The Range Rover Sport reaffirms its status as the most exciting and dynamic member of the Land Rover range with a comprehensive package of engineering and design changes for the 2010 model year.
The vehicle’s stylish new appearance signals a transformation under the skin. Two powerful new engines debut. The LR-V8 naturally aspirated develops 375 hp and 375 lb.-ft. of torque, while the LR-V8 5.0-liter Supercharged engine cranks out a towering 510 hp and 461 lb.-ft. of torque. Inside, enhanced levels of interior craftsmanship and refinement greet the occupants and significant changes to both on-road and off-road driving dynamics improve the drive, wherever it may be.
The introduction of new systems such as Adaptive Dynamics, and the addition of the road-focused Dynamic Mode program to Terrain ResponseTM help enhance agility and ride quality. Further improvements to the Terrain ResponseTM system ensure that off-road capability is kept at the expected class-leading level.
The Range Rover Sport’s stylish, muscular exterior provides a cleaner, more sculpted look. Striking signature LED headlamps combine with a new two-bar grille, front bumpers and fenders to create a more sporting and aerodynamic stance. At the rear, new light clusters and a revised bumper design mirror the smoother front-end.
The interior has been comprehensively redesigned, using higher quality materials, soft-touch finishes and superior craftsmanship to create an even more premium environment true to the Range Rover brand.
New engines deliver exceptional performance and refinement
The most significant changes to the 2010 Range Rover Sport are in powertrains; a new 510-hp 5.0-liter LR-V8 supercharged engine and a 375-hp 5.0 liter LR-V8 naturally aspirated engine.
The LR-V8s are all-new and designed by the Jaguar Land Rover powertrain team using an impressive collection of state-of-the-art technologies. They were developed with an emphasis on delivering a smooth, refined and responsive performance, without a corresponding increase in fuel consumption. Both meet the stringent ULEV2 emissions standards.
The naturally aspirated LR-V8 is now a virtual-match in performance for the outgoing 4.2-liter supercharged engine. Powered by this new naturally aspirated engine, the Range Rover Sport HSE completes the 0-60 mph sprint in 7.2 seconds, just 0.1 seconds off the pace of the outgoing supercharged model. For those who want the ultimate performance Range Rover Sport, the Supercharged model rockets from 0 to 60 mph in an impressive 5.9 seconds.
The engines were developed in conjunction with Jaguar, the first time engines have been designed from the outset with the requirements of both brands in mind. Shared primary objectives included the highest possible torque and fast response from low revs. Although the basic engine architecture is the same for each brand, Land Rover engine requirements differ to satisfy demanding all-terrain needs. The LR-V8 versions feature a deeper sump to accommodate the extreme tilting angles that Range Rover Sport may be subjected to off-road. In addition, belt drives are waterproofed, as are alternators, air conditioning compressors, power steering pumps and starter motors.
All-new LR-V8 engine highlights
Direct injection – increased power and torque, low emissions
One of the key features of the new LR-V8 is an industry first, centrally-mounted, multi-hole, spray-guided fuel injection system, delivering fuel at a pressure of up to 150 bar (2,175 psi) directly to the cylinder. The positioning of the injectors ensures fuel is precisely delivered to the center of the combustion chamber, maximizing air-fuel mixing, and improving combustion control.
Fuel is delivered by twin, high-pressure fuel pumps driven by an auxiliary shaft in the all-new engine block. Substantially improved low speed response is particularly useful off-road, while adding to driving pleasure on-road. The charge-cooling effects of direct injection have allowed an increase in compression to 11.5:1. Also, during cold-start phase, multiple injection mode strategies help deliver 50 percent more heat for fast catalyst warm-up and reduced emissions.
New variable camshaft timing system boosts engine torque, saves energy
A new type of variable camshaft timing system (VCT) introduces another industry first. The four VCT units are activated by the positive and negative torques generated by opening and closing the intake and exhaust valves, instead of by oil pressure. This allows a reduction in oil pump size, saving energy and reducing fuel consumption.
VCT units work independently on all four camshafts with 62 degrees of variability on the inlet cams and 50 degrees on the exhaust cams. Timing is optimized by the engine control unit for torque, power and economy at every point in the engine’s speed range.
The response rate of the new VCT units is 25 percent faster than the previous system with actuation rates in excess of 150 degrees per second. This delivers a more immediate engine response to the driver’s demand.
Sixth-generation supercharger – quieter and more efficient
A sixth generation, Eaton™ twin-vortex supercharger is fitted to the 510-hp engine. Designed as a compact Roots-type unit, it feeds air through twin intercoolers, which are water-cooled by their own cooling circuit and reduce the temperature of the pressurised intake air. The high-helix rotor design improves thermodynamic efficiency by 16 percent. It also improves noise quality to the point where the unit is now almost inaudible.
The supercharged engine’s air intake has been radically redesigned compared to the previous unit. The intake air path is a direct feed to the supercharger inlet from the centrally-mounted front throttle body. Air is delivered through twin air boxes which reduce flow loss. Mechanically, the new supercharger and its intercoolers are packaged in the valley of the engine’s V to deliver a low overall engine height.
Warm up quick with reverse flow cooling
The search for greater efficiency forces a complete rethink of fundamental engine design concepts. The reverse-flow cooling system is an example, delivering thermodynamic and friction improvements by pumping engine coolant through the cylinder heads first, then through the block and returning to the radiator. Since the cylinder heads remain cooler, the threshold of pre-ignition (or pinging) is pushed back, allowing greater optimization of ignition timing for improved efficiency.
In addition, the oil-to-water heat exchanger – which transfers heat from the coolant to the lubricating oil during warm up – brings the oil up to operating temperature 14 percent faster than the previous cooling system. This reverse-flow approach substantially improves fuel consumption in the crucial engine warm-up period and helps warm the cabin more quickly.
Strong and compact
The new LR-V8 engines are built around a stiff, all new, aluminium block with cast-in iron liners and cross-bolted main bearing caps, to reduce noise, vibration and harshness.
For the first time at Land Rover, the blocks are high pressure die-cast rather than sand-cast, providing a superior finish and dimensional greater accuracy. The engines also have aluminium heads, with four-valves per cylinder and strong, spheroidal-graphite cast-iron crankshafts and steel connecting rods. The cylinder heads and blocks are manufactured using recycled aluminum alloy for the first time, thus reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing the new engines. It is also a more compact power unit than its predecessor, partly due to the relocation of the oil pump.
Reduced internal friction combats CO2
Internal friction, a major contributor to increased fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, has been targeted by careful design of the engines’ components. As a result, the Range Rover Sport’s new LR-V8 achieves another best in class, for rotating assembly (or “crank train”) friction.
Engine bearing friction is markedly reduced without compromising reliability. Diamond-Like Carbon coating has been used on fuel pump tappets and a solid film lubricant coats the piston skirts.
Land Rover has developed an intelligent oil-pump pressure relief valve which more accurately controls oil pump delivery, reducing frictional losses during warm-up.
The engine has also been designed around a 5W-20 semi-synthetic oil. The new oil has a lower viscosity, primarily at low temperatures, reducing parasitic losses in the engines and contributing to an extension in service intervals from 7,500 miles to 15,000 miles or 12 months. The new LR-V8 engine is also fitted with an electronic oil level indicator replacing a traditional dipstick.
Responsive new transmission
Both LR-V8 engines are mated to the revised and super-smooth ZF HP28 6-speed automatic transmission. Its characteristics have been optimized by Land Rover engineers to provide class-leading response, with rapid and refined shifts. The dramatic enhancement of both power and torque low down the rev range on the new engines have made it possible to actuate the transmission’s lock-up clutch much earlier in each gear, reducing slip through the hydraulic torque converter and therefore helping both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
The transmission features an intelligent sport mode, which can sense and adapt transmission characteristics to particular driving styles. For the first time on the Range Rover Sport Supercharged, the driver can change gears manually with a steering wheel mounted paddle-shift.
Transformed vehicle dynamics
A comprehensive program of chassis refinements transform the dynamics and handling characteristics of the vehicle, allowing drivers to fully exploit the capabilities of the new, high performance engine line-up.
Adaptive Dynamics system
The 2010 Range Rover Sport features a new Adaptive Dynamics System, which works in conjunction with the existing Dynamic Response system to enhance control of the vehicle’s ride and handling.
Land Rover has employed the world’s first production system for this computer model-based predictive technology, which continually optimizes damper settings for the widest possible range of conditions. Conventional dampers are replaced by precision DampTronic Valve Technology™ damper units, which incorporate continually adjustable damper-valves.
The predictive technology enables damper settings on each wheel to be continuously refined between soft, comfort oriented settings and hard, firm body control settings. Damper pressure at each wheel is monitored 500 times per second. The system optimizes the vehicle’s body and ride control, instantly responding to both the demands of the prevailing driving style and of the terrain encountered, in both on and off-road situations.
Greater driver involvement through the wheel
Steering response is improved by stiffening the lower front control arm’s forward bushing, enhancing the sense of driver involvement with the vehicle at higher speeds.
The revised variable ratio steering rack complements this by improving stability during high speed cruising and increasing sensitivity at greater steering lock angles (or input).
Braking system with more power and more feel
The Range Rover Sport’s braking is comprehensively updated to provide enhanced stopping power and improved driver feel. The HSE model’s brakes are modelled on the 4-piston opposed caliper performance system from the outgoing Supercharged model. The updated system employs 14.2-inch (360mm) ventilated front discs with new twin-piston sliding cast-iron calipers for enhanced pedal feel. The rear features 13.8-inch (350mm) ventilated discs with lightweight aluminum single piston sliding calipers.
The Supercharged model is fortified with 15-inch (380mm) ventilated front discs with lightweight aluminum six-piston, opposed-action monoblock calipers from Brembo™. At the rear are 14.3-inch (365mm) ventilated discs with single piston sliding calipers.
Enhanced emergency braking
Models fitted with the Adaptive Cruise Control option also benefit from a new Advanced Emergency Brake Assist system, which is designed to detect the driver’s responses to a potential emergency situation.
Working in conjunction with the Adaptive Cruise Control’s radar, Advanced Emergency Brake Assist primes the vehicle’s braking system, and even initiates braking in extreme circumstances if a collision is judged possible. Valuable improvements in braking distances have been recorded in the testing of this system.
Greater control and safety around corners
A refinement to the Dynamic Stability Control system helps automatically slow the vehicle if taking a corner too fast, thus enhancing driver control.
The system operates according to steering inputs from the driver. In extreme cases, automatic braking intervenes to help reduce the vehicle speed, with the braking pressure level applied according to the steering inputs.
This feature is complemented by the new Roll Stability Control system, which intervenes in the unlikely onset of a rollover. In such situations, the system performs rapidly by braking a specific wheel to help reduce speed and marginally widen the cornering radius.
In more extreme cases, the system is designed to initiate marginal understeer by sharply increasing brake force on the outer wheels, again widening the turning radius.
Updates for award-winning Terrain ResponseTM and Hill Descent Control
For the 2010 Range Rover Sport, Land Rover’s award-winning Terrain ResponseTM system gains new features and refinements, further extending the vehicle’s all-terrain capability.
For the Supercharged model, the Terrain ResponseTM system now includes a new Dynamic Mode, designed for sporting on-road driving. This tailors the vehicle’s chassis and powertrain settings to deliver a more sporting and responsive driving experience. Tighter body control and quicker steering responses are achieved by adjustments to the Adaptive Dynamics system, while throttle mapping, Dynamic Stability Control parameters and gear-change settings are also given more sporting characteristics.
The Dynamic Mode has also been specially tuned to take advantage of chassis changes to the supercharged model which is designed to deliver improved driver confidence at higher speeds. The changes include a 20% stiffer rear roll bar, and further revisions to the steering system, suspension bushings and wheel alignment settings.
Coping with tougher conditions
For soft sand – one of the most power-hungry surfaces – Sand Launch Control has now been introduced, which makes for noticeably easier drive-away. New, speed-dependent wheel-slip targets for the traction control system permit only very limited initial wheel-slip, helping to prevent the wheels digging down into the sand.
New for Range Rover Sport, revisions to the Rock Crawl program improve brake and traction control response times, helping to reduce the vehicle’s wheels rolling in an unintended direction when traversing boulders, and giving a more composed drive through rocky terrain.
Land Rover’s much-acclaimed Hill Descent Control system is enhanced on the latest Range Rover Sport with the addition of Gradient Release Control. This inhibits the initial rate of acceleration when descending very steep inclines, to increase control when braking is released at extreme approach angles.
More sporting design for a more sporting vehicle
The new design theme for the 2010 Range Rover Sport emphasises its position as the most dynamic model in the Land Rover range, creating a sporting, cleaner and more sculpted appearance.
At the front, new signature LED headlamps provide a technical focal point, and feature Range Rover inspired interlocking circle lamps. With a new two-bar grille and larger air intake, the vehicle’s frontal graphic is much more slim, athletic and low-slung.
The new front bumper blends with redesigned front fenders to form a simple, sculpted surface, offering improved aerodynamics and a lower, more sporting visual stance.
The side view of the vehicle features new two-stripe LED indicators, along with redesigned two-section fender vents. Side-view mirrors are now body color.
At the rear, Range Rover-inspired light clusters create a fresh new look, while the smooth and sculpted bumper design mirrors the style of the front end.
Premium interior environment
The interior has been comprehensively redesigned, and features significantly improved standards of quality and craftsmanship.
The cabin retains its popular cockpit feel but incorporates higher-quality materials, sumptuous soft-touch finishes and superb detailing throughout the interior. Leather is used extensively on major surfaces, in a wider choice of colors. To create a more sporting feel, rich dark shades border narrow sections in lighter tones, and the effect is completed by a generous selection of fine wood finishes.
The soft-touch fascia is all new, with a smooth and clean-looking design that can be wrapped in stitched, premium-grade European leather. It features an architectural beam that runs across the width of the cabin, supported by natural wood finish pillars.
To tidy up the interior, the center fascia now has 50 percent fewer switches.
There are new seats front and rear, which feature a deeper, more sculpted shape. Electrically adjustable side bolsters are available on the front seats for the first time.
New ambient lighting adds to the premium qualities of the cabin, with the introduction of white LEDs to cast subtle halos around interior door handles and pockets, as well as on the fascia and center console area.
Infotainment systems and displays
A new hard-drive navigation system provides faster route calculation and improved system reliability. This system adopts an easy-to-use navigation structure which now also features “towards guidance.” This supplements the junction map and icon-based information with details of the actual road signage viewed by the driver along the route.
The new Portable Audio Interface allows connectivity to an array of personal audio storage devices, USB sticks and MP3 players. Their functions can be accessed and controlled through the dashboard’s touch-screen system. One of the connectivity ports is a dedicated iPodTM point made exclusively by Land Rover. It ensures continued function in extreme driving conditions by helping to prevent the device coming loose from the socket.
A new 5-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) driver information screen is also introduced with the 2010 Range Rover Sport. Sitting within the instrument cluster, it ensures key information is communicated in a clean, simple and user-friendly manner.
Improving safety and security
Outside the vehicle, convenient and relevant new systems enhance safety and security. The Range Rover Sport now offers a sophisticated new remote key which offers both Keyless Entry and Push Button Start.
A new Surround Camera System supports easier parking and towing. It features five digital cameras which relay a near-360-degree view to the touch-screen display. The cameras function immediately as the vehicle is started, and have options for selecting and zooming in to assist with close-quarter parking and towing.
The patented reverse “tow assist” and “tow hitch assist” (selected from the touch screen menu) help perform accurate towing maneuvers. The wide fields of vision on the side cameras give a clear view of the reversing trailer and the images are electronically manipulated to provide an undistorted view. Guide lines overlaid on the rear camera image illustrate both the vehicle and trailer’s trajectory. These move in line with steering inputs, making it easier for the driver to predict where the trailer will move to before reversing.
Specific characteristics such as type of trailer, number of axles and width guides can be fed into the system to tailor the system outputs.
The Range Rover Sport’s new LED front headlights incorporate available High Beam Assist technology. This can automatically switch on high beam headlights where external light levels are below the system’s threshold. Importantly, the system is also designed to detect preceding and approaching traffic, and in a split second will automatically switch back to low beam to avoid dazzling others.
Tags: 2010 Range Rover Sport, 4x4