Indiacar.com - Range Rover Sport TDV8 HSE

Never before in its history did Jaguar and Land Rover have such an appealing and desirable mix of cars and SUVs. And now the entire range is available in India via the Premier Car Division of Tata Motors, JLR’s official importer. What will be ardous is penetrating a market in which Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are already well established with great reputations, networks and brand recall. Will the Range Rover Sport, with its uniquely British charm and appeal overcome those hurdles? Overdrive (Aug. ’09) takes a test to find out...

Design
Unlike what the name suggests the Range Rover Sport isn’t a Range Rover with bigger wheels and snazzy stickers. This is in fact a completely different vehicle based on the Discovery 3 with 14cm lopped off the wheelbase. it has characteristic Range Rover cues with that hewn from solid styling, floating roof, distinctive bejewelled headlamps and clamshell bonnet. It sits lower and is shorter than the Range Rover and that gives it a sporty appeal with an undercurrent of dynamic energy even at standstill. It’s accentuated by the massive 20-inch wheels shod with 275/40 ZR20 high performance road tyres and fast back styling that eats into interior space but does so much for visual appeal. It’s topped by a prominent roof spoiler though the side vents are a bit boy-racer.

Interiors

Climb into the cabin and the thing that strikes you first is the exceedingly tall seating position. It makes driving the RR Sport a real occasion and the expansive glass area gives it excellent visibility. The RR Sport has a driver focused cabin with the central console canted towards the driver but also luxuriously appointed with a lovely mix of alcantara and leather on the seats, glossy woods, shiny trim and intelligent use of colours. But it is also dated in part, using switchgear from Fords old parts bin and the central console cluttered with dozens of buttons, all of which look and feel old school says OverDrive (Aug. ’09). At the back knee room is just about adequate though shoulder space is good. Unlike the X5, Q7 and XC90 there’s no third row of seats but the boot is big and can be accessed either by lifting the entire tailgate or only the glass.

As with all Land Rovers and range Rovers the Sport gets the acclaimed Terrain Response system activated by a pop-up knob in the central console. It has five modes: normal, grass/gravel/snow, mud and ruts, sand and rock crawling with each setting altering ride height, damping throttle response, traction, stability control and hill descent control. Height adjustable air suspension and a proper low range transfer box are also standard affirming its off—road abilities.

Engine & Transmission
Two engines are on offer in India, a 4.2-litre V8 supercharged petrol that cranks out 395PS of power and 550 Nm of torque and the TDV8 twin-turbo 3.6-litre V8 diesel made by Jaguar and adapted to Land Rover’s off-road requirements.

The diesel cranks out 272PS of power and a whopping 640Nm of torque, all of it available from as low as 2000rpm. So strong is this engine that 500Nm is on tap from less than 1500rpm all the way to 3700rpm which endows the RR Sport with impressive driveability. On the highway just a whiff of throttle is enough to keep her powering ahead majestically.

Each cylinder bank is fed by a variable geometry turbo-charger linked to high capacity intercoolers that play a big part in the engine’s impressive throttle responses. There are two fuel coolers to reduce temperatures in the engine’s high pressure fuel circuit and diesel is injected via piezoelectric injectors at pressures of up to 1700 bar. Intake port deactivation helps optimise combustion chamber swirl for greater efficiency and cleaner combustion. Keeping in mind off road requirements particularly the 700mm wading depth, there’s a patented turbo oil-scavenging system working in conjunction with specially developed sealing and intake systems.

Power is sent to the 4x4 drive-line via a 6-speed ZF automatic gearbox with tiptronic manual function (called CommandShift). It’s an impressively quick shifting gearbox, particularly in sport mode and it even blips the throttle to rev-match downshifts.

Ride & Handling
Like the Discovery on which it is based the RR Sport uses a unique body-on-ladder-frame construction which is designed to offer

the strength of a ladder chassis with the rigidity of a monocoque. It also accounts for the hefty 2.65-ton kerb weight which is more than even the Range Rover. It is suspended by wishbones at either end with unequal length control arms and air suspension that can raise or lower the car by 10cm.

Great emphasis has been placed on on-road performance and that’s evident at the very first corner you hustle her into. One is always aware of the sheer weight being lugged around but throw her into corners and grip levels and absence of body roll will surprise you. So it takes time to appreciate the Sport’s sheer depth of ability and revel in the majestic way in which she seemingly bludgeons the road and thunders along. But once you get used to the size and weight, the Sport does offer a rather rewarding driving experience and a better balance between on and off road abilities.

Performance & Fuel Efficiency
Two and a half tons is a lot of weight to hustle, even for a twin-turbo V8, but despite that the Sport does manage to post rather impressive acceleration times. The 0-100kmph sprint, despite wet tarmac, came up in 9.17 seconds say OverDrive testers (Aug. ’09). The transmission is another plus point in the performance arsenal delivering two and a half tons is a lot of weight to hustle, even for a twin-turbo V8, but despite that the Sport does manage to post rather impressive acceleration times. The 0-100kmph sprint, despite wet tarmac, came up in 9.17 seconds say OverDrive testers (Aug. ’09). The transmission is another plus point in the performance arsenal delivering quick shifts and the 40-100kmph kickdown tests took just 7.6 seconds.

On the fuel efficiency runs the Sport returned 5.72kmpl in the city and 8.5kmpl on the highway to result in an overall figure of 6.42kmpl.

Verdict
Where the Sport hits bulls eye is with its brutally aggressive styling that does the job in a far more convincing manner than any other SUV around. It also screams money. It’s also emphatically not German and the very British character, charm and theatre that it brings to the table is a welcome and refreshing change from everything that we are used to.

There are compromises though – some would call the cabin cosy but most will call it cramped, all its rivals have better cabins and ride quality around town is too stiff. It also lacks the versatility of its rivals equipped with a third row of seats. To top is all there’s pricing – Rs. 77.25 lakh for the TDV8 HSE and Rs. 84.40lakh for the supercharged petrol. That’s rather steep particularly when a Mercedes ML-Class starts at Rs. 54lakh and the Q7 and X5 don’t ask for a lot more and in return offer considerably more.

Brit grit
Review all Models of Land Rover Currently Available in India Never before in its history did Jaguar and Land Rover have such an appealing and desirable mix of cars and SUVs. And now the entire range is available in India via the Premier Car Division of Tata Motors, JLR’s official importer. What will be ardous is penetrating a market in which Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are already well established with great reputations, networks and brand recall. Will the Range Rover Sport, with its uniquely British charm and appeal overcome those hurdles? Overdrive (Aug. ’09) takes a test to find out... Design Unlike what the name suggests the Range Rover Sport isn’t a Range Rover with bigger wheels and snazzy stickers. This is in fact a completely different vehicle based on the Discovery 3 with 14cm lopped off the wheelbase. it has characteristic Range Rover cues with that hewn from solid styling, floating roof, distinctive bejewelled headlamps and clamshell bonnet. It sits lower and is shorter than the Range Rover and that gives it a sporty appeal with an undercurrent of dynamic energy even at standstill. It’s accentuated by the massive 20-inch wheels shod with 275/40 ZR20 high performance road tyres and fast back styling that eats into interior space but does so much for visual appeal. It’s topped by a prominent roof spoiler though the side vents are a bit boy-racer. Interiors Climb into the cabin and the thing that strikes you first is the exceedingly tall seating position. It makes driving the RR Sport a real occasion and the expansive glass area gives it excellent visibility. The RR Sport has a driver focused cabin with the central console canted towards the driver but also luxuriously appointed with a lovely mix of alcantara and leather on the seats, glossy woods, shiny trim and intelligent use of colours. But it is also dated in part, using switchgear from Fords old parts bin and the central console cluttered with dozens of buttons, all of which look and feel old school says OverDrive (Aug. ’09). At the back knee room is just about adequate though shoulder space is good. Unlike the X5, Q7 and XC90 there’s no third row of seats but the boot is big and can be accessed either by lifting the entire tailgate or only the glass. As with all Land Rovers and range Rovers the Sport gets the acclaimed Terrain Response system activated by a pop-up knob in the central console. It has five modes: normal, grass/gravel/snow, mud and ruts, sand and rock crawling with each setting altering ride height, damping throttle response, traction, stability control and hill descent control. Height adjustable air suspension and a proper low range transfer box are also standard affirming its off—road abilities. Engine & Transmission Two engines are on offer in India, a 4.2-litre V8 supercharged petrol that cranks out 395PS of power and 550 Nm of torque and the TDV8 twin-turbo 3.6-litre V8 diesel made by Jaguar and adapted to Land Rover’s off-road requirements. The diesel cranks out 272PS of power and a whopping 640Nm of torque, all of it available from as low as 2000rpm. So strong is this engine that 500Nm is on tap from less than 1500rpm all the way to 3700rpm which endows the RR Sport with impressive driveability. On the highway just a whiff of throttle is enough to keep her powering ahead majestically. Each cylinder bank is fed by a variable geometry turbo-charger linked to high capacity intercoolers that play a big part in the engine’s impressive throttle responses. There are two fuel coolers to reduce temperatures in the engine’s high pressure fuel circuit and diesel is injected via piezoelectric injectors at pressures of up to 1700 bar. Intake port deactivation helps optimise combustion chamber swirl for greater efficiency and cleaner combustion. Keeping in mind off road requirements particularly the 700mm wading depth, there’s a patented turbo oil-scavenging system working in conjunction with specially developed sealing and intake systems. Power is sent to the 4x4 drive-line via a 6-speed ZF automatic gearbox with tiptronic manual function (called CommandShift). It’s an impressively quick shifting gearbox, particularly in sport mode and it even blips the throttle to rev-match downshifts. Ride & Handling Like the Discovery on which it is based the RR Sport uses a unique body-on-ladder-frame construction which is designed to offer the strength of a ladder chassis with the rigidity of a monocoque. It also accounts for the hefty 2.65-ton kerb weight which is more than even the Range Rover. It is suspended by wishbones at either end with unequal length control arms and air suspension that can raise or lower the car by 10cm. Great emphasis has been placed on on-road performance and that’s evident at the very first corner you hustle her into. One is always aware of the sheer weight being lugged around but throw her into corners and grip levels and absence of body roll will surprise you. So it takes time to appreciate the Sport’s sheer depth of ability and revel in the majestic way in which she seemingly bludgeons the road and thunders along. But once you get used to the size and weight, the Sport does offer a rather rewarding driving experience and a better balance between on and off road abilities. Performance & Fuel Efficiency Two and a half tons is a lot of weight to hustle, even for a twin-turbo V8, but despite that the Sport does manage to post rather impressive acceleration times. The 0-100kmph sprint, despite wet tarmac, came up in 9.17 seconds say OverDrive testers (Aug. ’09). The transmission is another plus point in the performance arsenal delivering two and a half tons is a lot of weight to hustle, even for a twin-turbo V8, but despite that the Sport does manage to post rather impressive acceleration times. The 0-100kmph sprint, despite wet tarmac, came up in 9.17 seconds say OverDrive testers (Aug. ’09). The transmission is another plus point in the performance arsenal delivering quick shifts and the 40-100kmph kickdown tests took just 7.6 seconds. On the fuel efficiency runs the Sport returned 5.72kmpl in the city and 8.5kmpl on the highway to result in an overall figure of 6.42kmpl. Verdict Where the Sport hits bulls eye is with its brutally aggressive styling that does the job in a far more convincing manner than any other SUV around. It also screams money. It’s also emphatically not German and the very British character, charm and theatre that it brings to the table is a welcome and refreshing change from everything that we are used to. There are compromises though – some would call the cabin cosy but most will call it cramped, all its rivals have better cabins and ride quality around town is too stiff. It also lacks the versatility of its rivals equipped with a third row of seats. To top is all there’s pricing – Rs. 77.25 lakh for the TDV8 HSE and Rs. 84.40lakh for the supercharged petrol. That’s rather steep particularly when a Mercedes ML-Class starts at Rs. 54lakh and the Q7 and X5 don’t ask for a lot more and in return offer considerably more.
Indiacar Editorial Team on 3rd February 2010