Land Rover appears to be ramping up its rigorous testing programme for the next-generation Range Rover Sport, after spy photographers snapped a development mule being thrown around a frozen lake in northern Europe.
The camouflage-clad test car doesn’t look all that different from the current generation Range Rover, retaining the boxy proportions and sloping rear window of today’s model. But look a little c loser and the changes become more apparent.
The headlights, for instance, seem to have been plucked from Sport’s sleeker sibling, the Range Rover Velar, while the front grille could take on a slightly wider profile. The wheel arches are also more pronounced compared to today’s model, though they could simply be there to help conceal the car’s true form.
While details about the oily bits are scarce at present, it’s widely believed that the Range Rover Sport will be offered with some form of electrification in a bid to meet emission laws. Word on the street is that the Sport will use Land Rover’s MLA platform, which can accommodate both hybrid and fully-electric powertrains.
We’re also expecting a more hi-tech cabin, featuring the same 10-inch infotainment centre that will debut on the new Defender later this year. It’s a significant upgrade over the current Range Rover Sport’s system, boasting dual eSims and two modems that can simultaneously download software updates and stream music from your smartphone.
Ahead of the car’s arrival in 2022, Land Rover is expected to release a facelifted version of the current Range Rover Sport – which we’ll see later this year.
Keyword: Range Rover Sport 2022: Land Rover’s SUV begins winter testing