Land Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 HSE Diesel

Land Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 HSE Diesel

The Range Rover Sport Supercharged is packaged as the ultimate road-going Land Rover that doesn't lose any of the brand's legendary off-road capability. Powered by a 390-horsepower supercharged 4.2-liter V8 engine, 6-speed automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive, the Ranger Rover Sport Supercharged is as quick as a nearly 3-ton vehicle can be, with the signature supercharger whine on tap with each dip into the throttle. While not exactly nimble, the Range Rover Sport Supercharged is tuned for the street, with electronic air suspension, Brembo front brake calipers and 20-inch wheels and tires. The interior features all the luxury expected from a Land Rover, with leather sport seats, Harman Kardon Logic7 surround sound, heated windshield and heated front and rear seats. The Range Rover Sport was never a shrinking violet, and this slightly toned-down new version is no exception. It’s still a big, imposing vehicle, but the slimmer two-bar grille and simplified front bumper help soften the Sport’s bluff appearance. The new lights do give that jewel-like quality that car designers like to bang on about too, although they now have a string of LED daytime running lights in them which I’m not a fan of. New front wing vents with LED indicators and a redesigned rear bumper and taillights complete the exterior makeover. The Range Rover Sport’s interior was a weak link, but the completely new one in this revised car is a total triumph. The level of perceived quality is well up, thanks to better-looking materials, lots of soft-touch surfaces and a 50% reduction in the button count. It’s simpler, but it’s way more effective. The new front seats are really comfortable too, although the command driving position is a little too high for me, as I kept banging my head on the roof. Tasteful lighting, a decent nav system and excellent Harman Kardon stereo round out an interior that’s a really rather nice place to spend time. The Sport is the most driver-focussed Range Rover you can buy, so what’s under the bonnet matters. The Sport has just gained the new twin-turbo 3.0-litre diesel V6 that’s also found in the Jaguar XF S. In the Sport this punts out 245hp and 600Nm, which is a handy 29% more power and 36% more torque than its predecessor. What’s more, the engine also delivers a 8.9% improvement in fuel efficiency and am 8.3% reduction in Co2 emissions. It’s a great engine, and suits the Sport well. Despite the car’s immense bulk, the torque of the engine means you’re never struggling for pace, while the super-smooth ZF six-speed auto gearbox ensures total refinement.

It’s not just the straight-line performance that impresses either. The Range Rover Sport has a new Adaptive Dynamics system which continually optimises the dampers to ensure you get the best ride with the minimum body roll. This is complemented by new variable ratio steering. It makes the wheel light to use but it’s very direct and accurate, allowing you to feel totally in control despite the vehicle’s size. The improved brakes help on this front too.

Despite the Range Rover Sport’s on-road prowess, it remains a thoroughly capable offroader too. The low range gears and excellent Terrain Response systems are all present and correct, allowing you to ascend and descend unfeasibly steep gradients, traverse muddy, rutted trails and ford some pretty deep water too. There’s even a new sand launch control system which does exactly what it says on the tin.