Range Rover Sport: Luxury at its best
The global luxury automotive segment is getting much more interesting and supercharged by the day, weeks, months and years. While there are contenders, so also there are pretenders among automakers and former is where the Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is making strong foray.
Range Rover would wonder why The 2016 model year Range Rover Sport brings customers more choices when it comes to personalisation and technology and this time around, this Land Rover’s most dynamic model gains a new variant in the Range Rover Sport HST.
The HST enhances the high performance Range Rover Sport driving experience thanks to its uprated 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine that produces 280kW and 450Nm – 30kW more than the current supercharged V6 model. Unique chassis settings and bespoke design features complement its higher performance.
It continues to offer breadth of capability, with dynamic on-road capabilities and Land Rover’s renowned off-road abilities. Customers wishing to take this luxury marque off the beaten track can now do so with more confidence, with the availability of Land Rover’s innovative All Terrain Progress Control (ATPC) system, on all SDV8 variants.
Dubbed ‘cruise control for off road’, this system lets drivers set a speed with which they are comfortable – ranging from 1.8km/h to 30km/h – while they only need to provide steering input. The vehicle’s systems will optimise traction and drivetrain settings, allowing for effortless progress on difficult terrain.
ATPC joins host of new and improved convenience features that also come to other models in the line-up. These include a new, improved Surround Camera System that utilises a high-resolution camera for crisper graphics and enhanced clarity. This also introduces Rear Junction View, which uses the Surround Camera System to significantly improve rearward visibility when reversing out of parking spots. An integrated washer jet for the rear camera ensures clarity at all times and in all conditions.
The bold new Range Rover Sport HST is identified by its unique exterior design – with a striking black theme – and interior enhancements, all of which give the high performance luxury SUV a distinctive and dynamic appearance. It is fitted with Stealth Pack lamps front and rear, which feature non-reflective surrounds and combine with a Santorini Black contrast roof and a new spoiler to give the luxury SUV a purposeful profile.
Distinctive 21-inch alloy wheels feature an exclusive dark satin grey finish, highlighting the uprated 20-inch brake discs and eye-catching red brake calipers. Larger 22-inch Stealth alloy wheels are available as an option. The bonnet and front wing vents, grille and fog lamp bezels all feature a gloss black finish, echoed by the ‘Range Rover’ lettering on the leading edge of the bonnet and rear tailgate. Sculpted body-coloured lower door panels and additional vent detailing on the bumpers are also fitted.
In common with other Dynamic Range Rover Sport variants, the HST wears a red Sport badge at the rear, complemented by unique HST badging on the front wing vents. On the driving seat, unique chassis settings deliver an even more focused driving experience and sharper responses, without compromising the vehicle’s trademark comfort and refinement. Detail changes to the suspension reduce body roll and deliver enhanced agility.
To highlight the HST’s high performance capabilities Land Rover’s engineers have devised a unique Terrain Response set-up for the vehicle that features a Dynamic Mode that optimises the suspension, Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) and other electronic systems to suit on-road driving. This feature provides more controlled electronic damping and a more responsive throttle pedal, while enhancing gearshifts and steering response to match the change in vehicle character.
Inside, the HST is finished with a duo tone seats trimmed in luxurious Oxford Leather. In combination with a contrast fascia, all-Ebony door trims and centre console and standard Ebony headlining, they create a unique environment. The high quality leather upholstery is available in four Ebony/colour combinations, along with an all-Ebony option.
Bespoke HST badging on the dashboard, carpet mats and the TFT instrument panel highlight the luxury model’s high performance focus. The sporty cues extend to Noble-plated paddle shift gear levers on the steering wheel and distinctive bright ‘Sports’ pedals, while the aluminium interior trim features a textured ‘Sports’ finish.
Customers will also benefit from an increased range of personalisation options and an extended range of accessories. The Range Rover Sport will be available with three new paint options, and a total of seven interior colourways. Extended leather is now an option, and HSE, HST and SVR models will be fitted with climate seats as standard. A new Carbon Fibre Pack is also available, offering a sporty finish on side vents, tailgate trim, door mirror covers, a front grille surround, and fog lamp bezels, with bonnet vents finished in high-gloss lacquer.
MIKE OCHONMA