Body & chassisLast updated: 18 June 2012 The L322 was the first Range Rover with a monocoque (unibody) body, abandoning the separate ladder chassis of every previous Range Rover. Combined with all-round independent suspension, this gave a big jump in rigidity, refinement and on-road manners without losing off-road ability. [ ▲ ] Diagram: monocoque body & suspension layout add image here Key takeaway: The L322 was the first monocoque Range Rover with full independent air suspension, a huge leap in rigidity and refinement.
The monocoque bodyA monocoque?Monocoque (unibody): the body shell itself is the load-bearing structure, instead of bolting a body onto a separate steel ladder frame. It's stiffer, quieter and usually lighter for a given strength. integrates the structure into the body shell rather than bolting a body onto a separate frame. Benefits for the L322:
At launch this made the Range Rover and the Ford Expedition the only two full-size SUVs with four-wheel independent suspension. Suspension layout
The independent setup, plus cross-linking, matched the articulation of the old live axles while hugely improving on-road behaviour. Size & growth
Like every Range Rover generation, the L322 grew over its predecessor and adopted a more "butch", upright stance. Ownership notes
TIP
The monocoque means corrosion and structural condition matter more than on a separate-chassis car.
On a 4.4 TDV8?TDV8. Land Rover's twin-turbo diesel V8 (3.6, later 4.4) — the 'AJD-V8' / 'Lion' engine, prized for huge torque., note the turbos are an "engine-out" job partly because of the packaging
— some specialists remove the body to access them.
Watch suspension subframe mounts and bushes as the car ages: see common problems. |