The all-new Range Rover Sport has been revealed today in New York. The Manhattan skyline was the ideal backdrop for the world premiere with more units of Range Rover Sport sold in the United States than any other global market and New York being the model’s best-selling city.

The new design positions the vehicle between the Range Rover and the Evoque through a clear, shared design DNA. The Sport’s all-new aluminium architecture achieves a weight saving of up to 420kg, along with a reduction in CO2 emissions to 194g/km.

Land Rover Design Director and Chief Creative Officer, Gerry McGovern, said: “The new Range Rover Sport is the ultimate luxury SUV. A new Range Rover Sport for a new era. Relevant, sustainable and utterly desirable. Alongside the all-new Range Rover, and the Range Rover Evoque, the new Range Rover Sport represents the third distinct product in Land Rover’s product revolution. Firmly establishing it as a powerhouse British brand, with exceptional Design at its core.”

With a revised interpretation of the previous model’s design, the new vehicle has a more contemporary appearance combined with enhanced use of space. The new Sport is 62mm longer than its predecessor and has a significantly longer wheelbase (increased by 178mm) to provide increased room and improved access for rear passengers.

But shorter overhangs at the front and rear, plus additional width (+55mm) give the new vehicle a more modern stance. And with its ‘faster’ windscreen angle, streamlined and rounded profile and lower sloping roofline, the Sport is 8 percent more aerodynamic than the outgoing vehicle (Cd 0.34). The Sport is also 149mm shorter and 55mm lower than the new Range Rover on which it is based and model-for-model weighs 45kg less.

While it was developed alongside the Range Rover and shares some commonality with its sister vehicle, the Sport has 75 percent unique parts, a number of which directly influence the way the new Sport looks and feels.

Speaking ahead of the official world premiere at the New York International Auto Show, Land Rover Global Brand Director John Edwards said: “The all-new Range Rover Sport is a vehicle that has been designed and engineered without compromise. With Land Rover capability at its heart, it is one of the most road focussed vehicles we’ve ever produced, but of course still offers unsurpassed all-terrain capability. It is a vehicle which is designed to be driven. We’ve taken ride, handling and agility to another level for Land Rover to deliver a truly rewarding, sporting drive, together with unmatched luxury, capability and versatility.

“Building on the success of the recently launched flagship Range Rover, the new Range Rover Sport also employs a vast array of new technologies which help to transform its performance, refinement and all round capabilities,” adds Edwards.

At launch, there will be a choice of two engines – a supercharged 5.0-litre 510PS V8 petrol engine and a 3.0-litre 292PS SDV6 diesel engine. The powertrain line-up will be expanded in early 2014 by the addition of a 3.0-litre 258PS TDV6 and a 4.4-litre 339PS SDV8 diesel engine. In addition, a diesel Hybrid model will be available to order in 2014.

Across the range, acceleration times for the 0-60mph dash start from 5 seconds, while fuel consumption is cut by up to 24 percent – depending on model – and CO2 emissions start at 194g/km. All petrol and diesel engines in the new Range Rover Sport are paired with the electronically controlled ZF 8HP70 8-speed automatic gearbox.

The weight reduction measures on the new Sport open up the future possibility for the fitment of a smaller, lighter power plant, such as a four cylinder engine. A model which could have an overall weight of less than 2000kg, a reduction of over 500kg from the previous lightest model.

Source: Land Rover

Tags: 2013 New York International Auto Show, automotive design, Evoque, Gerry McGovern, John Edwards, Land Rover, New York, Range Rover Sport, SUV, transportation design