The New Range Rover Sport Breaks Cover

Land Rover shows off the latest incarnation of their luxurious Range Rover Sport.

When the original Range Rover Sport hit the South African market almost two decades ago, it was an instant success. Buyers who lusted over the brand could get their hands on all the luxury offered by the larger "full-size" Range Rover, minus the larger price tag.

Well, as with any Ranger Rover, the good keeps getting better as Britain’s luxury SUV aficionados have just released the latest incarnation of the Range Rover Sport, and it doesn’t disappoint! From the outset, the new Sport’s sophisticated redesign is unmistakably Range Rover with sharp styling and the all too famous profile with its short overhangs, all further are enhanced by the muscular proportions and an aggressive stance. Dare I say that that new Sport looks as if it draws inspiration from the exclusive Lumma body kit available for the outgoing model?

Aside from just the re-style, where the Range Rover Sport sets itself apart, as with all Range Rovers is in the details, and knowing that their customers expect only the best, Land Rover’s design and engineering teams have not skimped in that department. That said, just look at the photos of that front end! When it came to designing the Sport’s face, the designers bucked tradition, going with extremely slim headlights, the narrowest ever fitted to Range Rover, and added a distinctive DRL (Daytime Running Light) shaped unlike the outgoing model or any other of the Sport’s stablemates.

Moving to the back, the slight wrap-around edges of the taillights adds a bit of familiarity, but that’s where the similarities end. Like the top of the range Range Rover models, the Sport is equipped with an uninterrupted LED light graphic, which uses surface LED technology to ensure crisp, consistent and vivid lighting when viewed from any angle. Land Rover has also given the tailgate a complete overhaul, making it seem less chunky and utilitarian than traditional tailgates but not going that ugly SUV coupe route like BMW and Mercedes.

The side view however is where Range Rover Sport shows off the extreme attention to detail that has gone into the design. You may not notice it, but the designers have flush-mounted windows and door handles, added a hidden waist rail finisher and laser-welded the roof. This means that that Range Rover Sport doesn’t have all the usual protrusions which have become commonplace on all cars, giving the overall appearance a smooth futuristic finish, like a concept car. 

When it comes to speciation and trim levels, you know a Range Rover never disappoints, and the new Sport is offered in S, SE, HSE and Autobiography specifications. For buyers who are quick off the mark, a First Edition will be made available throughout the first year of production with a specially curated specification level aimed at discerning tastes.

As part of those trim levels, buyers can enjoy a completely redesigned interior that focuses on driver control and comfort. To achieve this, the interior features a cockpit-like design christened the "Range Rover Command Driving Position". This layout cocoons the driver while putting all controls within easy reach, ensuring a more engaging driving experience and better visibility.

Aside from just the redesign, in true Range Rover style, the interior is finished exquisitely with options that include sustainable materials such as Range Rover’s new tactile and lightweight Ultrafabrics™. If you are a traditionalist, don’t fret, as Range Rover still offers old-school luxury with grained, Windsor or soft Semi-Aniline leather.

These stunning looks and the luxury would mean nothing if Land Rover never equipped their new Sport with something special under the bonnet. This means that you will be able to order yours with either a 6-cylinder extended range Electric Hybrid, a potent new V8 or 6-cylinder petrol and diesel Ingenium engines. Land Rover also planning a pure electric variant that should be hitting showrooms in 2024 as part of the company’s dedication to electrification.

Aside from simply getting your new Range Rover Sport moving, this latest model is equipped with every conceivable driver aid the company has to offer. These ensure dynamic and safe handling both on and off-road (not that I foresee many Range Rover Sports completing the journey from Cape to Cairo, but please feel free to prove me wrong). So, what do you get hidden in the brains and chassis of the new Range Rover Sport? Well, check out the list below:

• Dynamic Air Suspension.
• A Stormer Handling Pack that combines Dynamic Response Pro, All-Wheel Steering, and Electronic Active Differential with Torque Vectoring by Braking with configurable programming.
• Terrain Response®.

Being a Ranger Rover, the new Sport is also equipped with the latest in-car infotainment that includes:

• A Pivi Pro infotainment system equipped with a 13.7-inch interactive driver display and Software Over the Air capability.
• Wireless Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™ and a 15W Device Charger.

With that impressive array of features coupled to a stunning exterior and achingly luxurios interior, Land Rover South Africa is probably looking forward to runaway sales when the new Ranger Sport hits dealers at the tail-end of 2022.

Still searching for your dream Land Rover or Ranger Rover? The ClickaCar Virtual Showroom is where you'll find it.