The Range Rover Sport is making a bid to be "the most exciting and dynamic member of the Land Rover range" with its revised model for 2010, Land Rover says.

Significant improvements have been made to on-road and off-road handling and the cabin has received a makeover.

All-new engine

It's five-litre, LR-V8 supercharged petrol engine is all-new and was designed by the Jaguar Land Rover powertrain team to be smooth and responsive. A sixth-generation, twin-vortex system supercharger is fitted to the engine. Its design both improves the supercharger tefficiency by 20 percent and reduces noise to the point where the unit is virtually inaudible. Power output is 375kW and maximum torque is 625Nm.

The engine has been optimised for low-end torque as well as economy, making it possible to activate the lock-up clutch of the automatic transmission at lower speed. The higher torque at lower rpm also enables longer gearing for more economical cruising.

The Range Rover Sport incorporates several other energy-saving features. Its idle speed has been reduced from 700 rpm to 600 rpm and a power management system charges the battery when it is most economical to do so, such as when the vehicle is coasting rather than accelerating.

Dynamic handling

The model has a new 'adaptive dynamics system', which works together with the existing 'dynamic response system' to enhance control of the vehicle's ride and handling.

It works by replacing conventional dampers are with electronic units that adjustable valves and can continuously predict settings for each wheel and optimise them.

An updated new braking system provides enhanced stopping power and improves feedback to the driver.

A stability control system will automatically slow the vehicle if it is rounding a bend too fast and reacts to steering input from the driver. In extreme cases, automatic braking will also be applied.

For soft sand – one of the most power-hungry surfaces – 'sand launch control' has been introduced, which makes driving away from standstill much easier and prevents the wheels digging themselves in.

Resculpted

Land Rover says a sporty design theme was chosen for the 2010 Range Rover to creating a "cleaner and more sculpted appearance".

A new two-bar grille and larger air intake and a front bumper blended with redesigned front wings to form a simple, sculpted surface.

The side have two-stripe LED indicators and redesigned two-section side vents. Colour-coded door mirrors complete the visual change.

New light clusters freshen up the rear and the smooth and sculpted bumper design mirrors the front end.

Prices

Range Rover Sport:

Five-litre, supercharged R 961 000

RSS

Digg

de.li.cious

facebook

» MORE MOTORING

A cruiser, not a bruiser Philip Devine finds himself captivated by the Legacy and its softened response.

Baby, B-hubs and Bentley There is no such thing as too outrageous when it comes to Bentley.

Blind, but now we see A blind artist teased us with glimpses of the all-new S60 - now Volvo bares all.