The Range Rover is a British made full-size luxury SUV which has been in production since 70s. The ‘Sport’ sub-brand was launched in 2005, with a more dynamic exterior design and quickly became the top selling Land Rover product. The Range Rover Sport is more focused towards a sporty character with a distinct athletic persona. I got a chance to test drive the Land Rover Range Rover Sport Autobiography 2015 – a more expensive, full loaded luxury vehicle.
Walk Around
Let’s take a walk around this performance off-road SUV. The 2015 Range Rover Sport employs a unique bold look which sets it apart from other SUVs in the UAE. The front fascia incorporates a light Atlas grille, accompanied by sharp Xenon headlamps and a bold bumper design. The attractive flowing lines on the sides convey a level of sophistication. I found this duo of elegance and sportiness really inspiring. At the back, the dual exhaust tips and the rear spoiler add finishing touches to the exterior.
Cockpit Impression
The cabin is simply bespoke and extends a superb luxurious feeling when you step inside the Range Rover. The front dash and the doors are made from high quality plastic material, while the key touching points such as the centre armrest, gearbox and the control knob are all soft padded.
The best part is that the interior is fully customisable and available in a wide range of colour choices. The one I test drove was covered in a sexy Ebony/Pimento red color along with black detailing. This Autobiography trim featured Oxford perforated leather seats which are 18-way powered with memory function.
In terms of space, the back seats are average and a tall person like me had no problem sitting. The boot space behind the second row seats is 27.7 cubic feet, which is spacious, but surely less than other SUVs.
Engine Specifications of Land Rover Range Rover Sport Autobiography 2015
The Range Rover Sport Autobiography 2015 is available in 3 different engine choices all mated to 8-speed automatic transmission:
- LR-V8 Supercharged 5.0 litre Petrol engine with 510 PS and 625 Nm of torque (the one we test drove)
- LR-SDV6 3.0 litre Diesel unit with 292 PS and 600 Nm of torque
- LR-SDV8 4.4 litre Diesel engine producing 340 PS and 700 Nm of torque
Driving Dynamics
The drive is pretty stable and responsive despite having a large ground clearance of 11.63 inches and curb weight of 4,727 pounds. It features a next gen Terrain Response system that optimizes the performance of the SUV according to the landscape, giving the freedom to ride swiftly on all sorts of terrains.
On the highway, I set the mode to automatic and was able to hit the 100 km/h mark in 5.3 seconds and reached 220 kph top speed, thanks to the 8 speed automatic transmission system that offers smooth shifting of gears. The Electronic Power Assisted steering wheel is exceptional around sharp corners and ensures agile handling. The fuel economy I noted was 13L /100km.
To check the off-roading capability, I headed for the desert safari and set the drive mode to sand/mud. The torque vectoring technology distributes the power among the four wheels intelligently for an improved road grip on the sand dunes, while the Electronic Air suspension system adjusts the Range Rover’s height according to the terrain, thereby extending a superior off-road performance.
Technological Overview
The 2015 Range Rover Sport Autobiography is well equipped with latest technological equipment such as an 8-inch touch display infotainment system, Meridian Surround system with 19 speakers, Hard disk navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity, USB port, AUX input and power sockets. The rear seats also benefit from display screens so that your family can enjoy HD movies too.
Safety and Security of Range Rover Sport 2015
The safety facilities encompass anti-lock brake system with electronic brake distribution, cornering brake control, dynamic stability control, electronic Traction control, hill descent control, rear view camera, parking assist, power operated child locks, perimetric alarm and a lot more.
Dislike
The only drawback of the 2015 Range Rover Sport is that the backseats do not fold full to extend the cargo area, otherwise it has everything you look for in a luxury SUV.
Verdict
The 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport base trim starts at AED 359,000, while the Autobiography model is valued at AED 569,000. Although you must be thinking it is expensive, believe me it’s worth its price. Take a test drive and see for yourself.