07:32PM - 24.03.'15
|
News Source: autoblog.com
|
The second-generation Land Rover Range Rover Sport is a hard vehicle to dislike. But if there's one criticism we can level against the latest mid-Range Rover, it's that the only V8 that can be optioned is the monstrous, 510-horsepower, 5.0-liter V8. See, Land Rover discontinued the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 when the fullsize Range Rover debuted a few years back. Following that appearance, both the LR4 and Sport ditched the 375-horsepower eight-cylinder in favor of the more fuel efficient, but less powerful, 3.0-liter, supercharged V6 that currently forms the base of the brand's largest offerings. For 2016, the new Range Rover Sport HST addresses the missing output formerly offered by the old V8 model. While it still uses a 3.0-liter, supercharged V6, the limited-edition HST ups the output from 340 hp to 380 hp. We shouldn't be surprised by this addition – sister company Jaguar uses a 380-hp version of the blown V6 in the F-Type S – although there's little denying that the all-aluminum Sport will certainly benefit from the bump. Besides the extra grunt, Land Rover is promising a "unique exterior design and interior enhancements." Smoked front and rear lamps and gloss-black accents on the hood, fender vents, fog-lamp bezels and Range Rover badging tie together nicely with the standard Santorini Black roof. A new rear spoiler and unique 21-inch satin grey alloys round out the exterior upgrades. Off-road enthusiasts might not be so crazy about this particular Range Rover, though. Like the standard Sport, it comes with a single-speed transfer case as standard. But while you can option the 340-hp model with a two-speed transfer case as part of the $1,500 Extra Duty Package, there's no mention in Land Rover's press release of a low-range box for the HST. While it might not be as at home off road as some other Range Rover Sports, the HST should be sharper in the kind of conditions its owners will most often encounter. Land Rover claims the HST will boast "unique chassis settings" to cut back on the Sport's already well-mannered body motions. For those that need something even sharper, the HST, like the standard Sport with the Dynamic Package, will offer a Dynamic handling mode for the Terrain Response System. Sharper steering, firmer adaptive dampers and more aggressive drivetrain settings represent the big changes in the sportier mode. While Land Rover has said that the HST will be a limited-edition model, it's not offered up any details on either pricing or availability. We'll be spending some time with LR next week at the New York Auto Show, though, and will do our darndest to get the details from them. Check back then, and if you're so inclined, scroll down for the official press release. |
