the design has a monocoque (unibody) construction with four-wheel independent air suspension. air suspension allowed variable ride height and achieved similar axle articulation to the previous live axle design. this retained off-road abilities while improving on-road performance. the new range rover's introduction in early 2002 as a 2003 model for the north american market resulted in the range rover and ford expedition (also new for 2003) being the only two suvs in the full-size sport utility class with four-wheel independent suspension systems at that time.