The all-new fourth generation Range Rover, launched at the end of August, is claimed to be the most radical and technically-advanced car in the brand's history. Three new state-of-the-art cells at King's Norton are being used to assemble the vehicle's windscreen, front and rear door glasses and rear vent. "In 25 years of working with JLR for NSG, this vehicle has been the biggest challenge to-date," said New Model Development Manager, Darren Gilchrist. "Every aperture uses the latest technologies we have available, with future facelifts already being planned - including the precision press bend windscreen shape as an optical component for a new driver communication system, once only a blue sky project. Our advanced press bend (APBL) windscreen and two dimensional fast bender (2DFB) sidelight furnaces offer the best shaping technology available." The Land Rover's first APBL windscreen features NSG Group;s new market-leading Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) technology for infra-red reflective performance (IRR). The windscreen also features an acoustic PVB interlayer, heater wires and additional heated wiper rest, as well as humidity and rain sensors mounted on the screen. The front door glass comprises a hydrophobic laminated front door part which is also available with IRR and acoustic options. The rear door glass is laminated in green glass and privacy tint and again, with the IRR and acoustic options. The rear door vent features an extremely challenging flush glazed assembly, The glass is held only by an adhesive, which bonds it to the support frame and division bar - there is no mechanical fixing. "This has been a 3-year development pathway with Land Rover, from initial concept to finally supporting the assembly lines in Solihull," said Darren. "The manufacturer has left nothing to chance on this world-leading vehicle." The new lines will also be used for the new Range Rover Sport from May 2013, as well as Jaguar Sportbrake.
