New 2022 Range Rover Sport plug-in hybrid SUV unveiled; EV to follow

Last year, Land Rover unveiled the fifth-generation of its flagship luxury SUV, along with news of a fully electric version arriving in 2024. But before we get our hands on either model, the British brand has revealed that car’s smaller, sportier counterpart: the all-new Range Rover Sport.

Like the luxury seven-seat model it sits below, the new Range Rover Sport uses Land Rover’s MLA-Flex platform, which has been designed to suit combustion-engine, plug-in hybrid and fully electric powertrains. Initially it’ll be available with the standard range of diesel and petrol engines, plus a pair of plug-in hybrids, before a zero-emissions version arrives, also in 2024.

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New Range Rover Sport plug-in hybrid powertrains, performance and range

Both plug-in hybrid powertrains use a 3.0-litre straight-six turbocharged petrol engine and a 141bhp electric motor fed by a 38.2kWh battery. In the P440e model, this combination produces 434bhp and 620Nm of torque, while the P510e version gets a more powerful petrol engine, offering drivers 503bhp and 700Nm of torque. Going from 0-62mph takes 5.8 and 5.4 seconds for the P440e and P510e respectively, while CO2 emissions stand at just 18g/km. All models get an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

That rather large 38.2kWh battery is enough for an electric driving range of 70 miles in both versions, although Land Rover itself expects customers will see a real-world range of around 54 miles from the Sport PHEV. According to the brand, that should still be enough to complete 75% of journeys on electric power alone, especially with a top speed in EV mode of 87mph.

Thanks to 50kW rapid charging capability, a 0-80% top up will take 40 minutes from a fast enough charging point, while recharging the battery from flat requires around five hours plugged into a home wallbox. In addition to the EV driving mode, the car’s default setting is Hybrid mode, which blends both power sources automatically and uses geofencing to ensure drivers can travel on electric power in low-emission zones. Meanwhile, Save mode ensures the car retains a pre-programmed level of charge for use later in a journey.

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Styling, interior and technology

The design of the new Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne rival has been tweaked rather than completely overhauled for this, the third iteration. The most notable changes are a new front bumper and a simpler design for the rear. However, the new Range Rover Sport’s interior has received a host of significant updates, including a 13.1-inch curved touchscreen running the latest version of Land Rover’s Pivi Pro infotainment system. 

Land Rover says that 90% of tasks and functions are just two steps from the home screen. The new system can also receive over-the-air (OTA) software updates and gets Alexa virtual assistant integration, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto as standard. Behind the wheel is a 13.7-inch digital driver’s display, with two 11.4-inch touchscreens for rear passengers available as an optional extra.

The new Range Rover Sport is slightly larger in every respect compared to the previous generation. The SUV’s wheelbase has grown by over 70mm, plus it’s 40mm taller, nearly 100mm longer and 30mm wider. As a result, there’s more legroom in the rear and a 55-litre increase in boot space to 835 litres for the combustion-engined models. The exact figure for the plug-in hybrid Sport models has yet to be released.

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If you want a more sustainable alternative to typical leather upholstery, you can opt for lightweight Ultrafabrics, plus floor mats made from ‘marine plastics’. Even the speakers for the Meridian audio system can be covered in textiles, while the audio system is also used for noise cancelling or to enhance powertrain sound responses with additional speakers in the headrests.

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Pricing, trim levels and specifications

The new Range Rover Sport is available to order now, starting from £79,125 for the entry-level petrol model, rising to £83,330 and £107,400 for the plug-in hybrid P440e and P510e respectively. P410e buyers get a choice of three trim levels: SE, Dynamic SE and Autobiography, while the more potent P510e is available exclusively in Autobiography and a limited First Edition specifications.

Among the long list of standard equipment on the Range Rover Sport is dynamic air suspension, rear-wheel steering to help with manoeuvrability and high-speed stability, a 13.7-inch digital driver’s display, a 13.1-inch central touchscreen, LED headlights, Land Rover’s Terrain Response system, active noise cancellation, a 3D surround camera, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, lane-keeping assistance and traffic-sign recognition.