Range Rover long-wheelbase spotted

This is the long-wheelbase version of the new Range Rover, which is expected to be publically revealed later this year. It's the first factory-produced stretched model since the short-lived LSE version of the original Range Rover.

It is well over 5.0m long and has been produced not just for the Chinese luxury market but also as a direct rival for more conventional executive limousines, such as the new Mercedes-Benz S-class and even Rolls-Royce models.

Judging from these spy photographs, much of the extra length has been fed into the rear cabin, as is clear from the exceptionally long rear doors. It also appears that this Range Rover’s rear overhang — and, therefore, the boot space — has been marginally extended.

Range Rover is likely to offer this stretched model in the very highest interior specification, along the lines of the Autobiography Ultimate Edition that was launched at the end of the life of the Mk3 Range Rover. That model featured a teak-lined boot, individual rear seats and rear-mounted iPads on top of the standard Autobiography specification.

Land Rover has long wanted to explore how far upmarket the Range Rover concept can be pushed. This car not only has huge rear cabin space but also has the advantage over conventional luxury saloons of a higher and more upright seating position. Even at a likely price of more than £125,000, this Range Rover could offer a good deal of the Rolls-Royce experience at a significant discount.