Range Rover: P38A - Automatic (2002)
Arguably this is the best of a bad job. The second generation Range Rover was not a success, it has to be said. It's arrival was long awaited and was developed at a time when Land Rover was in the doldrums financially. It was so much more of a 'car' than the the classic Range Rover whose life had to be extended under the sub-brand 'Vogue'. However, along with the rest of the British motor industry, Land Rover was plagued by build and reliability problems at the time of its launch on 2002.
Under Land Rover's transformative ownership by BMW, much was done to improve the mark's shortcomings so it could better compete with other SUV's that were usurping Range Rover's earlier supremacy in this market segment.
The 'Westminster' was a Limited Edition of just 200 (150 of which carried this car's 4 Ltr Rover V8 petrol power unit). It comes towards the end of the life of the P38A and does offer a sound package of a reasonable drive coupled with upgraded cabin comfort. It was unassuming in external appearance, being offered in one of three sombre colours. However, as long as you like black, the cabin was a cut above the norm, with dark grey leather, grey wood trim to the dash and Ash grey carpets throughout.
In a more normal situation the Westminster might be judged 'sufficient'. However, in comparison to what had been on offer before, it puts on a good showing for itself. It's inherent limitations did no harm in leaving clear air between it and the (very impressive) third generation Range Rover (the L322) that was to follow later in year that our Westminster was first registered.
More InfoThe Range Rover l38A (internally known as the LP) is the second-generation Range Rover model. It was launched on 28 September 1994, 24 years after the introduction of the first-generation Range Rover. A tough act to follow. So much so that many gave it a cool reception from the outset. It included an updated version of the Rover V8 engine, with the option of a 2.5-litre BMW six-cylinder turbo-diesel. The new model offered more equipment and premium trims, positioning the vehicle above the Land Rover Discovery to face the increased competition in the SUV marketplace.
It was named "P38A", after the office building in which the vehicle development team was based. During the early development stages, the engineering team was based in the Engineering Block at Solihull, and the vehicle was known by the project designations of 'Pegasus' and 'Discovery,' changing to P38A when the team moved to Block 38A at Solihull. We are told that he name 'Discovery' was used temporarily as a cover to confuse journalists while the original Discovery vehicle was being developed. During production Land Rover referred to it as either the 'New Range Rover' or by its model designation of 'LP'. The 'P38A' Range Rover was the final Land Rover vehicle to use the traditional Rover V8. Our model is also one of yhe final 'P38A's to be produced.
Our Westminster is Bleinhem Silver, with body coloured trim, one of the three sombre colours available. It had full grey leather upholstery, Ash Grey wooden trim and Grey carpets. Other items added to the spec including sat nav, silvered 'Westminster' door tread plates, powered sunroof and dual zone air conditioning.
Optioned With The 3948cc V8 Engine Coupled To A Silky Smooth ZF 4-Speed Automatic Transmission Producing 190bhp with fixed Four Wheel Drive. Air suspension and much improved powered brakes gave a quality ride and an ability to stop the the time came.
Part of:
Range Rovers
Limited Editions
The Collection
Vehicle Owner: The LRHC Trust - by Acquisition
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