Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has revealed the new Range Rover Sport.

The third generation of the luxury performance SUV is based on Land Rover’s flexible Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA-Flex), and the line-up includes an extended range Electric Hybrid, six-cylinder Ingenium petrols and diesels using mild-hybrid technology, and an all-new V8 Twin Turbo.

The new extended range Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powertrain is the muscle behind the high-performance P510e model. It combines a six-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine, 105kW electric motor and 38.2kWh battery, which together develop 375kW and 700Nm. Land Rover claims an electric driving range of up to 125km. Performance is good, with 100km/h reached in 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 242km/h.

The plug-in hybrid battery will charge from 0 to 80 per cent in less than an hour using a 50kW rapid charger, while a domestic 7.2kW AC wallbox will deliver a full charge in under five hours. Brake Energy Recuperation technology is online to feed energy back into the battery to maximise the EV driving range.

Top of the Range Rover Sport petrol range is the P530, which is powered by a 4.4-litre V8 Twin Turbo providing 390kW and 750Nm.

The full engine line-up from launch includes the following:

Diesel

• D250: 183kW 3.0-litre six-cylinder, MHEV, 600Nm of torque at 1,250-2,250rpm
• D300: 221kW 3.0-litre six-cylinder, MHEV, 650Nm of torque at 1,500-2,500rpm
• D350: 258kW 3.0-litre six-cylinder, MHEV, 700Nm of torque at 1,500-3,000rpm

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle

• P510e: 375kW 3.0-litre six-cylinder, PHEV, 700Nm of torque at 1,500-5,000rpm

Petrol – available in 2023

• P360: 265kW 3.0-litre six-cylinder, MHEV, 500Nm of torque at 1,750-5,000rpm
• P400: 294kW 3.0-litre six-cylinder, MHEV, 550Nm of torque at 2,000-5,000rpm
• P530: 390kW 4.4-litre Twin Turbo V8, 750Nm of torque at 1,800-4,600rpm

The new Range Rover Sport’s chassis advancements are headlined by the Stormer Handling Pack. On top of Dynamic Air Suspension with new switchable volume air springs – a Land Rover first and standard on all new Range Rover Sports – it comprises Dynamic Response Pro with an electronic Active Roll Control system, All-Wheel Steering (standard on P510e Electric Hybrid and P530 powertrains), and Electronic Active Differential with Torque Vectoring by Braking and Configurable Programs.

The features of the Stormer Handling Pack are available in addition to the latest generation Adaptive Dynamics system with active Twin Valve Dampers.

Every New Range Rover Sport powertrain uses an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and the latest generation of Land Rover’s Intelligent All-Wheel-Drive (iAWD) system.

Off-road capabilities are governed by the latest generation of Terrain Response 2, featuring Configurable Terrain Response. The system detects and adapts to the vehicle’s surroundings and conditions.

Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control, meanwhile, senses the ground conditions and automatically fine-tunes the speed of the vehicle to maintain stability, control and comfort according to which of the four available settings is selected.

The Range Rover Sport will tow up to 3.5 tonnes (3.0 tonnes for the Electric Hybrid), and has an Advanced Tow Assist feature to aid reversing manoeuvres. There’s also Hitch Assist and Trailer Stability control and an Electronically Deployable Towbar that stows out of sight at the touch of a button when not required.

As there must be in any new performance luxury vehicle, driver assist functions, the infotainment system, and safety technology are legion and top notch.

Land Rover’s Electrical Vehicle Architecture (EVA 2.0) supports connectivity, Software Over The Air (SOTA) capability and other advanced features. The system is bolstered by embedded eSIM technology, providing 4G data for features such as the navigation, Wi-Fi hotspot and SOTA updates.

Land Rover’s Pivi Pro infotainment is accessed via a curved 13.1-inch touchscreen and is designed to allow 90 per cent of tasks to be completed within two taps of the home screen. Amazon Alexa is integrated, offering voice control. Wireless Apple CarPlay is standard, as is Android Auto and a Wireless Device Charger.

The digital experience is enhanced by the new 13.7-inch Interactive Driver Display, a high-definition screen that uses an intuitive three-panel layout similar to the main Pivi Pro screen. Drivers can specify individual configurations for the display to personalise the information ahead of them, controlled via the new steering wheel controls. Information can also be displayed via a high-resolution colour Head-Up Display.

Passengers can stay connected with up to seven USB-C connections available across the two rows of seats inside, as well as the option of a 230V domestic plug socket. In addition, there are 12V charging sockets in the glove compartment and in the end of the centre console, accessed via the rear cabin.

Rear passengers can enjoy the Rear Seat Entertainment option, displayed on two 11.4-inch touchscreens. Featuring curved glass screens like the main Pivi Pro touchscreen, the displays are integrated to the rear of the front seats.

Next-generation Active Noise Cancellation technology keeps things comfortable in the cabin and there’s a Cabin Air Purification Pro with PM2.5 Filtration and nanoe X technology to keep the air as pure as possible.

Driver assist tech features include Emergency Braking, 3D Surround Camera, front and rear parking sensors, Wade Sensing, ClearSight Ground View and Manoeuvring Lights, Driver Condition Monitor, Lane Keep Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition, Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist, Driver Condition Response, Blind Spot Assist and Rear Traffic Monitor.

Additional protection at the rear of the vehicle is provided by Rear Collision Monitor and Occupant Protection Assist, which uses rear corner radars to identify potential collision risks – sounding an audible warning and preparing the cabin for a potential impact.

The new Range Rover Sport is expected to launch in Australia later this year with a starting price for the 3-litre 6-cylinder 183kW diesel SE model of $139,160. The P510e plug-in hybrid is priced at $198,097. Prices for the V8 variants are yet to be confirmed.

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (June 2022)

20 June 2022