Since its inception in 2005, the Range Rover Sport has been the ultimate high-performance luxury SUV. Combining aggressive styling with a supercharged engine and sports suspension with numerous features, the Range Rover Sport has been the dominant vehicle in its class.
However, manufacturer Land Rover has decided its time for a change, with a revised model unveiled at the 2013 New York Motor Show in March. Can this latest version live up to its predecessors glowing reputation? Or even improve upon what could possibly be considered a modern-day classic.
Updates
The first noticeable difference is the car’s styling, taking a clear influence from the Land Rover Evoque. The Sport still remains an imposing figure despite its more streamlined form. Nevertheless, small air vents, slim tail lamps and wrap around headlights give the vehicle a tighter and slimmer feel.
Although the Sport perfectly fits in with Land Rover’s current line-up, it certainly has its own unique personality. Forceful lines along the side reinforce the image of power and a muscular front end indicates the Sport means business.
Compared to an equivalent version, the new Sport is 420kg lighter than the outgoing model thanks to an all-aluminium body and new suspension. In addition to improved acceleration and handling, Land Rover says this will also increase economy and emissions by up to 15 per cent.
Performance
A wide range of engines will be available for the Range Rover Sport, from a fairly conservative 255bhp TDV6 diesel engine to a monstrous 503bhp V8 petrol powertrain. Eco-friendly motorists may also be interested in a plug-in hybrid version launching at some point in 2014, however the very essence of a powerful SUV may well be lost.
Land Rover has developed the Sport to feel planted and assured with a lower centre of gravity, adaptive anti-roll bars and dampers as well as revived suspension and springs. Therefore the driving purists may be pleased to hear that an electronic stick and paddles behind the steering wheel have replaced the rotary controller.
Interior
Despite its lower price point, you are still guaranteed a luxurious interior that even a top-of-the-range Land Rover provides. Fifty per cent less switches on the dashboard also contribute to a less-congested driving position.
There has been a meticulous approach to detail with the customer able to choose from a range of colours and materials. However, there is always a reminder of the car’s feisty characteristics thanks to sport seats that hug the driver and passenger.
Features
A touchscreen is the centre of all in-car controls, including a hard-disk sat-nav system and a display for the five exterior digital cameras, giving the driver a complete 360-view of the outside world.
A premium 1700-Watt stereo system from Meridian utilises 23 loudspeakers for a comprehensive audio experience. However you may prefer listening to the Sport’s epic exhaust sound, a noise that is hard to ignore.
Overall
On sale in the autumn with a starting price of £59,995 for the Sport HSE version, Range Rover has taken a tried and test formula and improved upon it. The practicality and functionality of a 4×4 has been perfectly complimented with stunning performance and high levels of refinement.
Rolex 50th Anniversary Cosmograph Daytona
The world’s finest SUV meets the world’s most legendary sports chronograph – the Rolex Daytona 50th Anniversary edition launched at Baselworld last week. Matching the steering wheel of the new Range Rover Sport, the bezel of this Daytona features a chestnut brown monobloc Cerachrom bezel in ceramic and an ice blue dial to match the icy hues of the Range Rover Sport exterior.
The movement is the celebrated calibre 4130, a self-winding mechanical in-house chronograph. Rolex claims Its architecture incorporates far fewer components than a standard chronograph, which enhance the movement’s reliability. The case is made of platinum is the standard 40mm in diameter.
