2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged Review

A pair of new engines fortifies the gentlemanly 2010 Range Rover Sport while revised bodywork and a new interior discreetly distinguish it from last year’s version.

First the new powerplants
Dropping a new engine into an existing vehicle is similar to a patient receiving a heart transplant. It can reinvigorate the vehicle and allow it to attain performance thresholds beyond limitations imposed by the previous organ – er, engine.

A pair of new engines fortifies the gentlemanly 2010 Range Rover Sport while revised bodywork and a new interior discreetly distinguish it from last year’s version.(Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com)

Such is the case with today’s Range Rover Sport.

Although it appears that two new engines are available, it’s actually two variants of the same engine, that being a 5.0-litre DOHC V8 with and without supercharging.

The normally aspirated version of the new mill emits a total of 375 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm and 375 pound-feet of torque @ 3,500 rpm. The supercharged version—which happens to power this week’s tester—exudes a wicked 510 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 461 pound-feet of torque @ 2,500 rpm.

Given that last year’s supercharged engine produced less than 400 horsepower, the 2010 version is immensely more powerful. And the naturally aspirated engine for 2010 handily exceeds the output of the former.

Regrettably, the new engines fail to improve upon the Range Rover’s dreadful fuel economy in any meaningful way. The supercharged unit is rated at a wallet-crushing 18.4 and 11.2L/100km city and highway driving respectively, and premium fuel is required.

It’s worthwhile noting though that the new engine—in both supercharged form and not—is a more efficient unit than the two previous mills; it produces much greater output without a discernible penalty at the pumps over last year’s powerplants.

Styling revisions complement improved performance
While not being overt to the average eye, a revised front grille, headlight arrangement, bumper and air intakes announce the presence of a 2010 Range Rover Sport. New taillights and some other minor cosmetics further define the vehicle.

The normally aspirated version of the new mill emits a total of 375 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm and 375 pound-feet of torque @ 3,500 rpm. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com)