A highly sought after and anticipated luxury SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle), the new Range Rover Sport, officially launched in Malaysia.
Alias L461, the third-generation build replaces the L494 model, and sits between the Range Rover (L460) and Range Rover Velar (L560).
Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLRM) is offering it in the Dynamic SE (Specification Equipment) trimline with a Standard Wheelbase (SWB).
It comes with a myriad of personalisation options, ranging from technologies and equipment, interior trim materials and finishes, and exterior colour schemes.
Fully-imported (CBU), the price starts from MYR 888,688 (duty-free), and goes up to MYR 1,698,000 (duty-paid), excluding on-road costs and options.
Each purchase comes with the Land Rover Care programme, consisting of a five-year/150,000 KM warranty, five-year free service and three-year roadside assistance.
Weighing in at 3,220 KG, the new Range Rover Sport stands at 4,946 MM long, 2,209 MM wide, 1,820 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,997 MM.
Refined with modern details, its familiar outlook now exudes a more luxuriously minimal and seamlessly solid silhouette, compared to its predecessor.
Elegantly sporty, the front-end sees a seamlessly-designed bonnet and bumper, made up of smooth edges and creases.
The top half is commanded by the ‘Range Rover’ script and a new rectangular grille, while the lower half by a stretched-out rectangular intake.
Flanking the latter is a set of horizontally-fitted P-shaped intakes. All fitments are finished in black.
An elegant profile, the rear-end exudes a design harmonious with the front, contoured by rounded angles and clean surfaces.
It blends body-coloured panels with a full-flat roofline. The latter sees a shark fin antenna, paired to a large and sporty roof-edge spoiler.
Featured in the middle of the tailgate is the ‘Range Rover’ script, bordered by a bar stretching across connecting the tail lamps.
Accentuating the layout is a new sleek-looking bumper, integrated with a centre skid plate and corner twin tailpipes.
Adhering to the scheme, they are framed sharply sleek and are linked by the grille in a one-piece design.
Fitted are Pixel LED units with signature LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), Predictive Adaptive Front Lighting, and Image Projection.
Slim and wrapped-around, the tail lamps see a seamless fitment, matching the front’s layout well. Installed are 3D LED units with animated directional indicators.
The side mirrors are electronically-powered (fold, adjust), with animated directional indicators, blind spot indicators, approach lights, and heating and auto-dimming functions.
Equipped are ventilated discs (front, rear). The setup is aided by an Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system.
Installed is a set of 22-Inch, Style 5127 Satin Dark Grey, multi-spoke alloy rims, wrapped in 285/45 R22 (front, rear) Pirelli Scorpion Zero tyres.
The new Range Rover Sport has a sophisticatedly modern and highly premium designed dashboard, underpinned by a minimalistic nature.
Decked in black semi-aniline leather, the layout is accentuated by subtle silver trimmings (Moonlight Chrome).
Overall, every accessibility on the dash is ergonomically positioned for the driver, and the arrangements are clean and airy.
Installed is a 13.7-Inch Interactive Driver Display, with high-definition graphics and a configurable layout.
It supports full-screen 3D navigation, driving information and audio, and comes with a digital and coloured Heads-Up Display (HUD).
The Standard Wheelbase (SWB) features a five-seater configuration with black semi-aniline leather seats as standard.
It also comes with an optional leather-free upholstery, combining ‘Ultrafabrics’ and ‘Kvadrat’ Premium textile in multiple hue choices.
Premium, all seats are power adjustable with memory (driver side) and heating/cooling functions, powered recline (rear), and armrests (front, rear).
Completing the environment is a multi-colour ambient light system, and a panoramic glass sunroof (electric - tilt, slide).
A full-fledged SUV, its very large and stocky silhouette offers plenty of head, shoulder and leg rooms, thus front and rear occupants get ample space.
Underpinned is Land Rover's new flexible mixed-metal Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA-Flex) platform.
Mounted is a three-spoke leather steering wheel, featuring multi-switches (media, vehicle telematics), paddle shifters, and column adjustments (electric - tilt, telescopic).
Steering is aided by an Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system.
The centre console, minimised of buttons and dials, makes room for the extra spacious armrest that has a large cavern storage compartment underneath.
Elsewhere, it has other storage areas like large sized door and back seat pockets, and a decent-sized glove box.
There are multiple cup holders, a couple in the front and in the rear seating, and there are also four bottle holders, located at each side door pocket.
Provided are wireless, USB and 12-V charging outlets, with the former featuring a phone signal booster, and the latter two strategically placed around the cabin.
Accessing its powered-gesture-tailgate (contactless), opens up to 835-Litres (seats up) and 1,860-Litres (seats down) of load space.
The new Range Rover Sport gets the following suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
Included are Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Assist, 3D Surround Camera, Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist, Driver Condition Response, Lane Keep Assist, Park Assist, Front and Rear Parking Aid (360-degree Parking Aid), Rear Collision Monitor, Rear Traffic Monitor, Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Speed Limiter, Occupant Protection Assist, and Trailer Stability Assist (TSA).
Other systems consist of Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Hill-Descent Control (HDC), Low Traction Launch, Dynamic Launch, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Roll Stability Control (RSC), All Terrain Progress Control (ATPC), Electronic Traction Control (ETC), and Cornering Brake Control (CBC).
Passive safety includes six airbags (driver-passenger, front-side, curtain - front-passenger seat detector), seat belts (illuminated buckles, reminders, pre-tensioners, anchors), ISOFIX (rear), parking sensors (six - front, rear), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), door ajar warning, Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, ClearSight Ground View, Wade Sensing, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and perimetric alarm.
There are a total of eight terrain modes under the Terrain Response 2 configurable drive program.
Installed is a 13.1-Inch high-resolution curved floating glass central touchscreen, featuring the Pivi Pro infotainment system.
The unit supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth and streaming, Wi-Fi, sim card (Online Pack with Data Plan), navigation and voice control.
Equipped is a 800-W Meridian sound system, featuring a 19-speaker and subwoofer setup.
Harbouring in the new Range Rover Sport is a 48 V mild-hybrid system (MHEV), integrated with a P400 3.0-Litre Ingenium in-line six turbo charged petrol engine.
The mill produces 395 HP/294 KW at 5,500 RPM and 550 NM of torque at 2,000 RPM.
Mated to the engine is a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission.
Power is transmitted via an Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (i-AWD) system, and is fitted with an electronically active rear locking differential, anchoring the SUV to the asphalt.
Acceleration from 0 to 100 KM/H is done in 5.7 seconds, and top speed is 242 KM/H.
Fuel tank is at 90-Litres capacity.
The new Range Rover Sport has Keyless Entry system (engine Start/Stop button), powered-gesture-tailgate (contactless), quad-zone auto-climate control (rear-vents), air quality sensor, Cabin Air Purification Pro, steering wheel (multi-switches, paddle shifters, column adjustments), load space luggage tie-downs/hooks, illuminated seat belt buckles, parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), parking sensors (six - front, rear), parking cameras, power adjustable seats (front, rear), Wade Sensing, ClearSight interior rear-view mirror, anti-dazzle exterior rear-view mirrors, Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) automatic headlamps, flush deployable door handles (auto-deploy), Automatic Air Suspension (ride height adjust - auto), rain sensing wipers, voice control, and speed-sensing door locks.
Rear air-conditioning vents are provided.
Built on the Flexible Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA-Flex) platform, it boasts 50% greater torsional rigidity with a static rigidity of 30,000 NM per degree.
Standard setup is a four-corner air suspension for the chassis that uses a double-wishbone front and rear setup.
Other supporting fitments are Adaptive Dynamics suspensions, Electronic Air Suspension, Terrain Response 2, and Configurable Dynamics (throttle mapping, gearbox shifts, steering settings, suspension).
Ultimately, all these elements provide for a solid and firm drive, very suitable as a daily driver. Inside and out, performance- and comfort-wise, overall ride quality is sublime.
Good sound insulation with the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) factored in, suppressing unwanted noises well, making them barely noticeable.
Included is the Active Road Noise Cancellation. A system that calculates audio signals via the Meridian speakers, reducing the cabin’s sound decibel level.
The new Range Rover Sport is built with a sporty and elegant appeal, while boasting uber space and practicality.
Its refined exterior is very well designed, with the clean and seamless lines donating a powerful contour, emphasising its sporty stature and presence.
The quality of the equipment and materials installed inside, is also impressive with the upscale, mature design and restrained detailing.
Overall, it bargains more than just good looks, it also provides an absolute driving pleasure with its engaging driving dynamics.