Range Rover Offers Astronaut Edition in Association with Virgin Galactic
Exclusive edition produced by Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations is only available to Virgin Galactic Future Astronauts.
Range Rover’s partnership with Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic has been ongoing since 2014 and is the space flight company’s exclusive automotive partner. To celebrate those years of collaboration and to commemorate the Future Astronauts who have signed up for space flights, Range Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations has launched an exclusive Astronaut Edition of the Range Rover Autobiography.
Available only to members of the Virgin Galactic Future Astronaut community, the Range Rover Astronaut Edition takes bespoke to the next level with interior and exterior features that are unique to each one of the SUVs.
Starting on the outside, each SUV will be finished in Zero Gravity Blue, which takes inspiration from the colors of the night sky. A special puddle lamp projects the silhouette of Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo, and unique Astronaut Edition badging is present on the tailgate and sides of the SUV.
The interior is where things start to get really special, with a carbon fiber center console engraved with the “DNA of Flight” graphic, engraved metal door handles depicting Virgin Galactic’s constellation pattern and also embroidered on the rear of the front seats. To make the vehicle unique and personalized to each individual, the headrests can be embroidered with the Future Astronaut’s initials and pieces of the spaceship’s front landing skid, from the astronaut’s flight, are incorporated into the front cup holders. Those landing skid pieces are further inscribed with the specific details of the astronaut’s flight.
“Land Rover vehicles have been part of daily life for the Virgin Galactic team since the launch of the partnership in 2014,” said Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer for Land Rover. “The Astronaut Edition Range Rover is the next step on this journey and the chance for the Future Astronaut Community to celebrate our two brands’ shared values of pioneering spirit and true sense of adventure. This vehicle really will take them Above and Beyond.”
“Land Rover joined Virgin Galactic on its journey to space in 2014 and from the start, the collaboration has been underpinned by iconic design, engineering excellence and desire to push the boundaries of travel for the next generation,” added Stephen Attenborough, the projects Chief Commercial Officer. “The Astronaut Edition has been crafted with that in mind, a meaningful and lasting embodiment of a shared vision. We could not be more excited to be able to offer this unique vehicle to our wonderful, global community of pioneering Future Astronaut customers.”
The Astronaut Edition is based on the Range Rover Autobiography. In line with both brands’ commitment to a sustainable future, the Astronaut Edition is available with Land Rover’s P400e plug-in hybrid electric vehicle powertrain. A high-performance 5.0-litre V8 P525 supercharged petrol is also offered.