We take a close look at Land Rover's new sports SUV and highlight all the change in this third-generation model
An all-new, third generation Rand Rover Sport has arrived.
New powertrain options and a four-wheel steering system arrives for the first time, along with a heavily upgraded interior. Jaguar Land Rover design chief Gerry McGovern said the new model “redefines sporting luxury” and described it as “modern, relevant and progressive”.
Let’s take a closer look:
Engines & performance
The top of the range model – for now– gets power from a twin-turbocharged 525bhp 4.4-litre BMW-derived petrol V8, which can accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.5sec. It will be a popular model, predicts JLR executive director of vehicle programmes Nick Collins “V8 demand is very strong at the moment,” he said. “There seems to be a split between big petrol engines and EVs.”
Hybrid
The new plug-in hybrid is expected to be a strong seller, too. In its most powerful form, it uses a 3.0-litre six-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine with a 141bhp electric motor, powered by a 38.2kWh battery, for a total output of 503bhp. It completes the 0-62mph sprint in 5.4sec and delivers 70 miles of EV range and CO2 emissions of 18g/km. Combining its petrol and electric reserves, it offers 460 miles of range.
Electric
The initial line-up is completed by a number of 48V mild-hybrid options, which use either a P400 straight-six Ingenium petrol engine or six-cylinder D300 and D350 diesel powertrains. Two important models will arrive later: an all-electric variant will arrive in 2024, around the same time as an electric Range Rover. We also expect a V8-powered high-performance SVR version later.
Driving
The new car is built on JLR’s flexible mixed metal architecture, MLA-Flex, which also underpins the new Range Rover. The firm claims it has 35% higher torsional stiffness than the outgoing model, which lays the foundation for a number of chassis technologies all specially tuned for the car. Collins said the changes meant it’s “the most engaging and thrilling Range Rover Sport ever.” The Dynamic Response Pro system uses a 48V electronic active roll control system, promising class-leading body control and cornering stability.
Suspension
Switchable-volume air springs arrive in the Sport for the first time, and to aid response time the car uses navigation data to prepare for upcoming bends. All-wheel steering is now available and along with torque vectoring by braking and the electronic differential, should mean improved cornering agility. The steering system enables rear-wheel steering of up to 7.3deg out of phase with the front wheels to achieve better manoeuvrability at lowspeeds, as well as turning in-phase for improved stability at high speeds.
Offroad
The model, which has Land Rover’s latest Terrain Response 2 system for off-roading, introduces the brand’s new adaptive off-road cruise control. Drivers can select one off our settings and the system adjusts the speed accordingly so the driver can focus on steering.
Design
The design of the new car is an evolution of its predecessor rather than a revolution. The previous car was a strong seller for most of its life and Land Rover is sticking with the successful recipe. So it retains raked windows at the front and back and preserves the familiar profile.
Chief exterior designer Dominic Najafi highlighted three fundamental elements to its design: a roofline that ‘accelerates’ down to the rear; a so-called waistline that is a continuous loop around the car; and a lower part that follows through and kicks up at the back.
Lighting
Digital LED lighting units at the front are the slimmest ever fitted to a Land Rover, and help create a daytime-running light signature. At the back, uninterrupted LED light graphics introduce surface LED technology to a production vehicle for the first time, claims JLR.
Inside
Inside, the Range Rover Sport has been designed to be more driver-oriented than its Range Rover sibling. The steering wheel is similar to the Range Rover’s but the seating position is 20mm lower. The high centre console rises up into the dashboard, which has a 13.1in curved screen that uses JLR’s Pivi Pro infotainment system, plus a 13.7in driver’s display. It has over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android and Amazon Alexa capability.
The first deliveries will arrive in September, with UK prices from £79,125, a rise of £14,365 on the outgoing model.
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Keyword: In pictures: All-new Range Rover Sport