The Range Rover Sport gets a wide stance with minimal yet sculpted exterior lines starting with the design. Overall, the design is an evolution of the outgoing model. There are differences, but they are subtle. The front fascia features the sleekest headlamp units fitted to a Range Rover. The rear overhang juts out just a little more than before, while the front overhang is a little shorter. The roofline slopes to the rear. If it weren’t for the rear windshield, the Sport would have an almost coupe-like appearance.
Wheel sizes range from 21 to 22 inches, with an optional 23-inch rim also available. At the rear, some more of that minimalist look is visible, thanks to the sleek LED tail lamps. The dual shark-fin antenna to makes itself apparent from this view. Lower down on the bumper; you see the two rectangular exhaust tips on a pretty blacked-out skid plate. According to Land Rover, the surface LED technology has been brought to a production vehicle for the first time allowing for a consistent view from any angle. Additionally, the spoiler at the top of the tail gate is the longest fitted to any Land Rover SUV.
The Sport also gets all-wheel steering which turns the wheel in the same direction as the front at high speeds for better stability. The rear wheels turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels at lower rates, allowing for better maneuverability and a tighter turning radius. This, along with the torque vectoring by braking and electronic differential,l should mean better cornering abilities for the Sport. Then comes Land Rover’s Terrain Response 2 system for off-roading. With this, the company gives the Sport adaptive off-road cruise control.
Rory O’Murchu, Vehicle Line Director, Jaguar Land Rover, said, “New Range Rover Sport’s advanced chassis dynamics feed into its immense capability away from the tarmac, utilizing its hardware and software to full effect. It is the first vehicle to feature our new Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control, which has been engineered to help drivers focus on steering the vehicle by providing consistent and comfortable progress across rough terrain.”
Over on the inside, you get to see the new Moonlight Chrome upholstery. The cockpit-like cabin’s heart is a curved 13.1-inch Pivi Pro touchscreen infotainment system complete with Alexa voice commands. Alex Heslop, Director of Electrical Engineering, Jaguar Land Rover, said, “Our award-winning Pivi Pro infotainment is at the heart of the experience. Its haptic, curved floating touchscreen provides intuitive control of the vehicle systems. To help drivers maintain their focus, embedded Amazon Alexa voice AI is on hand, so customers can keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel while doing anything from setting the navigation and placing calls to selecting media sources.”
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard, and a Meridian sound system provides 3D surround sound thanks to speakers embedded into the headrests of the seats. The seats are wrapped in Semi-Aniline leather, and the front seats are electrically adjustable in 22 different ways. Heating and ventilation is provided for both the front as well as rear seats Other features include cabin lighting, adaptive cruise control, head-up display, park assist, four-zone climate control, massaging front seats and panoramic sunroof.
Thierry Bolloré, Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar Land Rover, said, “The exceptional New Range Rover Sport sets new standards as the ultimate sporting luxury SUV, building on seventeen years of unique customer appeal. It is the latest embodiment of our vision to create the world’s most desirable modern luxury vehicles, effortlessly blending new levels of sustainability with the signature qualities that have made Range Rover Sport so popular.”
As for pricing, the Range Rover Sport starts at Rs 1.64 crore. The high price tag is thanks to the fact that the Sport is brought into our market as a CBU import. Four Sport variants will be available starting with the Dynamic SE as the base, the HSE priced at Rs 1.71 crore, the Autobiography priced at Rs 1.81 crore, and the First Edition priced at Rs 1.84 crore.
Deliveries for the Range Rover Sport are expected to begin sometime in November this year, when it will go up against the Porsche Cayenne and the Maserati Levante, both of which have the Sports beat on the pricing front.