The Land
Rover Range Rover Astronaut Edition is truly limited in scope. Why?
The only individuals with a shot at owning it are future astronauts.
The British luxury brand announced the Astronaut Edition on
Thursday, and it will be offered exclusively to members of the Virgin Galactic
Future Astronaut program. The company, founded by billionaire Richard Branson,
aims to provide spaceflights for tourists and also suborbital missions for
science. Land Rover has partnered with Virgin Galactic
since 2014.
Separating the Range Rover Astronaut Edition from other
models is the Zero Gravity Blue exterior color, which takes inspiration from
the night sky. Bespoke puddle lamps also produce a silhouette of the Virgin
Galactic SpaceShipTwo. Unique exterior badging is also present. The interior
features a remarkable nod to Virgin Galactic, however.
The cupholders are made from pieces of the front landing
skid from the company's first space flight in 2018. Portions of the skid were
reformed to make two discs within the cupholders. One of the discs also
features a quote from Branson, who serves as the company's CEO: "See you
up there."
Yet, it doesn't end with the current spaceship skid. Once a
customer who takes delivery of their own Range Rover Astronaut Edition takes
flight and returns as an astronaut, Land Rover will swap out the cupholder
pieces. In place of the original skid discs will be wooden skid from the
customer's own spaceship with personalized quotes from his or her experience.
Other out-of-this-world features include a "DNA of
Flight" graphic on the carbon-fiber front console and rear leather
armrest, and the Virgin Galactic constellation pattern engraved on the aluminum
door handles. The same design is featured on the front headrests and just above
the glovebox panel.
The special edition is based on the Range
Rover Autobiography, which leaves buyers with two options: a plug-in hybrid
powertrain or supercharged V-8.
Those who really want one of these special Land Rovers will
have to set their sights high.
by Sean Szymkowski
http://www.boscheuropean.com
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