All-new Range Rover Sport rumbles into Phl

MANILA, Philippines - Land Rover Philippines (LRPhils) Motors Inc., official importer/distributor of Land Rover vehicles in the Philippines, recently took the covers off “the fastest, most agile, and responsive Land Rover ever”—the all-new Range Rover Sport.

Even if the new SUV was jointly developed with the all-new Range Rover, a hefty 75 percent of it has unique parts, and promises the marque’s “best-ever on-road dynamics together with class-leading, genuine Land Rover all-terrain capability.” The Sport is eight percent more aerodynamic than the previous model – achieving a drag figure of Cd 0.34.

“Designed and engineered without compromise, the All-New Range Rover Sport embodies the innovative spirit that the brand is known for,” said LRPhils executive director Marc Soong in a release. “With Land Rover capability at its heart, the breadth of capability of this vehicle makes it the clear leader in its class on road and off road.”

From a portfolio perspective, the Range Rover Sport occupies the middle spot between the Range Rover and the Evoque.

“The new Range Rover Sport is the ultimate luxury SUV. A new Range Rover Sport for a new era. It is relevant, sustainable and utterly desirable... Firmly establishing it as a powerhouse British brand, with exceptional design at its core,” said Gerry McGovern, Land Rover design director and chief creative officer.

Longer by 62mm than the outgoing Sport, the new iteration, said Land Rover in a release, is still shorter than other seven-seat SUVs and most E-segment sedans. This size should give it “greater maneuverability and ease of parking.” Still, a significantly longer wheelbase (plus 178mm) benefits rear passengers in terms of legroom (plus 24mm) and accessibility. Customers have the option of 60/40 or 40/20/40 split rear seats, as well a third-row, occasional five-plus-two “secret” seating which folds away into floor for greater versatility.

A proprietary Terrain Response system ensures optimum drivability in all conditions. Five settings are available, which may be selected manually or left on automatic: general, grass/gravel/snow, mud/ruts, sand and rock crawl. The system adapts responses of the engine, gearbox, center differential, and chassis system appropriately.

Another Land Rover innovation is Wade Sensing. This makes a debut on the Range Rover Sport. The system uses sensors in the door mirrors to provide the driver with information when driving through water, which is particularly beneficial when visibility is poor and at night. A visual display and warning chimes alert the driver as the water level rises around the vehicle.

These and other technological accouterments help make the journey memorable, comfortable, and safe.

Meanwhile, the all-new Range Rover Sport benefits from Land Rover’s “breakthrough lightweight suspension design and innovative dynamic chassis technologies.” Armed with first-in-class aluminum architecture, the Sport realizes weight savings of up to 420 kg.

The Range Rover Sport’s local launch was uniquely complemented by a seven-course meal, featuring the special single-malt menu prepared by Chef Mikko David of Hungry Hound and Niner Ichi Nana.

Various Diageo Reserve Classic Malts were paired with each course, as brand ambassador Colin Chia explained the history and properties of each whiskey such as single-malt scotch like Oban, Lagavulin, Dalwhinnie and Glenkinchie.

Buyers of the all-new Range Rover Sport can choose from four power plants: two supercharged petrol engines (a 5.0-liter V8 promising 510 ps, and a new 3.0-liter, 340ps V6) and two diesel engines (3.0-liter, 292ps SDV6 and 4.4-liter, 339ps SDV8).

For inquiries, call LRPhils at 856-CARS (2277) or e-mail [email protected].