Spy Shots: updated Range Rover Sport to join facelifted, Jag-engined Landies
Reports indicate that Land Rover is planning to facelift nearly its entire range later this year, including refreshed versions of the LR3, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. Spy shots of the latter's test mules indicate that the updated luxury off-roaders will be distinguished by modest revisions to the bumpers, grille and headlamps, in addition to refreshed interiors.The juicy news, however, is under the bonnet, where sources suggest the latest Jaguar engines will find their new home. In addition to Jaguar's 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel that is already confirmed to migrate to the Land Rovers, reports now indicate that the XF's 5.0-liter V8 will feature in the update SUVs, including a torque-tuned take on the supercharged version from the XFR for the most powerful Range Rovers. Considering that the engine propelled the XFR to a top speed of 225 mph at Bonneville, we could be looking at one wickedly fast Range Rover when all is said and done.
[Source: Auto Express]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
timurjonchik 10:53AM (1/28/2009)
5.0 L V8 Stupid engine like
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JDMlover 10:53AM (1/28/2009)
Meh.....
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harlanx6 10:56AM (1/28/2009)
Aren't these things just a status statement for people trying to display their wealth? Their reputed horrible reliability negates any practicality.
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Josiah 11:03AM (1/28/2009)
If you've ever owned a Land Rover you'd understand.
AC0 12:18PM (1/28/2009)
Sure, the Sport fits your statement perfectly, but the rest of the line? Not so much.
harlanx6 6:15PM (1/28/2009)
I guess they are like Harleys, with a loyal following despite getting screwed on reliability.
MikeofLA 10:58AM (1/28/2009)
Isn't it time for a Complete redesign of the Range Rover? It's been around for over 7 years. Granted it's aged gracefully, but wasn't there talk of an all aluminum replacement?
JDMlover: The XF's V8 is not just "Meh" it's a fantastic motor and only made sweeter with a little FI.
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Mobius_1 11:01AM (1/28/2009)
Range Rovers are probably the most classy SUVs around, unfortunately, as with most SUVs meant for the road and town, it is quite wasteful and in this current economic and also social environment (as SUVs in general become uncool) it's not likely to become a big seller.
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Josiah 11:04AM (1/28/2009)
There are more people with more money now then anytime before. There is always a market for the very high-end.
JDMlover 11:09AM (1/28/2009)
Most classy.....your kdding right?
Go sit in a Lexus LX570 then you will see classy.
Go sit in a Mercedes GL then you will see classy.
Go sit in a Audi Q7 then you will see classy.
I sat in a Ranger Rover Sport...you would not believe the amont of plastic and un-attractive desgin is in the cabin. For that price tag there's much better built SUV you can buy that have many more features. What i did like was the sound of the engine when you hit gas....but thats about it.
Mobius_1 11:14AM (1/28/2009)
I meant the exterior, it's properly old-school Britain. Also, I didn't mean how much money people have, it's the social stigma of a huge SUV nowadays. I mean, I'm sure lots of Hollywood actors could buy a couple of Bugattis but he chooses to drive a Prius.
Bill 11:42AM (1/28/2009)
@ JDMlover
The Range Rover Sport is more closely related to the LR3 than the proper Range Rover.
Go sit in a proper "Big" range rover before you pass judgement on how "classy " (whatever that means) it is. The interior on the real Range Rover is a class above and beyond the one in the Range Rover Sport.
Yaroukh 2:15PM (1/28/2009)
I agree with you. SUVs mentioned by JDMlover are pure *yawn* for me (especially the Lex, Q7 being almost fugly)...
Ranges are their own class in my eyes.
Mobius_1 4:41PM (1/28/2009)
@ Yaroukh
Maybe JDMLover is into that kinda stuff. After all, name 10 Japanese cars currently in mass production with "soul".
THE VAN MAN 11:37AM (1/28/2009)
People will always buy large SUV's so it is up to the carmakers to make them as 'green' as they possibly can. The 3 litre diesel engine is definately a step in the right direction.
The Van MAN Vans for sale
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Lou 12:29PM (1/28/2009)
Even with a dealership 5 minutes from my house, I refused to take the chance on an LR3 because of the reliability.
Now, I'm glad I passed on it because of its horrid fuel economy.
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MikeW 12:03PM (1/28/2009)
To make LS3/LS7 happy, the new 5.0 V8 is actually shorter overall due to repositioning of oil pump (something like 1/2 inch)
http://www.jaguarperformance.com/engines/
"The new 5.0-liter direct injection engines are more compact than their predecessors. Overall engine length has been reduced by 0.94-in. by relocation of the oil pump within the engine architecture. This length reduction improves engine bay packaging in support of enhanced safety cell performance while ensuring overall engine weight is virtually unchanged."
If it gets better mileage than the current engine, yeah!
How about the ZF 8hp70 when they can get their hands on it.
The increased oil change interval from 10K to 15K miles is nice. Perfect if you are in the middle of nowhere.
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Mazda FTW! 12:10PM (1/28/2009)
I read that as "Jag-engined Ladies"
And why does anyone bother replying to JDM Lover's posts?
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mushtaxi 4:00PM (1/28/2009)
The interior of the RR Sport and Range Rover is being refreshed, with the RR Sport having a much plusher interior centre console - almost like a complete new vehicle, and the RR having a complete new electronic instrument pod which changes views and dial types depending upon desired view (ie. camera view, speedo, offroad view,). The interior rework is much more extensive than the exterior changes (which are the rear and front lights and grille finish).
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