Range Rover is renowned for being the ultimate in off-road capable 4x4s, while they an amazing vehicle to drive on the tarmac as well. Having just arrived in Australia, the new Range Rover Sport packs the biggest punch in the range, not just in terms of all-out tarmac performance but also in the perfect blend of sport and luxury travel.

Sit yourself in the kingly leather interior, and you feel more than just a little special. Seating is so comfortable, and Range Rover offer the Sport models a number of seating options ranging from colour, material, and the amount of electric adjustment for sitting position as well as heating in all three rows of seats. The rear seats can even be prepared so that these recline. I don’t think I can think of a more roomy and comfortable SUV to travel in – let alone vehicle.

Range Rover Sport models do the blend of Sport and luxury so well. These Sport models look so racy, particularly with massive large alloy wheels, spoilers and different roof colouring choices. They also look a little intimidating, so if that’s where your mean streak takes you, you’re buying the right vehicle for making a mean statement. The rounder edges and more steeply raked windscreen help the new Range Rover Sport to match the look of the new Range Rover Evoque models, and that’s a complement.

Standard Range Rover Sport models have the 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine for powering your way through the mud or through the slower traffic. My impression of the 600 Nm engine is one of delight at the thought of unleashing this sort of mayhem on the motorway. The horses under the bonnet love to get-up-and-go, and because the 215 kW SDV6 is linked to a creamy smooth eight-speed transmission you hardly notice the effortless way that the Range Rover Sport climbs into its business as the throttle pressure is raised. There really seems no need to fork out for the incredibly fast 375 kW, V8 Supercharged Range Rover Sport that promises a sprint time in the mid-fives for the sprint from 0-100 km/h because the SDV6 can complete the dash in under seven seconds – which is phenomenally quick for such a large SUV. I can see how easily this vehicle could sit on the autobahns at high speeds cruising all day at over 200 km/h. Top speed for the Range Rover Sport SDV6 is 222 km/h. There are plenty of roads that you could do this on in Australia, but you mightn’t be driving for much longer – loss of license and all that…

As for economy, the big Range Rover Sport has shed a whole heap of weight compared to the last model, so you can expect around 6 and 7 litres/100 km on a good run for the SDV6 engine. Check out the brilliant CO2 emissions of just 199 grams/km! There has been some great science going on here because the new Range Rover Sport is 62 mm longer, 55 mm wider and the wheelbase has stretched another 178mm. Ha-ha… what lack of space?

If you fear having to slip in and out of parks in a new Range Rover Sport, than don’t fear because all you need to do is sidle up to a parking slot and let the Rangie do it for you. Parking sensors all around the vehicle monitor and guide you into the space on its own. What a relief! Other top features that you’ll find inside the all new Range Rover Sport are things like a flash Meridian sound system, heated seats, stop-start technology, electronic third row seats, accent leather stitching, a Terrain Response system, chassis control systems which includes twin-channel Dynamic Response active lean control, a rear locking differential and heaps more!

Other Range Rover Sport rivals like the Audi Q7, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Porsche Cayennes may have quicker models in their range, and they may even handle the really fast cornering a little better, however none of them can deliver the same cosseting ride when you’re driving at everyday speeds. And then there’s the Range Rover Sport’s off-road ability. When it comes to going off-road, well… there’s no comparison, is there? The Range Rover Sport even has a wade detection system that can warn you of the depth of the water that you are entering into!

The new Range Rover Sport models include the:

• Range Rover Sport SE
• Range Rover Sport HSE
• Range Rover Sport HSE Dynamic
• Range Rover Sport Autobiography Dynamic

For any more information on the new Range Rover Sport or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Range Rover dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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