46 september 2019 whichcar.com.au/motorFirstIngeniumsix-cylinder putsrefinementbackinline
RANGE ROVER SPORT HST
THIS SPECIAL new HST trim level for
Land Rover’s ever-popular Cayenne
rival provides our introduction to a
key component of the company’s
developing engine portfolio – the first
six-cylinder motor of the Ingenium
engine family.
JLR is moving away from V6 engines
and towards straight-sixes for a
few reasons. It can employ modular
block architecture related to its four-
pots, and straight-sixes are more
easily packaged with the ever more
complicated induction and exhaust
systems that modern engines use,
while delivering well-known relative
advantages in mechanical refinement.
The Range Rover Sport HST’s new
‘P400’ unit is 3.0 litres by volume
and effectively replaces the old
supercharged V6. It uses twin-scroll
turbocharging, electric supercharging
and mild-hybrid electric motor
assistance to make 295kW and 550Nm.
First impression of the new engineis one of refinement. Land Rover has
gone to considerable lengths to make
it the smoothest and most discreet
engine at any price by fitting near-
silent timing chains and the like, and
the effort has clearly paid off. The HST
starts and runs very quietly indeed, and
shifts gear almost imperceptibly on a
steady throttle.
Extend the engine’s revs in manual
mode and, even in a heavy car like this,
the engine is responsive, flexible and
potent. Power delivery is very linear – it
pulls beyond 6000rpm notably more
freely than JLR’s four-pot Ingenium
turbos – while audible character is
great; smooth and reserved at low
speed, yet quite tuneful through the
higher reaches.
For such a high and heavy car, it’s a
pleasant surprise how agile and precise
the Sport feels at speed, and just how
cleverly its body control juggles a tied-
down sense of control with fluent long-
wave bump absorption.However, our test car’s low speed
ride did suffer a bit from fitment of
optional 22-inch alloys. Although
supple at higher speeds, the HST
picked up on sharper ridges in slightly
fussy, unbecoming fashion.
The new P400 engine suits the
Range Rover Sport very well, proffering
much of the accessible torque and easy
drivability of the diesel versions, as well
as the refinement and richness of a
petrol V8.
Although local pricing and specs
are yet to be confirmed, you can well
imagine this becoming a go-to engine
for urban Range Rover buyers. It
should also serve very effectively in
more driver-focused Land Rovers and
Jaguars in the near future.BELOW
Infotainment system
has plenty of graphical
slickness and is easy
to use with familiarity,
and the mix of cabin
materials is generally
appealing➜ENGINE 2996cc inline-6, DOHC, 24v, turbo
POWER 295kW @ 5500rpm
TORQUE 550Nm @ 2000rpm
0-100KM/H 6.2sec (claimed)
4.0 WEIGHT 2405kg • PRICE $170,000 (est)Rating
LIKE: Power and smoothness
of straight-six; great sound;
chassis control
DISLIKE: Low-speed ride on
optional 22-inch wheels belies
car’s refinementM FRONTFRONT END.END.JUSTJUST LAUNCHEDLAUNCHED
BY • MATT SAUNDERS