As a company with a long history of building off road vehicles, Land Rover takes off road capability very seriously even in their most upscale vehicles. When one looks at a Range Rover Sport though, one might be tempted to think they’ve lost the plot somewhat. One would be very, very wrong. I have driven a Supercharged Sport model off road and the truck’s capabilities are simply mind altering, even when shod with all season sport tires. The technology is so well developed that this big high performance family hauler climbs like a billy goat and crawls over rocks with ease. Simply incredible.
The Supercharged version of the RRS boasts a whopping 510 horsepower from its 5.0l V8, meaning that it is a pretty serious on road machine too. With a beginning price point of almost 90 grand, it is also a rather exclusive machine. In other words, it isn’t all that likely that anyone else at the kids’ hockey practice is going to roll up in one of these. For some folks though, just being exclusive isn’t enough.
For those buyers, Land Rover has created the Autobiography Limited Edition.
The Range Rover Sport Autobiography takes the already stunning RRS and adds a whole new level of opulence inside and out. Two tone leather, in three colour combinations to choose from comes with a special insignia embossed into the headrests. That logo is repeated in the wood door trim and on the tailgate. The kids are treated to a full entertainment system. Outside, colour matches lower body cladding and titanium trim built on the base Sport exterior while special 10 spoke, 20″ alloy wheels complete the look. Front and rear lamps have been changed to LED units that are sure to keep things bright.
The Sport aspect of this truck applies to more than just visual appeal though, as it is intended to excite the driver. Most of the changes here are technology based such as adaptive cruise control and seemingly magical suspension that reads road and driver inputs 500 times per second and adjusts itself to suit the driver’s style. With all that horsepower, the RRS reaches 100 kmh from a stop in just 6.1 seconds which is faster than many sports cars which is pretty impressive for a vehicle this big. Reining in all of that go can be tough for a heavy vehicle so Land Rover has also beefed up the brakes.
One thing is for certain: with this jewel in your driveway, you aren’t going to see another one in the neighborhood!
Land Rover press release with specs and pricing after the break.
CALGARY, March 9 – Land Rover, the world’s leading sport utility vehicle manufacturer, comes to the Calgary Auto Show with its 2010 model year line-up featuring the Range Rover Sport Autobiography Limited Edition. These vehicles will be on display from March 10-14 at the BMO Centre & Corral.
The award-winning Range Rover Sport line-up will feature a striking new Autobiography Package available in the 510-hp Supercharged edition offering added elegance and refinement for 2010. All seat surfaces are upholstered in new duo-tone leather, available in three color combinations. The front and rear headrests are embossed with a unique Autobiography Sport logo while the wood door inserts also bear this exclusive insignia. The Autobiography Package also includes the rear-seat entertainment system offered in Range Rover Sport, as well as a distinctive Autobiography Sport badge on the tailgate. Electronic rear differential lock and adaptive cruise control are also part of the package.
The exterior features body-colored lower door panels, front and rear bumpers with titan accents and an extended rear roof spoiler. A Titan mesh grille and side vents also enhance the Autobiography Package. Special 20-inch, 10-spoke Diamond-Turned alloy wheels and a distinguishing exhaust extension complete the exterior.
Autobiography – A Beneficiary of a Better Basis
The foundation for the Autobiography model, the updated 2010 Range Rover Sport, puts even more emphasis on driving dynamics over prior model years. From the new suspension that monitors the suspension at up to 500 times per second and adjusts to suit individual driving style, to the new Dynamic setting on the Terrain Response (TM) system in the Supercharged model which provides heightened responsiveness during enthusiastic on-road driving, the new Sport feels much more agile, more athletic. Greater driver involvement comes with new paddle shifters to select gears manually when desired, revised steering, and more powerful brakes.
Range Rover Sport
HSE $73,200 5.0-litre V8 375 hp/375 lb-ft 6-sp auto
Supercharged $87,400 5.0-litre V8 510 hp/461 lb-ft 6-sp auto
Autobiography $101,040 5.0-litre V8 510 hp/461 lb-ft 6-sp auto
(Prices are MSRP and do NOT include $1,270 destination and delivery
charge)
Highlights:
– Greater focus on enhanced driving dynamics, more athletic performance
– All-new direct-injection 5.0-litre V8 engines
– New 5.0-litre supercharged V8 delivers a remarkable 510 hp and 461
lb-ft of torque with 0-to-100 km/h acceleration in just 6.1 seconds
– New 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 with 375 hp and 375 lb-ft
generating 0-to-100 km/h acceleration in 7.4 seconds
– High-efficiency, sixth-generation Eaton(TM) twin-vortex supercharger
(Supercharged and Autobiography models)
– Both engines conform to stringent ULEV2 emissions regulations
– Striking new exterior design with new LED headlights, new two-bar
grille, revised bumpers and new LED rear light clusters
– Vastly improved ride and handling with new Adaptive Dynamics System
featuring precise new DampTronic Valve Technology (TM) damper units
(shocks) that read suspension movements 500 times per second and
adjust to suit the driver
– New Dynamic program within Terrain Response(TM) system to deliver
more sporting and responsive on-road driving experience
– New paddle shifters for Sport Supercharged (and Autobiography)
– Dramatic leap forward in interior quality, with finer materials and
finishes; 50 percent fewer buttons and switches on dashboard
Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4×4s that represent true ‘breadth of capability’ across the model range. Defender, LR2 (Freelander 2), LR4 (Discovery 4), Range Rover Sport and Range Rover each define the world’s 4×4 sectors, with 78% of this model range exported to over 140 countries. Land Rover employs 8,500 people and supports a further 40,000 jobs supported in the supply chain.
Land Rover takes its responsibility to the environment seriously. Emissions have been cut with all new models and, together with Jaguar, it is investing (pnds stlg)800m on technology specifically aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Also, since September 2006, carbon dioxide generated by Land Rover manufacturing activities and UK customer vehicle use has been balanced through an industry leading offset program run by Climate Care.
About Gary Grant
