The good times are back with the announcement that new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models are due to arrive here in September, with hefty price tags, writes Trish Whelan. Around 96pc will be low emission Plug-in hybrids. Huge interest has already been expressed by potential customers.
At a special preview of both cars at Jaguar Land Rover, Spirit Motors in South Dublin on Monday last, Eddie Kavanagh, company Managing Director, said the new third generation RR Sport brings new levels of refinement as well as exceptional performance. It is hailed as the most thrilling RR Sport ever with a 0-100km/h time of 5.4 seconds.
Mr Kavanagh is pictured above with the new Range Rover Sport on show at dealerships this month.
The suite of powerful and efficient powertrains includes six-cylinder extended range electric hybrids, a potent new V8 and mild hybrid six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Pure-electric propulsion will be introduced in 2024.
All models are fitted with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive while Land Rover’s latest Terrain Response system applies the most appropriate settings for the terrain. A new feature is Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control which helps drivers navigate tricky terrain by maintaining steady progress according to the ground conditions. You select one of four comfort settings and the system adjusts the speed accordingly.
The new model is 35pc stiffer than before which is sports car level standard.
Its electric performance has a combined output of 510hp and 700Nm torque, a total real-world range of 740km, and a 113km WLTP EV range - the average daily commute is around 60kms. The battery can charge to 80pc with DC rapid charing in 60 minutes, within five hours with a home charger. C02 emissions are as low as 18g/km.
Pictured above is the interior of a LHD Range Rover Sport model.
Connectivity includes a 13.1-inch screen, Haptic display, wireless connectivity, over-the-air updates, and voice control. RR Sport also has powerful and precise lighting with digital LED with dynamic light projection making the road ahead visibly brighter for 500 metres and the all-wheel steering, 3D surround cameras and manoeuvring lights which all make for effortless agile manoeuvring of the car allowing a turning circle of 11 metres. When using the navigation, the car knows your location and can read the road up to 3kms ahead to prepare for upcoming corners, adjusting the suspension settings to minimise body roll. The car can also park itself.
It is available in S, SE, HSE and Autobiography specifications, with a First Edition available throughout the first year of production.
The Range Rover Sport Dynamic SE with 460hp PHEV is priced from €114,150.
The new Range Rover, pictured above, will also arrive in September. The First Edition D350 on view with a left-hand-drive version, is priced from €147,500.
Irish customers can have exclusive previews of the new RR Sport during this month as it visits Land Rover dealerships across the country. They include an in-depth walk around with product experts plus the chance to configure and pre-order their new vehicle.
Potential customers can still view the car this weekend (Friday and Saturday 17 and 18 June at Johnson & Perrott Land Rover, Bishopstown Cork; from 20-21 at Lyons Land Rover, Ballysimon Road, Limerick; from 22-23 at Autoboland Land Rover, Cork Road, Waterford; and from 24-25 at Conlans Land Rover, Naas, Co Kildare.
