12
KING’S CARRIAGE
FEW PEOPLE HAVE $150K TO SPEND ON A NEW 4X4, BUT IF YOU DO,
THERE’S ONLY ONE CHOICE.T
HERE are no surprises that a Range
Rover of some description has made
the Dirty Dozen list. The question is:
which Range Rover? For our money it’s
the Range Rover Sport SDV8, which is
not only the pick of the vast Range Rover/
Range Rover Sport line-up, but it’s better
than any 4x4 or SUV from Audi, Bentley,
BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus or Porsche.
The RRS SDV8 was our 4X4OTY two years
back, so it joins the other 4X4OTY winners
on this list.
For those who don’t know their Range
Rovers, the SDV8 designation means it has
the 4.4-litre bi-turbo-diesel V8, one of a vast
array of engines available in the RRS or
indeed the RR itself.
The distinction between the Range Rover
and the Range Rover Sport is important
here, too. In effect there’s little mechanical
difference between the two as they
share platforms and most of the multiple
powertrain options. The key difference is in
the body. The Range Rover’s is longer, taller
and wider than the sleeker and, for most,
more handsome body of the Sport.
That this second-generation RRS can claim
to be a proper Range Rover sets it apart
from the first-generation Range Rover Sport,
which was built on a Discovery 3 platform.Key to this generation of RRS (and RR) is
the all-aluminium monocoque construction,
which brings considerable weight savings
over both the steel separate chassis of
the first-generation RRS and the steel
monocoque of the previous-gen RR.
At 2400kg, the RRS Sport is still heavy
but doesn’t feel it due to impeccable road
manners and the effortless and ample power
of the 250kW/740Nm diesel V8.
The SDV8 is one of three diesels on offer,
the other two being 3.0-litre V6 diesels in
different states of tune. There’s also a diesel-
electric hybrid and four petrol engines, two
supercharged V6s and two supercharged
V8s, the most potent of which, the SRV,
makes a mighty 405kW. That’s a truckload
of fun, but it’s another $75K over the SDV8 –
and it’s thirsty.
The SDV8 is the complete package.
On-road it’s a luxury car with sports car
performance and frugal economy, yet off-
road it’s amazingly capable and will scramble
up a gnarly hill with the best of them. The
wheel/tyre spec isn’t the most practical, but
at least in this generation of Range Rover
and Range Rover Sport there’s been a move
towards higher-profile tyres for any given
wheel size, a welcome move in terms of off-
road functionality.PRICE $145,310 ENGINE 4.4-litre V8 bi-turbo-diesel
RANGE ROVER SPORT SDV8
ENGINE: 4.4-litre V8 bi-turbo-diesel
POWER: 250kW
TORQUE: 740Nm
GEARBOX: eight-speed automatic
4X4 SYSTEM: dual-range full-time
FRONT SUSPENSION: independent/air
springs
REAR SUSPENSION: independent/air
springs
KERB WEIGHT: 2398kg
GVM: 3200kg
TOWING CAPACITY: 3500kg
FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 105 litres
ADR FUEL CLAIM: 8.7L/100km
644 http://www.4X4australia.com.auDRIVEN BEST BUYS