Spy Shots: 2009 Range Rover Sport gets a nose job
Click above for more high-res spy shots of the 2009 Range Rover Sport
The 2009 Range Rover Sport looks like it's getting a slightly revised face. After undergoing minor cosmetic surgery, the Sport comes out with grillework that's reminiscent of the Land Rover LR2's as well as a new front bumper. Out back and along the sides, the SUV seems to be unchanged compared to the current model. One of Brenda Priddy's clandestine operatives snagged the freshened Ranger Rover Sport frolicking undisguised somewhere in Europe where it looks cold and snowy. As for when it'll be shown to the public, who knows? Geneva's just around the corner, though, so we'll have our gang keep an eye out for it when they're not eyeballing Renaults or noshing on good chocolate and tasty Lake Geneva perch filets.
Gallery: Spy Shots: 2009 Range Rover Sport
[Source: Brenda Priddy & Co.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SPG 6:08PM (2/16/2008)
Not a bad update but I preferred the original sport look a bit more.
Then again I think the older the Range Rover the better.
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Reuben 7:04PM (2/16/2008)
Yeah, a plastic bumper, that's what I'd want on my 70K SUV.
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John 8:52PM (2/16/2008)
WOW.. The once GREAT and rugged Range Rover sport turned into a hideous weak piece of junk. Back in the dya range rovers were made TOUGH..while still maintaining their elegance. Now look at this...Obviously this change is to cater to the American public. I just can't help but notice that many European manufacturers are dumbing down their cars to get better sales here in the USA.
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2pintsplease 4:10AM (9/09/2008)
Although I don't mind the sport as a better alternative to the soft-cock BMW and Merc 4x4s available, my favorite rangie remains the Classic. They have the best styling, and despite production ending in 1995, they still ooze wealth. The late softdash models have all the benefits of the P38, and even in a worst-case-scenario of total mechanical failure (which isn't likely given how well they're built) its better than the ownership costs of the new rangies.
almost Dr. G.. 9:21PM (2/16/2008)
john,
its bc us dumb americans arent satisfied with what our big 3 produce so we want things from europe. like ford europe, opel (saturn), etc. besides, gas guzzlers like these LR's are far less attainable (gas prices, large size) in european countries relative to people who are willing to pay $1000 a month on a lease and do 10mpg with an offroad vehicle theyll never really use here in the states. the markets change according to demand.
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British_Rover 11:57PM (2/16/2008)
Every modern car made has a plastic bumper and a plastic front girl. You have to have plastic in the front because of crash regulations and if it is a European vehicle you have to have even more deformable plastic to meet pedestrian crash test standards.
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British_Rover 12:06AM (2/17/2008)
girl should be grill
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k.w.a 2:45AM (2/17/2008)
...it looks exactly the same. I guess land rover's not one to mess with success
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lovice 6:17AM (2/17/2008)
Come on guys, this is just a cover for the real new front pumper! What's wrong with you guys? Never seen a facelifted car out testing before? How could you think that is the new front bumper?
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Reuben 8:20AM (2/17/2008)
In retrospect, yes I know most cars have plastic bumpers (my wrangler does not), my complaint revolves around the fact that it sticks out further than the other panels and is unpainted, two things I hope and bet they will fix for production. Otherwise it's a good looking truck.
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lovice 10:35AM (2/17/2008)
Because the real front pumper is behind this big unpainted plastic pumper (cover).
Reuben 11:48AM (2/17/2008)
Good.
trevor2k 11:35AM (2/17/2008)
And the bumper is just hiding the new 5.0l DI V8 with more hp and better fuel economy.
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MikeW 10:25AM (2/18/2008)
and the ZF 8 speed automatic too?
British_Rover 11:23AM (2/17/2008)
Interesting that the Sport in that picture is non-supercharged, no intercooler on the passenger side lower corner, but has the silver supercharged grill and exposed exhaust tips.
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Reuben 11:54AM (2/17/2008)
My mistake, I am speaking of the cover, not the bumper. Plus I'm sure this is not the final production design.
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dpb! 2:29PM (2/17/2008)
Pretty much all bumpers now-a-days are plastic, even on 100k+ SUV's!
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