Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLRM) has officially launched the highly-anticipated third-generation Range Rover Sport for the Malaysian market, setting new standards in performance, design, and connectivity. This SUV combines on-road assertiveness with all-terrain capabilities.
The Range Rover Sport features an exterior design that seamlessly incorporates the Range Rover DNA, marked by dramatic proportions, a stealth-like front grille, and slim, digital LED lighting units. Flush glazing, concealed door handles, and a laser-welded roof enhance aerodynamics, achieving an impressive drag coefficient of 0.29. The 22″ Style 5127 Satin Dark Grey wheels and soft door close mechanism add to the SUV’s luxurious appeal.
Inside, the cabin offers a dynamic driving experience with excellent visibility and a high, sloping centre console. A four-zone climate control system ensures personalised comfort and an air purification feature keeps the cabin pristine. The centrepiece is the award-winning Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 13.1-inch curved touchscreen, customisable home screen, and intuitive control of navigation, media, and vehicle settings. Haptic feedback minimises distractions while driving. A 13.7-inch Interactive Driver Display provides additional customisation.
The Range Rover Sport is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged Petrol MHEV 400PS engine, accelerating from 0 to 100km/h in just 5.7 seconds. It incorporates advanced chassis technologies, offering 35% higher torsional stiffness than its predecessor. Dynamic Air Suspension, an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive contribute to exceptional performance and traction in all conditions.
The SUV is equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to ensure safety on the road. Features include Emergency Braking, a 3D Surround Camera, Wade Sensing, ClearSight Ground View, ClearSight Interior Rear View Mirror, Manoeuvring Lights, Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist, Driver Condition Response, Lane Keep Assist, and Traffic Sign Recognition.
The new Range Rover Sport is available in the Dynamic version, with pricing starting from RM888,688 for duty-free and RM1,698,000.00 for duty-paid.
Less than a year after the Range Rover started its fifth generation, its brother – the Range Rover Sport – also moves into a new generation. Having been born only in 2005, this model enters only its third generation. Moving further along with electrification of the range, it comes with a choice of three powertrains – mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and combustion engine. In a couple of years, there will also be a fully electric version available.
As with every Land Rover, all the familiar styling elements are present, thanks to the ‘guardian’ of Land Rover’s design DNA, Gerry McGovern. Since the 1980s, he’s led design teams at the British company and for the new Range Rover Sport, the exterior has the recognizable profile with taut surfacing accentuated by stealth-like detailing and muscular proportions.
Sportier image than Range Rover
Where the Range Rover presents itself as a more formal vehicle in keeping with its flagship status, the Sport gets the sporty touch with short overhangs, an assertive front-end and steeply raked glazing at the front and back.
Like the latest Range Rover, the Sport, has Digital LED lighting units which create a distinctive Daytime Running Light (DRL) signature. These are the slimmest ever units fitted to a Land Rover. At the rear, uninterrupted LED light graphics introduce surface LED technology to a production vehicle for the first time, providing a crisp and contemporary look at night.
A characteristic shoulder line runs the length of the vehicle, accentuated by new lower fender details and the longest spoiler ever fitted to a Range Rover. The clean lines of the exterior are enhanced by flush glazing and door handles, contributing to an impressively low Cd of 0.29.
Advanced chassis technologies
The Sport introduces more advanced chassis technologies, along with the flexible mixed-metal architecture (MLA-Flex). The engineers had a comprehensive dynamic toolkit to govern the new SUV’s integrated chassis control system while also raising torsional stiffness by 35% to achieve the most engaging and dynamically capable driving experience.
Advanced features include the new Dynamic Response Pro (DRP) which works together with the latest generation Dynamic Air Suspension (DAS) that has switchable-volume air springs for the first time. DRP provides ultimate roll control via a 48V electronic active roll control system, capable of applying up to 1,400 Nm of torque across each axle.
DAS, which is standard across the range, interfaces with the intelligent system to enhance the bandwidth of the suspension. This works by varying the pressure within the chambers (higher pressure provides stiffer damping) to deliver traditional Range Rover comfort with the dynamic handling expected from the Sport. To optimize responses, the vehicle monitors the road ahead using eHorizon navigation data to pre-emptively prime for upcoming bends.
Driving off-road, especially on rough terrain, requires a degree of expertise and as the leader in 4×4 technology, Land Rover has worked to reduce the demands on the driver. When it introduced systems like Hill Descent Control in the 1990s, even inexperienced drivers could go down a slippery slope almost like a pro as a computer managed the speed and power. 4×4 instructors felt their jobs would no longer be needed before long.
More advanced assistance systems
In more recent times, the company developed the Terrain Response system which has different settings that the driver can choose to suit terrain conditions. In the Sport, an improved second generation of the system makes its debut along with a new Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control specially designed for use on tricky terrain. An evolution of All-Terrain Progress Control, Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control allows the driver to set the desired speed and comfort level, from a choice of 4 settings, over rough surfaces.
Powertrains
Before the fully electric Sport comes in 2024, customers can choose from two extended range Electric Hybrids, 6-cylinder Ingenium petrol and diesel engines using mild-hybrid technology, and an all-new V8 Twin Turbo. It’s likely that the electrified powertrains will sell in bigger numbers in Europe while the all new V8 Twin Turbo would find more customers in North America and the Middle East.
The new P510e Electric Hybrid incorporates 3-litre 6-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine with a powerful 105 kW electric motor and 38.2 kWh battery, producing a total system output of 510 ps. A 100-km range on only electricity is claimed. At the other end of the spectrum, the V8 Twin Turbo produces 530 ps, launching the Sport from standstill to reach 100 km/h in a claimed 4.5 seconds (with Dynamic Launch engaged). All the models are fitted with the trusty 8-speed ZF automatic transmission and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive.
Sustainable materials
Within the Sport is the luxurious ambience that would be expected from any Range Rover. In keeping with environmental considerations, sustainable materials are used but still retaining the premium look and feel.
The Alexa-enabled Pivi Pro infotainment system with its curved floating touchscreen provides intuitive control of the vehicle systems. The high resolution 13.1-inch touchscreen has an interface that is easy to use and haptic feedback reduces the need for the driver to keep looking at what is being touched.
Of the many new features, the next-generation Cabin Air Purification Pro deserves highlighting. Clearly developed as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic to provide a cleaner and safer cabin environment, Land Rover says it can significantly reduce odours, bacteria and allergens – including the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This is done by a PM2.5 filtration system with nanoe TM X technology. There is also an advanced CO2 Management function which can purify the cabin or while driving to help increase alertness and enhance wellbeing.
Next generation Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) not only makes for a quitter journey but also allows greater enjoyment of the Meridian Signature Sound System. ANC operates at its best when the vehicle is in the Dynamic driving mode. Microphones and accelerometers inside each wheel arch constantly monitor the sounds passing into the vehicle, while digital processors calculate the level of noise-cancelling sound required to filter this from the cabin – much like a pair of high-end headphones.
For more information on Land Rover and Range Rover models in Malaysia, visit www.landrover.com.my.
Ever since LEDs started to be used for lighting units on cars, designers have had greater freedom to create more striking and unique visual signatures with the front and rear lights. The lighting units from Glohh, a British company specialising in the design of specialist lighting for luxury automobiles, have stood out and drawn attention from owners wanting more exclusivity and individuality.
Following the 2018 introduction of their GL-5i taillight which quickly became a favourite amongst Land Rover Range Rover Sport owners and automotive tuning companies, the Glohh design team has now come out with GL-5x taillight that is the flagship product.
Direct fit for Range Rover Sport
The GL-5x is a direct replacement for the Range Rover Sport’s original tail lights. Alongside introducing features never seen on the luxury SUV, it is a straightforward upgrade; no additional components are needed to complete the installation. It complies with all stringent European ECE and US Department of Transportation regulations. Pricing starts from US$1,449 (about RM6,000) for markets outside Europe.
The GL-5x features a dark-polish lens, a world-first interchangeable aerodynamic fin, an enhanced ambient light value for reduced glare, better human eye sensation and a safer road presence. Inheriting the fundamental design characteristics of the GL-5i, the GL-5x utilises shades of grey fused with a transparent lens to add mystery and intensity to the original design. This formula allows the refined internal details, previously concealed by its predecessor, to become a core part of the GL-5x identity while emphasising the Range Rover Sport’s strong stance.
“Our continued evolution is driven by a devotion to fulfil our clients demand for unique, we achieve this feat by delivering the GL-5x, the most exquisite taillight in our line-up” said Lead Designer Dr. Faheem Rafiq. “As with all Glohh products, the new GL-5x rear light combines first-class craftsmanship, state-of-the-art technology and fine design. This time, we went a step further with the introduction of a world-first interchangeable aero-fin, available in Platinum Satin and High-Gloss Black finishes, designed to appeal to the most discerning clientele.”
Uniquely tailored aerodynamic fin
The world’s first interchangeable aerodynamic fin is available in two tailored profiles – AF+ and AF-Elite – both designed to channel airflow, reducing drag and increasing stability.
AF+ features exquisite lines for a clean and elegant integration of style while AF-Elite is a highly advanced aerofoil. It further streamlines the taillights wind-cheating functionality with the introduction of sharply styled strakes. Aesthetically, it delivers powerful lines for a bold and sporty appearance, fusing form and function.
Individuality and safety
To allow owners to further individualise the identity of their taillight, both aerodynamic fins are available in exclusive colour variants High-Gloss Black or Platinum Satin, a feature unseen on an automotive taillight.
With the GL-5x, safety remains a top priority, including the introduction of an enhanced dynamic indicator. Utilising 15 eco-low energy LEDs, the turn signal spans a wide 450 mm band and has been fine-tuned to deliver a signal that is 47% brighter. Output is further sharpened by a polycarbonate diffuser, designed to distribute highly homogenous light spanning a 125-degree range, making turn indications safer for all road users.
Land Rover has introduced a Plug-in Hybrid vehicle to its Range Rover Sport line-up. Unlike the regular Range Rover, the Sport features better performance credentials that are able to rival that of some sports cars.
The addition of an electrified RR Sport is an interesting move by the British automaker considering the magnitude of the decision and how it would resonate with purists and off-roading enthusiasts.
This proves that the automaker is fervent of the idea of electric mobility and achieving its goal of offering electrified options for each model by 2020. That said, what Land Rover has created here is far from something that resembles your accountant’s Prius.
On the outside at least, there’s very little evidence to suggest that the hybrid Range Rover Sport as any different from the base model. It’s only with a keen eye that one is able to notice the disparities between the two.
The electrified variant features a tweaked design that includes Matrix Pixel LED headlights integrated with a redesigned grille. This is complemented by a new bumper with a more aggressive profile. The socket for the charger is hidden away under the Land Rover badge located on the new grille – a subtle but tasteful touch to this unassumingly complex vehicle.
Unlike the top of the line Sport, which features a V8 engine that puts out 575bhp, the electrified one makes do with an Ingenium 2.0-litre four-cylinder that produces 300bhp. It’s aided by an 85kW electric motor, which brings the total output to 404bhp.
This Range Rover can sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.3 seconds, which is far slower than the 4.3 seconds it takes the top of the line model SVR to accomplish the same feat. That said, the Sport Plug-in Hybrid isn’t aimed at performance enthusiasts, rather its for connoisseurs who are conscious of their carbon footprint and the effects of global warming.
Thanks to a 13.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the vehicle is able to travel on pure electric power alone for 51km. Nevertheless, it will offer a whole host of other benefits that includes savings in fuel costs.
Through the use of the Parallel Hybrid mode, the vehicle is able to offer the best mix of petrol and electric power to optimize fuel efficiency and battery charge. It can work with the navigation system to ensure that you get to your destination with enough power while conserving fuel.
Despite the addition of a hybrid system, through clever engineering, Land Rover has managed to tuck the battery, motor and charging unit neatly with other components to allow for the same cabin and luggage space as the regular petrol version.
The Range Rover Sport Plug-in Hybrid may not be the flagship of the range, but it will certainly have its share of fans around the world.
