Range Rover Sport Review
Published: 1st April 2007
Range Rover Sport
At the other end of the scale, the Range Rover TDV8 is capable of 130 mph and it takes 9.2 seconds to do the 0-62mph sprint. The 4.2 Supercharged petrol V8, derived from the Jaguar engine, is even quicker taking 7.6 seconds for the dash and has a top speed of 140 mph. It's little wonder that Land Rover says that it is, ‘the fastest and best handling Land Rover ever’.
Primarily designed for on-road use, the Sport’s suspension can be a little too soft for its readily playful nature. However, it doesn’t give the impression of being top-heavy and for a large vehicle, it is very agile. This is due in part to the Dynamic Response System featuring a computer-controlled anti-roll function. On the road, it allows for better cornering and off-road its input is restricted for maximum wheel articulation.
Land Rovers and Range Rovers alike are not renown for their excellent fuel consumption and while the diesel engine helps the official figures are not brilliant. The urban cycle is 19.4 mpg, the extra-urban is 31.4 mpg and the combined is calculated as 25.4 mpg with CO2 emissions of 294g/km.
The Sport is fast and flexible on the road but when it comes to mud-plugging it is better than most SUV's and so it should be. But before I get to the electronic systems here are a few vital statistics. The Sport has a normal ride-height with 172mm ground clearance - in off-road mode this increases to 227mm. It is unlikely that anyone would attempt to venture off the beaten track in standard mode so the following figures are for the raised level. The approach and departure angles are 34- and 29-degrees, respectively, the ramp angle is 25-degrees and the maximum wading depth is 700mm.
The Sport also meets Land Rover’s strict criteria for off-roading, namely it must be able to ascend and descend 45-degree gradients, it must have the ability to drive across 35-degree slopes and the electronic handbrake, which is no more than a pull-up switch at the driver’s end, must be able to hold the car on a 45-degree slope.
