficient to inspire the appearance of aftermarket anti-sway bar "upgrades" (off road enthusiasts beware). TRANSMISSIONThe transmission was upgraded to an electrically shifted unit controlled by its own computer (ECU). The controls employ a novel "H" gate shift pattern. eliminating the need for a separate hi-lo range shifter. In low range. a button allows you to operate it as a true manual gearbox. locking it in any chosen gear. In high range the same button selects "sport" mode for faster acceleration. The innovative electronic traction control system is retained. applying the brake to a spinning wheel so that torque is transferred to the wheel with the most grip. This accomplishes the function of a heavy duty four wheeling locker in a way that is smoother. more progressive and less likely to result in broken drivetrain parts. LUXURY FEATURESStandard electronic sophistication and luxury features on the newly introduced model were far ahead of anything offered. even as options. by other manufacturers. Aside from the usual luxury car features like dual zone totally automatic climate control. an 11 speaker. 6 disk sound system with steering wheel controls. and lighted driver's and passenger's vanity mirrors. the Range Rover Mark II/P38 has pollen filters. heated 10-way adjustable power front seats (including power operated headrests and lumbar support adjustment). heated windshield. heated washer jets. power headlamp washers and wipers. rear view mirrors that are heated and tilt down automatically when reverse is selected. power one-touch (open and close) antitrap windows and moon roof. a 150-function message center with trip computer. and many other thoughtful amenities to make the journey though punishing terrain even more relaxing than it was in the Classic model. Fortunately. the puddle lamps were retained under the doors so you can see what kind of terrain you are stepping into when you reluctantly leave the luxury of the cabin. ON ROAD ATTRIBUTES AND PERFORMANCESitting at the controls of a Range Rover Mark II/P38. it is hard not to fall in love with the vehicle. The high and extremely comfortable seating position along with the array of more ergonomically designed controls somehow convey the feeling of being in command of any terrain or situation. The goal of improved refinement and handling was definitely achieved. The engine is supremely smooth. the cabin is quiet. and there is no slop in the drivetrain. Compared with the Classic. the ride is firmer. but throwing the Range Rover into corners gives a feeling of confidence. Steering is more precise. body roll is reduced. there is a solid feeling of attachment to the pavement. and the car actually holds a straight line down the freeway with no need for constant steering input. The automatic "set and forget" climate control has air conditioning almost up to the refrigerator-like standards of American cars. The new aerodynamic shape provides higher maximum and cruising speeds than the old Range Rover. and generates far less wind noise. The greatly improved responsiveness of the transmission. combined with the engine revving very smoothly to over 5. 00 RPM. makes the vehicle feel much more lively. Although the power to weight ratio is no more favorable than the Classic. the improvement in overall refinement and road manners translates to noticeably faster travel times from A to B. as well as more effortless long distance travel. MARK II/P38 CHRONOLOGY1994: The all-new P38 model introduced in September in the UK. 1995: New 4. 0 SE model goes on sale in USA. 1996: 4. 6 HSE introduced to US with larger engine. 18 inch wheels and 255/55R18 tires. 1997: Shock valving recalibrated to softer setting (mid year). 1998: 300 watt. 12 speaker stereo replaces earlier 11 speaker setup. A limited edition 50th Anniversary 4. 0SE model has18 inch wheels with a special color and trim details. 1999: Engines receive new intake manifold and Bosch engine controls for more low and midrange torque. Electronic Traction Control extended to all four wheels; larger subwoofer installed. Callaway 4. 6 HSE limited edition appears with 240 hp engine and body color bumpers. The engine has a modified Lucas EFI system instead of the Bosch system on regular models. 2000: Addition of air injection reactor (smog pump) on the engine. further complicating repair work. "Round effect headlights" introduced. Several new model designations. each with minor cosmetic trim variations. 2001: 4. 6 model only. in SE and HSE trim. HSE recognizable externally by rub strip with chrome insert. and standard 18 inch wheels. Interior HSE trim differences: GPS system standard. 460 watt stereo. extra wood trim. optional lightstone leather. optional wood and leather steering wheel. 2002: Very few Range Rovers sold during first 6 months as customers wait for new model