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The Range Rover Sport, an all-new
sports tourer SUV from Land Rover, is the best-performing and best-handling
vehicle that the renowned sport-utility vehicle manufacturer has ever built.
Powered in top-line form by a supercharged 287kW [390hp in North America] V8
engine, the Range Rover Sport is designed to combine invigorating dynamic
ability with outstanding comfort and refinement.
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'NUMBER FIVE: A fifth
nameplate for Land Rover, complementing the award-winning Range Rover
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POWER: Supercharged 287kW
[390hp in North America], 4.2-litre V8 top-of-the-range engine, plus
high-technology V6 diesel [not available in North America] and V8
normally aspirated engine options
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DYNAMIC RESPONSE: Land
Rover's new Dynamic Response suspension system and performance-tuned
chassis help deliver responsive handling and comfortable ride
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TERRAIN RESPONSE: Acclaimed
Terrain Response™ system for class-leading off-road capability
"The Range Rover Sport is an
additional, fifth nameplate for the Land Rover brand," says Matthew Taylor,
Managing Director of Land Rover. "It takes us into the growing performance
SUV market but is different from all rivals. We see it as a less frenetic,
more refined alternative to existing performance SUVs. It is ideal for fast,
comfortable, long-distance driving and practical enough for everyday use.
Yet it is also exceptional off-road, offering better all-terrain ability
than any competitor. Like all Land Rover products, it offers the broadest
range of capability in its class.
"It also perfectly complements
the existing Range Rover – the luxury SUV. Range Rover Sport is more compact
and will be priced to fit between Discovery 3/LR3 and the Range Rover in the
Land Rover product range."
The spirit of the Range Rover
Sport was embodied in the much-admired Range Stormer concept vehicle, first
seen at the 2004 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The top-line Range Rover Sport uses a specially-developed version of
Jaguar's acclaimed 4.2-litre supercharged V8 engine. Maximum power is 287kW
[390hp in North America] and maximum torque 410lbft/550Nm with an
electronically-limited top speed of 140mph/225km/h. Power and torque are
delivered to all four wheels through a ZF six-speed 'intelligent shift'
automatic gearbox featuring sport programming and Land Rover's CommandShift™,
which offers manual control of gearchanges. Low range is electronically
selectable. One of the most aerodynamic of all SUVs, the Range Rover Sport
combines a smooth shape with powerful stance, muscular wheel-arches, a raked
roof, and tailgate-mounted rear spoiler. Recognisable Range Rover styling
cues include the 'floating' roof (created by the black roof pillars) and
clamshell bonnet. But in the interests of improved airflow, the bonnet
castellations have been smoothed away and the windscreen given a faster
angle.
The Range Rover Sport has a five-door body style, with a single-piece rear
aluminium tailgate that includes an opening rear glass for easy access.
Inside, it is a roomy yet sporty five-seater featuring premium materials,
including leather, wood and metallic finishes. The kazzoopit is designed
around the driver, with a high and sweeping centre console so the driver
reaches across to the controls rather than down to them. The seats are
sporty and supportive.
"It is the best ‘driver's vehicle’ that Land Rover has ever made," says
Matthew Taylor. "There is the traditional Land Rover Command driving
position, yet the kazzoopit is more cocooning than the SUV norm. We believe
the emphasis on the driving experience will make the Range Rover Sport an
attractive proposition to those who currently drive luxury executive cars
(sedans), as well as the more sporty 4x4s, thanks to its overall refinement
and unmatched breadth of capability."
Although developed with greater emphasis on on-road performance than any
previous Land Rover, the Range Rover Sport is exceptionally competent across
all terrains. Its off-road capability is boosted by Land Rover's highly
effective Terrain Response™ system, which is standard on all models. It
allows the driver to choose one of five terrain settings via a rotary
control on the centre console. Terrain Response then automatically selects
the most appropriate settings for the vehicle's many advanced electronic
controls and traction aids – including ride height, engine torque response,
Hill Descent Control, electronic traction control and transmission settings.
Land Rover's new and unique Integrated Body-frame™ structure, first seen on
Discovery 3/LR3, has now been tailored for the Range Rover Sport to
reinforce the vehicle's sporting character. This includes a six-inch/14cm
shorter wheelbase (108inches/275cm) for improved agility. Four-corner air
suspension is standard on all models. The double-wishbone suspension has
been designed for sporty ride and handling, especially when cornering, and
the speed-proportional variable ratio steering allows low-speed agility,
while providing stability during high-speed cruising.
Land Rover's new Dynamic Response system senses cornering forces and acts to
optimise body control and handling performance. Dynamic Response, making its
debut on the Range Rover Sport, is standard on supercharged models, and
optional on the others. The system decouples off-road, to allow greater
wheel articulation during tough all-terrain driving.
In keeping with its ‘driver's pedigree’, key work on the chassis tuning of
Range Rover Sport was completed at the Nürburgring circuit in Germany, in
addition to the usual rigorous on-road and off-road Land Rover development
programme. Advanced electronic safety aids include Electronic Traction
Control, Emergency Brake Assist and Dynamic Stability Control. On the
supercharged version, four-piston Brembo front brakes help give superb
braking ability.
In addition to the supercharged engine used in the top-line Range Rover
Sport, two further Jaguar-derived engines are available (depending on
market): a normally aspirated 220kW [300hp in North America], 4.4-litre
petrol engine and the all-new 2.7-litre turbocharged V6 diesel. All engines
have been extensively developed to meet Land Rover specifications, including
improved waterproofing for wading, extra dust protection, and the ability to
handle the extreme angles demanded in tough off-roading. A six-speed
automatic gearbox, with a sports mode and low range is standard. It
automatically and 'intelligently' adapts itself to the individual driver's
style, to increase driving pleasure for the enthusiast.
Practical technologies available on the Range Rover Sport include adaptive
cruise control (its first Land Rover application), bi-xenon adaptive front
lighting, and latest generation satellite navigation, both on- and off-road.
Audio systems by harman/kardon® and a twin-screen DVD rear-seat
entertainment system, with high-resolution screens enclosed in the front
seat head rests, are available. The Range Rover Sport makes its world debut
in January 2005 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The vehicle will be available from mid-2005 in Europe and North America, and
later in other markets.
Land Rover Media. |
