Land Rover is considering a range-topping model to rival directly the Bentley Bentayga, according to the company’s design chief Gerry McGovern. The new Range Rover model would sit above the brand’s current flagship, McGovern told Autonews.
“Why not? We’ve realized that the Range Rover has got this big expanse across its price range, so it’s not a very big step to get into Bentayga country,” he said.
McGovern wants the Range Rover lineup to be further expanded beyond the existing four models (the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar and Range Rover Evoque), even if that means having more models of a similar size.
“I would argue you could have two Range Rovers exactly the same size, but if they had two personalities then they would both have equal appeal but to different customers,” he said.
So far, the Bentayga has proven to be a hit for Bentley, accounting for half of the company’s sales in 2016, and that’s despite only going on sale in America in the second half of the year. This proves that there’s definitely room for more expensive and luxurious SUVs in the market.
McGovern also believes that a Range Rover rival to the Bentayga would also have the edge over it. “Bentley doesn’t have the pedigree and authenticity in that particular sector,” he said. “We’ve got unquestionable pedigree.”
Note: Range Rover SVO Design Pack pictured
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