The Range Rover Sport proved itself on-track and off-road. But can it shine on Indian roads?
Earlier this year we discovered two surprising aspects about the UK. First, the summer there can get unbearably hot and, being Indians, our judgement may be considered unquestionable. The other aspect, which impressed us considerably more than the English hotel’s air-conditioning system, is their skill in making one of the finest luxury off-roaders in the world. This, coming from someone who drives on Indian ‘roads’ every single day of his life, shouldn’t be taken lightly either!
Last summer on the beautiful country roads around Cheltenham and across Land Rover’s treacherous off-road test-track the new Range Rover Sport illustrated its broad range of abilities, which only a handful of cars can match. Now that J-LR have introduced this luxurious SUV in India, the situation is a mix of both and yet quite different overall. So we give the all-new Range Rover Sport the ultimate acid test by driving it on, hold your breath, average roads of our country.
We’re not driving the top-of-the-line 5.0-litre supercharged Sport, making 510 PS and 625 Nm, but its slightly poor cousin, the SDV6, with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel that produces 292 PS and a respectable 600 Nm. It’s really big and, compared to its predecessor, the wheelbase has gone up by 178 mm, height lowered by 149 mm and the overall length is about 62 mm longer. The new Sport is massive and even 55 mm wider than before and fairly efficient, returning 8.12 km/l on average. Our diesel V6 version weighs a hefty 2,115 kg, which, by the way, is an impressive 420 kg lighter than the outgoing model. But next to a full-blown Range Rover it appears to be of a size smaller.
The overall design of the Sport has strong traces of the Evoque: there’s the floating roof and twin-slat grille complemented by Range Rover-type headlights. There is more flow to the entire styling, with softer corners, which is a far cry from its predecessor’s boxy shape. There is a new curvy clamshell bonnet and a more acute angle from the windscreen that make the car more dynamic. The 20-inch wheels look fine, but the optional 21-inch would have looked brilliant. Fancier brake-lights and narrow rear glass-screen also hint at the Posh Beckham styled compact SUV. Since the Evoque has become their fastest selling model in recent time, the similarly styled Range Rover Sport should also fly off the shelves rather quickly. Our ‘HSE’ version test car came with all the bells and whistles, including adaptive xenon headlamps with day-time running LEDs, sliding panoramic roof, 18-way electrically adjustable leather seats, thee-zone climate control and various other frills and features that make life ultra comfortable on the road.
I climbed into the opulent cabin and got confused. Did the agency blokes send the Rs 2-crore-plus Range Rover by mistake, instead of the smaller Sport that I had requested for? The interior is a carbon copy of the elder sibling with the same amount of richness, simplistic layout and unrivalled finish. Closer inspection reveals some distinctions from the Range Rover, which subtly suggest the Sport’s more aggressive character. Firstly, you sit lower in the seats, which themselves are firmer. The steering is visibly smaller, more sports-car-like than SUV-esque. And then the rotary gear selector is replaced by a new gear stick resembling the one in Jaguar F-Type. Thanks to the light and airy cockpit the visibility from the driver’s seat is excellent and I could easily keep a tab on all the four corners of this massive, over five-meter-long SUV. The ambience of the fabulously well-appointed cabin is nothing short of a visual celebration. If I could change a few things, then it would be the infotainment system interface, which could take a few cues from its German counterparts. The car’s gigantic size makes reaching the glove compartment button or even the Home Menu quite a stretch for an average-build Indian like me. And where is that cool digital driver’s information console that imitates analogue dials, which I saw during the UK drive?
The rear seats are firm and well bolstered, though they cannot match the comfort of a luxury saloon, and neither can the improved rear knee-room, but for an accomplished off-roader are very comfortable. You can also incline the backrest of the rear seats for a more relaxed seating position and a fine Meridian Surround Sound Audio System with 19 speakers, along with rear-seat entertainment pack keeps your company amused. Then there is a fairly larger 784 litres of luggage compartment, which conceals a full-size spare under the carpet.
