Why Range Rover Dominated Pebble Beach

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, a centerpiece of Monterey Car Week, is renowned for showcasing the world’s finest automobiles, attracting top sports and classic car collectors and enthusiasts from around the globe. While the 2023 Concours crowned a 1934 Bugatti Type 59 as Best in Show, the true standout of this year’s high-profile events was Range Rover. Here’s why.

For the first time in history, the British luxury SUV brand, under its parent company Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), stole the spotlight with a display of 10 bespoke Range Rovers and Land Rover Defenders from the personal and official collection of Queen Elizabeth II. These extraordinary vehicles, previously kept within the UK, made their debut on American soil during Monterey Car Week. The iconic fleet embarked on a scenic drive along the California coastline before being showcased in their own dedicated class at the Concours d’Elegance.

Not only did these royally-owned vehicles captivate the crowd at the Concours, but they also featured prominently at the exclusive Range Rover House, a luxurious brand home created by JLR for the week. Situated near one of Pebble Beach’s famed golf courses, Range Rover House was the setting for the unveiling of two exceptional new special editions—the Range Rover SV Carmel Edition and the Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two, the most powerful Range Rover Sport ever built.

Range Rover’s Special Editions

The Range Rover SV Carmel Edition was one of the most anticipated debuts at Pebble Beach. Created by Range Rover’s SV Bespoke design team, the Carmel Edition was inspired by the breathtaking landscapes surrounding Carmel, California. This limited-edition model is restricted to just 17 units, each priced at a cool $370,000. The vehicles were offered first to exclusive guests of Range Rover House, adding to the sense of exclusivity surrounding the release.

The SV Carmel Edition features custom Satin Green paint that reflects the lush green landscapes and ocean cliffs of Carmel. It also boasts a two-tone leather interior, 23-inch Dark Grey wheels with matching Satin Green inserts, and black metal badging accented with 24-carat gold surrounds. These attention-to-detail features are complemented by bespoke treadplates that highlight the car’s number in the limited edition series. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to the Del Monte Forest Conservancy, a group dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of Pebble Beach.

The SV Carmel Edition, which offers 606 horsepower thanks to its twin-turbo V8 engine, exemplifies the pinnacle of Range Rover’s luxury and design craftsmanship. This model is a testament to Range Rover’s commitment to offering the highest level of bespoke design, blending modern luxury with the rugged elegance the brand is known for.

Range Rover House Experience

Range Rover House, which was also home to a display of a fully restored 1972 Range Rover in showroom condition, presented a curated environment where guests could immerse themselves in the Range Rover lifestyle. Geraldine Ingham, Range Rover’s Global Managing Director, explained that the brand’s presence at Pebble Beach represented a celebration of contemporary luxury, showcasing the brand pillars through an immersive and thoughtfully designed space.

While the focus was on the stunning vehicles, Range Rover House offered much more than just cars. The mansion served as a hub for exclusive experiences, master classes, and private dinners. Guests were treated to a luxurious afternoon tea service and even participated in a personal tea blending class. There was also a milliner creating custom headwear for attendees and an exhibition of Launer handbags, some of which had been carried by Queen Elizabeth II herself. For watch enthusiasts, luxury timepieces were displayed by Hodinkee, adding another layer of sophistication to the experience.

The interior courtyard of Range Rover House featured the SV Carmel Edition, which became the centerpiece of the week’s events. A Range Rover design team member also led a master class in automotive sketching and design, giving guests a rare opportunity to dive deeper into the creative process behind these magnificent vehicles.

The Royal Fleet

The jewel in the crown of Range Rover’s Pebble Beach presentation was undoubtedly the royal fleet. These cars, used by Queen Elizabeth II and her family for both official and personal purposes, included the very last Range Rover owned and driven by the late Queen. Finished in Aintree Green, this vehicle featured custom touches unique to her personal preferences, including bespoke interior details and dark green exterior paint, which she preferred for her personal cars. In contrast, the state cars were finished in a distinctive Claret red color, with saddle-tan leather interiors, adding another layer of royal distinction to the collection.

Other vehicles in the collection, which spanned decades of royal history, included several Land Rovers and Range Rovers used by the royal family for leisure and social events. The fleet was carefully curated from various owners, including JLR’s Land Rover Classic division, the British Motor Museum, and private collectors. This impressive collection may never be replicated, making it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for attendees to witness.

On the day of the Concours, JLR’s VIP hospitality tent, designed with a British garden party theme, provided an elegant setting for guests to enjoy Pimm’s Cups and take in the atmosphere of British luxury.

Other Celebrations

While the royal fleet dominated the scene, JLR’s achievements were not limited to Range Rover. At the Concours, a 1993 Jaguar XJ220C Le Mans Coupe was awarded the prestigious Montagu of Beaulieu Trophy, presented to the most significant British car. Additionally, a 1962 Land Rover Series IIA 109” Special Station Wagon received the Ansel Adams Award, recognizing it as the most desirable touring car of its era.

JLR also celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Jaguar D-Type at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, adding another layer of prestige to their Monterey Car Week presence.

Conclusion

Range Rover’s exceptional showcase at Pebble Beach, highlighted by the royal fleet, the debut of the ultra-exclusive Range Rover SV Carmel Edition, and a host of luxury experiences at Range Rover House, made it the true winner of Monterey Car Week. No other brand managed to bring such an impressive display of vehicles or provide such a curated experience for its guests. Range Rover’s mix of heritage, luxury, and innovation created a lasting impression, cementing its place as one of the most coveted luxury brands in the world.