Auto Spies picks the 2006 SUV of the year-Part 2

Auto Spies 2006 SUV of the year

High-Speed Luxury. Packed With Technology

The Range Rover Sport is one of the most aerodynamic of all SUVs. Although packed with recognisable Range Rover cues, it is stylistically different in many ways. The windscreen is more steeply raked, the roofline is lower and sloped, the glass is flush fitting, the characteristic Range Rover bonnet castellations have been smoothed away and the vehicle sits lower.

The Range Rover Sport has five doors, with a single-piece rear aluminium tailgate that includes an opening rear glass for easy access.

Despite its comparative lowness, it is still a roomy SUV, offering space and comfort for five people. Premium materials – including leather, wood and metallic finishes – are used extensively. The cockpit is designed around the driver, and is more enveloping than other Land Rovers. The high and sweeping centre console helps the driver reach across to the controls, rather than down to them. The seats are sporty and supportive.

“The interior is far more cocooning than the SUV norm,” says Matthew Taylor. “Yet there is still the characteristic Land Rover Command driving position, which gives a superb view of the road ahead and the scenery around you. The Range Rover Sport will appeal to those who currently drive luxury executive cars (sedans) as well as the more sporty SUVs, thanks to its overall refinement and unmatched breadth of capability.”

It is also the most technologically advanced Land Rover to date. Apart from Terrain Response, Dynamic Response and a host of other advanced powertrain and traction controls, the Range Rover Sport features Adaptive Cruise Control (its first Land Rover application), bi-xenon adaptive front lighting and the latest generation satellite navigation, both on- and off-road. Audio systems by harman/kardon and a twin-screen DVD rear seat entertainment system, using high-resolution screens enclosed in the front seat headrests, are available.


RANGE ROVER SPORT – IN BRIEF


Exciting Design

* Tapered, flowing style makes the Range Rover Sport one of the most aerodynamic SUVs in the world

* Traditional Range Rover styling cues but in a much more sporting shape

* Spoilers and side skirts help high-speed stability but are also designed with off-roading in mind

Two Superb Petrol Engines & A State-Of-The-Art Diesel

* Flagship model uses 287 kW (390 bhp SAE) supercharged V8 engine, with top speed (electronically limited) of 225 km/h (140 mph)

* Normally aspirated V8 and advanced diesel V6 engines also offered (diesel not available in North America and some other markets)

* Advanced ZF six-speed automatic ‘intelligent shift’ transmission that also features a Sport mode and Command Shift manual gear changing

* Two-speed transfer box. Low range, for serious off-road conditions, can be selected electronically on the move

* Full-time four-wheel drive

* ‘E diff’ in centre differential and rear differential further improve handling and off-road ability

Strong & Spacious Body

* Integrated Body-frame combines strength and rigidity

* Rigid body aids handling and agility

* Body strength copes with tough off-road conditions

* Excellent crash protection thanks to strong structure and six airbags as standard

Outstanding On- & Off-Road Dynamics

* Broadest breadth of capability in the performance SUV class

* Exhilarating handling and agility, fused with impressive ride comfort and refinement

* New Dynamic Response system ensures flatter cornering and excellent driver feedback

* Class-leading off-road

* Full-time four-wheel-drive plus advanced electronic controls such as Electronic Traction Control, Dynamic Stability Control and Hill Descent Control

* Terrain Response maximises traction whatever the terrain, and optimises drivability and comfort

* Anti-lock brakes plus new Electronic Park Brake

* Speed-proportional power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering for precise high-speed driving and good manoeuvrability at low speed

* Four-piston Brembo brakes on supercharged model

Comfortable Interior

* ‘Driver-biased’ sports cockpit that sites major controls close to the driver

* Command view seating position offers excellent visibility

* Architectural interior design featuring premium materials

* Air conditioning on all models

* State-of-the-art in-car entertainment, including availability of harman/kardon ‘Logic 7’ system for ultimate hi-fi performance

* Satellite DVD navigation on- and off-road


DESIGN

“The Range Rover Sport looks like it’s going fast – even when it’s standing still.” That was one of design director Geoff Upex’s priorities when the vehicle was conceived.

“When people see the vehicle they should want to get in and drive it immediately,” says Upex. “It had to look dynamic and exciting, and be utterly tempting. We wanted a compact, muscular, hewn-from-the-solid design that promised great power.”

It also had to look like a member of the Land Rover family. But with a sporting attitude.

“We used many of the classic Range Rover design cues, like the floating roof – achieved by the blacked-out roof pillars – but treated them in a different way,” says Upex. “Range Rover Sport is a less formal vehicle and has more emotion. It had to look more dynamic, more active, and be more aggressive. The design is less geometric and has more flow: it is more rounded, more compact, tighter and more tapered. That’s the reason why this vehicle does away with the Range Rover’s bonnet castellations. We wanted a smoother, more aerodynamic look.”

The windscreen is steeply raked, and the roof is lower than on other Land Rovers. The glass area is shallower and the rear D-pillars are faster. Wheels are pushed out to the corners and are big – 20-inch on the supercharged model – to fill the wheel arches and convey the vehicle’s sporty character. Bigger tyres also offer more grip.

There are front and rear spoilers plus side skirts. They not only increase the sporty character of the styling, but also improve high-speed stability and the aerodynamics. The new Range Rover Sport is one of the world’s most aerodynamically efficient SUVs, with a drag coefficient of 0.37 (0.36 on some diesel models).

The aerodynamic aids have also been designed with off-roading in mind. The front spoiler is made from rubber, so can withstand knocks from rocks and ruts, and the side skirts not only improve stability and the drag coefficient, but also stop mud splattering the sills and prevent stone chips to the paintwork.

The rear of the roof is extended by a tail spoiler. This appears to lengthen the roof line and gives a sportier appearance, as well as forming a ‘flick line’ to extend the airflow rearward. This reduces wake turbulence and improves the aerodynamics. Flush-fitting glass and smooth surfacing around the lights further improve the vehicle’s ability to cleave the air.

The Range Rover Sport has a single tailgate with a separate lifting glass. Unlike the Range Rover’s split tailgate – which necessitates a flat rear end – the Range Rover Sport has a rounded rear. This gives the vehicle a more compact, tighter look and also helps smooth the airflow around the rear of the vehicle.

The nose of the vehicle bears a strong resemblance to the acclaimed Range Stormer concept car, which previewed the Range Rover Sport when unveiled at the 2004 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. As with Range Stormer, the Range Rover Sport offers a powerful supercharged V8, which demands the efficient passage of air around the engine. The perforated mesh grille helps maximise airflow into the engine bay, while one of the two side vents helps get air out of the bonnet area quickly. The other side vent is an intake for the engine induction system.

The headlight cluster continues the latest Land Rover family look but is slimmer than those used on the Range Rover and Discovery 3/LR3. It also features adaptive headlights, which swivel with the direction of travel to illuminate the road ahead. Bi-xenon lights are available for even better illumination and lower maintenance. Rear lights are also distinctively styled. Headlamp mouldings, front grille, vents, door handles and tailgate appliqué all have ‘Tungsten’ metal finish.

The supercharged version is distinguished by the use of brightwork for the perforated grille and side air intakes, black and silver Land Rover badges, 20-inch wheels and twin stainless steel exhausts.



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