Terrain Response
Land Rover’s new Terrain Response system is an advanced but easy-to-use technology that makes driving easy and improves traction. It maximises grip and safety in all conditions, but especially off-road. Simply select one of five Terrain Response settings to suit the driving conditions and a range of the vehicle’s functions are tuned to deliver optimal performance. The five programs are for:
1. General driving (for normal on- and off-road conditions)
2. Grass/gravel/snow (for various slippery conditions, including on-road)
3. Mud & ruts
4. Sand
5. Rock crawl
Terrain Response uses a high-speed network of electrical architecture to control the relevant vehicle features, systems and technologies including:
Engine management system: The throttle map is altered, improving drivability by matching torque delivery to the chosen terrain
Electronic control system: Of the automatic gearbox to optimise gear change points
Air suspension ride height: When low range has been selected, the air suspension automatically raises to off-road height whenever Terrain Response is switched from ‘general driving’ to any of the other settings
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC): Normally stops torque to a wheel after loss of traction, but in some off-road situations torque feed is still desirable, even when traction is being lost. Terrain Response automatically adjusts the DSC, so appropriate torque is maintained
Electronic Traction Control & Anti-lock Brakes: These slip and braking control systems are adjusted and tuned by Terrain Response to offer optimum grip, braking power and safety on the chosen terrain
Hill Descent Control (HDC): This Queen’s Award-winning Land Rover technology automatically restricts speed downhill, using the anti-lock brakes, and enables drivers to remain in control even on the most slippery of downhill stretches. HDC is automatically engaged on appropriate Terrain Response programs, and downhill speed rates vary depending on which surface is selected (in ‘rock crawl’ the lowest speed is selected to prevent vehicle damage)
Electronically controlled centre & rear differentials: With different slip or locking rates for the different terrains
Terrain Response works continuously. It made its production debut in 2004, on the new Discovery 3/LR3.
Says chief programme engineer Stuart Frith: “Terrain Response is like having an expert beside you, telling you what gear and what settings you should be in. It makes off-road driving easier, in particular, and allows you to get the best out of the vehicle continuously, irrespective of the conditions.”
BODY
Integrated Body-frame
Land Rover’s innovative new Integrated Body-frame platform architecture matches the strength of a ladder-frame with the rigidity of a monocoque, delivering the best of both approaches. First used on the new Discovery 3/LR3, the structure has now been developed for use in the Range Rover Sport, including a shorter wheelbase, by 14 cm (six inches), to improve agility.
The ingenuity of the Integrated Body-frame structure lies in its advanced computer-aided design, its trend-setting hydroforming production process and the use of advanced high-strength steels.
Hydroforming uses fluid pressures rather than conventional tooling to form shapes. It allows for a much greater range of shapes and sizes and tighter tolerances, increasing precision and reducing weight.
“The Integrated Body-frame is a superb starting point for the suspension systems of the Range Rover Sport,” says chief programme engineer Stuart Frith. “It is a strong, immensely rigid structure, tapered at the front and rear for superior styling and aerodynamics. It is at its widest in the centre, for maximum strength in the central passenger area.”
The structure has most of its weight sited low, to give a low centre of gravity for good handling. In addition to its extra strength, compared with a monocoque, another advantage of the Integrated Body-frame is that vulnerable systems, cables and pipes can be packaged within the structure, offering great protection during off-roading.
To provide the smooth but sporty feel that characterises the vehicle, special ‘mini dampers’ have been employed between the frame and body. The dampers are fitted adjacent to the body mounting rubbers and together form a ‘mini suspension system’. They further improve ride comfort and reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), while also improving driver feedback.
Additional vibration dampers are also fitted to the chassis, to refine the vehicle’s comfort further.
Steel and aluminium panels
As with a conventional monocoque body (as used on most saloons and sports cars) two monosides are welded to the floor, roof and bulkheads to form a strong and rigid single structure. The doors and front wings are made from steel, and are separate bolt-on assemblies. On the Range Rover Sport, enormously strong boron steel is used for the A- and B-pillars for added body strength, and for protection in roll-overs.
The bonnet and tailgate continue Land Rover’s long history of using aluminium for large panels. This saves overall vehicle weight and helps ease opening and shutting. Lightweight magnesium alloy is used in the front structure and forms part of the front crash crumple zone.
The Range Rover Sport has a single-piece lifting tailgate, unlike the two-piece tailgates of the Range Rover and new Discovery 3/LR3. This one-piece design allows for a more rounded and aerodynamic vehicle shape. However, the glass area within the tailgate lifts separately, to allow easy boot access, especially in tight-fitting spots.
All the steel panels vulnerable to corrosion are zinc-coated and all the alloy structures – of which Land Rover has more than 50 years’ experience – are treated to prevent electrolytic interaction with adjoining steel components.
SAFETY
As well as offering good active safety – owing to its host of electronic stability controls, powerful brakes and class-leading traction – the Range Rover Sport also has exceptional passive safety.
The Integrated Body-frame combines strength and rigidity. It improves vehicle safety, by providing occupants with an enormously strong structure to protect against collision damage. The hydroformed side members give exceptional side impact protection, and work in conjunction with side-impact bars and airbags.
The frame structure is at its widest in the passenger area, to shield occupants and vital parts of the vehicle, such as the fuel tank. Buckle points control its collapse in an accident, as it crumples, taking energy away from the occupants.
In addition, the front of the Integrated Body-frame has its collision ‘load path’ as low as possible. This is designed to reduce damage to smaller vehicles in the event of an accident, by impacting where the other vehicle’s safety systems typically work most efficiently. The Range Rover Sport has also been designed with a lower bumper line, to match conventional cars.
Airbags
All Range Rover Sport models have six airbags. Front impact protection is provided by the driver’s airbag, deployed from the steering wheel hub, and by a passenger airbag deployed from the facia.
The side-impact protection system has a combination of seat-mounted airbags for the front seat occupants and side curtain airbags running the length of the passenger compartment. The curtain airbags deploy downwards to provide head protection for passengers during severe side impacts.
An automatic protection sequence takes place in the event of a crash. This includes instant shut-down of the engine and fuel system and operation of the hazard warning system to warn other road users. All the interior lights are activated and all doors are automatically unlocked.
INTERIOR
Seats
The seats have high bolsters to improve lateral support and provide maximum grip for the driver and passengers. Occupants sit in them, not on them. The Range Rover Sport seats five in comfort, though the rear seat has pronounced profiling for the outer seat occupants, to provide maximum comfort and support on long journeys, in the tradition of great ‘grand tourers’.
Both front seats have power adjustment as standard with the driver’s seat having an eight-way power system – the switches are located in the seat valances. A memory function is available. Both front and rear seating positions are equipped with two-level cushion heating. Both front seats have manually adjustable head restraints, which house the twin LCD screens for the DVD system (where fitted).
With the roof-line profile tapering towards the rear, the rear headlining is deeply profiled around the sunroof cassette to give maximum headroom to the rear seat passengers.
The interior design is complemented by a choice of high quality trim fabrics in four interior colour ways. The seats are offered with a premium cloth as standard and a high-grade leather option. Vehicles fitted with the V8 supercharged engine have a unique and distinctive ‘sparkle’ leather trim as standard. A premium leather trim which features a softer leather in a ruched style is also available.
The rear seat splits asymmetrically and ‘flips and folds’ to provide maximum space in the rear load area. The boot is one of the biggest in the class, and provides plenty of space for sporting equipment – including golf clubs – and also sufficient room for bicycles and ski gear.
The instrumentation is clear and well displayed. Circular analogue gauges have metallic bezels and are grouped neatly in the main binnacle, directly in front of the driver. The large centre console is high and comparatively close to the driver. The short, sporty gear lever is angled to the driver. The other side of the console is given over to storage and cup holders that are capable of taking the largest ‘big gulp’ beverage containers. The vehicle’s use of an electronic parking brake means that the console area is unencumbered by a manual handbrake lever and its linkage.
The facia design accentuates vertical and horizontal lines. This very geometric composition is typical of Land Rover’s interior design philosophy, as seen on other recent vehicles. On the Range Rover Sport, however, the instrumentation and major switches are closer, and the driver is more enveloped by the controls.
The driver sits high, and enjoys the Command driving position characteristic of Land Rovers. Visibility is excellent – fore, aft and sideways. It is easy to see over parked cars, traffic and hedges, as well as over spray on wet roads. All four corners of the vehicle are visible for easier parking and manoeuvring. The big glass area provides a superb panorama.
“A vehicle that can take you anywhere should offer a great view when you arrive,” says Matthew Taylor.
Craftsmanship and quality are key features of the new Range Rover Sport’s cockpit. Apart from the premium cloth and leathers used for the seating upholstery and the luxurious cut-pile carpeting, wood and metallic finishes are also widely used. The switchgear, which is unique to Land Rover, has a chunkiness and precise movement that is typical of a quality vehicle. Controls that are used regularly, such as facia vents and major switchgear, have a rubberised finish to improve tactility. All grab handles are damped.
The facia is supported on a die-cast magnesium alloy cross beam that is both light and strong. It provides excellent support, reducing the likelihood of any movement, squeaking or rattling. The facia moulding is in Thermoplastic Urethane (TPU) which has a soft, premium feel, resists fade caused by sunlight, and has minimal plasticizers, reducing the ‘mist’ deposited on the inside of the screen.
Roof trim and door pillar trim are soft fabric. Two roof-mounted consoles provide interior lighting. Low-level ‘waterfall’ lighting is incorporated into the front dome lamp, and is activated when the headlamps are turned on.
Automatic air conditioning is standard, and includes a particulate filter to remove pollutants in both fresh air and recirculating modes. The temperature is selected using facia-mounted controls. There are separate controls for the driver and front seat passenger, and both sides operate independently. For the rear seat passengers, there are two vents at the back of the centre console.
The Range Rover Sport has a comprehensive in-car entertainment and information system, including the availability of a twin-screen DVD system. Other features include a harman/kardon ‘Logic 7’ digital surround-sound in-car hi-fi, a comprehensive navigation system including on- and off-road modes and an integrated telephone. The different elements of the ‘infotainment’ system are connected by a fibre-optic MOST network for rapid data transfer.
The top-of-the-range sound system has been developed by harman/kardon using advanced ‘Logic 7’ technology. This system uses 14 speakers and is powered by a 12-channel digitally controlled amplifier. Each channel produces 50 watts to create a ‘surround-sound’ stage within the vehicle.
The head unit is integrated into the facia and can store up to six CDs in its integral stack, as well as receiving a variety of broadcast wavelengths. It can also play MP3 files recorded on CDs, giving a capacity equivalent to 66 albums.
A centre fill speaker is positioned in the middle of the facia ‘topper panel’. Each front door is fitted with a bass unit, mid-range speaker and a tweeter. The rear doors each have a metal matrix bass unit and a tweeter. An 11-inch sub woofer is integrated into the tailgate and two surround-sound speakers are fitted into the rear headlining.
The mid-range hi-fi system features nine speakers and a six-stack CD player. A single CD system is also available which uses an internal amplifier powering eight speakers.
A rear twin-screen DVD system is available, with two 165 mm (6.5 inch) high-resolution LCD screens fitted in the rear of the front seat head restraints and a six DVD changer mounted in the boot area. The video output can be streamed into the front facia-mounted 180 mm (7-inch) LCD screen when the vehicle is stationary. The soundtrack can be played through the ‘Logic 7’ system to give a full surround-sound cinema experience. Games stations and MP3 units can also be connected to the system.
A state-of-the-art satellite DVD navigation system is available, which includes the latest generation of off-road navigation. Jam-busting Traffic Message Channel (TMC) systems, where available, broadcast on a specific radio channel to warn of hold-ups. The satellite navigation system can suggest an alternative route.
The navigation system is controlled via the high-resolution, easy-to-read-in-any-light front screen, which is touch-activated. Two buttons switch the screen between the main ‘Home’ menu and the navigation system. The screen also displays information from the Terrain Response system. Voice recognition is available for navigation and audio controls.
The Range Rover Sport offers an integrated mobile phone that employs a system developed by Nokia. This installation incorporates the Bluetooth system for remote operation although non-Bluetooth phones can be fitted into the cradle for recharging. The phone cradle is mounted in the cubby box lid and will accept most popular models of mobile phones, including ‘flip phones’. Bluetooth-enabled phones will function even if not inserted in the cradle.
The phone is integrated into the vehicle’s audio system and has a microphone mounted in the roof console. Incoming speech is relayed through the audio system, which mutes the normal programme when a call is received or placed.
TESTING
Though expected to spend much of its life on-road, the Range Rover Sport still had to undergo Land Rover’s arduous on-road and off-road test programme – probably the most varied and toughest in the automotive industry, covering over four million test and development miles in all.
Challenges varied from the Nürburgring race circuit and the Nardo high-speed test track in southern Italy, to the bone-jarring tracks of the Nullarbor Plains in Australia’s inhospitable outback. The Range Rover Sport has also powered along German autobahns, rushed up sand dunes and ploughed through the thick mud of Eastnor Castle, on the England/Wales border.
Extreme hot weather testing was done in Dubai and Death Valley, as well as Australia and South Africa – in heavy town traffic as well as in the wilds. And to experience temperatures a full 80 degrees cooler, the Range Rover Sport ventured to Canada and Sweden. The vehicle’s performance on ice and snow was also fine-tuned here.
Despite its on-road emphasis, the Range Rover Sport had to meet all Land Rover’s usual off-road testing criteria – the toughest in the automotive industry. It has to be able to wade in water 700 mm deep on excursions. Climb and descend 45 deg gradients. Remain stable when driving across a 35 deg slope. The handbrake must hold the vehicle on a 45 deg slope (harder than the industry average). And the vehicle must operate in temperatures as extreme as minus-40 deg C to plus-50 deg C.