2023 Range Rover Sport is schmick

Range Rover dramatically unveils 2023 Sport SUV

Range Rover has shown the world its sleek new third-generation Sport 4x4 by motoring up a perilous Icelandic dam drain. Here's what's new for the nex-gen Range Rover Sport.

2023 Range Rover Sport specifications

• New look. It's not a remarkably different look, but the Range Rover Sport has been given a set of sharp new clothes. Range Rover says it's now more muscular in appearance. All round, it's generally crisper, even more minimalist and extra modern. The rear end is the most different, with an austere bar connecting the thinnest of taillights. Range Rover says the lights are the slimmest it has ever designed.

• Engine line-up. As always, there's a Range Rover engine for everyone. Those looking for a frugal 4x4 could opt for the PHEV, which has a claimed combined fuel economy of just 1.6L/100km. That model still has 294kW of power and a trailer-ready 700Nm of torque. If you want an everyday cruiser, you might go for the 3.0-litre Ingenium diesel, with 183kW, 600Nm and a fuel economy of 7.2L/100km. For those who want something more raucous, there's a twin-turbo V8 that pumps out 390kW and 750Nm.

• Lighting technology. The Range Rover Sport has something called LED surface technology for the first time on a production model. Range Rover says these lights are visible from all angles. The headlights are digital LEDs, with the ability to make a signature daytime running light.
• Advanced chassis technology. Range Rover spokespersons reckon this is the best handling Sport yet. The Range Rover Sport now sits on top of the MLA-Flex platform, which will also underpin the fifth-generation Range Rover. This architecture allows the company to add hybrid components to the model, with the brand confirming an EV version will arrive by 2024. MLA-Flex is 35% stiffer than the last Range Rover Sport, which should help improve the big SUV's handling.

• Hybrid model with extended range. Until the fully-electric Range Rover Sport arrives in 2024, buyers can purchase a hybrid Range Rover Sport, which has an impressive electric-only 125 kilometres of range. For many Australian motorists, that could translate to covering most of their everyday trips using a majority of EV power.
• All-wheel steering. Putting the sport into Range Rover Sport is an optional all-wheel steering system. This lets the rear tyres turn by just over 7 degrees. They turn the opposite way to the front wheels and Range Rover says this helps not only for high-speed corners but also when moving around a car park. Range Rover even claims it has the turning circle of a modern hatchback.
• Smart suspension. We see this more and more nowadays, but the Range Rover Sport has clever air suspension that will scan the road ahead and reference sat-nav info to get ready for turns coming up. Other suspension tech checks the conditions as much as 500 times per second to optimise the dampers.
• Off-road cruise control. You've probably not heard of this before because it's new for the Range Rover Sport. Drivers tell the vehicle the speed they want to travel at and how comfortable they want to be. Then, they simply steer and the vehicle does the rest. Terrain Response 2 scans the surface and tweaks chassis parameters to match.
• Alexa on board. All 2023 Range Rover Sports have Amazon Alexa, allowing you to issue commands to the car or operate things like your smart home tech. There's also wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

• Giant interior screens. Continuing the trend for most car makers, the Range Rover Sport now has giant dual screens. One measures 13.1-inches and is curved. This one handles all the infotainment duties. For the driver, Range Rover fits a 13.7-inch display that can be customised to their tastes.
• More room. Second-row passengers now have an extra 31mm of legroom and 20mm extra space for their knees. That can make a huge difference.

• A thunderous sound system. One option available for the new Range Rover Sport is a Meridian Signature audio system that has a ridiculous 29-speakers, a sub and a 1,430-watt amp. Engineers even stuffed speakers into the headrests to generate what Range Rover calls "personal sound zones". Microphones in the wheel arches help make the cabin active noise-cancelling even more effective.
• Air quality. It's something many of us don't pay much attention to, but the Range Rover Sport can monitor the cabin air. It filters out viruses, smells and allergens and even keeps tabs on carbon dioxide. CO2 build-up can contribute towards tiredness, so Range Rover says reducing the levels can help improve alertness and will make the cabin air feel fresher.

Range Rover Sport Australian pricing and availability

There will be 5 trim grades on offer, with retail prices as follows:

• SE (From $139,160)
• Dynamic SE (From $151,026)
• Dynamic HSE (From $168,638)
• Autobiography (From $191,141)
• First Edition (From $196,359)

Range Rover expects deliveries to commence in the last quarter of 2022.