Autogyaan: 2014 Range Rover Sport Unveiled
Land Rover unveiled the all new Range Rover Sport at the New York Auto Show, with design chief Gerry McGovern going to the extent of calling it “the Porsche 911 of SUVs”. Adding a whole lot of functionality with a long list of options, the new eye catching Range ‘evokes’ more than just a gasp (see what we did there?).
Deemed “the fastest, most agile and most responsive Land Rover ever” by brand boss John Edwards, the Sport comes in 4 trims priced between $63.5k and $93k. It offers a choice of a 3 litre supercharged V6 engine producing 340bhp or a monstrous supercharged 5-litre V8 producing 510bhp. The all new high strength aluminium structure makes it more than 360kgs lighter than the outgoing Range Rover Sport. An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard, and an extremely capable new fully automatic Terrain Response 2 System is available as well.
The new car is longer than the outgoing Sport and has a notably shorter rear overhang. This offers both more rear-seat knee room and space for an optional pair of third row seats, making it a ‘5+2’ SUV for the first time. The external styling is very contemporary and sophisticated, yet sporty. Lower and more compact than the larger Range Rover, “It’s dramatic and powerful, with immense road presence,” according to McGovern. To be honest, it reminds us a lot of the baby Range, the Evoque.
The interior is as stunning and functional as ever, with a new optional heads up display, many driver oriented controls, a lower driving position and a higher centre console. It maintains the elegant and sporty feel of the car, and with a lot of panache. Its definitely a nice place to be in.
The first-generation Range Rover Sport was quick to achieve the status of JLR’s most profitable car, and hasn’t looked back since. Expect this classy addition to the lineage to keep up with the trend, and with relative ease.
