The new Range Rover Sport is now available in South Africa.
Underpinned by Jaguar Land Rover’s all-aluminum PLA (Premium Lightweight Architecture) platform that also does service on the new Range Rover, the styling of this Range Rover Sport appears to be an amalgam of Range Rover and Evoque styling cues – the latter being especially evident in the taillamp treatment. The further raked roof line, deeper sheet metal on the flanks and shortened rear overhangs give the car a more dynamic air.
Inside, Land Rover has aimed to create a luxurious, but sporty cabin with a smaller diameter, thicker steering wheel, vertical gear shifter, higher centre console, configurable mood lighting and more generous seat bolsters.
The new Range Rover Sport is 62 mm longer and has an increased wheelbase (by 178 mm), but is still 149 mm shorter than the regular Range Rover. According to Land Rover, the Range Rover Sport has shed in excess of 500 kg in the transition between old and new.
There are two supercharged petrol engines – a 5,0-litre V8 unit that pushes out 375 kW and a 3,0-litre V6 with 250 kW. There is also a 215 kW 3,0-litre SDV6 diesel. All units come mated with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission.
A choice of two full-time 4WD systems will be offered. One system provides a two-speed transfer case with low-range option, with a front-rear 50/50 percent default torque split, and 100 per cent locking capability. The other system features a single-speed transfer case with a Torsen differential
A host of new and updated technology are included in the new Sport. These includes an adaptive dynamics system, featuring continuously variable dampers. On models with more grunt, a dynamic mode is including in the Terrain Response system. This system is combined with twin-channel dynamic response active lean control, a dynamic active rear locking differential and torque vectoring by braking, which transfers torque to the outside wheels during cornering to reduce understeer. There are also upgraded connectivity packages that allow the driver to stay connected to the car via an application on their smartphone. New to the Range Rover Sport is a digital camera system that offers lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition and automatic high beam assist.
Prices:
3,0 V6 SC S: R824 500
3,0 V6 SC HSE: R1 057 100
3,0 SDV6 S: R885 800
3,0 SDV6 HSE: R1 151 300
5,0 V8 SC HSE Dynamic: R1 263 600
