All New Last Year, 2007 Range Rover Sport returns with refinements
By Daniel Souza
The combination of a strong V8 power, the shortest wheelbase currently offered by Land Rover North America, and a low, wide stance makes the British vehicle an attractive option for buyers that can fork out sums north of $70k.
The price tag on it may raise the hair on the back of some driver’s head, but the SUV comes packed with enough options as to almost justify writing the big check.
This more muscular-looking Range Rover comes equipped with the popular Terrain Response™ system, also present on other Land rover models. The system provides the Range Rover Sport with a competitive edge in off-road capability—if you can throw a vehicle with this premium price in a puddle of mud. I did.
After finding the perfect off-roading area nested in the heart of
At first the Range Rover Sport proved to be confident and responsive. The Terrain Response™ system worked as predicted and gradually steered us through the mud-filled terrain.
Then Souza senior thought the vehicle could go through a soft, lake-like area in our off-road course. Before the adventure, we raised the SUV using the electronically controlled air springs that provide automatic leveling and three selectable ride heights—access (for entry), standard, and off-road.
The exploring began with a confident feel, but soon the Range Rover Sport started to struggle through the clay-like mix of water and dirt. Its pavement-friendly 255/50YR19 radial tires became as slippery as ice skating with only your socks. And though the Terrain Response™ system tried its best to make sense of the mud fest, it was my old man’s expertise and experience that got himself and it out of the ditch. If you plan on doing the same, may I suggest some beefy off-road tires?
But the Range Rover Sport features more than just a grown up backyard toy. Add a choice of two sophisticated V8 engines—Supercharged and naturally aspirated, four-corner independent air suspension, an electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission, permanently engaged four-wheel drive, plus a long list of premium cabin features and the result is an SUV with a major accent on sport.
Common traits shared by the Supercharged and naturally aspirated V8s that power the Range Rover Sport are aluminum block-and-head construction, chain-driven double overhead camshafts, and four-valve combustion chambers. The 4.4-liter naturally aspirated V8 features electronically-controlled continuously-variable intake and exhaust timing and electronic throttle actuation. Peak outputs are 300 bhp at 5,500 rpm and 315 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm.
Training an SUV to behave well both at high speeds on torturous, undulating pavement and while traversing challenging off-road terrain is no mean feat. To advance the Range Rover Sport to a new level of dynamic capability, Land Rover engineers dug deep and employed the best available technology.
To match stopping power with acceleration and speed, both Range Rover Sport models are equipped with high-capacity four-wheel vented disc brakes. Four-piston front disc brakes supplied by Brembo ® are standard on the Supercharged model and optional (with Dynamic Response in the Dynamic Response Package) on the HSE. The parking brake is electronically applied by simply pulling a small console lever.
As for interior amenities, the Range Rover Sports can please both the luxury-demanding (think Oak dark wood or light Cherry Wood trim, soft Lux or sport leather trimmed upholstery) as well as the tech-driver (Personal Telephone Integration System with Bluetooth ® capability, a nice male or female British accented voice, GPS navigation, etc.)
As for gas mileage, the old adage comes true: if you have to ask, you can’t afford.
Base Price - $57,250
Price as tested - $70,250
Daniel Souza can be reached at sixth.gear.herald@gmail.com or visit his blog at http://sixthgearherald.blogspot.com
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