2014 Range Rover Sport

PRICE : For 2014 Range Rover Sport V6 $63,495,

PRICE : For 2014 Range Rover Sport V8 $79,995

 Everybody says the second-generation Range Rover sport is based on its Range Rover big brother. That’s a bit of a lie. The new model was actually built on a riddle, which tells us that the one thing you need in order to gain experience is... experience.

The first Range Rover Sport was kind of an experiment, but with this new one they had the opportunity to sit down and think the project through as a standalone model. They could no longer afford to throw a smoothed Range Rover body over a Discovery / LR4 platform and call it a day.

Now you’re going to look at the Range Rover Sport and Range Rover side by side and point out that they don’t seem all that different after all. Well, Land Rover claims that the Sport has no less than 75 percent unique parts.

Upon hearing such a declaration, we simply had to get our hands on a 2014 Range Rover Sport and see if it has its own character or is just doing an impersonation of its sibling.

Since this is the Range Rover Sport, the company could drop some of the conservative etiquette they were forced to wear when creating the Range Rover. We’ve seen how the Brits party when they get a free hand during our Range Rover Evoque test drive, but this time we’re talking about a head honcho model, so it wasn’t going to be simple. Just how we like it then.

HANDLING

 Besides the power, the differences between the V6 and V8 Range Rover Sports become most evident in the handling department. When I drove the Range Rover, I didn't care for its too-light, too-boosted electric steering. This car uses the same system, but the assistance has been turned down here for a heavier, more sporting feel. The Sport deserves credit for being a nimble and adept handler, one that never feels quite as big as it is. The V6 model displays a reasonable amount of body roll, but it's capable enough.P

The V8, on the other hand, is a whole other animal in the handling department. It is much stiffer, much flatter in corners, and manages to be genuinely fun to drive on back roads. Is it on par with a sports car? No, but it's not supposed to be, and it displays handling prowess that will surprise most people. With either engine, it is a more agile, more fun handler than the Range Rover thanks to its slimmer weight and size.

EXTERIOR

The Range Rover Sport is a looker, there’s no doubt about it. And if we focus on the top of its family tree we’ll understand why. This second-generation model has the guts to wear the attitude of the 2004 Range Stormer concept in a way that the old Range Rover Sport, which actually “derived” from it, never did.

Sure, we can be mean and say that the car looks like the result of some quality time spent together by the new Range Rover and the Range Rover Evoque. The big daddy Range Rover styling sits up front, while the rear is pretty close to that of the Evoque.

Nevertheless, when the end result is that handsome, nobody cares. Styling was always one of the main factors that won Range Rover Sport customers over. Thus, the carmaker used its best, tried and proven tricks here.

Compared to its predecessor, the Range Rover Sport is slightly shorter and just a tad narrower, but, more importantly, the SUV has grown 2.44 inches (62 mm) in length. Despite the moderate elongation, the wheelbase was boosted by 6.26 inches (159 mm).

Since a lot of the customers ask tuners like Kahn to slap 20+ inches rims on their Range Rovers, the company now brings this as an OEM option. You can order your Sport with wheels up to 22 inches in size. While it's true that this is an overkill, we have to admit that at least the factory setup means a better balance.

Following the same principle, many of the exterior elements, such as the grilles, are no strangers to the notion of “bling”, but, again, we can't deny that result is a special appearance.

In the end, the Range Rover Sport manages to offer about the same imposing presence as the Range Rover, but with a considerably sleeker design.

INTERIOR

Once seated inside the Range Rover Sport, you’ll notice a similar digitization process as that of the Range Rover. Nevertheless, while the change meant the latter has lost some of its charm, the redesign is a big step ahead when it comes to the Range Rover Sport. The cabin feels more than just the usual advance brought by a new generation.

Compared to the previous model’s interior, the new Range Rover Sport’s Evoque-borrowed accents, mainly found around the center console, bring some welcome fresh air. And since we’re in this area of the cabin, we’re inviting you to say hello to our little friend, the Jaguar F-Type’s gear shifter.

While this may or may not be a problem for some, it's time to move on and tell you the visibility is pleasing. In addition, you can always turn to those enormous door mirrors, which make the Range Rover Sport worthy of the “Chelsea Tractor” nickname.

Alas, not all the new details count as a bonus. For example, we may have complained about the lifeless all-digital dashboard instruments on the Range Rover, but the Range Rover Sport analogue dials look a bit like average jewelry worn with an expensive dress.

The ergonomics are split between the nice new buttons on the center console and the parts that get a bit annoying - seat heating for example requires you to operate both the button on the console and the menu on the touchscreen. This reminds us of the Bentley Continental GT, which had the same problem for setting the hydraulic suspension level.

What’s more, the Range Rover’s drawer-like front door storage spaces are gone and they've chosen to replace them with spaces coming with rather difficult access.

Let’s climb in the back now. Here we find an even greater change than up front. We’re talking about an impressive amount of new-found space and that’s just the beginning.

In the old Range Rover Sport, everything about traveling in the rear made you feel that you had opted for the cheaper model. The doors were too small, the backrest only covered half of your body and the knee room was pretty limited.

The 2014 Range Rover Sport’s wheelbase boost has left all these problems behind. What’s more, the ultra-wide central armrest follows the lines of that used up front, so you feel you’re treated with the same respect.

There’s a tiny secret here though, as they’ve chosen rear space over luggage capacity. Despite getting 6 cubic feet (170 liters) less than in the outgoing Range Rover Sport, we still have 28 cubic feet (790 liters) to use. We can’t complain, especially since you can order an optional third row of seats. 

And if you’re wondering why the Range Rover Sport offers this and the Range Rover doesn’t, you should know two things. First of all, the Sport is more of a 5+2 than a full seven-seater. As for the second model, this may offer proper seating for seven in the upcoming Range Rover long wheelbase version.

Design Options

► 11 interior color themes, plus additional choice of seat color

► 4 aluminum interior finishes, 3 real wood veneers

► 3 headliner colors ► 19 exterior paint finishes

► 3 contrast roof colors - Corris Grey, Santorini Black or Indus Silver

► 9 alloy wheel designs, on 19-, 20-, 21- and 22-inch

► Atlas Silver, Dark Atlas or Gloss Black finish for the exterior accents

► Illuminated tread plates

POWERTRAIN

When it comes to novelties under the hood, the Range Rover Sport comes with a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 delivering 340 HP - we drove a beefed-up version of the unit on the Jaguar F-Type. Thus, the naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 was put to sleep, as the new V6 replaces it.

There’s also a new diesel-hybrid, with the powertrain consisting of a 335 HP 3.0-liter V6 diesel and a 47 hp electric motor. Like the entire engine line-up, this features the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. This covers the 0 to 62 mph sprint in 6.7 seconds, while returning an efficiency of 36 mpg (6.5 liters per 100 km). Thus, we have performance at a SDV8 diesel level with efficiency superior to the entry-level 258 HP V6 diesel. For now, there are no plans to bring the hybrid to the US though.

Regardless of the unit, the power is delivered via ZF-s eight-speed automatic transmission, a brilliant piece of kit that does it job in a discreet and lucrative manner.

SAFETY

When it comes to providing safety, the Range Rover Sport is a mixture of shining and uninspiring elements. We’ll start with the good bits, which are led by the new aluminum chassis, one that’s 39 percent stiffer than the steel structure of the past generation.

In between the metallic bits, Land Rover has placed about one ton of electronics destined to take care of active safety. From Roll Stability Control, through Engine Drag Torque Control and Corner Brake Control, this thing is there to keep you from having to use the aforementioned chassis strength.

The vehicle hasn’t been tested by any international safety body so far, but one could remember the big picture of the Range Rover’s Euro NCAP results: five stars and a 91 percent adult occupant protection rating.

Nevertheless, if we are to dig a little deeper in the Range Rover’s Euro NCAP test results, we’ll find a marginal protection rating for the side pole impact and rear impact whiplash injuries.

And that’s not all, because the driving experience itself isn’t as safe as you would expect. Many of the customers will order the models that don’t come with Brembo brakes or adaptive suspension. In such a trim, the Range Rover Sport doesn’t inspire too much confidence once you get up to highway speeds. And if the mediocre feeling you get when performing an emergency braking won’t bother you, the serious body roll will.

You have to be generous when configuring your Range Rover Sport if you want this to be a truly safe vehicle.

DRIVETRAIN

When the new Range Rover Sport hits the market, customers will have a choice of four different engines: two gasoline units and two diesel units. Later in the year, Land Rover will also add a 4.4-liter SDV8 diesel engine with an output of 339 horsepower. In 2014 customers will also get a high-efficiency diesel Hybrid model.

The top trim level is powered by a 5.0-liter V-8 supercharged engine that delivers a total of 510 horsepower and sprints the SUV from 0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds. Next, there is the 3.0-liter V-6 supercharged engine - a first for the Range Rover Sport. It delivers a total of 340 horsepower and sprints the SUV from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds.

Diesel fans will have two possibilities. First is an ultra-efficient 3.0-liter V-6 turbo diesel offered in two versions: a 258 horsepower TDV6 and 292 horsepower SDV6. The TDV6 sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds and the SDV6 does the same in just 6.8 seconds.

All engines will be paired with the advanced electronically controlled ZF 8HP70 eight-speed automatic gearbox.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION 

 ► Displacement                - 2993 cm3

 ► Cylinders                       -  V6

 ► Fuel                               - Diesel

 ► Power                            - 292 HP @ - RPM

 ► Torque                           - 443 lb-ft @ 2000 RPM OR 601 Nm @ 2000 RPM

 ► Transmission Type        - ZF automatic

 ► Number Of Gears           - 8

 ► Traction                          - AWD

PERFORMANCE

 ► Acceleration              - 138 mph OR 222 km/h

 ► Topspeed                  - 7.2 s

 ► Co2 Emission           - 199 g/km

By : Automotive News & Super Modified Sports Cars