Third-Generation 2023 Range Rover Sport L461 arrives
The all-new Range Rover Sport has been revealed to the world, just months after the full-sized Range Rover was launched. The new Sport features a smooth, decluttered design, Land Rover’s latest interior technology and plug-in hybrid petrol or mild-hybrid diesel powertrains. Prices will start from £79,125 for the D300 in SE trim, and it’s available to order right now with first deliveries to Land Rover showrooms in September.
A clear evolution of its highly successful predecessor, the new Sport has a 75mm-longer wheelbase than before to boost interior space, which has been disguised with a shorter front overhang. There’s a prominent beltline that loops around the car and rises slightly towards the rear, in contrast to the roofline that slopes backwards from the windscreen. Land Rover has worked hard to make the glass and window pillars flush-fitting and uniform, so the entire glass house appears to wrap around seamlessly for a modern look. The lengthened wheelbase results in 31mm extra legroom and 55 litres of extra luggage space in the boot.
To complement this look, there are flush-fitting door handles, and the slimmest LED headlights fitted to a Land Rover, along with full-width rear LED lighting with surface LED technology, a lower number plate and a style more in line with the Velar and Evoque. The standard wheel size is 20-inches, but items measuring up to 23-inches will be available.
Inside, the Range Rover Sport is intended to be more driver-focussed than the bigger Range Rover and this results in a 20mm lower driving position. A tall centre console sits between the front occupants, with a 13.1-inch Pivi Pro infotainment screen where it meets the dashboard. A further 13.7-inch display sits behind the steering wheel, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, along with Amazon Alexa connectivity. Trim levels will include SE, Dynamic SE and Autobiography, along with a First Edition model that will be on sale for the first year only.
Sitting on the same MLA-Flex platform as the Range Rover, the Sport has 35% more torsional stiffness than before, and can be equipped with 48-volt electronic active roll control called Dynamic Response Pro. Dynamic Air Suspension now features twin air chambers to reduce pitch and roll, and a ‘Stormer’ handling pack will be offered with four-wheel steering, torque vectoring and an electronic active differential.
One of the most exciting powertrain options is the plug-in hybrid, based around a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine and available in two power outputs (434 and 503bhp), wearing P440e and P510e badging. There’s a 141bhp electric motor and the battery pack has grown in size to 38.2kWh for a much-improved EV range of up to 70 miles.
Land Rover is also offering two diesel options, badged D300 and D350 and using the 48-volt mild-hybrid six-cylinder diesel engine from its predecessor. Developing 296 and 346bhp, respectively, acceleration to 62mph is despatched in a sprightly 6.6 and 5.9 seconds.
The final cherry on the cake is that Land Rover confirmed that the Range Rover Sport will be available as a zero-emissions pure-electric model from 2024, beginning a new chapter in the model’s history book.
296bhp D300 AWD models in SE specification costs £79,125, with Dynamic SE specification costing £3k more. An Autobiography with the same engine is priced at £93,865. Upgrade to the 346bhp D350 AWD powerplant and it will set you back £98,045 in Autobiography specification and £101,485 in First Edition guise. Choose from the plugin hybrid range and a P440e AWD SE will cost £83,330, while the Dynamic SE is £86,330 and the Autobiography priced at £98,070. Opt for the P510e AWD in Autobiography trim and you’ll pay £107,400, with the First Edition costing £110,840. All models come equipped with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, with diesel CO2 emissions starting at 196g/km, with the petrol plug-in hybrid versions from as low as 18g/km.
“THE BATTERY PACK HAS GROWN IN SIZE TO 38.2kWh FOR A MUCH IMPROVED EV RANGE OF UP TO 70 MILES.”