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All new Range Rover Sport prototype car review – first drive

Stunning looks, sporty handling, gorgeous inside, and all for £20,000 less than a Range Rover.
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3 May 2013

Range Rover Sport
The car we drove is a late stage prototype. Deliveries start towards the end of the year

Range Rover Sport SDV6 HSE Dynamic prototype

What is it?

It’s the new Range Rover Sport, which despite looking production-ready is described by Land Rover as a late stage prototype. Nevertheless, Land Rover allowed Business Car Manager an opportunity to get behind the wheel before the first deliveries begin in the third-quarter of this year.

Based on the same aluminium platform as the new Range Rover (rather than the old Discovery platform), the Sport is now 420kg lighter than before, which has a huge effect on handling, performance and fuel economy. Land Rover says it’s “the fastest, most agile and most responsive Land Rover ever”, so we want to find out if it really is.

 

Range Rover Sport
Stunning looks: an amalgam of the best from the Evoque and the new Range Rover

What’s hot?

  • The Sport looks incredible. The swept-back headlights, sloping roofline and bold grille are a mix of all the best bits from the stylish Evoque and the latest Range Rover.
  • The interior is a huge improvement, too. You sit a little more cocooned than in the Range Rover but the luxury is just as apparent. Fewer switches, high quality materials and premium LCD displays are the big news.

    RAnge Rover Sport
    It’s a huge improvement inside. Luxurious, high quality materials, with less switches and more LCD display for the gadget conscious
  • The SDV6 engine we’re driving has 288bhp and is expected to be the biggest seller. It accelerates from 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds, which feels as quick as you’ll ever need it to be. There are V8 petrol and diesels, too.
  • Refinement is excellent, with a smooth and quiet note from the engine and barely any wind noise at high speeds. Despite its ‘Sport’ name, this feels like a car that could easily eat up big journeys.
  • Handling is surprisingly good. There’s barely any body roll, a high level of grip and a clever torque vectoring system that seems to twist the car around your body in tight bends.
  • Improvements to fuel economy and CO2 now make the Sport a better company car than ever before, as does the relatively low £51,500 starting price.
  • An extra two seats are offered in the boot – they rise out of the floor electronically

 

Range RoverSport
Ultimately the Sport lacks the refinement of the Range Rover, but don’t forget you’ve saved £20,000

What’s not?

  •  Still, our SDV6 HSE Dynamic model will cost around £64,995 and those 199g/km CO2 emissions will still result in a company car tax bill of over £8000 a year for higher rate users.
  • The price looks good next to the Range Rover but when compared with competitors like the Porsche Cayenne, it actually starts to look quite expensive.
  • This car is firmer than you’d expect – the engineers really have taken the ‘Sport’ moniker to heart. It thumps and bumps over ridges that the Range Rover would just glide over.
  • Probably best not to try and squeeze adults in those two extra seats. It’s a bit tight.

 

Range Rover Sport
Land Rover is celebrating its 65th year and the Sport shows just how far it’s come from its agricultural roots

Business Car Manager Verdict

If you like the stylish design, luxurious cabin and excellent refinement of the latest Range Rover but want something a little sportier that costs a lot less then the Sport is perfect.

There are problems, though, as the Sport is more expensive than its rivals and it doesn’t have the wafting ride of the standard Range Rover.

The relatively low CO2 emissions do their part to improve its credentials as a plush company car for SME directors buyers buyers will still face that hefty company car tax bill.

As for the Sport’s off road performance, not a priority for most buyers, but it will have to wait until we try the car after the launch.

 

The Low Down…

Doors and body style  5-door SUV
Engine/gearbox  3 litre turbodiesel V6/8-speed auto
CO2 Emissions  199g/km
Economy  37.7mpg
Power/torque  288bhp/600Nm
0-62mph/top speed  6.8secs/130mph
Insurance group  40

…and what it costs

P11D Value  £64,995
Monthly business rental (ex VAT) N/A
Road tax (VED)  Band J
Company Car Tax Bands 2013/14 to 2015/16  34%, 34%, 37%
Benefit in kind 2013/14 to 2015/16  £21,918, £22,563, £23,852
Annual/Monthly fuel benefit (20%)  £1435/£120
Annual/Monthly fuel benefit (40%)  £2870/£239
Annual/monthly company car tax (20%) £4383/£365
Annual/monthly company car tax (40%)  £8767/£731
Figures correct at time of posting
For latest figures Use our company car tax calculator

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Matt Morton

Matt Morton

Matt Morton is an automotive content writer for Business Car Manager

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