The city that never sleeps was the chosen stage to unveil the most sporty SUV of the British brand: The Range Rover Sport.
It was at the hands of the most famous British secret agent James Bond that the new Range Rover Sport arrived at its world presentation in New York. The new Range Rover Sport occupies a unique position in its segment. The model redoubled its strengths, its sporty design, a defined and muscular body, more aerodynamic and an angry front, determined to eat the asphalt and perhaps some gravel.
The aggressive lines give it a robust and fast air, which makes it look like it's moving even when stationary. The Range Rover Sport has always been an SUV geared more towards the asphalt, but being a Range Rover its skills are also enough to cross mountains, hills and valleys.
The aluminum chassis helped to reduce 420Kg compared to its magnificent predecessor. And it's 45kg lighter than its older brother. This makes the new Range Rover Sport have a significant improvement in consumption and CO2 emissions.
A wide range of engines will be available, but for the launch only 4 are available, two diesel and two petrol. The agile and ultra-efficient 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 has been significantly updated and is now available in two versions. TDV6 and SDV6 of 254CV and 287CV respectively.
With 600 Nm of torque, both variants offer excellent performance along with exceptional efficiency. The SDV6 accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in just 7 seconds and achieves CO2 emissions of 199g/km, a 13% improvement. The TDV6 reaches the same 100km/h in 7.3 seconds, with CO2 emissions of 194g/km, representing a 15% improvement.
To achieve the unprecedented blend of refined performance and remarkable efficiency, the TDV6 engine has been extensively improved, a new low-flow injector for more precise injection and fuel optimization.
Two other gasoline engines will be available, one engine 3.0 liter V6 Supercharger of 335hp, designed to deliver generous torque and thus obtain power with exceptional refinement. With this new engine, Range Rover Sport becomes faster than its predecessor, launching from 0 to 100km/h in 7 seconds, a reduction of 0.3 seconds.
Another great engine is the 5.0 liters V8 also Supercharger with more than 500hp capable of reaching 100Km/h in 5 seconds and thanks to a finely tuned intake and exhaust system, it promises a spectacular growl, capable of waking up the deaf. The V8 is light and compact and built entirely from aluminum, it has gained a new Bosch engine management system that helps with low levels of internal friction.
A high-pressure, multi-hole direct injection engine where efficiency is enhanced by an innovative dual independent variable camshaft timing system (VCT), this offers greater thermodynamic efficiency and extremely low noise levels.
The best is saved for early 2014, the most powerful and acclaimed SDV8, an engine designed exclusively for the Range Rover, a V8 4.4 liter "super-diesel" of 334hp capable of debiting 700Nm with a staggering between 1750 and 3000rpm, launching this “beast” from 0 to 100Km/h in just 6.5 seconds. Extraordinary performance, the ideal engine for anyone who loves to ride out.
The engine's excellent efficiency is also reflected in CO2 emissions of just 229g/km. The relative power boost SDV8 was achieved through an intake system with individual intercoolers and an optimized calibration.
It will also be available to order later this year, an engine Hybrid diesel ultra-efficient, offering excellent performance ( 0-100km/h in less than 7 seconds ) with exceptional emissions of 169g/km CO2 , to offer its customers the first high-performance diesel hybrid within the SUV segment.
The Range Rover Sport was designed from the ground up for a hybrid derivative. As a result, the hybrid model offers the dynamic and agile driving experience as other models, as well as those in its class.
All new Range Rover Sport powertrains are paired with an advanced 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox, which has been tuned by Land Rover engineers to be silky smooth but responsive (200 milliseconds between gears is enough?) and a reduction in consumption.
The interior is simple and luxurious, similar to the great Range Rover. But what distinguishes it is the gear selector, which unlike the rest of the range, is the only one to have a gearshift, like “normal” cars have. It has space to accommodate 7 people in comfort, although the 2 people who have to travel in the trunk, do not have so many luxuries.
Numerous combinations and options are available, but it should be noted that the extras are not cheap. Consumptions or prices have not yet been announced.
Now take a look at an SUV worthy of a secret agent.
Text: Marco Nunes