Stick shifter gone in 2011

[darrinturner]

Wow,
Saw some photos of a 2011 Range Rover and was happy to see some more improvements. But one that stuck out was the shifter had been replaced with a device much like the terrain selector on the 07 to 2010. I also noticed that the terrain knob has been removed.

[umbertob]

I saw a few photos as well, eliminating the "stick shifter" after 40 years is not going to please everyone, I'm sure... Personally I think the new design looks pretty clean and distinctive actually - probably going to make the cabin "feel" somewhat airier and might also make it easier to reach the control dials on the lower part of the center console... - the shifter knob must pop up with the key in the ignition and retract when parked, like it does in the new Jags. I may miss the option/habit of throwing a traditional shifter in Sport or "manumatic" mode when looking for a quick pickup, but if the paddles behind the steering wheels are good, I'd only miss it for a while. It's one more gizmo that might break eventually, though. I also like the rocker switch for the Terrain Response settings, it seems a better match for the rest of the TR ad EAS controls right next to it than the current rotary dial.

Isn't a new 8-speed ZF tranny being introduced as well (along with a sweet new V8 diesel engine, but surely we won't get it in the US, again.)

[ChipN]

If the paddles work as good as they do in a Mercedes that would be good meanwhile I like the setup in my 10 better.

[CombatNinja]

Paddle shifters would be nice but removing the stick entirely is a mistake in my opinion. Like I want something as important as the gear selector to become a potential source of problems in a freaking Range Rover where everything breaks. The newest trucks are evolving to the point where they will be virtually impossible to own 5 years on. Too bad because I like my Rovers 4 to 5 years old and 75% off.

[FFRR05DUKE]

That's interesting...I'm curious to see how that new shifter will work.

[Cruz]

Found another image here.

[brad s1]

I can see that peeling up and chipping already

[texige]

It should be fun twisting the little knob while rocking the Rover to get it unstuck. Sorry but the Rover is being pussified with cute LEDs and now a Jaguar twist shifter. Yeah I know, " you don't drive it off road" but the Rover's image is being changed from a very competent luxury 4X4 into an Escalade competitor. What's next, a 2 wheel driver version where the suspension can be locked in high for 26s?

[journeyman]

Welcome to the world of Jaguar Land Rover and technology sharing, its off the Jaguar XF.

I agree, it won't be to everyones taste.

[wcc18999]

I do not like the Jag shifter in the Range Rover one bit. I believe this is a huge mistake, and they should keep the regular shifter as a no cost option. Just my 2 cents worth...

[Monty]

I went on a day to appraise the new shape, when it came to the interior one of the comments I made was not liking the deletion of the gearstick - guess i'm a bit old fasioned but i've always preferred a proper gearstick and the action of throwing it accross for sport!

[07CARRERA]

Two descriptions come to mind when I think of Range Rover interiors. Architectural design and character. This new Jag dial and the deletion of the tactile feeling rotary knob for the Terrain Response System takes away from both. Sure it's cleaner looking and more modern but I'd rather have the shifter and my TRS knob back.

I wish LR kept the wood trim on the strip above the door pockets too. Instead they now have a plastic strip which makes it cheaper looking though the noble finish to the lower speaker surround is an improvement. And the glove boxes have a lighter plastic feeling to them as well not too mention that the doors open and close like any other car on the market. I like the feel of my doors. They shut like a vault door and there's an unmistakible feeling of quality to the feel and sound of them.

[ChipN]

Will there be a manual mode so you can hold the gear you want like for engine braking?

[07CARRERA]

It's already bad enough with the 2010 instrument panel and the discontinuation of the regular analog guages. The technology is pretty cool but just looks cartoonish and out of place from the rest of the interior. Otherwise, i love the 2010 RR's.

[umbertob]

Video of 2011 TDV8 exterior and interior, including pop-up shifter and steering wheel paddles for new 8-speed transmission (wonder if the latter is new across the board or only for the new TDV8 engine shown in the promo video):