The all-new Range Rover Sport was revealed to the world with a dramatic world-first climb up a flooded dam spillway in Karahnjukar, Iceland, defying the laws of physics.
The epic ascent saw the off-roading prowess of the Range Rover Sport resists the surging torrent of water flowing down the ramp of the Karahnjukar Dam – the biggest of its kind in the world – at a rate of 750 tonnes per minute.
First introduced in 2005, the Range Rover Sport sets new standards as the ultimate sporting luxury SUV.
The third generation of Land Rover’s luxury performance SUV is the most desirable, technologically advanced and capable yet, mixing an imposing road presence with instinctive driving responses using the most advanced combination of chassis technologies ever fitted to a Land Rover.
The successful spillway ascent was screened for the first time at an exclusive launch event at Jaguar Land Rover’s Advanced Product Creation Centre in Gaydon, UK.
James Bond’s stunt rider Jessica Hawkins was behind the wheel as the new Range Rover Sport demonstrated its grip, traction, performance and balance, completing the latest in a series of challenges for the Land Rover luxury performance SUV.
“The power of the water surging down the spillway was breathtaking. Driving into it knowing that a 90-metre drop was waiting behind me at the bottom of the slope, if things went wrong, made this the most challenging drive I’ve ever undertaken,” said Hawkins.
“Despite the steep slope and rushing water, New Range Rover Sport made it look easy. Its traction, composure and commanding visibility inspired so much confidence I was able to enjoy the whole experience,” she added.
The new Range Rover Sport is built on the MLA-Flex architecture which provides the perfect foundations for its superior dynamics and peerless refinement.
“Land Rover’s pioneering MLA-Flex architecture and the latest chassis systems come together to deliver the highest levels of dynamism we’ve ever seen on Range Rover Sport,” Executive Director Vehicle Programmes of Jaguar Land Rover Nick Collins shared.
“Integrated Chassis Control governs the comprehensive suite of innovations, co-ordinating everything from the latest switchable-volume air suspension system to our Dynamic Response Pro electronic active roll control. The result is the most engaging and thrilling Range Rover Sport ever,” he added.
A breath-taking modern design language
The third-generation luxury SUV takes Land Rover’s signature modernist design philosophy to the next level with a contemporary interpretation of its trademark profile to create an incredible design statement.
The Range Rover’s muscular proportions accentuate the overall design with taut surfacing, dynamic stance and recognisable profile. These trademark elements gives the dynamic SUV a strong and imposing road presence.
“Our latest Range Rover Sport embraces fully our modernist approach of vehicle design whilst amplifying its unquestionable sporting and confident character,” said Chief Creative Officer of Jaguar Land Rover, Prof Gerry McGovern OBE.
An Interior Designed With Modern Refinements and Tech
The bold and modern exterior styling is carried on the inside as well with an all-new cabin loaded with modern technologies and the finest materials.
The New Range Rover Sport makes every journey an event and can be honed to be as dynamically engaging as the driver desires, while also offering enhanced levels of refinement and comfort. This ability to combine dual characters is made possible by a comprehensive set of technologies.
The five-seater now features the cutting-edge Electrical Vehicle Architecture (EVA 2.0) that supports an ecosystem of seamlessly connected technologies, including Software Over The Air (SOTA), and provides remote updates for 63 electronic modules.
Another notable highlight is the award-winning Pivi Pro infotainment system with a high resolution floating 13.1-inch curved display. Controlling everything from navigation to media and vehicle settings, it learns the user’s habits and intelligently personalises the onboard experience, becoming a truly intuitive personal assistant.
Moreover, the luxury SUVs interior air quality is also taken to the next level with the new-gen Cabin Air Purification Pro with PM2.5 filtration and nano X technology.
For enhanced comfort and luxury the five-seater also features the Meridian sound system, the most advanced in any Range Rover Sport; with up to 29 speakers including four headrest speakers to create personal sound zones for the four main cabin occupants.
In addition to that, the Next-generation Active Noise Cancellation technology also delivers one of the quietest cabins on the road.
Under the hood
The third-generation Range Rover Sport offers a host of powertrains including two six-cylinder extended range Electric Hybrid plug-ins, which provide a pure-electric driving range of up to 113km (70 miles) and CO2 emissions as low as 18g/km1.
For the power enthusiasts, the new 530PS V8 Twin Turbo provides sports car-like performance, with 0-100km/h in as little as 4.5 seconds (0-60mph in 4.3 seconds) with Dynamic Launch engaged.
Customers can also choose from powerful and efficient mild hybrid petrol and diesel Ingenium engines, while pure-electric propulsion will be available in 2024, as Land Rover continues its electrification journey.
A Dynamic Driving Experience
The new Range Rover Sport sits on JLR’s flexible mixed-metal architecture, known as MLA-Flex, which is also used by the Range Rover, which provides the foundations for its comprehensive dynamics refinement.
A suite of technologies governed by Land Rover’s Integrated Chassis Control system work in harmony to provide instinctive responses and agility.
The luxury SUV features the Dynamic Response Pro, a 48-volt electronic active roll control system, capable of applying up to 1,400Nm of torque across each axle which improves how the vehicle handles by altering hydraulic roll control and body lean during cornering.
The new SUV also sports the latest dynamic air suspension with switchable volume air springs for the first time.
The intelligent system enhances the bandwidth of the suspension by varying the pressure within the airbags to deliver traditional Range Rover comfort with the dynamic handling expected from the Range Rover Sport.
The Range Rover Sports also offers the new Stormer Handling Pack which provides the ultimate combination of chassis technologies for an exciting drive.
The pack also includes Dynamic Response Pro, All-Wheel Steering, an Electronic Active Differential with Torque Vectoring by Braking, and Configurable Programmes.
Peerless performance and capability
The New Range Rover Sport is the most dynamically capable version of Land Rover’s luxury performance SUV and the most competent away from paved roads, using the latest Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (iAWD) and integrating Land Rover’s latest all-terrain innovations and technologies to ensure its breadth of dynamic capability.
The latest all-wheel drive system ensures peerless off-road capabilities. This is enhanced by an Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control which debuts on the Sport. It will help 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 concentrate on the steering.
This article was first published on 14 May 2022 in our Weekly Epaper issue 193 |
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
