New York 2009: 2010 Range Rover Sport Supercharged

Range Rover's sporty intermediate model, the creatively named "Range Rover Sport," is getting a refresh for 2010.  The mid-size luxury SUV competitor was due for a refresh, and it comes back packing new technology and a lot more firepower.  Considering how tough the competition in this field is, Land Rover needs to bring their A-game - and the new Sport looks like A-game material to me.

Most importantly, both engines available in the Sport have been upgraded.  The base engine jumps from a 300bhp 4.4L port-injected V8 to Jaguar's new 5.0L direct-injected V8, now with 375bhp.  The big news is the Sport Supercharged, whose engine goes from a 4.2L port-injected supercharged V8 to a 5.0L direct injected blown V8, now cranking out a brawny 510bhp and 461 lb/ft of torque.  With the naturally aspirated engine, the Range Rover Sport will crack sixty in 7.2 seconds - right quick for an SUV!  With the blown V8, it only takese 5.9.  What this means is that Land Rover is making SUV's faster than the original Countach now, which is alarming.  These engines feature all sorts of neat gee-whiz tech bits, like waterproofed ancilliary drive belts, variable cam timing on all four cams, variable length intake tracts, and multi-hole spray-guided direct injection.

Externally, changes are minor.  The front end now sports a thicker 2-bar grille and revised headlights, while around back there's a new bumper with new taillights perched atop it.  The Supercharged models gets some lusty looking 5-spoke alloys with performance rubber, and rather large 15" six-piston ventilated discs in front (14.3" ventilated four-piston rear.)  That should do the trick.

Inside, the interior has been revised with better quality materials, new controls, a new steering wheel, and amusingly enough - paddle shifters on the supercharged model.  A Land Rover with paddle shifters... what will they think of next?  Still, it looks like an exceedingly nice place to spend some time.

The Sport also gets revised stability control programs with automatic braking if it detects you're entering a corner a little too hot, which is way too "big brother" for my tastes.  Like any Land Rover worth it's salt, there's a slew of off-roading programs (that the rich suburban housewives who drive these to the mall will probably never use), from Terrain Response to Hill Descent Control.  New this year is a "dynamic" mode on the Terrain Response system, which tails the adjustable variables (throttle response, suspension, etc.) to sporty road settings - giving the car multiple personalities.  Much like most things with Lucas electronics!

Look for the reworked Range Rover Sport to hit dealerships this fall.  No word on pricing yet, but considering the current one starts around $58,000 USD, I'd expect a base range in the low 60's for this revised, improved model.