Having seen a litany of spy shots, followed by official shots and a few initial details, the new L405-generation top-of-the-line Range Rover finally made its live debut at an exclusive start-studded event at the Royal Ballet School in Richmond, London. Before last night's bash, we had seen the new design and interior and were aware of the huge diet the luxury SUV had been on, shedding up to a whopping 420 kg thanks to its aluminum construction. Now Land Rover has revealed the full monte on its new flagship model.

Compared to a similarly equipped outgoing model, the US-spec 2013 V8 Range Rover is nearly 320 kg lighter than the model currently on sale. Sleeker, lower and longer, the new-and-improved model remains quintessentiually a Range Rover, albeit with a new jeweled grille and three non-functioning gills that have moved from the fenders to the doors and can be specified in different colors. There are also 37 different body colors, a contrasting roof, eight alloy wheel designs, 17 interior color themes, three choices of veneer and several leather options to increase the customization options on the luxury SUV.

A luxurious interior has a new dashboard, losing half of the current model's switches, while legroom in the rear has grown by 118 mm despite the wheelbase growing by just 40 mm. An Executive seat pack consisting of two large massage seats and a 29-speaker Meridian sound system can also be specified. "The new Range Rover preserves the essential, unique character of the vehicle - that special blend of luxury, performance and unmatched all-terrain capability," noted Land Rover's John Edwards. "However, its clean sheet design and revolutionary lightweight construction have enabled us to transform the experience for luxury vehicle customers."

The US market will again have a choice of two V8 engines: a naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter unit rated at 375 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque, and a supercharged variant with 510 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque on tap. Both are paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. 0-60 times have been clocked at 6.5 and 5.1 seconds respectively, while top speeds stand at 130 mph and 140 mph. In Europe, a new 3.0-liter V6 diesel, good for 254 hp, matches the current model's 4.4-liter TDV8 sprint time of 7.4 seconds. Nex year a diesel hybrid will hit markets overseas but not in the US, pairing the 3.0-liter V6 with a compact electric motor and promising fuel economy of 37 mpg.

Despite still being a proper off-roader, a new suspension, an anti-body roll system and sound-deadening gives the new Range Rover a best-in-class wind and road noise and levels of refinement Rolls Royce would be proud of. Ground clearance has increased by 18mm to 297mm, wading depth is up 200mm to 900mm, and it can still tow 3,500 kg. The new Range Rover will be built in an all-new manufacturing facility in Solihull, which recently received a £370 million investment. Order books are now open, with prices in the UK starting from £71,295 for the entry-level V6 diesel, rising to £98,395 for the 5.0-liter Supercharged model.