The second generation of Land Rover’s Range Rover Sport is making its world premiere at the New York International Auto Show. The main news is a 5+2 seating format, the choice of two 4×4 systems, plus a diesel hybrid and four-cylinder variants to come.
The new model, L494, replaces the L320 which had the outgoing Discovery (T5) platform. L494 shares its aluminium architecture with the Range Rover, but unlike Land Rover’s flagship, the Sport can be ordered with seven seats.
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As was the case with the L405 Range Rover that was launched last year, claims of major weight savings are being made for the new Sport. In this case, the stated like-for-like mass reduction is said to be 420kg for V6 diesel variants. The average weight for a first generation Range Rover Sport is quoted as 2,535kg, as opposed to 2,135kg for the new model.
The new Sport is 62mm longer than its predecessor, measuring 4,850mm. The wheelbase is up by 178mm, which allows the optional 5+2 format. The third row seats have a 50/50 split and are lowered electrically. They are said to leave a flat floor when folded, with no loss of boot space.
Land Rover says despite the common platform and powertrains, 75% of the Sport’s parts are bespoke. The suspension system is but one example. This uses aluminium components and is fully-independent, with wide-spaced double-wishbones at the front and an advanced multi-link layout at the rear.
The vehicle’s aluminium body structure employs a combination of pressed panels, plus cast, extruded and rolled aluminium alloy parts. The Sport retains the expected off-roading abilities of a Land Rover. Wheel-travel is quoted as 260mm front and 272mm rear, with articulation of 546mm to deal with the toughest conditions. Maximum ground clearance rises to 278mm (+51mm) and the upgraded air suspension system automatically varies between two ride heights.
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By GlobalDataSo-called fifth generation air suspension provides up to 115mm of regular movement, from the lowest setting (10mm lower at 50mm for easier entry and exit) to the standard off-road height. An automatic extension, triggered by sensors, and a manually-selected extension, both raise the Sport by 35mm, giving a total movement range of 185mm.
A choice of two full-time 4WD systems will be offered with this new vehicle. The first provides a two-speed transfer case with low-range option. This is for the most demanding off-road conditions and means a front-rear 50/50 percent default torque split, and 100% locking capability.
The alternative system weighs 18kg less and features a single-speed transfer case with a Torsen differential. This automatically distributes torque to the axle with most grip. The default front-rear torque split of 42/58 percent is designed to provide a rear-wheel drive bias for optimum driving dynamics.
There will be a choice of four engines – two supercharged petrol units (340PS 3.0-litre V6 and 510PS 5.0-litre V8) and two diesels (a 3.0-litre V6 with 258PS or 292PS). A 339PS 4.4-litre V8 diesel will be added in late 2013. ZF’s 8HP70 eight-speed automatic gearbox is standard for all variants, as is stop-start.
Land Rover notes that “weight reduction measures on the new Range Rover Sport open up the future possibility for the fitment of a smaller, lighter power plant, such as a four cylinder engine. A model which could have an overall weight of less than 2,000kg”.
The proposed four-cylinder engine will no doubt be from the forthcoming family of petrol and diesel units announced by Tata Motors in September 2011. These will be manufactured in an engine factory that is being constructed at i54 South Staffordshire, a business park near Wolverhampton in the English Midlands.
The new Range Rover Sport will enter series production at Land Rover’s main Solihull plant in the summer. It is due to go on sale from the third quarter. A diesel-electric Hybrid will follow for relevant markets in 2014, with the company already quoting a CO2 emissions number of 169g/km for this variant.
Author: Glenn Brooks
