Available in a multitude of engine choices, with one of them being a PHEV
The sportier sibling of the Range Rover finally arrives on our shores. PHOTO BY JUSTIN YOUNG
Have you ever looked at your shiny, P15 million+ Range Rover sitting in your garage and decided that you wanted a faster, more aggressive version instead? Well, the folks at Coventry Motors (the official distributor for Jaguar and Land Rover in the country) have heard your pleas and announced that its, er, sportier sibling, the Range Rover Sport, is finally here on our shores.
It's a sportier Range Rover, hence the name and the looks. PHOTOS BY JUSTIN YOUNG
In all seriousness, there’s a reason that you will want to get one of these, and it’s the driving dynamics that this car offers.
Compared to the previous-generation Range Rover Sport, the new MLA-Flex architecture provides an increase of up to 35% more torsional stiffness, and it comes with a whole grocery list of handling technologies to make this one heck of a vehicle on the road such as Dynamic Response Pro, Dynamic Air Suspension (with switchable-volume air springs), Adaptive Dynamics 2, and the optional Stormer Handling Pack with 48V active antiroll bars, rear-wheel steering, and active electronic differential.
The Range Rover Sport is available with both electrifed and traditional drivetrains. PHOTOS BY JUSTIN YOUNG
Of course, who could forget the multiple engine choices on offer?
For eco-conscious people, there are two plug-in hybrid variants (P440e and P510e). These have a 3.0-liter in-line-six gasoline mated to a 105kW electric motor and a 38.2kWh battery, allowing for a total system output of 503hp (P510e) or 434hp (P440e), and an electric-only range of up to 80km or a combined range of 740km.
On the other hand, it has the flagship 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 522hp, allowing for a 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds. There are also mild-hybrid in-line-six Ingenium P360 and P400 (petrol), and the D250, D300 and D350 (diesel) engines. All are mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, sending power to all four wheels.
Wheel sizes go all the way up to 23 inches, but you wouldn't want to bring that off-road. PHOTOS BY JUSTIN YOUNG
But this isn’t just a powerful SUV. It’s also one of the most luxurious out there, adopting the “modernist reductive” design first introduced on the Range Rover—down to the flush door handles and window sills—just made sportier with more muscular proportions, sleeker headlights and taillights, more aggressive bumpers, and a rear spoiler to top things off.
If you opt for the Dynamic pack-equipped variants, you get blacked-out trimmings, the option for larger wheels (up to 23 inches), and revised bumpers for an even sportier appearance.
Luxurious and practical, the Range Rover Sport has it all. PHOTOS BY SAM SURLA
The interior cocoons five passengers with the finest materials, including an option for a sustainable material called Ultrafabrics if grained, Windsor, or semi-aniline leather upholstery. The front seats have all the features under the sun, such as 22-way adjustable, climate-controlled memory front seats with massaging and winged headrests, while the rear passengers have 31mm more legroom to stretch out on their power-adjustable seats as well.
The cabin is filled with tech and electronic aids for the modern driver. PHOTOS BY JUSTIN YOUNG
It also comes with such features as PM2.5 filtration and the optional Meridian Signature Sound System with 29 speakers and up to 1,430W of sonic power.
The Pivi Pro operating system runs on a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch curved display, has wireless smartphone connectivity (complete with a wireless charger), and has over-the-air updates to keep all aspects of the car updated without having to bring it to your local service center.
Plus, it has a full set of driver and safety aids like emergency braking, a 360° camera, front and rear parking sensors, wade sensing, maneuvering lights, lane-keeping assist, traffic-sign recognition, and the Terrain Response 2 with Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control that lets the car maintain speed off the beaten path depending on the road conditions.
A full-electric model of the Range Rover Sport will be arriving in 2024. PHOTO BY JUSTIN YOUNG
You’ll have to pay a princely sum to afford one of these:
- PHEV P440e – P13.49 million
- SE D300 – P13.99 million
- Dynamic SE D300 – P14.79 million
Being a Range Rover, you can expect that figure to balloon as you tick off various options. If you’re interested (or just want to spec out your dream Range Rover Sport), you can go to Land Rover’s configurator site to build one right now.
Keyword: The Range Rover Sport romps onto the scene starting at P13.49 million