Car Showroom was astonished when we put the 2010 model year Range Rovers through their paces at the world launch in Scotland and we anticipated great things in our normal test procedure in Melbourne.
After a week in the Sport TDV6 we were astonished again – Range Rover has excelled.
What You Get
Range Rover Sport TD V6 is the entry level Range Rover. Its price tag of $99,900 puts it in rarified air, but its all-round quality, luxury interior, comprehensive equipment and driving dynamics more than justify the coin.
The updated styling for 2010 looks the business, the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel is a gem and the extra tech such as improved Terrain Response enhances the already remarkable driving dynamics and off-road prowess for which ‘Rangies’ are renown.
Inside the abundant luxury is improved, there’s standard Harman Kardon sound, satellite navigation and eight airbags.
These days, despite competition for the up-market European SUV dollar from Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen and Audi, clearly the Range Rover Sport measures-up in every department.
The Engine
New for 2010, the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel provides class-leading torque of 600Nm (36 per cent better than its 2.7-litre predecessor) and 180kW of power (29 per cent better). BMW’s X5 3.0-litre turbo-diesel provides 160kW/500Nm, Audi’s Q7 packs 171kW/500Nm in its V6 TDI while the Mercedes-Benz ML320 CDI offers 165/510Nm.
Despite the extra grunt, Range Rover has improved the fuel consumption by 8.9 per cent to 9.2l/100kms and C02 emissions are down by 8.3 per cent to 243g/km.
The engine is a third-generation common rail design (better fuel burn for reduced emissions and fuel consumption) with a parallel sequential turbocharger system. Maximum torque is delivered at 2000 rpm, but from idle, 500Nm (83 per cent of the maximum) is delivered within 500 milliseconds – that’s responsiveness with a capital ‘R’.
In most driving, the primary turbocharger does the work, leaving the second one dormant (for reduced fuel consumption). When the revs get beyond 2500 rpm, the second turbo seamlessly cuts in to provide an extra surge of power.
The Interior
Already a standout for its luxury inclusions and versatility, Range Rover has managed to improve the interior of the 2010 Sport. The glorious leather looks, feels and smells as you would expect from a ‘Rangie’ and the extensive natural timber trim retains its elegance.
New, white LED lighting casts a warm glow around the footwells, door handles and pockets as well as the center console. And the signature roller-shutter storage area is now finished in a metallic look.
Range Rover seats have traditionally had a deep, substantial look that is really a hallmark, but the new seats are actually deeper and also more supportive with available electronically adjustable side bolsters. The traditional leather-finished arm rests remain.
Driver and front passenger seats provide eight-way electronic adjustment and for the driver, this combines with rake/reach adjustment of the four-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel to provide an outstanding driving position.
The rear seat is also nicely bolstered for passengers and the Car Showroom juniors appreciated the elevated seating position. Installation of child and booster seats – tick.
Instruments present elegantly styled graphics and the twin binnacles look great with an LED center screen showing secondary and trip computer information. There are 50 fewer switches in the 2010 Range Rover’s simplified interior layout.
Audio is an eight-speaker Harman Kardon system with iPod and Bluetooth connectivity. The navigation and Driver Information Centre appear on a center console five-inch screen.
Luggage space is enormous – 958 litres with the rear seat in place, growing to 2,013 litres with the seat folded.
Exterior & Styling
The 2010 model year is essentially a facelift and exterior changes are minimal.
At the front, new LED headlights with interlocking circle lamps standout; there is a new two-bar grille and a larger air intake.
The front fenders and bumper are actually new designs and give the 2010 ‘Rangie’ a slimmer, more athletic look.
Rear-end changes include new lights and a simpler rear bumper whose deign mirrors the new front version.
From the side, the two-section front fender vents are a new, bolder design and the LED indictors are two stripes. Those 19-inch alloy wheels also deliver a great look.
On The Road
At the world launch in Scotland, Range Rover had us tackling roads and tracks of unthinkable toughness – wet grass, deep ruts, water crossings and gradients you’d struggle to walk down. On road, we tossed the ‘Rangies’ down some high-speed roads with the aplomb of a sports car.
Locally we did cover our usual mountain roads and the every day city commutes. In every situation, the Range Rover Sport came up trumps.
Mention Range Rovers and most people comment on their size. And, yes the 2010 Range Rover Sport is substantial in every aspect – it weighs 2,535kgs and is 4,783mm long, just for starters. But that doesn’t automatically translate into ‘unwieldy’ in the city environment.
Off-road capability requires a tight turning circle and the ‘Rangies’’ 11.5 metres handled our city car park easily. Other pertinent stats: ride height 172mm (or 227mm when the adjustable suspension is raised for off-road work), wading depth 700mm, approach angle 34.6 degrees, departure angle 29 degrees.
The twin-turbo V6 diesel is a pearler – acceleration is rapid and noise levels across the range are impressively quiet. For 2010, range Rover upgraded the six-speed automatic transmission for faster and more refined shifts.
Also tweaked was the suspension with stiffer bushes, DampTronic Valve technology for the dampers and a new Adaptive Dynamics system which works in conjunction with the Active Ride Control System for better ride and handling.
The result is a driving dynamics package which is second to none. This is a brilliant SUV driving enthusiasts will enjoy.
Towing capacity for the Range Rover Sport is 3,500kgs.
Challenges
Let’s talk cameras. Range Rover offers a six-camera ‘Surround Camera’ system that covers every corner (a $2,860 option). Sadly the plain reversing camera is also on the options list at $1,050.
In a car retailing at this price, the safety of a reversing camera should be standard.
Verdict
To use football jargon, we give the 2010 Range Rover Sport a ‘wrap-deluxe’! The British company has certainly upped the ante and, for us, deciding between ‘Rangie’, X5 or ML Class is ‘paper-rock-scissors’ – yep it’s that good.
The Competition
There are no second-raters in the European luxury SUV segment. It boils down to individual deals from dealers and personal styling preferences.
BMW’s X5 has been the top shelf for driving dynamics, but the 2010 Range Rover Sport gives it a real challenge. For class and on-road presence the Mercedes-Benz ML Class certainly stacks-up. But, the Range Rover edges both of them for interior and luggage space.
The Volkswagen ‘cousins’ – Touareg, Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne are all about as different as distant relatives can be. And don’t forget an all-new Touareg is on the horizon.
Likes:
Brilliant looks; staggering technology; overflowing luxury; sensational driving dynamics
Dislikes:
Reversing camera must be standard; dimensions may intimidate
