- Revised interior and exterior design elements
- Dual View touch-screen available for the first time
- WhiteFireTM wireless technology enhances rear seat entertainment
- Introduction of MOST Gen 2.1 electrical architecture
- 825W audio system powers the Premium Harmon Kardon LOGIC 7
- New powered tailgate
- Say What You See Voice Command
The Range Rover Sport line-up receives a number of upgrades for 2012. Interior and exterior colour revisions, an enhanced In-car Entertainment system and a new powered tailgate have been introduced to the line-up for 2012.
External and interior design elements have been enhanced for 2012. As the flagship for Range Rover Sport, Autobiography Sport is the ultimate expression of sporting luxury and individual style. Autobiography Sport gives customers the opportunity to put their own original stamp on their
vehicle and make it truly exclusive.
Autobiography Sport now offers even more and is available with two luxury orientated interior themes – Cannes and revised Valencia; and five interior themes that offer varying degrees of sportiness – Estoril, Hockenheim, Le Mans, Monaco and Monza. All include the following styling
features as standard: Autobiography Sport unique Titan Front Grille, Titan Side Vent, Autobiography Sport 20 inch 9-spoke alloy wheels, stainless steel door Tread Plates as well as body-coloured door handles and Atlas bonnet badges and tow eye.
The Range Rover Sport Supercharged specification includes a new, eye-catching Atlas grille surround and fender vent mesh, Gloss Black lamp inners for a more jewel-like appearance, Noble plated fender vent fingers and body-coloured door handles. There are chrome tailpipes as well as 20 inch 9-spoke alloy wheels with new ‘Range Rover’ centres.
A new powered tailgate has been introduced. Operated by a button located on the fascia, the key fob or tailgate, the lift height can now be set by simply holding the tailgate at the desired height and pressing the tailgate button for 10 seconds. The height can be overridden to accommodate other drivers, providing effortless use and greater convenience to the user.
Infotainment levels significantly upgraded for 2012
A significant upgrade for the 2012 Range Rover Sport is the addition of the MOST Gen 2.1 electrical architecture to the Hi-ICE and Premium audio and infotainment systems. There’s new connectivity supporting DVD audio formats on the Hi-Line and Premium systems, a Hard Disc Drive Music server, Dual Tuner to give a seamless signal, iPod and video streaming by USB, audio streaming by Bluetooth and two USB ports are located in the console lid.
Rear seat entertainment is further enhanced with the availability of WhiteFireTM wireless technology incorporating cordless headphones. The Hi-ICE Harman Kardon System has been upgraded from 9-speakers to 11-speakers and the output boosted from 240W to a substantial 380W. The Premium Harman Kardon LOGIC 7 system has seen the most dramatic improvement, from 14 to 17 speakers and an almost unbelievable increase in output power from 480W to a staggering 825W.
For the first time on a Range Rover Sport, the next generation 7-inch touch-screen offers Dual View technology, allowing the driver to view the navigation display whilst the passenger watches a DVD.
Hard Disc Navigation systems include Traffic Message Channel (TMC) and destination entry by voice. The new ‘Say What You See’ voice command on premium systems helps the driver learn commands with useful step-by-step screen prompts and allows the use of spoken short codes. There’s also a new 7-day timer for the Park Heater.
Dynamic driving experience
Land Rover’s remarkable 5.0 LR-V8 petrol engines continue to head the Range Rover Sport powertrain range in 2012. With the supercharged version developing 375kW and 625Nm torque, it set new standards in petrol engine design when first introduced, packed with innovative design features aimed at boosting both performance and economy. The 5.0 LR-V8 supercharged has CO2 emissions of only 348g/km.
The Range Rover Sport is also available in diesel guise with the TDV6 engine developing 180kW and 600Nm of torque ensuring optimal refinement and efficiency. The third generation common rail fuel system conforms to EU5 emissions regulations and emits just 243gms/km of CO2.
6-speed automatic transmission – responsive and refined
Equipped with the ultra-refined ZF HP28 6-speed automatic transmission for 2012, its characteristics have been optimised by Land Rover engineers to provide the same class-leading response and rapid, refined shifts on all engines. Its superior power and torque characteristics
make it possible to actuate the transmission’s lock-up clutches much earlier in each gear, reducing slip through the hydraulic torque converter, optimising both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Advanced chassis, braking and suspension
As standard on the Range Rover Sport 5.0 LR-V8 supercharged petrol an Adaptive Dynamics system is available which operates in conjunction with the existing Dynamic Response system. With Adaptive Dynamics, DampTronic Valve Technology™ replaces conventional dampers and monitors damper pressure 500 times a second, continuously adapting to surface conditions and driving style thanks to an active valve technology. The chassis is complemented by high performance braking systems which include four-piston opposed calliper front disc brakes on the diesel models and lightweight aluminium, six-piston Brembo callipers for the supercharged models. A variable ratio steering rack improves stability in high speed cruising and increases driver involvement on twisting roads. The high performance character of the Range Rover Sport chassis is further emphasised by the Roll Stability Control system which responds to steering inputs from the driver and intervenes by braking individual wheels if the possibility of a rollover is detected.
Off-road ability still the best in class for 2012
When it comes to off-road ability, Land Rover vehicles are acknowledged as setting the standards for others to follow.
Hill Start Assist retains the initial driver-generated brake pressure, long enough for the foot to move from brake pedal to throttle without the car rolling backwards. The brake is released after a sufficient time has elapsed or when the engine is supplying enough torque to move the car up the
hill. Hill Start Assist is always available, not selectable, and neither is its operation indicated to the driver.
Gradient Acceleration Control is designed to provide safety cover on severe gradients when the driver does not have Hill Descent Control engaged. By pressurising the brake system, Gradient Acceleration Control slows the car to a limit determined by the throttle position when the car is descending the slope in the driver’s intended direction of travel. This includes descending the slope forwards in drive, or rearwards in reverse. Otherwise (such as descending while facing up the gradient with Drive selected) Gradient Acceleration Control restricts speed to 5km/h for up to 20 seconds, allowing the driver to regain proper control.
e_TERRAIN TECHNOLOGIES boost economy and lower CO2 emissions
The new Range Rover Sport is laden with features aimed at reducing both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The high pressure, spray guided direct injection system of the 5.0 LR-V8 optimises combustion while the variable camshaft timing system, camshaft profile switching (naturally aspirated only) and variable inlet manifold all join forces to ensure the engines are optimised for fuel efficiency throughout the range. Thanks to the advanced cooling system, faster warm-up also improves fuel economy as do the low friction design features. All engines have been optimised for low-end torque as well as economy, making it possible to activate the lock-up clutch of both the ZF 8HP70 and the 6HP28 automatic transmission at lower speed. This reduces ‘slip’ in the hydraulic torque converter improving both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The higher torque at lower rpm also enables longer gearing for more economical cruising. The Range Rover Sport incorporates several other energy saving features too. At standstill, the idle speed of the 3.0 LR-TDV6 is a low 710rpm and the 5.0 LR-V8 supercharged, 700rpm, using the minimum of fuel without compromising refinement.
An Intelligent Power Management System includes Smart Regenerative Charging, so whenever possible the alternator charges the battery when it is most economical to do so, such as when the car is coasting rather than accelerating. Aerodynamic features at the front end such as the lower chin spoiler and front wheel deflectors help to reduce drag by increasing underfloor airflow. The air conditioning pump is driven through a clutch which disengages when the air conditioning is not in use reducing parasitic losses and delivering improvements in fuel consumption and
CO2 emissions.