NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: All-new Range Rover Sport

All-aluminium construction that brings weight savings up to 420kg, an optional new 5+2 seating configuration and greater breadth of all-terrain capability than its predecessor – these are the key highlights of the all-new Range Rover Sport, which made its world debut in New York during a glamorous event headlined by James Bond (Daniel Craig).

Arriving in Australian dealerships from November, the second-gen RR Sport is a back-to-the-drawing-board reinterpretation of its popular predecessor, which has notched up 380,000 global sales since its 2005 launch. The company has even higher hopes of the latest model, which goes on sale in 169 markets worldwide starting in the third quarter of this year.

Although Australian specifics are yet to be announced, in most markets the new vehicle will be offered in a choice of four equipment levels (S, SE, HSE and Autobiography), plus new ‘Dynamic’ versions of the HSE and Autobiography.

Land Rover Australia's Brand Manager Tim Krieger told motoring.com.au trim levels will be nailed down for the local market by June, and hinted at condensed trim  choices.

"We don't necessarily take what everyone else takes," said Krieger.

"We were going to debut this car at the Melbourne motor show, however we still will plan to have activities in Melbourne around June, then local media drives in October. The cars will then go on sale in November."

An extensive choice of colours, finishes and details will enable customers to create the ultimate bespoke SUV.

As you can glean from the accompanying images, the new Sport’s styling clearly draws influences from the Evoque, as well as the full-size Rangie that launched late last year. Its sportier stance – it stands 55mm wider and 55mm lower than the outgoing model – is a reflection of the massive weight-shedding diet resulting from its all-alloy construction.

Measuring 4850mm from bumper to bumper, the new model is 62mm than its predecessor, yet Land Rover claims it is still shorter than other seven-seat SUVs and most E segment sedans, boosting its manoeuvrability and ease of parking.

Its compact (for its genre) dimensions are largely the result of improved packaging efficiency as the wheelbase has been stretched by 178mm to liberate the maximum space possible in the cabin. Meanwhile, shorter front and rear overhangs give it a tauter appearance, as well as benefiting its off-road ability.

As per its full-size Range Rover stablemate, the new Sport is distinguished by a ‘faster’ windscreen angle, streamlined nose and tapered flanks and roofline, all of which combine to make it eight per cent more aerodynamic than the outgoing vehicle (0.34Cd).  

Although it shares most of its basic underpinnings with the larger Range Rover, the Sport is 149mm shorter and model-for-model weighs 45kg less. Land Rover is at pains to point out it’s not merely a rebodied clone of its sibling though, as the Sport is claimed to use 75 per cent unique parts, “a significant number of which directly influence the way the new Sport looks and feels”.

Land Rover confirmed the new model is more expensive to build and could cost the customer more to buy as a result. The current Range Rover Sport is priced between $100,400 and $175,400 in Australia.

"Were currently negotiating with the UK on our pricing," Krieger told motoring.com.au. "What I can assure you is that pricing will be competitive. It's a competitive market segment, obviously [BMW] X5, [Audi] Q7, Porsche Cayenne are there and we need to be competitive with those models."

With fully independent lightweight aluminium suspension, the Sport offers class-leading wheel travel (260mm front and 272mm rear) and wheel articulation of 546mm, while maximum ground clearance is increased to 285mm (+58mm). The upgraded air suspension system automatically varies between two ride heights, while the next-gen Terrain Response 2 system selects the most suitable terrain programme.

The fifth-gen air suspension provides up to 115mm of regular movement, from the lowest setting ‘access height’ (now 10mm lower at 50mm for easier entry and exit) to the standard off-road height. There’s also an automatic extension, triggered by sensors, and a manually-selected extension that provide an additional 70mm (35mm + 35mm) of movement.

Land Rover says the re-engineered air suspension system with its new +35mm intermediate setting means that the off-road mode can remain available at much higher speeds (80km/h – up from 50km/h) than was possible before, which pays off in terrain with long, rutted dirt roads.

Depending on your needs, you’ll be able to specify one of two full-time 4WD systems on offer. Hardcore off-road enthusiasts are catered to via a system that comprises a two-speed transfer case with low-range option. The system has a front-rear 50/50 percent default torque split, and 100 percent locking capability.

The alternative system is 18kg lighter and features a single-speed transfer case with a Torsen differential that automatically distributes torque to the axle with most grip. The default front-rear torque split of 42/58 percent is designed to provide a rear-wheel drive bias for sharper on-road driving dynamics.

At launch, the new Range Rover Sport will be offered with a choice of four engines – two supercharged petrol engines (375kW 5.0-litre supercharged V8 and the new 250kW 3.0-litre supercharged V6) and two diesels (190kW 3.0-litre TDV6 and 215kW SDV6).

All engines in the new Range Rover Sport are paired with the excellent ZF 8HP70 eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Land Rover claims the supercharged V8 model sprints from 0-60mph (0-96km/h) in under five seconds, so it should be in the same ballpark as the BMW X5M, Mercedes ML63 AMG and Porsche Cayenne Turbo in terms of straight-line pace.

The company says the Sport’s interior packaging is optimised to create a more spacious rear cabin with 24mm more knee room, while occupants also get added sprawling space from the wider cabin.  The new integrated third row, providing occasional 5+2 seating, is available as an option.  These powered seats leave a flat floor with no loss of boot space and are split 50/50.

Land Rover Australia's Tim Krieger said the additional third row seating would grow the Rangie Sport's reach in Australia and make the car "a stronger proposition in the marketplace".

"The Range Rover Sport is our third highest selling model after Evoque and Discovery, and one of the things our current customers told us was, 'Gosh I loved the car but I wish there was a child seat option in the back'. We now have that and we think it will really open the car up to a wider audience," stated Krieger.

For the latest New York motor show news at motoring.com.au

- with staff

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