If the current leanings of policymakers are anything to go by, you’d think that diesel engines are headed straight to the guillotine. But while most mass market manufacturers are thinning out the diesel-powered herd, oil burners continue to account for nearly half of the sales for most luxury carmakers. Innumerable hours behind the wheel of the new Range Rover Sport diesel proves why this continues to be the case.
With the recent launch of the swept-back Range Rover Velar, picking a favourite from the Range Rover, er, range is like trying to pick your favourite member of The Beatles (except in this case, there’s no Ringo Starr equivalent). After much deliberation, I think the answer, for me, will always be the new Range Rover Sport. It’s got the best of everything. It’s more compact than the Moby Dick Range Rover, with razor-sharp styling that’s so smooth and sensational, it’s worthy of every award in the book. And while each Range Rover model has a distinct character, the Sport is easily the one with the most flair.
Much like its name suggests, the Range Rover Sport is the most playful of the non-SVR Rangies, and the new one’s design language has been optimised to really hammer that point home. The upswept shoulder-line runs parallel to an arrow-straight blacked-out roofline and makes the Sport look like a crouching, predatory animal. The digital LED headlamps and taillamps are more slender than ever, and feature, as part of the HSE package, daylight LEDs and image projection, as standard.
Where the diesel differs from the petrol, in terms of styling, is at the back, where it features a stealthier, blacked-out diffuser with tailpipes tucked underneath. Flush door handles retreat into their respective cavities with synaptic swiftness, revealing a smooth, sculpted and fuss-free form whose principles are rooted in minimalism. Land Rover calls this “more for less” and this carefully studied approach to minimalistic design results in a gobsmacking form that compels you to just stare at it, endlessly. G-Wagon loyalists might disagree, but this right here is arguably the best-looking SUV in the market right now. The Cullinans and Bentaygas of the world aren’t even a close second.
On the inside
The same restraint on the exterior design defines the interiors. The cockpit isn’t designed to overwhelm you with dashboard-wide infotainment screens and seizure-inducing neon lights. In fact the lush, albeit optional red leather upholstery gives the indisputably British Range Rover, an almost Victorian quality. Heating, ventilation, massage and memory functions—the seats offer everything. And then there’s the cabin’s party piece—the iPad-sized Pivi Pro touchscreen infotainment system.
As with the petrol, we get big, bold logos, offering great legibility and ease of use, especially if you’re on the move. This being a Land Rover, the Sport gets the brand’s proprietary off-roading suite—the terrain response system, with a whole bevy of cameras allowing for more precise articulation. As off-road capable as it may be, there are few who are inclined to take a sub-Rs 2 crore SUV onto treacherous, rocky terrain although the Sport’s entry and departure angles are more than up for the task.
Every possible trapping of luxury you’d expect in a car bearing the Range Rover name, can be found here. A panoramic sunroof, four-zone climate control, wireless charging, you name it. You’d have to go for the full-fat Range Rover SV for the champagne flutes, but for a self-driven, off-roading GT car, the Sport has all bases covered.
The Engine
Petrol or diesel? That’s the only question that matters here. The D300 gets a 3.0-litre flat-six that’s about as state-of-the-art as they come. Every torque-fed burst of speed validates Land Rover’s decision to continue investing in diesels. The Ingenium straight-six diesel unit is smooth, offering an endless supply of torque—700Nm, to be precise. It kicks in fairly early, but Land Rover has also thrown in a 48V “mild-hybrid” system, which further helps tide you over while you wait for the turbo to kick-in. Once it does, there is a steady supply of power, which never seems to run out. With 345 bhp there’s about 50 bhp less than the P400 petrol, which also has a stronger top-end, but the torque more than makes up for the power deficit.
Even as a highway tourer, the D300 is the one to go for, in part due to its greater fuel economy, and also due to the sheer refinement of the motor. It settles into triple digit speeds or cruising speeds with effortless ease, trundling about with buttery smoothness. In terms of sheer driving dynamism, no other Range Rover comes close to the Sport, so nimble does it feel to manoeuvre that you forget this is a two-tonne SUV.
Verdict
What can you say about the Range Rover Sport that hasn’t been said before? For starters, the diesel unit is a cleaner one than its petrol counterpart, owing to its drastically lower CO2 output and filter obliterated particulate matter. But it’s also the more fun-to-drive version. Yes, it’s a pricey proposition, and not meant for those seeking only utility from their luxury SUVs. The Range Rover name commands a premium, but the sheer, unmatched presence and novelty value make it worth it. Plush and spacious though it might be at the back, the Sport D300 is an enthusiast’s machine. But the air suspension does soften its mannerisms, so comfort is never compromised.
Nor should it be, given that the range-topping D300 is Rs 1.84 crore (ex-showroom). At that price point, the Sport surges ahead of other legacy competitors, content in the knowledge that its sheer good looks and nearly flawless performance would be enough to seduce many a buyer. Especially if they’re fashionable, aesthetically inclined and well-heeled. If it’s the last decade of diesels that you intend to relish, the Range Rover D400 is easily among the world’s very best.
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