Hot on the heels of the full-size Range Rover is its (slightly) smaller sibling, the all-new Range Rover Sport. It is built on Land Rover’s Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA-Flex) platform.
Modern aesthetic
Like the Range Rover, the Range Rover Sport features the brand’s new reductive design philosophy, which calls for flush glazing and door handles. Its front end also has slim LED headlights that are integrated with the grille, which Land Rover says “promotes drama and a touch of menace”.
The SUV’s shoulder lines lead to the rear elevation and slim tail-lights. Here, the quarter panel is seamlessly connected with the flush glazing. To visually lower the car, the rear number plate is now located below the tailgate instead of below the rear windscreen.
Inside, the new Range Rover Sport offers a high-tech cockpit, with a 13.1-inch customisable Driver Display, 13.1-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system, which is operated via a haptic touchscreen.
Other advanced features include the ClearSight rear view camera and Active Noise Cancellation. Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant, is embedded in Pivi Pro and even integrates the use of Alexa devices in the home via the Land Rover smartphone app and Remote Skills.
On-board audio is handled by the Meridian Signature Sound System, which is claimed to be the most advanced and powerful audio system ever fitted to a Range Rover Sport. It has up to 29 speakers including four headrest speakers to create personal sound zones for the four main cabin occupants.
The Range Rover Sport offers new and sustainable material choices, too. These include Ultra fabrics, which Land Rover says is both tactile and lightweight. It is finished in Duo Tone colour ways, and supposedly complements the new Midnight Chrome interior finishers.
Performance and handling
New Range Rover Sport Power‑train Line‑up
Get ready for a power‑packed menu that looks like a menu at a fancy car buffet. The latest Range Rover Sport offers a handful of engines, from slick plug‑in hybrids to throaty mild‑hybrids and an absolute beast that would make all other SUVs tremble.
Plug‑in Hybrid Stars
- P510e – kicks off the hybrid section with a 105 kW (141 hp) electric motor fed by a 31.8 kWh (gross) battery. That gives you up to 88 km of zero‑emission cruising in the real world.
- P440e – essentially a cousin of the P510e, sharing the same power‑train. It’s just as efficient, but the naming gives it a fresh vibe.
Both hybrids blend gasoline power with electric muscle so the battery can play the queen of the charge‑and‑drive dance, giving you that clean, quiet ride without the “empty‑gauge panic.”
Mild‑Hybrid Modes – The 48‑Volt Siblings
- P360 – throws in a 360 PS (355 hp) punch with a torque of 500 Nm.
- P400 – steps it up slightly to 400 PS (395 hp) and cranks it to 550 Nm.
These mild hybrids are all about that extra boost on the dash get‑away and a help‑in‑hard‑glide experience without a full‑blown electric twist.
Beast Mode – The P530
Meet the top‑tier, top‑range champ. The P530 is powered by a BMW‑sourced twin‑turbo V8 engine. It delivers a jaw‑dropping 530 PS (523 hp) and 750 Nm of torque. And if you put the “Dynamic Launch” button to the floor, it will send the vehicle from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds – talk about a rocket.
All Stages the Same Five‑Star Attention
Whether you’re whispering power from a mild‑hybrid or roaring to full‑throttle from the P530, every option settles onto a standard ZF 8‑speed automatic gearbox, all‑wedged into Land Rover’s Intelligent All‑Wheel Drive system.
Optional Pride – The Stormer Handling Pack
For those who love tweaking the car’s personality:
- Dynamic Response Pro – fine‑tunes your handling.
- All‑Wheel Steering – gives you four‑wheel magic.
- Configurable Programmes – pick your driving style.
- Electronic Active Differential with Torque Vectoring by Braking – perfect for that thousand‑mile hill climb.
From misty night drives to wide‑open highways, the Range Rover Sport’s power‑train roadmap delivers a garage‑to‑garage powerhouse. Whether you’re a quiet hybrid fan or a power‑hungry adrenaline seeker, there’s an engine that’s ready to be your new best buddy on wheels.
Dynamic Response Pro is a 48-volt active roll control system that electronically applies up to 1400Nm of torque across each axle to reduce body roll. All-Wheel Steering shortens the Range Rover Sport’s turning radius at low speeds and increases its stability at higher velocities.
Meanwhile, Dynamic Air Suspension introduces switchable-volume air springs for the first time. These help improve ride quality by varying the pressure within the airbags.
To optimise responses, the vehicle monitors the road ahead using eHorizon navigation data to pre-emptively prime the vehicle for upcoming bends.
Off-roading abilities
The new Range Rover Sport is equipped with the latest version of the brand’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (iAWD) and Terrain Response 2.
Now configurable, Terrain Response has up to four custom terrain profiles, while three configuration levels can be chosen for five different vehicle systems – the differentials, powertrain, steering, traction control and ride control.
Making its debut in this new model is Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control, which helps drivers navigate tricky terrain by maintaining steady progress according to the ground conditions.
Drivers can select one of four comfort settings and the system intelligently adjusts the speed, allowing the driver to focus on steering the vehicle.
The Range Rover Sport has up to 281mm of ground clearance (274mm for the plug-in hybrid models) and a wading depth of 900mm, which should allow it to overcome flooded roads here.
Wearnes Automotive, the official dealer in Singapore, says the Range Rover Sport will arrive in late 2022.
ALSO READ: 5 interesting facts you should know about the new Range Rover
This article was first published in Torque.
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