New V8 Diesel Extends Range Rover Sport Line-Up
Published: 22nd August 2006
Range Rover Sport
Dynamic Response also helps Range Rover Sport perform better off-road. While conventional roll bars are great for roll control on smooth tarmac, they work by increasing the force needed to move individual wheels up and down, potentially a real disadvantage off-road. Dynamic Response automatically reduces roll stiffness when driving off-road to improve the suppleness with which individual wheels can move, making progress over rough ground even easier. In conjunction with electronic cross-linking of the vehicle’s air suspension units, this allows Range Rover Sport to achieve excellent cross-axle articulation, helping to keep all wheels on the ground when negotiating challenging off-road obstacles.
Feature Refinements
The TDV8’s bright, Titan-finish grille and side vents are performance cues shared with the V8 supercharged derivative. Stunning new 18” and 19” lightweight alloy wheels are available on both the TDV6 and V8 naturally aspirated petrol derivatives, saving around 10 kg per vehicle.
Detail improvements abound within the cabin too. The optional new hybrid TV unit not only offers better analogue TV reception, it’s capable of processing digital TV signals too. This helps future-proof against the planned migration to digital- only TV signals in many countries. An attractive metallic finish is now applied to several controls to improve tactility, while crisp, clearer instrument graphics and an additional instrument pack clock make life easier for the driver. Other enhancements to specific derivatives include stowage pouches on leather driver seats, enhanced navigation functionality, lane-change indicator functionality (providing a three-flash lane-change signal in response to a single touch), an electric tailgate latch (for automatic closing once lowered) and the optional availability of Land Rover’s fully electronic Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (which keeps an accurate watch on temperature-corrected tyre pressure within each road wheel).
In the words of chief programme engineer Stuart Frith: “The TDV8 engine is the company’s fastest diesel to date and marries Range Rover Sport’s unique blend of dynamic handling and off-road ability with an unprecedented combination of powerful performance and diesel efficiency.”
All photographs and engineering data in this article are from pre-production prototype work. The specification, design and production of any vehicle shown is subject to alteration without notice.
Some images feature optional accessories.
