"THE fastest, most agile, most responsive LAND Rover
ever"
- New, modern interpretation of Range Rover Sport completes
three-model Range Rover portfolio
- Transformational on-road dynamics with world's best all-terrain
performance gives unrivalled breadth of capability
- Impeccable composure and refinement delivering exceptional ride
comfort
- Superbly crafted, luxurious and more flexible interior with new
5+2 seating option
- Weight saving of over 500kg\* brings agility and exceptional
performance, with 20 percent CO2 reduction and greatly improved
fuel economy
- Features Range Rover premium chassis and lightweight aluminium
architecture
- Retail deliveries will commence in late quarter 4 2013
- Australian Pricing to start at $102,800 (TDV6 SE model)
New York City, USA, 26 March, 2013 - The
all-new Range Rover Sport, revealed to the world today on the
streets of New York, is the ultimate premium sports SUV - the
fastest, most agile and responsive Land Rover ever. The Manhattan
skyline was the perfect backdrop for this world premiere with more
units of Range Rover Sport sold in the United States than any other
global market and New York being the model's best-selling city.
Developed alongside the highly-acclaimed all-new Range Rover,
the new Range Rover Sport now delivers the brand's best-ever
on-road dynamics together with class-leading, genuine Land Rover
all-terrain capability. The new, technology-packed, Range Rover
Sport, presents customers with a more assertive and muscular
exterior, more luxurious interior and the flexibility provided by
the option of occasional 5+2 seating.
Exploiting Land Rover's breakthrough lightweight suspension
design and innovative dynamic chassis technologies, the Sport's
all-new, first-in-class aluminium architecture achieves a weight
saving of over 500kg\*. This transforms the vehicle's dynamic
performance, enabling it to blend agile handling with exceptional
comfort, offering a unique mix of sporting luxury and a dynamic,
connected driving experience, along with CO2 emissions reduced to
194g/km.
Speaking ahead of the official world premiere at the New York
International Auto Show, Land Rover Global Brand Director John
Edwards said: "The all-new Range Rover Sport is a vehicle that has
been designed and engineered without compromise. With Land Rover
capability at its heart, it is one of the most road focussed
vehicles we've ever produced, but of course still offers
unsurpassed all-terrain capability. It is a vehicle which is
designed to be driven. We've taken ride, handling and agility to
another level for Land Rover to deliver a truly rewarding,
sporting, drive together with unmatched luxury, capability and
versatility.
"Building on the success of the recently launched flagship Range
Rover, the new Range Rover Sport also employs a vast array of new
technologies which help to transform its performance, refinement
and all round capabilities," adds Edwards.
Design: assertive, powerful and muscular
The dynamic new Range Rover Sport has a bold and progressive
exterior design that is assertive, powerful and muscular, hinting
at the improved driving performance, and positioning the vehicle
clearly between the Range Rover and the Evoque through a clear,
shared design DNA.
Land Rover Design Director and Chief Creative Officer, Gerry
McGovern, said: "The new Range Rover Sport is the ultimate luxury
SUV. A new Range Rover Sport for a new era. Relevant, sustainable
and utterly desirable. Alongside the all-new Range Rover, and the
Range Rover Evoque, the new Range Rover Sport represents the third
distinct product in Land Rover's product revolution. Firmly
establishing it as a powerhouse British brand, with exceptional
Design at its core."
"Alongside the Range Rover and the Evoque, the new Range Rover
Sport represents the third distinct pillar in Range Rover's
continuing evolution as a powerhouse British brand with exceptional
design at its core," he added.
With a fresh interpretation of the previous model's distinctive
design, the new vehicle has a sleek and contemporary appearance
combined with enhanced use of space. The new Sport is just 62mm
longer than its predecessor, yet at 4850mm, it is shorter than
other 7-seater SUVs and most E segment sedans, bringing greater
manoeuvrability and ease of parking. However, a significantly
longer wheelbase (increased by 178mm) provides greater room and
improved access for rear passengers.
Shorter overhangs at the front and rear, plus additional width
(+55mm) give the new vehicle a more modern stance.
With its 'faster' windscreen angle, streamlined and rounded
profile and lower, dynamic sloping roofline, the new Range Rover
Sport is 8 percent more aerodynamic than the outgoing vehicle (Cd
0.34). The new Sport is 149mm shorter and 55mm lower than the
all-new Range Rover on which it is based and model-for-model weighs
45kg less.
While it was developed alongside the Range Rover and shares some
commonality with its sister vehicle, the all-new Range Rover Sport
benefits from 75 percent unique parts, a significant number of
which directly influence the way the new Sport looks and feels.
To maximise personalisation, customers will be offered a choice
of wheel designs ranging through 19-, 20-, 21- and 22-inches in
diameter including the iconic "Viper's Nest" wheel design, now
available for the first time across all Range Rover models.
Capability: the broadest range of abilities in an
SUV
The new Range Rover Sport has been engineered to deliver
dramatically improved on-road driving dynamics, with more connected
and agile handling complemented by enhanced ride and refinement.
The lightweight aluminium suspension is fully-independent, with
wide-spaced double-wishbones at the front and an advanced
multi-link layout at the rear.
Wheel-travel is class-leading (260mm front and 272mm rear) and
provides exceptional wheel articulation of 546mm to deal with the
toughest conditions. Maximum ground clearance is increased to 285mm
(+58mm) and the upgraded air suspension system automatically varies
between two ride heights, while the next generation ground-breaking
Terrain Response® 2 system automatically selects the
most suitable terrain programme.
Fifth generation 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.
An automatic extension, triggered by sensors, and a
manually-selected extension, both raise the Sport by 35mm, giving a
total movement range of 185mm.
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 is valuable in terrain with long, rutted
dirt roads.
All-new, the electric power steering is characterised by a
lighter, more direct steering feel. A choice of two full-time 4WD
systems will be offered. One system provides a two-speed transfer
case with low-range option, for the most demanding off-road
conditions with 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, which
automatically distributes torque to the axle with most grip,
working together with the traction control systems to deliver
excellent traction in all conditions. The default front-rear torque
split of 42/58 percent is designed to provide a rear-wheel drive
bias for optimum driving dynamics.
Powertrains: four engine choices from launch, with new
Hybrid to follow
At launch, all-new Range Rover Sport customers will have a choice
of four engines - two supercharged petrol engines (5.0-litre 375kW
V8 and the new 3.0-litre 250kW V6) and two diesel engines
(3.0-litre 190kW TDV6 and 215kW SDV6). The powertrain line-up will
be expanded in early 2014 by the addition of a high performance
4.4-litre 250kW SDV8 diesel version. In addition, an innovative,
high-efficiency diesel Hybrid model will be available to order
later this year for delivery in 2014.
Across the range, acceleration times for the 0-100kph dash start
from 5.3 seconds, while fuel consumption is cut by up to 24 percent
- depending on model - and CO2 emissions start as low as 194g/km.
All petrol and diesel engines in the new Range Rover Sport are
paired with the advanced electronically controlled ZF 8HP70 8-speed
automatic gearbox.
The weight reduction measures on the new Range Rover Sport open
up the future possibility for the fitment of a smaller, lighter
power plant, such as a four cylinder engine, in a model which could
have an overall weight of less than 2000kg.
Sustainability: first in class with
lightweight aluminium construction
The all-new Range Rover Sport is the first vehicle in its segment
to feature an advanced all-aluminium body structure, which not only
contributes to outstanding agility and driving dynamics, but also
delivers significantly reduced weight and enhanced
sustainability.
Engineered in parallel with the highly-acclaimed new Range
Rover, the new model's lightweight aluminium body structure employs
a combination of pressed panels, plus cast, extruded and rolled
aluminium alloy parts, so the strength is concentrated precisely
where the loads are greatest. The vehicle's platform is 39 percent
lighter than the previous model's.
In 2014, the new Sport's improvement in efficiency will be
raised to a new level with the introduction of an ultra-efficient
diesel Hybrid achieving CO2 emissions of 169g/km.
Interior: modern and luxurious with a strong sporting
character
The new Sport provides an interior with distinctive Range Rover
Sport design cues, superior detailing and craftsmanship.
A design benchmark in its segment, the Sport interior offers a
unique blend of style and understated luxury with strong, elegant
lines, top quality materials and an extra dash of sporting
character. Strong, architectural forms within the interior have
been enhanced by a cleaner, purer surface treatment, beautifully
executed with more luxurious soft-touch surfaces in key touch
points around the cabin.
The sporting ambience of the interior is also reflected in the
smaller diameter, thicker steering wheel, vertical gear shifter,
higher centre console, configurable mood lighting and more generous
seat bolsters. The Sports Command Driving Position (CDP) combines
the supreme sense of confidence and control offered by the Range
Rover, with a more sporting seating position similar to the
Evoque.
Interior packaging is optimised to create a more spacious rear
cabin with 24mm more knee room, while occupants also benefit from
the wider cabin. New, neatly integrated third row, occasional 5+2
seating can be specified. These powered seats leave a flat floor
with no loss of boot space and are split 50/50.
Technology: customer-focused vehicle
and safety features
The new Range Rover Sport has been developed as the ultimate 'no
compromise' vehicle that will fit perfectly into its customers'
lifestyles. It has been engineered to incorporate the latest
developments in customer-focused vehicle and safety technologies to
enhance comfort, confidence and safety behind the wheel.
New or enhanced chassis technologies for the new Sport include
Adaptive Dynamics featuring continuously variable dampers (CVD),
and on more powerful models, a dedicated Dynamic mode in the
Terrain Response® 2 system for enthusiastic on-road
driving. This system is combined with twin-channel Dynamic Response
active lean control, a Dynamic Active Rear Locking Differential,
and Torque Vectoring by Braking, which transfers torque to the
outside wheels during cornering, reducing understeer.
The new Range Rover Sport offers a comprehensive connectivity
package enabling customers to stay seamlessly connected to their
vehicle, business and family lives. The package includes 'connect
and view' which enables the driver to access their smartphone
applications via the 8-inch touch screen display.
A new, optional colour Head-Up Display presents key vehicle and
navigation data without the driver needing to look away from the
road, using laser technology for superior clarity and contrast.
The new model introduces a digital camera system which supports
three driver assistance features that help deliver improved driver
awareness: Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition and
Automatic High Beam Assist. Another unique innovation on the Sport
is the new Wade Sensingâ„¢ feature that provides
'depth' information when driving through water, made even more
beneficial to the driver now that the Sport's maximum wading depth
has increased by 150mm over the previous model to 850mm.
Conclusion: destined to be an outstanding
success
The all-new Range Rover Sport, with its greatly enhanced
versatility, is destined to continue the outstanding success of its
predecessor, which quickly became one of Land Rover's most popular
models following its introduction in 2005, with sales exceeding
380,000 units to date.
Designed and engineered at Land Rover's development centres in
the UK, the new model will be produced in a state-of-the-art
low-energy manufacturing facility at Solihull, UK.
On sale during the third quarter of 2013, the new Range Rover Sport
will ultimately be introduced in 169 markets worldwide. Most
markets will offer customers a choice of four equipment levels (S,
SE, HSE and Autobiography), plus new 'Dynamic' versions of the HSE
and Autobiography. An extensive choice of colours, finishes and
details will enable customers to create the ultimate bespoke
SUV.
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