The new Range Rover Sport has officially made its debut by showcasing its capability in climbing up a flooded dam spillway in Iceland.
The third-generation luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) from Land Rover ascended the Karahnjukar Dam and resisted the surging waters flowing at a rate of 750 tons per minute. It was driven by official James Bond stunt driver Jessica Hawkins, displaying the vehicle’s grip, traction, performance and composure in the process.
In a statement, the automaker said that the newest Land Rover luxury performance SUV mixes "an imposing road presence with instinctive driving responses using the most advanced combination of chassis technologies."
To note, the nameplate accomplished several feats already such as the hill climb to Pikes Peak, crossing the “Empty Quarter” desert in the Arabian Peninsula and the ascent to Heaven’s Gate in China.
The last 294m stretch of spillway rises at 40-degrees and climbs 193m, with water cascading down to provide the ultimate test of traction and driver confidence.
“The power of the water surging down the spillway was breath-taking from the side of the valley. Driving into it knowing that a 90-meter drop was waiting behind me at the bottom of the slope, if things went wrong, made this the most challenging drive I’ve ever undertaken. Despite the steep slope and rushing water, New Range Rover Sport made it look easy. Its traction, composure and commanding visibility inspired so much confidence I was able to enjoy the whole experience,” Hawkins shared.
Range Rover Chief Creative Officer Professor Gerry McGovern OBE said that the latest Range Rover Sport fully embraces the brand’s modernist approach of vehicle design while amplifying its “unquestionable sporting and confident character.”
The new Range Rover Sport’s muscular proportions accentuate the overall design with taut surfacing, dynamic stance and recognizable profile.
On the inside, the new Range Rover Sport has a cockpit-like interpretation of the trademark Range Rover Command Driving Position. The Pivi Pro infotainment system features a high-resolution, 13.1-inch haptic touchscreen positioned at the center of the dashboard.
The new Range Rover Sport features Land Rover’s advanced, flexible Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA-Flex) that provides foundations for its dynamics and refinement.
Jaguar Land Rover Vehicle Programs Executive Director Nick Collins noted that the company’s “pioneering MLA- Flex architecture and the latest chassis systems come together to deliver the highest levels of dynamism” to be seen on the Range Rover Sport.
“Integrated Chassis Control governs the comprehensive suite of innovations, coordinating everything from the latest switchable-volume air suspension system to our Dynamic Response Pro electronic active roll control. The result is the most engaging and thrilling Range Rover Sport ever,” he added.
The Integrated Chassis Control system works in harmony with the MLA-Flex to provide instinctive responses and agility.
A new Stormer Handling Pack includes Dynamic Response Pro, all-wheel steering, an electronic active differential with torque vectoring by braking, and configurable programs.
The Dynamic Response Pro is a 48-volt electronic active roll control system, which is capable of dishing out a maximum of 1,400Nm of torque across each axle, while the all-wheel steering helps the vehicle maneuver better at low speeds, and keeps the SUV stable during high speeds.
The new Range Rover Sport comes with a V8 Twin Turbo power mill that can deliver 523 horses, allowing the vehicle to run 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds with the Dynamic Launch engaged. Powertrain options for the newest offering include two six-cylinder extended range Electric Hybrid plug-ins, that can cover up to 113 kilometers in pure-electric mode and emit as low as 18g/km of carbon dioxide. Land Rover said that a pure-electric propulsion will be available in 2024.
Further, the vehicle is equipped with Dynamic Air Suspension that has switchable-volume air springs, eHorizon navigation data (to pre-emptively inform the driver for upcoming bends), and advanced cabin air purification pro system.
Meridian audio options are also made available for the latest offering. The Meridian Signature Sound System is the most advanced and powerful audio system ever fitted to a Range Rover Sport, with up to 29 speakers including four headrest speakers. Matching the sound quality is the next-generation active noise cancellation.
Moreover, the new Range Rover Sport has the latest Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (iAWD) and Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control.
The new Range Rover Sport will be exclusively produced at the Solihull Manufacturing Facility in the UK, the historic home of Range Rover production, alongside New Range Rover.
Photos from Coventry Motors
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