Front a lot more aggressive than before.
Unveiled in April as only the third generation to emerge from the factory in Solihull since originally premiering in 2004, Land Rover South Africa has officially confirmed price and spec details of the all-new Range Rover Sport.
Going on sale in October, the model that fills the gap between the full-size Range Rover and the Velar joins the former in being based on the new MLA-Flex platform Land Rover claims is both stiffer and more rigid than before.
Designed from the onset to accommodate an electrified powertrain, of which a wholly battery powered example will become available in 2024, the Range Rover Sport boasts not only the latest version of Land Rover’s Terrain Response 2 system, but also adjustable air suspension springs, a 48-volt Active Roll Control system and an electronic active differential.
As well as Active Torque Vectoring, Active Roll Control and All-Wheel Steering, the new Sport is lower and shorter than its predecessor, but still offers up 281 mm of ground clearance and a wading depth of 900 mm.
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For South Africa, the line-up spans ten models, four engines and five trim levels, with all being the recipient of the new 13.1-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system, the toggle switch operated eight-speed automatic gearbox and the 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster.
Sporting frontal styling from the full-size Range Rover and a rear facia seemingly inspired by that of the Nissan Z, the Range Rover Sport range kicks-off with the Dynamic S, whose list of standard items comprise a wireless smartphone charger, LED headlights, grained leather seats, 20-inch alloy wheels and a surround-view camera system.
Upping the ante, the Dynamic SE receives perforated Windsor leather seats, Pixel LED headlights and 21-inch alloys, while the next step-up Dynamic HSE swaps the latter for 22-inch wheels, the LED headlights for Digital LEDs and the upholstery for semi-aniline leather.
Next up is the Autobiography, which gets a panoramic sunroof and dark satin grey 22-inch diamond-turned alloy wheels, headed by the SV Bespoke, whose itinerary includes ambient lighting and illuminated treadplates.
Capping the range off is the First Edition, which comes standard with 23-inch alloy wheels, perforated semi-aniline leather, forged satin chrome carbon inserts and First Edition branded illuminated treadplates.
Up front, petrol power comes from two engines; the Jaguar-Land Rover developed 3.0-litre Ingenium straight-six that pumps out 294kW/550Nm in the P400, and the BMW-sourced 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 that replaces the Ford-made 5.0-litre supercharged V8 with outputs of 390kW/750Nm in the P530.
On diesel front, only one variant of the 3.0-litre Ingenium straight-six has been selected, the D350 that outputs 257kW/700Nm. Like its petrol siblings, the oil-burner omits the 48-volt mild-hybrid system European models feature as standard.
Completing the range is the P510e, which combines the straight-six petrol with a 38.2-kWh battery powering a 105 kW electric motor. The replacement for the P400e, the setup produces a combined 375kW/700Nm and allows for an all-electric range of 113 km.
As before, all Range Rover Sport models’ sticker prices include a five-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
