2023 Range Rover Sport can take on 40-degree slopes + water
New Range Rover Sport comes with PHEV variant; full EV model in 2024
The new Range Rover Sport did not hold anything back during its global launch last night (2 AM Philippine time), defying harsh and unforgiving terrain in Iceland in a pure display of its all-terrain capability.
In the hands of official James Bond stunt driver Jessica Hawkins, the new Range Rover Sport took on a 17-kilometer stretch of Karahnjukar, Iceland. It drove over a dune, a steep rocky incline to get to the spillway (we call it floodway here) of the Karahnjukar Dam, where it made a 40-degree ascent against the torrent of water pushing forward towards a 90-meter drop with the force of 750 tons per minute.
“The power of the water surging down the spillway was breath-taking from the side of the valley. Driving into it knowing that a 90-meter drop was waiting behind me at the bottom of the slope, if things went wrong, made this the most challenging drive I’ve ever undertaken. Despite the steep slope and rushing water, New Range Rover Sport made it look easy. Its traction, composure and commanding visibility inspired so much confidence I was able to enjoy the whole experience,” said Jessica Hawkins, Stunt Driver.
On the outside, the new Range Rover Sport appears unassuming. Its designers call the new look ‘reductive design’ that shows the tight seams of the surface without losing the muscular stance and familiar profile of the SUV.
“Our latest Range Rover Sport embraces fully our modernist approach of vehicle design whilst amplifying its unquestionable sporting and confident character,” said Prof Gerry McGovern OBE, Chief Creative Officer, Range Rover.
Inside is a cockpit-type cabin that surrounds the driver with upscale equipment and technology, including a 13.1-inch haptic touchscreen that features Pivi Pro and is capable of machine learning to make decisions based on the driver’s habits and preferences. It comes with the advanced Cabin Air Purification Pro system and Meridian audio options that offers up to 29 speakers, including four headrest speakers for the four main cabin occupants. It also has Active Noise Cancellation to keep external sounds to a minimum for ultimate cabin refinement.
The Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (iAWD) platform takes power from three engine options, two six-cylinder extended-range electric hybrid plug-ins and a twin-turbo V8. The former has 510 PS and offers a pure electric driving range of up to 113 kilometers, while the latter provides sports car performance with 530 PS that takes it from 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds using Dynamic Launch. Water wading is still at an impressive 900mm maximum.
A pure electric Range Rover Sport will be available by 2024.
What inspires driver confidence and delivers the new Range Rover Sport’s unique driving ability is the flexible mixed-metal MLA body architecture and the suite of technologies that it comes with. It has the Land Rover Integrated Chassis Control, Dynamic Response Pro (a 48-volt electronic active roll control system capable of applying up to 1,400Nm of torque across each axle), All-Wheel Steering, and its Dynamic Air Suspension with switchable-volume air springs (a first for the Range Rover Sport).
“Land Rover’s pioneering MLA- Flex architecture and the latest chassis systems come together to deliver the highest levels of dynamism we’ve ever seen on Range Rover Sport. Integrated Chassis Control governs the comprehensive suite of innovations, coordinating everything from the latest switchable-volume air suspension system to our Dynamic Response Pro electronic active roll control. The result is the most engaging and thrilling Range Rover Sport ever,” said Nick Collins, Executive Director Vehicle Programmes, Jaguar Land Rover.
The new Range Rover Sport is made at. The Solihull Manufacturing Facility in the UK. According to Land Rover Philippines, it is available to order now and configure to your taste and specifications.
