Used to making special editions of its SUVs, Land Rover has launched what might perhaps be the most interesting one thus far: the Range Rover Astronaut Edition. Created by Jaguar Land Rover’s special vehicle operations division (SVO), this exclusive Range Rover can only be purchased by those who have already gone or will go into space with Virgin Galactic. This special, space version is the result of a partnership between the British manufacturer and Virgin Galactic, the company that has already sold some 600 space flight tickets on its SpaceShip Two.
While the conventional version is already one of the most refined and luxurious SUVs on the market, the Range Rover Astronaut Edition, based on the Autobiography version, is full of space related details and elements, which make it even more exclusive. Its exterior image is marked by a shade of blue called Zero Gravity Blue, inspired by the night sky, by the Astronaut Edition lettering on the rear and the sides, and by a puddle lamp installed in the doors that projects the symbol of the Virgin Galactic space ship on to the road below. Heading inside, this also features space-related detailing: part of the front landing skid of the Virgin Spaceship Unity that went into space last December has been re-purposed to create two discs in the area on the centre console where the cup holders are located.
An image of the Virgin Galactic space vehicle is projected onto the road.
In fact, cup holders have never been so important in a car, given that one of the two discs is decorated with the phrase See you up there by Richard Branson, the well-known Virgin boss, while the second features the details of the space flight. However, as Virgin Galactic passengers make their own space voyages, these discs will be replaced with a section of the wooden skid used during the customer’s own spaceflight. In addition, the piece will be personalised with what the owner wants to write related to his personal experience of going into space. The interior details also include a «DNA of Flight» graphic on the carbon fibre front console drawer lid, with the same motif also having been debossed onto the leather rear armrest. The aluminium door handles are engraved with the Virgin Galactic’s own Future Astronaut community constellation pattern, which also features on the metal letterbox panel design above the glovebox and on the rear of the front headrests.
Under the bonnet, the Range Rover Astronaut Edition is available with Land Rover’s P400e plug-in hybrid system, delivering 404 hp, or a 5.0-litre 525 hp V8 supercharged engine. Both feature an automatic gearbox and an all-wheel drive system.
While the conventional version is already one of the most refined and luxurious SUVs on the market, the Range Rover Astronaut Edition, based on the Autobiography version, is full of space related details and elements, which make it even more exclusive. Its exterior image is marked by a shade of blue called Zero Gravity Blue, inspired by the night sky, by the Astronaut Edition lettering on the rear and the sides, and by a puddle lamp installed in the doors that projects the symbol of the Virgin Galactic space ship on to the road below. Heading inside, this also features space-related detailing: part of the front landing skid of the Virgin Spaceship Unity that went into space last December has been re-purposed to create two discs in the area on the centre console where the cup holders are located.
An image of the Virgin Galactic space vehicle is projected onto the road.
In fact, cup holders have never been so important in a car, given that one of the two discs is decorated with the phrase See you up there by Richard Branson, the well-known Virgin boss, while the second features the details of the space flight. However, as Virgin Galactic passengers make their own space voyages, these discs will be replaced with a section of the wooden skid used during the customer’s own spaceflight. In addition, the piece will be personalised with what the owner wants to write related to his personal experience of going into space. The interior details also include a «DNA of Flight» graphic on the carbon fibre front console drawer lid, with the same motif also having been debossed onto the leather rear armrest. The aluminium door handles are engraved with the Virgin Galactic’s own Future Astronaut community constellation pattern, which also features on the metal letterbox panel design above the glovebox and on the rear of the front headrests.
Under the bonnet, the Range Rover Astronaut Edition is available with Land Rover’s P400e plug-in hybrid system, delivering 404 hp, or a 5.0-litre 525 hp V8 supercharged engine. Both feature an automatic gearbox and an all-wheel drive system.
