A prototype of the Range Rover Sport was shown in 2004 at the Detroit auto show, with the aim of delivering to the public the main features of the upcoming model. The serial model was released in 2005. The public presented a sports crossover on the Discovery chassis with a Range Rover body to the public. This bright representative of the sport tourer class combines the excitement of driving sports cars with the versatility and cross-countryness of Land Rover cars. It has sharpened traffic data and outstanding breadth of opportunity.
The Range Rover Sport is a brand-new SUV class vehicle, compact, agile, designed for active driving, an example of a successful synthesis of dynamic qualities, comfort and technical excellence. The sporty exterior of the car is characterized not only by the reduced height of the roof, the geometry of the rear pillars and the possibility of lowering the air suspension for stability at high speeds. Charm give details invisible at first glance. These include twin tailpipes of the exhaust system, spectacular side air intakes, Brembo brand brakes (for the Supercharged version), excellent color gamut and other pleasant things.
By the pleasant features of the Range Rover Sport can be attributed, and a lot of auxiliary electronic systems. In particular, Terrain Response, which adjusts the suspension for driving on certain types of road surface. The driver is only required to switch the switch to the appropriate position.
The outstanding performance of the reinforced body with a welded frame provides excellent torsional rigidity. This allows even with the wheels hung free to open any of the doors and leave the car, or vice versa to return to its chic interior. A few words about the engines. For the first time on the Land Rover cars appeared modified engines from Jaguar.
The HSE version comes with a 300-horsepower 4.4 liter atmospheric engine, and the Supercharged version comes with a 4.2 liter 390-horsepower V8 with a supercharger. The latest powertrain makes the car the fastest and most dynamic in the history of the company Land Rover. Both engines are well protected from dust, dirt, water and other off-road charms. This is not surprising, because the car is able not only to knead the sodden clay, but also to overcome water obstacles. Torque is transmitted to the mechanisms of the system of permanent all-wheel drive through a six-speed adaptive automatic transmission ZF.
This transmission has a sporty mode of operation, and is also equipped with a Command Shift system, which allows you to manually shift gears. The reduced number of automatic gearboxes used for driving in particularly difficult road conditions is activated by an electrical switch and can be turned on while driving.). Another high-tech component of the transmission is the electronically controlled center differential, and, on request, an electronically controlled rear axle wheel differential that serves to improve the road and off-road qualities of the car.
The latest Integrated Body-frame technology (integrated into the body frame), first used on Discovery 3, is adapted for the Range Rover Sport. It provided the body with low weight, extreme strength and high torsional rigidity, as well as a high level of passive safety, as a solid body provides passengers with reliable protection during collisions. The side spars made by the method of hydroforming, in combination with the side airbags and window inflatable curtains provide exceptional protection in side collisions.
The greatest width of the frame structure falls on the cabin, which allows you to reliably protect passengers and vital components and parts, such as a fuel tank. Panels having a programmed warp algorithm, in the event of a collision, direct and absorb the impact energy, taking her away from the passengers. In this case, the panels that distribute the impact energy are positioned as low as possible so that in a collision, they come into contact with the corresponding power elements of the smaller cars for maximum effect. The same reasons due to the low location of the bumpers. Airbags. On all versions of the Range Rover Sport six airbags are installed.
Protection in the event of a frontal collision is provided by a driver's airbag, located in the hub of the steering wheel, and a passenger airbag, located in the front panel. To protect against side collisions, there are side airbags for the front passengers, built into the backrests of the front seats, and inflatable window curtains that extend the entire length of the passenger compartment. Window inflatable curtains open down and serve to protect the heads of passengers in case of serious side collisions.
In the event of a collision, a special passive safety procedure is activated, including stopping the engine, stopping the supply of fuel and activating an alarm system to inform other road users. All interior lighting lamps are turned on and all doors are unlocked automatically. The settings of the fully independent air suspension of all wheels provide high road qualities that encourage active driving. When working on the suspension, the focus was on reducing body roll and ensuring maximum information content of feedback for the driver. Among the Land Rover cars, the Range Rover Sport model is distinguished by a carefully-developed body aerodynamics.
Having retained many family features, she received the original style of the low-set body design and is distinguished by a large tilting windshield, a lower and sloped roof, and windows flush with the body panels. In place of the traditional "chopped" edges of the hood came rounded lines. The coefficient of aerodynamic resistance Range Rover Sport is 0.37 (for some versions with a diesel engine - 0.36), which is one of the best indicators in the class SUV.
In 2009, the car was updated. Restyled version was presented at the New York Auto Show. Range Rover Sport 2010 is designed on the same basis with the Discovery 4 model. This means that the manufacturer tried to combine in a single car sturdy sporting characteristics with excellent maneuverability. The least change was made to the exterior of the car. Headlight design has been slightly revised. The car has received new LED headlights.
Also the design of the front and rear bumper, grille has been updated. In addition, cars received more concise form. Special body elegance give branded, 20-inch alloy wheels. The interior began to look more modern.
Inside the car there are two screens - one large on the center console, and the second, smaller, on the dashboard. In addition, Land Rover improved the quality of trim. However, the most significant innovations have affected the range engine Range Rover Sport. Two versions of a brand new 5.0-liter 8-cylinder engine with a supercharger (510 hp) and without (375 hp), as well as a new 3.0-liter 245-horsepower diesel V6 with a system of parallel turbocharger. Both new engines are paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The model still has a previous version already known - a 3.6-liter turbo diesel V8. In the configuration Supercharged car received heavy duty brakes (six-piston calipers ahead). Joint development with Brembo. On machines with other engines, the brakes are also improved - there are four-piston calipers ahead. As in the case of the usual Land Rover Range Rover, the Sport version is equipped with an intelligent all-wheel drive system and an independent adaptive air suspension with huge moves and electronic control. The system instantly reacts to the surface condition and is able to take into account the driving style, constantly adjusting the settings of the shock absorbers.
And not shock absorbers in general, but each separately. The pressure in them changes at a rate of 500 times per second. Another useful addition is the Dynamic mode in the Terrain Response system. The principle of the system is that it adjusts the different systems of the car - air suspension, antibuks, engine control and brakes - to work on different surfaces. On stones, on snow and gravel, in a rut.
Yes, and also, just like Disco 4, a program has been added for moving along the sand. On the Russian market Range Rover Sport 2010 comes in three versions. The basic equipment of the model, as befits this class, is very rich.
