The new Range Rover Sport has made a dramatic entrance onto the global automotive stage by becoming the first vehicle to climb up a flooded dam spillway in Iceland.
The ascent saw the new 4x4 resist a surging torrent of water flowing down the ramp of the Karahnjukar Dam – the biggest of its kind in the world – at a rate of 750 tonnes per minute.
The third generation of the Land Rover luxury performance SUV will be priced from £79.125 for a 3.0-litre diesel mild-hybrid, with the 13 model range topping out from £114,990 for a 4.4-litre V8 petrol version developing 530ps.
Plug-in powertrains will also be available in the line-up priced from £83,330 while petrol mild hybrids in P400 specification will cost from £86,195.
For the Iceland ascent, James Bond stunt driver Jessica Hawkins was behind the wheel as the new Range Rover Sport demonstrated its grip and traction on the dam.
It is the latest in a series of challenges for the vehicle, with its predecessors setting a hill-climb record at Pikes Peak in America, a first recorded crossing of the Empty Quarter desert on the Arabian Peninsula and a first ascent of the 999 steps to Heaven’s Gate in China in 2018.
With design cues taken from the latest Range Rover, the Sport will be available in the UK with 3.0-litre Ingenium petrol and diesel engines as well as the V8 while the PHEV will be powered by a 3.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor developing either 440 or 510ps.
A pure electric version is slated for 2024 while the V8 – with its BMW-sourced powertrain – has a top speed of 155mph, an acceleration time of 4.5 seconds and an official best fuel return of 25.2mpg with emissions of 254g/km.
The PHEV in extended range 510ps guise has a real-world range of 460 miles and emissions as low as 18g/km with a 0 to 62mph acceleration time of 5.4 seconds, a maximum of 140mph and a recharge time of 40 minutes to 80 percent capacity from a rapid charge. The PHEV can travel up to 70 miles purely on electricity.
Boot space ranges from 647 to 1,491 litres and off-road the new Sport has a wading limit of 900mm.
With air suspension standard, the new model marks the debut of switchable volume air springs, which optimise comfort over all terrains.
An optional Stormer Handling Pack combines all-wheel steering, Land Rover’s Dynamic Response Pro system, an electronic active differential with torque vectoring by braking and configurable programmes for added off-road ability.
Interior equipment and technology include a 13.1-inch floating Pivi Pro haptic touchscreen as well as a 13.7-inch interactive driver display and Amazon Alexa voice control.
Prices correct as of 10/05/22 and are subject to change.
