The Range Rover’s success over the past four decades has been a remarkable asset to the motoring industry - pioneering the 4x4, copycat models have tried and failed, but the Range Rover has continually out-shun its rivals. So when a new model is released, people stand up and take notice.

Specialised Covers have been working with Land Rovers Engineering dept on the L405 producing Driving covers, Secure lockable covers and wing protectors since March 2011 to help with hiding and protecting the new designs before launch.

The latest version of the world-beating SUV, the fourth generation has arrived; a little longer and lower, with a sleek new exterior and grinning front grille.

Although the styling and dynamics of the British built motor have undergone serious changes, this isn’t the most significant story of the new Ranger Rover. Not by a mile, in what might be the most important change in the cars 42-year history – the car’s adoption of a new all-aluminium monocoque chassis that cuts up to 420kg off the current Range Rover’s weight.

The substantial weight slashed won’t be reflected in the model’s power performance, global director John Edwards says that while it retains the Range Rover’s “unique character”, the car’s clean-sheet styling and design will “transform the experience for luxury vehicle customers, with a step change in comfort, refinement and handling”.

The new bodywork is not only 39% lighter than the previous model, it also offers both stiffer torsion and bending, doubled with a new more responsive Terrain Response 2 Auto System that reads on and off-road conditions more quickly. The safety of the new Range Rover is apparent, offering motorists a safer vehicle that is certain to be an economical improvement, compared to the current 4.4 V8, which manages a measly 19mpg.

The Range Rover will be available with three engines. The diesels are a special version of the 3.0-litre V6 (which has been standard in the Discovery for years) and the 4.4-litre V8 already an option in the current Range Rover. The petrol version will be Land Rover’s own version of the 5.0-liter supercharged V8.

The chic interior so infamous in recent Range Rover’s will continue with the latest model, but designers have been working hard to simplify controls and switchgear without reducing the number of functions. In the back of the cabin, customers will be offered a standard three-occupant rear-bench, or the new two-seat ‘Executive’ layout that extends the centre cabin through the back “for ultimate luxury”

The new Range Rover has undergone some historic change, but with styling, weight and technological advancements all contributing to this new machine, will loyal followers, of previous models, stay true to the Range Rover brand? Certainly, the Range Rover’s fresh-faced approach to styling, longer wheelbase and with an improved running cost, this British motoring giant has improved on the (what was thought to be) flawless current model.

The car will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show and although Range Rover are remaining tight lipped about prices, its expected prices will start at £70,000 rising to £120,000 for the plushest model.