“The Range Rover Sport has generated a passionate following among customers who require the performance and refinement of a true sports tourer but who value the formidable off-road ability of a Land Rover. Now that we have widened its range of capabilities even further, the following for the Range Rover Sport looks set to grow stronger still.” - Phil Popham, Managing Director, Land Rover
New engines deliver exceptional performance and economy
The most significant changes on the 2010 Range Rover Sport are to its powertrains. The vehicle benefits from two powerful new engines that combine refined performance with improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions: the 245 PS LR-TDV6 3.0 twin-turbo diesel and the 510 PS LR-V8 5.0 supercharged petrol.
The new 3.0-litre diesel features an innovative parallel sequential turbocharging system to deliver class-leading refinement and torque. Compared with the much acclaimed 2.7-litre diesel that this engine replaces, the 3.0-litre unit provides 29 per cent more power and 36 per cent more torque, while at the same time reducing CO2 emissions by 8.3 per cent* to 243 g/km*.
The 5.0-litre LR-V8 supercharged petrol engine is all-new and designed by the Jaguar Land Rover powertrain team using an impressive collection of state-of-the-art technologies. This engine was developed to deliver a smooth, refined and responsive driver experience, producing an impressive 510 PS and 625 Nm of torque.
Outstanding performance is combined with superior fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions. Compared with the outgoing unit, fuel consumption has been reduced by 6.2 per cent*, with a corresponding reduction in CO2 levels.
“We have given the Range Rover Sport two truly state-of-the-art new powertrains. Each engine – whether petrol or diesel – delivers outstanding performance and refinement, combined with significantly improved fuel economy and CO2 emissions” - Ron Lee, Group Chief Engineer, Powertrains
Greater driver involvement through the wheel
Steering response is improved on the Range Rover Sport with the stiffening of the front suspension lower arm forward bush, which enhances the sense of driver involvement with the vehicle at higher speeds. The variable-ratio steering rack complements this by reducing ‘twitchiness’ during high-speed cruising – and increasing sensitivity at higher lock angles.
Braking system gets more power and feel
The Range Rover Sport is equipped with a new braking system which has been comprehensively updated to provide enhanced stopping power and improved driver feel. The brakes for the diesel model are based on the four-piston, opposed-caliper performance system from the outgoing supercharged model. The updated system employs 360 mm ventilated front discs with new, twin-piston sliding calipers made from cast iron for enhanced pedal feel. The rear features 350 mm ventilated discs with lightweight aluminium, single-piston sliding calipers.
The braking system for the supercharged model has been developed in conjunction with performance brake specialist Brembo™. This system employs 380 mm ventilated front discs with unique, lightweight aluminium, six-piston, opposed-action monoblock calipers. At the rear, 365 mm ventilated discs with single-piston sliding calipers are fitted.
Greater control and safety around bends
A refinement to the Stability Control system helps automatically slow the vehicle if taking a bend too fast, enhancing driver control. The system operates according to steering inputs from the driver. In extreme cases, automatic braking intervenes to reduce vehicle speed: the braking pressure level applied varies according to the severity of the situation.
This feature is complemented by the new Roll Stability Control system, which is designed to intervene if, in an extreme situation, the possibility of a rollover is detected. In such situations, the system is designed to take over and perform very rapid, wheel-specific braking to help reduce speed and marginally widen the cornering radius.
In more extreme cases, the system is designed to initiate marginal understeer by sharply increasing brake force on the outer wheels, again widening the turning radius.
Updates for award-winning Terrain Response™ and Hill Descent Control
For the 2010 Range Rover Sport, Land Rover’s award-winning Terrain Response™ system gains new features and refinements, further extending the vehicle’s all-terrain capability. Most significantly, the Terrain Response™ system now includes a new dynamic programme, designed for sporting on-road driving.
* MANUFACTURER'S ESTIMATES
More sporting design for a more sporting vehicle
“We have given the Range Rover Sport a cleaner, more muscular appearance which is the perfect complement to its new range of high-performance engines. Striking new signature LED headlamps, a two-bar grille and a larger air intake create a bold new frontal graphic which helps to reinforce the vehicle’s athletic stance” - Gerry McGovern, Design Director, Land Rover
The new design theme for the 2010 Range Rover Sport emphasises its position as the most dynamic model in the Land Rover range, creating a sporting, cleaner and more sculpted appearance. At the front, new signature LED headlamps provide a technical focal point and feature Range Rover inspired interlocking circle lamps. With a new two-bar grille and larger air intake, the vehicle’s frontal graphic is much more slim, athletic and low-slung.
The new front bumper blends with redesigned front wings to form a simple, sculpted surface, offering improved aerodynamics and a lower, more sporting visual stance.
The side view of the vehicle features new, two-stripe LED indicators, along with redesigned two-section side vents. Colour-coded door mirrors complete the visual changes.
At the rear, Range Rover inspired light clusters create a fresh new look, while the smooth and sculpted bumper design mirrors the style of the front end.
Premium interior environment
The interior of the 2010 Range Rover Sport has been comprehensively redesigned and features significantly improved standards of quality and craftsmanship that are truly worthy of the Range Rover brand. The cabin retains its popular, snug, cockpit feel but incorporates higher quality materials, sumptuous soft-touch finishes and superb detailing throughout. Leather is used extensively on major surfaces, in a wider choice of colours.
To create a more sporting feel, rich dark shades ‘sandwich’ narrow sections in lighter tones and the effect is completed by a generous selection of stylish wood finishes. To enhance the clean look of the interior, the facia now has 50 per cent fewer switches; the switches themselves are all chrome-plated. There are new seats front and rear, featuring a deeper, more sculpted shape; electrically adjustable side bolsters are available for the first time.
New ambient lighting adds to the premium qualities of the cabin, with the introduction of white LEDs to cast subtle halos around the interior door handles and pockets, as well as on the facia and centre console area.
Cutting-edge vehicle technologies
“The 2010 Range Rover Sport features a host of new technologies that will really enhance the driving and ownership experience for our customers. But in each case the complexity is hidden from view – we’ve made every system intuitive and simple to use” - Stuart Frith, Chief Programme Engineer
The latest Range Rover Sport incorporates a comprehensive range of state- of-the-art technologies, designed to improve comfort, convenience, safety and security for all vehicle occupants.
Infotainment systems and displays
A new, hard-drive navigation system provides faster route calculation and improved system reliability. The navigation system adopts an easy-to-use structure which now also features ‘towards guidance’. This supplements the junction map and icon-based information with details of the actual road signage viewed by the driver along the route.
The new portable audio interface allows connectivity to an array of personal audio storage devices, USB sticks and MP3 players, enabling the various devices’ functions to be accessed and controlled via the facia-mounted touch-screen system. One of the connectivity ports is a dedicated Apple iPod™ point made exclusively by Land Rover. This special design provides continued functionality in extreme driving conditions by helping to prevent the device coming loose from the socket.
A new, five-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) driver information screen is also introduced with the 2010 Range Rover Sport. Sitting within the instrument cluster, the message centre display ensures key information is communicated in a clean, simple and user-friendly manner.
Improving safety and security
Outside the vehicle, convenient and relevant new systems enhance safety and security. The 2010 Range Rover Sport has a sophisticated new remote key available, which offers both keyless entry and push button start.
A new surround camera system supports easier parking and towing. It features five digital cameras, which relay a near 360-degree view to the touch-screen display. The cameras function immediately the vehicle is started and can be used at speeds up to 11 mph, with options for selecting and zooming in to assist with close-quarter parking and towing.
The patented reverse tow assist and tow hitch assist functions (selected from the touch-screen menu) help perform accurate towing manoeuvres. The wide fields of vision on the side cameras give a clear view of the reversing trailer and the images are electronically manipulated to provide an undistorted view. Guide lines overlaid on the rear camera image illustrate the trajectory of both the vehicle and the trailer, and these move in line with steering inputs, making it easier for the driver to predict where the trailer will move to, before performing the reversing manoeuvre.
Specific characteristics such as type of trailer, number of axles and width guides can be fed in to enhance the system outputs. And finally, the available High Beam Assist technology incorporated into the new LED front headlights can automatically switch on high beam headlights where external light levels are below the system’s threshold. Importantly, the system is also designed to detect preceding and approaching traffic and, in a split second, will automatically switch back to low beam to avoid dazzling others.
