New Range Rover Sport launched for 2022
The TCI team gets a preview of the new Range Rover Sport in Dubai
In the early years of the 21st century, we saw SUVs becoming the fastest-selling segment in automobiles. With electric-assisted propulsion bringing spirited performance to the layman, a simple utilitarian SUV does not suffice for most individuals anymore. People want to mate utility with performance, and fortunately, Land Rover has been offering a compliant product since 2005.
It is called the Range Rover Sport, and it was conceived on the exact desire most people have for their next car to be today. In other words, the Range Rover Sport is a car that’s always been ahead of its time. It took them close to a decade to launch the third-generation Range Rover Sport, but it’s finally here. And it appears to announce its arrival with a bang! In 2013, the British marque made an all-new version of the sporty utilitarian vehicle.
Design
If the recently-launched flagship Range Rover’s looks appeal to you, then you will enjoy the new Range Rover Sport’s design language as it treads on similar lines. The minimalist and elegant design language with three key lines encompassing the entire silhouette of the flagship SUV finds its way on the Sport, too. Like in most modern performance cars, the headlights and taillights have been slimmed down, with the former being an all-new unit housing more than a million micromirrors to reflect light in an optimized fashion. The grille up front gets squeezed thin, making the front bumper appear elongated and housing several aggressively designed air vents. Moving to the sides is where you’ll appreciate the floating cabin effect Land Rover has achieved with maximum glass area between pillars. An overhauled rear end with the longest roof spoiler deployed on any Range Rover completes the performance-centric look.
Driving Dynamics
Did I mention that the third-generation Range Rover Sport is also the most aerodynamic Range Rover? It seems like an excellent accolade to commence while listing down the Sport’s other athletic accolades. The third-gen Sport is built on the Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA) underpinnings that inherently provide up to 35 per cent greater torsional stiffness while sporting rear-wheel-drive steering, an active electronic differential, and torque vectoring by braking technology for a more confidence-inspiring driving experience.
SUVs are big and heavy, and that extra mass going through corners at higher speeds may incite the body to roll over. Hence, to prevent this, Land Rover utilizes the Dynamic Response Pro system – a 48-volt electronic active roll control system capable of applying up to 1,400Nm of torque across each axle. Terrain Response system, a conventional Land Rover feature, can be found here, too, alongside Adaptive Off-Road Cruise for even greater off-road prowess. Add the Dynamic Air Suspension with switchable-volume air springs – a Land Rover first, to the mix. You are looking at a Range Rover capable of delivering both traditional Land Rover comfort and the dynamic characteristics of the Sport badging.
Interiors
Like the exterior, the cabin of the Range Rover Sport borrows a significant lot from the flagship Range Rover, and that’s a good thing. The front seats are 22-way adjustable, heated and ventilated electric memory units with massage function for unparalleled comfort. The cabin comes upholstered in cruelty-free artificial leather and recycled materials. Like the flagship SUV, the Range Rover Sport has cutting-edge technology deeply rooted in it, comprising the Pivi Pro infotainment system, which learns the user’s preferences and adapts accordingly while supporting Over The Air software updates well as Amazon Alexa voice assistant. However, customers will have numerous customization options that allow them a chance to acquire a genuinely personalized Range Rover Sport.
Engine Options
The arrival of a fully electric Range Rover Sport is confirmed, but the same won’t be available before 2024. Customers will have to choose between conventional powertrains or modern hybrid units until then. The best of the latter comprises a new P510e Electric Hybrid that claims to offer more than 100km of zero-emissions EV range. Another P440e Electric Hybrid can also provide a smaller EV range and 440hp power output.
The traditional engine line-up of the Range Rover Sport includes a new flagship twin-turbo V8 producing 530hp, enabling the Sport SUV to break the 0-100kph barrier in just 4.5 seconds. The more practical engine options include P360 and P400 mild-hybrid straight-six Ingenium petrol engines, and six-cylinder D250, D300 and D350 mild-hybrid diesel engines.
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