[Source: Ford press release] 

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
  

• 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
  

• 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
  

• 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
  

• '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.

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).

POWERTRAIN

Three light, compact engines are offered in the Range Rover Sport (depending on market), the most powerful being a supercharged 287 kW (390 bhp SAE) petrol V8.

Supercharged V8 engine

"Supercharged engines have a strong tradition in British sporting vehicles," says Range Rover Sport chief programme engineer Stuart Frith. "They provide smooth, big engine performance right across the rev range while being compact and efficient."

The mighty supercharged, 4.2-litre V8 is the flagship engine. Derived from the normally aspirated V8 engine also available in the Range Rover Sport, the supercharged version has 30 percent more power and 29 percent more torque. Yet it has the same compact package and similar fuel economy.

Acceleration time from 0-100 km/h is 7.6 seconds; from 0-60 mph, 7.2 seconds (figures subject to final confirmation).

The Range Rover Sport's V8 supercharged engine is not only more compact than a V10 or a V12, it has less friction and less complexity.

'Intelligent Shift' automatic transmission

All Range Rover Sport models have an advanced ZF six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, which distributes power full-time to all four wheels. One of the most advanced transmissions in the world, this ensures ultra-smooth gear changes and superb throttle response. Manual Command Shift gear changing is offered, and, on the supercharged derivative, the engine is automatically 'blipped' during downchanging to match the engine speed to the lower gear. This delivers a faster and smoother shift.

Twin-speed transfer box and electronic differentials

The Range Rover Sport has a twin-speed transfer box with both high (for normal conditions) and low (for off-road) ranges. The shift is electric and can be made on the move. It is unusual for a sporting SUV to offer this low-range facility, which enormously improves traction over difficult or steep terrain.

The centre differential is fully active. This 'e-diff' biases drive between the front and rear axles (in normal conditions it is distributed 50:50) and automatically varies torque depending on conditions. It can also be locked, to help traction in extreme off-roading. This is also performed automatically. An ECU controls an electric motor that locks the centre diff using a multi-plate clutch.

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.

"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."

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).

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 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 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. 

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.