The Range Rover Sport, the “sporty” member of the Land Rover range, has received a minor facelift and a massive mechanical makeover for the 2010 model year. The new model makes it more worthy of the “Sport” badge, although it still falls behind the tough competition when it comes to on-road performance. The 2010 Range Rover Sport was unveiled at the 2009 New York Auto Show.
A comprehensive program of chassis system modifications has transformed the Range Rover Sport’s on-road dynamics, while also delivering a substantial improvement in its off-road capabilities.
The introduction of new systems such as Adaptive Dynamics, working in conjunction with existing Dynamic Response on Supercharged models, and the addition of the road-focused Dynamic program to the Terrain Response system help enhance agility and ride quality. Further improvements to the Terrain Response system ensure that off-road capability is kept at the expected class-leading level.
The Range Rover Sport’s stylish, muscular exterior has been updated to provide a cleaner, more sculpted feel. Striking signature LED headlamps combine with a new two-bar grille, front bumpers and fenders to create a more sporting and aerodynamic stance. At the rear, new light clusters and a revised bumper design mirror the smoother front-end.
The interior has been comprehensively redesigned, using higher quality materials, soft-touch finishes and superior craftsmanship to create a premium environment which is truly worthy of the Range Rover brand.
New engines deliver exceptional performance and refinement.
The most significant changes on the 2010 Range Rover Sport are to its powertrains. The vehicle benefits from two powerful new engines: 510 hp LR-V8 5.0L supercharged and a 375 hp LR-V8 5.0L naturally aspirated engine.
The performance of the all-new naturally aspirated LR-V8 is now a virtual-match for the outgoing 4.2L supercharged engine The new naturally aspirated vehicle completes the 0-60 mph sprint in 7.2 seconds (just 0.1 seconds off the pace of the outgoing supercharged unit). For those who want the ultimate performance Range Rover Sport, there is now the all-new LR-V8 5.0L Supercharged, which is propelled from rest to 60 mph in an impressive 5.9 seconds.
The 2010 Range Rover Sport features a new Adaptive Dynamics System, which works in conjunction with the existing Dynamic Response system to enhance control of the vehicle’s ride and handling.
The brakes for the naturally aspirated vehicle are modeled on the 4-piston opposed caliper performance system from the outgoing Supercharged model. The updated system employs 14.2-inch ventilated front discs with new twin piston sliding cast-iron calipers for enhanced pedal feel. The rear features 13.8-inch ventilated discs with lightweight aluminum single piston sliding calipers.
Models fitted with the Adaptive Cruise Control option also benefit from a new Advanced Emergency Brake Assist system, which is designed to detect the driver’s responses to a potential emergency situation.
Working in conjunction with the Forward Alert System’s radar, Advanced Emergency Brake Assist primes the vehicle’s braking system, and even initiates braking in extreme circumstances if a collision is judged possible. Valuable improvements in braking distances have been recorded in the testing of this system.
For the 2010 Range Rover Sport, Land Rover’s award-winning Terrain Response system gains new features and refinements, further extending the vehicle’s all-terrain capability. Most significantly, the Terrain Response system now includes a new ‘Dynamic’ program, designed for sporting on-road driving.
The cabin retains its popular cockpit feel but incorporates higher quality materials, sumptuous soft-touch finishes and superb detailing throughout the interior. Leather is used extensively on major surfaces, in a wider choice of colors. To create a more sporting feel, rich dark shades ’sandwich’ narrow sections in lighter tones, and the effect is completed by a generous selection of stylish wood finishes.
The soft-touch fascia is all new, with a smooth and clean-looking design that can be wrapped in stitched, premium grade European leather. It features an architectural beam that runs across the width of the cabin, supported by natural wood finish pillars.
A new Surround Camera System supports easier parking and towing. It features five digital cameras which relay a near 360-degree view to the touch-screen display. The cameras function immediately as the vehicle is started, and have options for selecting and zooming in to assist with close quarter parking and with towing.
