2010 Range Rover Sport Pricing Announced, Arriving Early October

REVEALED EARLIER THIS YEAR, The 2010 Range Rover Sport is on its way to local showrooms, with an Australian launch announced for early October.

The new Sport has been given a more extensive overhaul than its less glamorous brother, the 2010 Range Rover, boasting a host of styling updates and new engines.

External updates for the 2010 Sport include a new grille, LED headlamps, front bumper, and a revamped rear bumper.

Land Rover has introduced the new Adaptive Dynamics system to the Sport, which in conjunction with the existing Active Ride Control feature of Supercharged models and the Terrain Response system, is designed to optimise agility and ride quality.

New features like gradient release, tow assist, high beam assist, keyless entry and push button start join the Sport range. There is also a new five-camera 'surround' system to help drivers when parking.

Engines

Joining the existing TDV8 diesel are three new engines.

The LR-TDV6 3.0 litre twin-turbo diesel develops 180kW (up 29 percent) and a class-leading 600Nm of torque (up 36 percent).

Fuel economy is rated at just 9.2 l/100km on the combined cycle, making for a 8.9 percent improvement. CO2 emissions have been reduced by 8.3 percent, the LR-TDV6 engine releasing 243g/km.

The all-new high-performance supercharged petrol LR-V8 produces 375kW (up 29 percent) and 625Nm of torque (up 12 percent).

Fuel consumption for the LR-V8 is rated at 15 l/100km, the big supercharged petrol engine releasing 353g/km of CO2 emissions.

Land Rover claims the LR-V8 powered Sport will cover the 0-100km/h sprint in just 6.2 seconds - quicker than most hot hatches.

The slightly more sedate 5.0 litre naturally-aspirated V8 delivers 276kW and 510Nm of torque, with fuel economy rated at 13.9 l/100km and CO2 emissions at 326g/km.

The elder statesman of the engine line-up, the LR-TDV8 diesel engine, remains available. Producing 200kW and 640Nm of torque, fuel economy for this unit is 11.1 l/100km, with emissions rated at 294 g/km.

"The new engines are ideally suited to the sporting character of the Range Rover Sport, providing generous low-end torque and spirited performance," Phil Hodgkinson, Land Rover Product Development Director said.

"What's more significant though, is that they are also incredibly clean, achieving impressive reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in real world conditions."

Features

"We have given the Range Rover Sport a cleaner, more muscular appearance which is the perfect complement to its new range of high performance engines," Design Director Gerry McGovern said.

Striking new signature LED headlamps, a two-bar grille and a larger air intake create a bold new frontal graphic which helps to reinforce the vehicle's athletic stance."

In Australia, the 2010 Range Rover Sport will be available in three different specification levels.

The Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 ($99,900), 3.6 TDV8 ($120,500) and 5.0 V8 ($125,900), while representing the brand's entry-level pricing, are described by Land Rover as being of a higher level of standard specification.

Standard features include 19-inch alloy wheels, six-speed adaptive automatic gearbox, cruise control, push button start, Terrain Response and Electric Park Brake, permanent four-wheel-drive, and a centre electronic differential with low range transfer box.

For comfort - synonymous with the Range Rover line-up - leather seats with eight-way electric driver's and passenger's seat adjustment and front adjustable armrests are featured.

An eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with steering-mounted controls manages sound, and a five-inch TFT infotainment screen features in the centre stack.

In addition to the features of the entry-level models, the Range Rover Sport 3.6 TDV8 ($135,500) Luxury and 5.0 V8 Luxury ($138,900) get steering-mounted paddleshift gear levers, rear view camera, 20-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and premium leather seats with electrically adjustable front seat bolsters.

An extended leather pack is also fitted to the Luxury models, offering a premium leather topper pad, leather door top rolls and door armrests.

The range-topping Range Rover Sport 5.0 V8 Supercharged, producing 375kW, is priced at $159,900 and includes high performance brakes, Adaptive Dynamics, Dynamic Response, a 13-speaker Harmon Kardon entertainment system, and 20-inch alloy wheels.

Safety

Safety features across the Range Rover Sport line-up include driver and passenger front, side and head airbags, and rear outboard passenger head airbags.

Driving aids include Electronic Brake-force Distribution, All-Terrain Anti-lock Braking System, Dynamic Stability Control, Emergency Brake Assist and Enhanced Understeer Control.

The 2010 Range Rover is scheduled to launch in early October.