A promise of
success
centre stack offers systems management in
a coherent way, and helps to substantially
lessen the number of buttons and switches
on the dashboard. The main instruments
have larger graphics than before, and there's
a useful information patch between them
which offers repeater navigation instructions,
and off-road information when out in the
wild.
The Terrain Response system that debuted
on the Discovery 3 has been significantly
improved and in its latest form can operate completely automatically as well as providing
manual choice.
The engine in my car was the 292hp SDV6 diesel, one of two power units which will
be available at launch. The other is a 510hp 5.0 V8 supercharged petrol. Upcoming are
a 258hp V6 diesel and a 339hp V8 diesel. A diesel hybrid is coming next year, and there
are promises of a highly-efficient 4-cylinder engine down the road.
I took it along motorways of Kildare and through the hilly and narrow side roads of
Laois and Offaly, but decided not to take it offroad until I have more time with the car.
I've driven the full-size new Range Rover a few times in a variety of easy and very tough
conditions, abroad and at home, and the Sport shows similar all-round improvements
that I found with the larger car.
Among them is much less lean on bends and a much tidier driving experience than with
the outgoing car. Smooth acceleration with the new