2007 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

LAND ROVER'S SPORTS TOURER MAKES WAVES IN PERFORMANCE SUV CATEGORY

All New Last Year, Range Rover Sport Returns With 2007 Refinements
Building on Britain's distinguished history of sports cars, sport sedans and surefooted off-roaders, the Range Rover Sport is the SÚV engineered for those who take their driving seriously. The combination of strong V8 power, the shortest wheelbase currently offered by Land Rover North America, and a low, wide stance yields exemplary agility and tenacious road holding. The Range Rover Sport, available with Land Rover's latest generation of active suspension, Dynamic Response, is rapidly becoming the SÚV of choice to those who enjoy fast, long-distance touring.

The Dynamic Response suspension system, which is standard on the Supercharged model and optional on the naturally aspirated HSE, combines with Brembo ® front brakes to deliver flat cornering, tight body control, and sharp steering response. Land Rover's exclusive Terrain Response™ system provides the Range Rover Sport with a competitive edge in off-road capability. Add a choice of two sophisticated V8 engines—Supercharged and naturally aspirated, four-corner independent air suspension, an electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission, permanently engaged four-wheel drive, plus a long list of premium cabin features and the result is an SÚV with a major accent on sport.

Standard equipment levels are improved this year with the addition of a Personal Telephone Integration System with Bluetooth ® capability and one-touch power window operation at the front passenger's position. SIRIÚS satellite radio is now standard on the Supercharged model. Supercharged customers may choose between lined Oak dark wood or light Cherry Wood trim, soft Lux or sport leather trimmed upholstery. Also available is a standard Supercharged or optional Stormer design 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheel.

CORE ARCHITECTÚRE


The vehicle uses a smart combination of high-tensile-strength boron steel to reinforce the roof pillars, magnesium in the front crumple zone, and aluminum for the hood. A single-piece tailgate with a separate hinged glass not only provides convenient access to the cargo hold, it also trims aerodynamic drag. Exterior steel panels are zinc coated on both sides for corrosion protection. Static glazing is bonded in place to contribute to the body's structural rigidity.

POWERTRAINS


Common traits shared by the Supercharged and naturally aspirated V8s that power the Range Rover Sport are aluminum block-and-head construction, chain-driven double overhead camshafts, and four-valve combustion chambers. The 4.4-liter naturally aspirated V8 features electronically-controlled continuously-variable intake and exhaust timing and electronic throttle actuation. Peak outputs are 300 bhp at 5,500 rpm and 315 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm.

The 4.2-liter Supercharged and intercooled V8 uses thicker-walled cylinder liners for extra block rigidity, necessitating a slightly smaller bore dimension. Twin air-to-coolant heat exchangers cool the pressurized intake charge en route to the cylinders. The Supercharged V8 delivers a hearty 390 bhp at 5,750 rpm and 410 lb.-ft. of torque at a useful 3,500 rpm.

The ZF electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission offers three modes— automatic, sport, and CommandShift™ (manual). When the console-mounted lever is moved to the CommandShift™ gate, gear changes are selected by the driver manually and it is especially useful in matching engine and road speeds during aggressive braking, when a downshift is required, and for powering smartly out of bends. Selecting Sport mode provides a more responsive automatic shift program allowing the engine to rev higher before upshifting and providing more aggressive downshifts.

The Range Rover Sport's two-speed transfer case features an electronically controlled, infinitely variable locking center differential that automatically distributes the available torque to both drive axles. Shifting between low and high ranges is possible without stopping. An electronically actuated infinitely variable rear differential lock can be selected from the optional equipment list.

CHASSIS

Training an SÚV to behave well both at high speeds on torturous, undulating pavement and while traversing challenging off-road terrain is no mean feat. To advance the Range Rover Sport to a new level of dynamic capability, Land Rover engineers dug deep and employed the best available technology. Key components are:

An independent double-wishbone suspension system at each corner
High-capacity monotube dampers for consistent control of wheel and body motion
Electronically controlled air springs that provide automatic leveling and three selectable ride heights—access (for entry), standard, and off-road; cross linking the air springs makes the best use of the long travel suspension system
Land Rover's Dynamic Response system combined with Brembo ® front brakes is standard on the Supercharged model and available on the HSE. Active anti-roll bars that balance handling and manage body roll on-road and relaxing the bars during off-road excursions provides the extra wheel articulation needed to maintain a secure footing.
Speed-sensitive, variable-ratio ZF power rack-and-pinion steering for excellent feedback and optimum directional control
Cast aluminum-alloy wheels for low unsprung weight and excellent dispersal of braking heat
Wide, low-profile radial tires compounded for a balance of performance both on- and off-road; the Range Rover Sport HSE is fitted with 255/50YR19 radial tires while the Supercharged model rolls on 275/40YR20 radial tires.
To match stopping power with acceleration and speed, both Range Rover Sport models are equipped with high-capacity four-wheel vented disc brakes. Four-piston front disc brakes supplied by Brembo ® are standard on the Supercharged model and optional (with Dynamic Response in the Dynamic Response Package) on the HSE. The parking brake is electronically applied by simply pulling a small console lever.

Bosch-supplied electronic controls deliver a full suite of stability and traction benefits including emergency brake assist (EBA) for maximum support in an emergency situation; ABS to curtail wheel lock during aggressive braking as well on slippery off-road terrain; dynamic stability control (DSC) to maintain guidance authority during extreme maneuvers; active roll mitigation (ARM) to slow the vehicle in a tight bend when the vehicle senses overly aggressive driving electronic brake force distribution (EBD) to make balanced use of the stopping traction available at all four wheels regardless of how the vehicle is loaded; four-wheel electronic traction control (4ETC); and hill descent control (HDC) to creep controllably down steep grades.

Supreme off-road versatility is provided by the Range Rover Sport's Terrain Response TM system that takes the chore out of programming multiple systems for optimum performance. Setting a console knob in one of five available positions adjusts throttle response, optimizes the transmission's gear changes, positions the air suspension at the appropriate ride height, and sets the center and rear differentials (if equipped) in a mode right for the terrain. DSC, ETC, ABS, and HDC functions are also altered by each Terrain Response™ setting. The five available modes are general, grass/gravel/snow, mud and ruts, sand, and rock crawl.

SAFETY AND SECÚRITY

Hydroformed steel frame rails provide excellent resistance to side impacts and controlled crush front and rear to absorb collision energy. Occupants and the mid-mounted burst-resistant fuel tank are both guarded by what amounts to a steel safety cage. If a crash occurs, the engine is

automatically shut down, the fuel pump is disabled, doors are unlocked, and the hazard warning lights are activated.

Six airbags are provided including two in front triggered by a longitudinal impact, two seat-mounted for front occupant thorax protection in a side impact, and two side curtains that deploy from the ceiling for the head protection of all outboard occupants. A LATCH (Lower Anchor and Tether for Children) system is provided in the rear seat for attaching child safety seats.

Other standard safety and security features include: deep-tinted glass, rear-door child locks, central locking with keyless entry, an anti-theft system that immobilizes the engine, and fog lights located at both ends of the vehicle. An adaptive front lighting system with bi-Xenon headlights that turn to follow steering inputs are standard on the Supercharged model and optionally available on the Range Rover Sport HSE.

COMFORT, CONVENIENCE, INFOTAINMENT

An extensive array of premium features is provided to insure that long hours behind the wheel of Land Rover's sport tourer are wholly satisfying to the most demanding driver. The front bucket seats are power adjustable (eight-way driver and six-way passenger) and ergonomically designed for lasting comfort. Firm bolsters and high-grip seating surfaces are provided to support occupants during inevitable aggressive driving stints. The cockpit array consists of a highly legible instrument cluster and a broad center stack rising out of a high console to locate all controls within easy reach.

The automatic climate control system provides independent settings for two distinct zones. Heated front and rear seats are standard on the Supercharged model and optional on HSE. A power sunroof is standard on both models.

The programmable key fob can command the air suspension to facilitate easy entry. Adaptive cruise control that detects and adjusts to traffic in the lane ahead is available on the Supercharged model. A Personal Telephone Integration System with BlueTooth ® technology to accommodate the owner's mobile phone in a console cradle is standard on both models. A Park Distance Control system that senses objects both in front of and behind the vehicle is standard.

Acknowledging that superb audio entertainment is an essential, not a luxury, both Range Rover Sport models are fitted with a harman/kardon® LOGIC7™ 550-watt sound system armed with a 12-channel amplifier playing through 14 speakers. AM/FM stereo, six-disc in-dash CD changer, and auxiliary-input (MP3 player) source material is efficiently orchestrated into a full surround-sound audio experience. Steering wheel controls command volume, station, and CD track selection. SIRIÚS digital audio reception is standard on the Supercharged model and optional on HSE (service not included). A rear-seat entertainment package consisting of two front head restraint displays, a six-disc DVD changer, a remote control device, and a touchscreen interface is an available option.

A DVD-based GPS navigation system with multiple state-of-the-art features is included to assure that every Range Rover Sport adventure has a successful ending. Commands can be entered either by touching the seven-inch LCD screen or by voice. The 4x4 Information screen presents the current settings of the Terrain Response™ system and the steering position of the front wheels as well as suspension setting, selected gear, transfer case range and displays suspension movement. Navigation is provided during both on- and off-road excursions.

PAINT AND TRIM

The Range Rover Sport is available in eight exterior colors on HSE and six colors on Supercharged. Three seat and two carpet colors are available in multiple attractive combinations.

Source - Land Rover