The side brother from Land Rover – Range Rover, presents a third generation of the model, which includes a larger body, designed and tougher than its predecessors. The passenger compartment also received an impressive technological upgrade. We met him for a road test, on many types of roads.
Tal Stone | 02/27/23
Range Rover Sport – background
Since it was introduced for the first time in 2004, the sports model from the Range Rover family, the super-luxury division of the Land Rover brand, has been seen as a vehicle that can enjoy all the worlds.
Already from the first generation, the sports model stood out for being well-equipped and high-quality, it presented up-to-date technology for that time, and also – it never gave up on the off-road offenses that await it, something that has become an inseparable part of the DNA of the various Land Rover-Range Rover vehicles.
He succeeded in the tough task even then due to the use of assemblies (especially the chassis) that he borrowed from his off-road enthusiast and rock-chewing cousin, the king of the off-road for those days, the Discovery 3.
Indeed, since then the sports model has acquired sex appeal and desirability, which, together with reputation and combat heritage, quickly became a real status symbol, and one of the most beloved luxury SUVs in the world.
Even in Israel, the Range Rover sports model has acquired quite a few fans, and more than 2,000 sports models from the first two generations have been sold here over the years.
And now comes the third generation.
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Range Rover Sport – exterior design
The Range Rover, Land Rover, and especially the Defender models have always maintained a classic design tradition, which paid a lot of respect to the straight and angular lines, the high chassis (both in terms of the interior space and the height of the roof), the spacious passenger cabins that radiated great resilience, and above all – the functionality required in every A path and a path.
The latest editions of the Land Rover Group vehicles keep all these design elements, which include quite a few design elements that pay homage to their forefathers, but on the other hand, these have become more rounded, the lines are now more aerodynamic, flowing and adhere to the modern brushstroke designs, which include a lot of chic and style, along with energy efficiency.
Range Sport The new one continues in this line, literally. It is more rounded than before, at the front is a sculpted engine hood with high sides, as is the best tradition of the brand, which is narrow and almost continues the lines of the beautiful LED lighting units on its sides, and a large and formidable bumper that includes an additional grill.
The design from the side gives a sense of movement with flowing and dynamic lines, the body seems to be divided in two, when above the bottom line of the blacked out windows, the entire body (beams, roof) is black.
A roof that slopes backwards, huge rims (22″) and front + rear lights that extend to the sides of the vehicle, create a powerful, dynamic and beautiful appearance.
The lights at the back have also become narrower with the inscription RANGE ROVER between them.
Below them are Sport symbols and also the logo of Land Rover, the parent brand. The bumper here is dominant and on the roof a pair of shark antennas.
The demo car’s near-complete black paint job, including the rims, front grille and window frames, makes it one of the most beautiful SUVs on the road. The reactions of the environment regarding the sport are enthusiastic, while it wins the title of serial head turner.
Range Rover Sport – dimensions
Although the new Sport is bigger than its predecessor and it is bigger in general, the tradition of the model is still maintained in which the Sport is intended for five passengers and not seven.
The overall length is 4.946 m, the width is 2.047 m, the height is 1.82 m, and the wheelbase is large, with a full 3 meters.
The ventral space ranges between 21.6 and 28.1 cm, when the body is raised in “off-road” mode using the air suspension. The manufacturer’s statement is that it is possible to pass through water of up to 90 (!) cm.
The trunk here is huge, with 835 liters, when folding the second row seats creates a space of 1,860 liters.
Range Rover Sport – passenger compartment
The passenger cabin is characterized by a luxurious and aristocratic fragrance, and it is hard not to be immediately impressed by the amount of different types of leather that wraps around the passenger cabin, the large screens and the very high quality materials. In general, the driver’s environment here is reminiscent of the sport’s big brother, the Range Rover, which costs several hundred thousand shekels more.
Around the driver there are lots of large and deep storage compartments, including one well hidden under the cup holder between the seats, and the glove box has also been strengthened in the form of another overhead compartment. The seats are spacious and luxurious as expected, and prove to be very comfortable even after a long drive.
In the driver’s environment, the effort to give up physical buttons is evident, in favor of controlling the various systems using touch buttons, and operating the large multimedia screen (13.1″) by touch. The dashboard, also an LCD screen (13.7″), is mostly operated through the buttons on the steering wheel.
How good it is to discover that the volume button remains a wheel in the central console, as well as large wheels that determine the temperature of the split climate control, the power of the air conditioner and the heating or ventilation of the seats. Due to the multiple functions, these buttons work not only by turning and pressing, but also by pulling upwards.
Beside these there is a small gear lever with a springy but electric operation, and the off-road mode dial which is pressed in by default, in automatic mode. smart.
Range Rover Sport – accessories
At this stage, 2 trim levels are coming to Israel, HSE Dynamic and First edition.
The first version came to the test, it costs NIS 786,000, and it is armed with many accessories.
Among other things, you will get here an opening panoramic roof, leather upholstery, electric adjustment of the steering wheel, wireless mobile charging, keyless entry through external handles that can be removed from the body, an electric trunk door, dynamic electronic air suspensions, digital LED lighting and vacuum closing for the doors.
You will also find front and rear seats with electric adjustment (in the back – electric back tilt), heating and ventilation, the front ones – with memories, along with rain and lighting sensors and front and rear parking sensors (plus a parking assistant).
The multimedia system from Meridian offers rich sound, is connected to 14 speakers and a subwoofer, has Android and Apple connectivity, an overhead display on the windshield, a 360 camera and an efficient internal screen/mirror, based on a camera.
For an additional ten thousand shekels, you will also receive a “launch package”, which includes front fog lights, upgraded floor mats, ambient lighting, a standard charging socket and a vertical wall in the trunk, for improved fixation and support of the equipment located there.
behind, You will find seats that are also heated and ventilated, and the backs of the seats can be electrically tilted.
Here there are air conditioning vents for the well-being of the distinguished passengers in the settlements, quite a bit of leg, shoulder and head space, even when it comes to three adults.
Trunk Huge as mentioned with electric opening, the key is very wide and you can easily fit luggage or camping equipment here. Anything goes with a Range Rover.
Range Rover Sport – Safety
The sports model receives a safety score of 7 out of 8, and it has 6 airbags, adaptive cruise control, active lane departure prevention, automatic emergency braking, blind spot vehicle detection, driver fatigue warning, automatic emergency braking before encountering a pedestrian or Two-wheeled vehicles, automatic braking in reverse and more.
Range Rover Sport – drive systems
The sports model offers many drive options.
Starting with diesel engines 300 (which will be tested here) and 350, through gasoline models 400 and 530 and also two PHEV plug-in hybrid models – 440 and 510, with the names of the models asked directly from their engine suppliers, in horsepower.
At this point, HaMizrah Co. began marketing the diesel and plug-in models, which, in light of its extensive experience with the customer base, are the most sought-after engines in the sports model.
Next year, a 100% electric motor is also expected to join the sports team.
All the engines of the sports models are paired with an automatic box with 8 front transmission ratios and dual drive.
The model being tested as mentioned is the entry model, D300, with 300 horsepower and a beefy torque, with 66.3 kgm. The engine has 6 cylinders in a row, and it uses a tiny electric motor, using the hybrid MHEV method.
Despite a curb weight of 2,135 kg, the D300 sprints to 100 km/h in just 6.6 seconds.
The engine shook quietly, and pressing the right pedal is rewarded with a powerful growl and the muscular sound of a six-cylinder engine, which is in no hurry to betray the fact that it sips diesel.
Range Rover Sport – passengers
in the city, The high height of the sports car gives a commanding feeling, when the large hood is placed in front and the generous width of the vehicle reminds us that we are driving a large vehicle. Very big.
The same goes for maneuvering in parking lots, in narrow parking lots in crossings, or in narrow alleys. The diameter of the circle is a modest 12.7 meters.
The adaptive air suspensions do not allow road damage to penetrate into the passenger compartment, when passing above vibration or deceleration lines, and road breaks are almost imperceptible. The general comfort is simply excellent, as is the noise isolation from the environment, while the diesel engine is also impressively silent.
The engine allows the driver to drive calmly or energetically, according to his choice, and in any situation – his cooperation with the gearbox is very successful, when the gears shift delicately, almost without us feeling it.
The camera setup here is excellent and definitely helps with maneuvering around the volume.
out of town The general silence is maintained, wind, road and engine noises are almost imperceptible, and the suspensions create a kind of silent and long levitation.
With a decent press on the pedal, the box will respond with a downshift or two immediately, and will allow acceleration or overtaking at an excellent rate, even if it can be guessed that in the more powerful versions the “push in the back” during acceleration will be more tangible and less linear, like the one present in the D300.
It’s not that the D300 lacks power, it’s just that it’s received fairly linearly.
on the dynamic road, The weight transfers in such a large, tall and heavy vehicle are no small matter, here too the suspensions valiantly restrain the roll angles, deal well with the matter, and instill confidence in the driver.
The steering wheel has a relatively correct weight, certainly for a vehicle of its type, weight and size.
Still, although it has “Sport” stamped on the tail, it is a vehicle designed to succeed off-road and long distances in first-class comfort, and less for tail fun in turns.
In the field, the advantage of the high torque at low rpm that exists in this diesel engine is evident.
The large Range Sport moves in the field with ease, almost indifferently, and passes over sandy passages, potholes and changes in height without dramas or heroic crossovers.
Even the formidable Crest will not threaten a ventral encounter with the ground when the suspension is in the raised position, where the ventral clearance is about 28 cm as mentioned, a situation that requires a real climb into the passenger compartment upon entering the vehicle.
When the terrain becomes more technical, the Range Sport is equipped with the famous Terrain response selector, which allows a choice between different terrain modes. It is likely that the Range Sport’s off-road capabilities will more than satisfy its customers.
At the end of the long road test, the average diesel consumption was 10.4 km per liter, which is quite an impressive figure for a vehicle of its type.
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Range Rover Sport – Summary
Range Rover Sport is a bit like the queen of the class that has it all; She looks great, is an athlete, is an excellent student and has tons of personal charm.
Well, the new Range Rover Sport feels like it’s here to offer a complete package, with almost no compromises.
He enjoys an exterior full of sex appeal, which constantly attracts glances. The interior of the vehicle has been upgraded and became particularly luxurious and much more luxurious than its predecessor, it is spacious, large, very comfortable, well-equipped and safe, and still does not give up on off-road capabilities that benefit from the tradition and the familiar DNA of the brand.
So it is true that for that customer who mainly crawls through traffic jams, and for the one who regularly pulls into city parking lots, it may be a little bulky in size, and he should check out alternatives, such as the Evoque for example.
It is also true that those who have to chew boulders and large rocks for breakfast should grab a copy of the Defender’s specifications.
Still, as an all-rounder, as a vehicle that has created a reputation for itself as a status symbol with an aristocratic flavor that also knows how to get dirty in the mud when necessary, and above all – for those who can afford to purchase an SUV for about NIS 800,000, the Range Rover Sport is one of the most impressive and leading vehicles available .
Range Rover Sport HSE Dynamic
| price (NIS) | 786,000 |
| length (m) | 4.946 |
| width (m) | 2.047 |
| height (m) | 1.82 |
| Wheelbase (m) | 3.00 |
| self weight (kg) | 2,135 |
| Trunk volume / with the rear seats folded (L) | 835 / 1,860 |
| Belly space (cm) | 21.6 -28.1 |
| Average diesel consumption (declared/ test average – km / liter) | 13.5 / 10.4 |
| Engine, volume (type of fuel, cc) | Diesel, 3,000 |
| Engine configuration (number of cylinders, electric boost) | 6 series, Mayald Hybrid MHEV 48V |
| Gearbox, drive | Ot’ 8, 4×4 |
| engine power (hp) | 300 |
| torque (kgm) | 66.3 |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h (sec) | 6.6 |
| Duration of general warranty (years / km – whichever comes first) | 3 / 100,000 |