Range Rover Sport Sheds Nearly 1,000lbs Despite Larger Size

Land RoverLand RoverUnited Kingdom, 1978 > present15 models
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introduced the Range Rover SportLand Rover Range Rover Sport Gen.2United Kingdom, 2013 > present36 versions
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at the New York Auto Show today; it chose the location because New York City has the highest sales of Range Rover Sports of any city in the world.

"The all-new Range Rover Sport is a vehicle that has been designed and engineered without compromise.  With Land Rover capability at its heart, it is one of the most road focused vehicles we've ever produced, but of course still offers unsurpassed all-terrain capability,” said Land Rover Brand Director John Edwards.

Land Rover is calling the new Range Rover Sport the “fastest and most agile” Land Rover ever made. It adopts the new aluminum platform from the Range RoverLand Rover Range Rover (modern) Gen.3 [L405]United Kingdom, 2012 > present13 versions
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that sheds 420kg (925lbs) from the previous generation and gets an aluminum suspension. The weight loss also means a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions to 194g/km of CO2 and similarly improved fuel economy.

There will be four engines and two four-wheel drive systems offered at launch. The petrol engines will be the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 503hp and a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 with 335hp. The diesel engines are both tunes of the 3.0-liter diesel with either 255hp or 288hp. Later, Land Rover will add a 4.4-liter diesel with 334hp, and a hybrid will come in 2014. It is teasing the possibility of using its new four-cylinder engines later. All of the engines will be available with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

One of the all-wheel drive systems is simply all-wheel drive, and the other has a two-speed transfer case with low-range gears.

In terms of style, the new Range Rover Sport follows the lead of the previous generation. To the untrained eye, it looks very similar to the standard Range Rover, but it gets softer details with more gentle curves. The rear has just the hints of the more sloping roof from the EvoqueLand Rover Range Rover EvoqueUnited Kingdom, 2011 > present128 versions
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.

It is also 62mm (2.4in) longer overall but with a 178mm (7in) longer wheelbase and a 55mm (2.2in) wider width than the previous generation. The changes translate to 8% better aerodynamics.

Compared to the standard Range Rover, the Sport is 149mm (5.7in) shorter, 55mm (2.1in) lower and weighs 45kg (99lbs) less. The components on the Sport are 75% unique compared to the standard Range Rover.

The interior of the Range Rover Sport offers 5+2 seating with five normal seats and two rear-facing jump seats. The longer wheelbase translates to 24mm (1in) more knee room and a wider cabin. The interior will be offered with connectivity including apps, an Internet connection and in-car Wifi. It will be available with an optional color head-up display, and a camera-based safety system.

It will go on sale in the third quarter of this year in four trim levels - S, SE, HSE and Autobiography.