Expected on the market early next year, the new 2018 Range Rover Sport from Land Rover will be getting some design tweaks and new technologies that will, according to the British manufacturer, further solidify its combination of performance and refinement.
The new 2018 edition will feature LED headlamps flanking a redesigned grille and a more aggressive-looking bumper. The cabin incorporates the new Touch Pro Duo infotainment system; the Jaguar Land Rover Group’s most advanced system includes a pair of 10-inch high-definition touchscreens and up to 14 available power outlets and ports. In addition, the available Activity Key wristband will allow owners of the 2018 Range Rover Sport to lock and unlock their vehicle without a keyfob, a solution ideally suited to outdoors enthusiasts.
The power roof sunblind can be opened and closed by hand gesture in front of the rear-view mirror. And backing up the vehicle with a trailer attached is facilitated by a new assistant integrated to the Terrain Response 2 system.
Under the hood, buyers can choose between V6 and V8 gasoline engines (the version installed in the new SVR trim delivers 575 hp and 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4.5 seconds), as well as a V6 diesel engine.
Base price for the 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Sport will be $78,800.
2019 Range Rover Sport PHEV
Land Rover is also planning to introduce a plug-in hybrid version of the Range Rover Sport for the 2019 model-year – a first for the automaker known mainly for its large luxury 4x4s. The company expects to begin delivering it to dealerships by next summer.
The new model will feature a 2.0L, 4-cylinder turbocharged Ingenium engine working in conjunction with an electric motor powered by a 13.1kWh battery located under the floor of the trunk; the setup will deliver a total output of 398 hp and a remarkable 472 lb-ft of torque. Harnessed by an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission as well as permanent all-wheel drive, the vehicle will be able to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, and be able to drive 51 km without sipping from the fuel tank. The company also took pains to assure potential buyers that the legendary off-road capabilities of the Range Rover Sport will not be affected with the new powertrain.
The Jaguar Land Rover Group has already announced that all of its new models produced as of 2020 will be available in a hybrid or electric version.