We just informed you about masked Range Rover caught by spy photographers, and now we have the same situation with the smaller sibling, the 2018 Range Rover Sport. When Land Rover decided to change its game a bit with Range Rover and its third generation, introduced in 2002, they chose to switch to monocoque chassis and ultimate luxury at the cost of off-road capability. It also decided a couple of years later to widen its new found luxurious offer.
In 2005 Range Rover Sport was born, it slotted below Range Rover, which pretty much at that time didn’t have any direct competitor in Europe, that until Mercedes introduced GL-Class year later. As soon as Sport arrived, it immediately clashed with BMW X5 and Mercedes M-Class, and although they do push better sales figures, its own are far from bad. British carmaker continues to keep their high market presence with Range Rover lineup, and in 2011 they introduced Evoque, and we are just in front of a revelation of new Velar. Let’s now get back to our model and let’s see what upcoming refresh is bringing to the game.
STYLING CHANGES
The current version was introduced in 2013, so it is time for revision, by industry standards. What we can see from photos are differently shaped air intakes on the front bumper, and while headlights are completely covered, we should anticipate brand new configuration, most likely full LED layout similar to the solution on newest Discovery, as that is expected to find its way to whole Land Rover’s lineup very soon.
Grille could see some slight changes also, while rest of the fascia should remain identical. At the rear, taillights are to be facelifted, possibly along with a new appearance of the skid plate. Nothing about the cabin is certain yet, but don’t expect any big visual changes as it is flawless in today’s shape.
UNDER THE HOOD
The current traditional lineup doesn’t seem destined to receive any changes with an upcoming facelift, so currently in the US we have petrol offer of 3.0-liter V6 with 340 hp, 5.0-liter V8 rated at 510 hp and SVR model coming with 5.0-liter V8 boosting 550 hp. We also have one diesel option, and that is the 3.0-liter V6 delivering 254 hp. In Europe offer is widened with same diesel unit pumping put 306 hp and even stronger 4.4-liter V8 with 340 hp. Latest novelty is the introduction of 2.0-liter I4 diesel rated at 237 hp, but that will not come to the US surely.
2018 Range Rover Sport- e PHEV Hybrid Video
BIGGEST NOVELTY
We said that traditional engine lineup is not about to see any changes, but a hybrid can be hardly described as something traditional. Current hybrid combines a 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine with an electric motor for the total power output of 340 hp. It is not that Sport is the first hybrid using a diesel engine, but that is definitely uncommon. Two years ago Land Rover showed us Range Rover Sport Concept_e PHEV which presented new hybrid technology for future use by brand. We already mentioned that you could expect it on refreshed Range Rover and same applies here.
The new hybrid will choose a more traditional approach and utilize I4 petrol engine with an electric motor mounted between it and transmission, while lithium-ion battery pack will be stored in the trunk area. The hybrid version will have the possibility to be driven on electricity only, but the range hasn’t been specified yet. In the case when more power is needed everything will be engaged simultaneously.
Expect 2018 Range Rover Sport to debut during this year, alongside Range Rover, so we will have complete information relatively soon on it.
