The new Range Rover Sport was unveiled in May in spectacular fashion, climbing a spillway against 750 tonnes of running water PER minute. Piloted by James Bond stunt driver Jessica Hawkins, the stunt was stereotypical of the brand, showcasing its high-performance product as a supremely capable SUV. And it is that principle, capacity, that has sustained the brand since its inception, and continues to be the foundation on which its cars are built today. It can “redefine sports luxury,” but it must be able to tackle terrain its competitors can’t.
While I find that creed admirable, and appealing as a would-be weekend warrior, the fact that 99% of these cars will never enter Low Range means the brand must focus on appealing to aspiring affluent buyers, through design, performance and sustainability. and lifestyle lineups, without venturing too far from the mold. In the case of the new Range Rover Sport, this sum of parts has come together for a formidable luxury SUV that is defined by the details and will undoubtedly reinforce the cache of the brand.
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Last week, I grabbed a 2012 Veuve Cliquot at the bar on the Emirates A380, en route to Madrid, to experience the life of a Range Rover customer. We stayed at Ian Schrager’s newest Edition hotel, ate at quirky private estates, and got behind-the-scenes access to the Prado Museum’s fascinating restoration department. We also got a quick ride in a handful of Range Rover models, including the new Range Rover Sport First Edition, the first opportunity for the press to experience it.
Alongside the massive V8, the brand also introduced the new Sport with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, allowing owners to run in EV mode for up to 120km (or roughly 80km in real life). I’ve driven the First Edition P530 and P510e Plug-in Hybrid Autobiography on back-to-back days, so I thought I’d share some thoughts on the overall package, powertrains, handling, and price.
Design
During the world premiere of the new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, spectators heard the word “modern” ad nauseam. Yes, the new Sport has the same modern/futuristic/minimalist cues as the Range Rover that arrived last year, but that also means they look very similar. Fortunately, buyers are unlikely to own both, so it’s only an issue when you’re looking for the right one to take part in the global launch. Fortunately, the new design language appeals to me tremendously, even if the jargon doesn’t.
The Sport loses the familiar (aged) angles of its predecessor but not its iconic profile, while maintaining a striking stance and physique. It looks calm but deadly serious, especially on 23-inch wheels. Slim LED headlights and taillights, as well as flush glass and door handles, lend design subtlety (less is more) that brings a sense of self-confidence to your appearance. Range Rover calls it “taut surface” and it works. Finally, the rear end is a triumph, which is a huge plus for the general public, as it’s likely to be all they see of the First Edition.
Cabin
Upon arrival I was taken to the hotel in a brand new Range Rover SV with the seat fully reclined and the massage function working hard to soothe my back problems after 24 hours in the air. For those unfamiliar, it’s hard to explain the sense of serenity inside the cabin of a Range Rover. For those that are, I can assure you it’s only gotten better, thanks in part to active noise cancellation technology (also featured on the Sport) that aims to reduce road noise. It’s not at Rolls-Royce levels, but it’s definitely getting close.
22-way adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, also with massage function, pamper you in a sublime driving environment enhanced by a stunning 13.1-inch Pivi Pro curved touchscreen display feeding an exceptional Meridian audio system. On the First Edition, the doors and center console are trimmed, as standard, in satin forged carbon fiber, a fantastic but pricey option at $2,442. With Range Rover’s big push towards sustainable materials, they chose to trim all test vehicles with sustainable ‘Ultrafabrics’. To me, it feels like paper and unpleasant to the touch. Optionally (at extra cost) for sustainable reasons, in a 4.4-liter V8, it’s irony at its finest.
power trains
Fans of the outgoing Range Rover Sport SVR will be pleased to learn that the new P530 Twin Turbo V8, producing 390kW at 750Nm, will match its 0-100kph acceleration of 4.5 seconds with Dynamic Launch engaged. While it certainly lacks the visceral punch of the SVR, it delivers a solid V8 soundtrack and does so with a 17% improvement in efficiency.
However, if your desire is to balance performance and true efficiency, the P510e Extended Range Electric Hybrid (PHEV) is impossible to ignore. The 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine with 105 kW electric motor and 38.2 kWh battery combine to generate 375 kW and an electric driving range of up to 125 km.
It will charge from 0-80% in less than an hour with a 50kW fast charger, while a home 7.2kW AC wall box will deliver a full charge in less than five hours, offering true everyday usability less the gas bill. Australia will also see the arrival of an SE-spec P440e for plug-in hybrid users, as well as a pure electric model in 2024.
Entry to the new Range Rover Sport will be in the form of the D250 SE at $139,160, with D300 and D350 powertrains also available. Gas buyers can choose from the P360 ($144,788), P400, and P530 along with the aforementioned add-on offerings.
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driving
If you crave acceleration, the Range Rover Sport First Edition is the only option. Planting your foot and feeling the rear end sag and the hood rise is a feeling you’re unlikely to tire of, though it never felt blazingly fast, certainly not compared to the all-encompassing SVR, apparently it matches . On our brief trip, going through the various drive modes, it didn’t offer enough to really excite me, or position it as the standout option over the P510e.
Even though the P510e is the heaviest car, it benefited from more evenly distributed weight thanks to the batteries located under the floor. The responsive electric motor delivered ample acceleration through corners while feeling flatter when cornering. On paper it’s a second slower to 100km/h than the V8, but it’s negligible in real life. Both ride flawlessly and both offer rear-wheel steering, which helps with hard cornering and maneuvering on tight city streets, so I’m forced to say that the P510e is the most desirable choice, especially when you consider its capabilities. of complement.
Price and Conclusion
Constant, incremental innovations and subtle design refinements have resulted in a superb new Range Rover Sport, offering a serene and confident drive, complete with all the bells and whistles one could need (if you’re willing to tick the boxes). .
In a world where fuel prices and the overall cost of living are rising, it’s comforting to say that the P510e at $198,097 is my choice of the two vehicles, and the financial implications of ownership aren’t likely to bother the thirty Australian owners of the 23MY V8 First Edition who spent $241,021. Perhaps I’m excited about the P510e because it signals a true changing of the guard while proving to skeptics that hybrid isn’t just the way to go, it’s the better option.
Source: www.bosshunting.com.au