Manufacturers seldom allow journalists to drive pre-production prototypes, but this is exactly what I am about to do as I climb aboard the new Range Rover Sport at Jaguar Land Rover’s test facility in Gaydon, UK. Lesson one: choose the youngest and fittest looking instructor when walking to the row of test cars; chances are he is a racing driver and would tolerate more “antics” on the track. Lesson two: ask him about the football and make him laugh to put him at ease. Last lesson: If fun is what you’re after, make sure the Range Rover Sport you are about to climb into is fitted with the 5,0-litre supercharged petrol engine and not one of the oil-burning alternatives…
Track experience
The plan worked perfectly. As I bury the accelerator getting onto the main straight of the high-speed test track, there’s not so much as a whisper from the instructor. The 5,0-litre V8 sounds beautiful. It emits the same snarls and the faintest hint of supercharger whine whoosh, as it did in the old car, but with almost 500 kg less weight (owing to the extensive use of aluminium in its construction) the acceleration is mighty impressive. Approaching the first left-hander at more than 210 km/h, I hit the brakes and marvel at the sharp response from the four, huge ventilated discs arrangement.
Torque vectoring
Following the curvature of the turn (four lanes wide) I decide to delve into the torque-vectoring technology raved about during the presentation earlier. Rather than the allowing the electronic stability control (ESC) to intervene and cutting power (thereby spoiling the fun), increasing the throttle input results in power being sent to the outside wheels. A slight tyre squeal announces that the adhesion limit is near and increasing throttle input results in strange behaviour from an all-wheel drive SUV – power oversteer on dry tar! At this point the electronic nannies have had enough and rein in the vehicle onto the correct line. The back straight of the circuit is easily despatched as the speedometer on the LCD display nudges 250 km/h – yes this is a fast SUV.
What did we learn?
Our test drive only involved a short drive on a bumpy test track and the high speed circuit, so it’s difficult to judge where the new Sport would slot in compared to some pretty serious competition. What we did learn is that comfort mode is able to soak up bumps and provide a very comfortable ride, whereas dynamic mode alters the electronic suspension, roll bar settings and in conjunction with the electronically controlled rear differential resulting in sports-car like chassis behaviour. Given the Land Rover badge on the grill and the 65-year history of the brand, not to mention the ample ground clearance and presence of the latest-generation Terrain Response system, you can be sure that this vehicle will not be found wanting off-road either.
Packaging and seven seats
As the Range Rover Sport is built on the same platform as the all new Range Rover, it has grown in size. This has resulted in improved rear knee-room and the option of a seven-seat arrangement. Land Rover has given the electrically operated third row the moniker “hidden seats” owing to being cleverly hidden below the boot floor. There are more storage spaces around the cabin than before and the cooled centre console box can hold a bottle of Champagne – perfect for the well-heeled country set.
Interior
The interior’s quality and craftsmanship is of a class-leading standard, helping to makes its occupants feel pampered and special. Sport seats offer 14-way electrical adjustment, which is enough to cater for every seating position preference. The top-of-the-range sound system serves up 1 700 W of power through 23 speakers to create true 3D sound ability.
Styling
From the outside the Sport’s styling follows the trend of the new Range Rover but is tweaked to be more imposing. Of all the visual cues, that sloping rear roofline has to be the highlight. Maybe the aesthetic divide between Ranger Rover and Sport is not as apparent as before, but this is understandable given the good looks of the standard Range Rover.
Summary
As a company, Land Rover has never been in a better position. Sales figures are up and the newly moneyed of the world (read China) cannot get enough of JLR’s products. From what I’ve experienced here, it’s fair to say that the new Range Rover Sport will definitely be an integral chapter of this success story.
Model: Range Rover Sport 5,0-litre Supercharged
Engine: 5,0-litre, V8 supercharged
Power: 375 kW
Torque: 635 N.m
0-100 km/h: 5,3 seconds
Fuel consumption: n/a
Top speed: 250 km/h limited
CO2 emissions: 298 g/km
Price: not released yet
* All as claimed by Land Rover
