Range Rover Sport 2015 News

European manufacturers Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar Land Rover and Peugeot have all issued recent recall notices.

Tesla has issued a voluntary recall for its electric Model S sedan and Model X SUV after discovering a potential manufacturing issue that could stop the electric park brake from functioning properly.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has this week issued safety recalls for various vehicles from Land Rover, Nissan and Volvo.

Australian buyers have committed nearly $50 million on the yet-to-arrive Mercedes-Benz C63 S AMG.

Land Rover’s fastest model ever will soon arrive in Australia, aiming to tempt customers away from existing German performance SUVs like the BMW X5 M and Porsche Cayenne Turbo.Priced from $218,500, the new Range Rover Sport SVR is the first Jaguar Land Rover product to come from the recently established Special Vehicle Operations team, which is similar to Mercedes’ in-house tuning experts AMG or BMW's M GmbH. Powered by the same 404kW/680Nm 5.0-litre supercharged V8 as the stunning Jaguar F-Type R sports car, the SVR’s motor packs an additional 30kW and 55Nm over the regular supercharged V8 Range Rover Sport. With an active sports exhaust system with electronically controlled valves which open under heavy throttle or at around 3000rpm, the SVR should also sound just as naughty as its Jaguar sports car cousin.The newcomer can complete the 0-100km/h run in 4.7 seconds and go onto a limited top speed of 260km/h, while combined fuel consumption is 12.8L/100km – the same as the standard petrol V8 model. The eight-speed ZF torque converter automatic transmission with paddles is carried over from the standard car, but software tweaks have decreased shift times by up to 50 per cent. The Special Vehicle Operations team have also reworked the chassis and four-wheel drive system to give better on-road dynamics without compromising the car’s capability on rough terrain. Up to 100 per cent of the V8’s torque can be sent to either axle, and the rear locking differential has been enhanced by a brake-based torque vectoring system. The SVR also gets 20 per cent stiffer rear subframe bushes, hydraulic anti-roll bars and a modified air-suspension system with continuously variable adaptive dampers.Despite the new model’s sporting intentions, the ride height hasn’t been changed so the Sport’s best in-class 850mm wading depth with up to 272mm suspension travel remains.The standard wheel and tyre package includes 21-inch alloys wrapped in 275/45 all-season tyres, while a more road-focused setup with 22-inch hoops wearing 295/40 Continental performance tyres is available – you won’t be able to match the SVR’s impressive 8 minute 14 second Nurburgring lap time without them. The hi-po Range Rover also features a number of bespoke body panels and interior pieces that differentiate it from the less performance focused variants, including more aggressive front and rear bumpers, quad exhaust tips and sports bucket seats inside. The SVR’s most direct rival is the 383kW $230,800 Porsche Cayenne Turbo, which it undercuts on price but the Range Rover uses more fuel and isn’t as accelerative as the Porsche which can hit 100km/h in 4.5 seconds. The new Range Rover Sport SVR goes on sale locally in around three months time in May. 

In a year when the overall car market shrank, all but a handful of prestige brands increased sales. Buyers don't just want a good car; they want others to see they have one, helping everyone from Maserati to Mercedes-Benz post gains.The trend is accelerating and a steady stream of new models in 2015 only adds to the impetus. CarsGuide looks at what's in store for the premium players this year.It isn't hard to foresee the popularity of the 4C two-seat coupe when it hits showrooms next month. This baby supercar uses a carbon-fibre tub, mid-engine layout and minimalist interior to present a modern incarnation of a stripped-down racer. Pricing will be $80,000-$100,000. The soft-top Spider is due in October. The Alfa Giulietta also gets an update.A steady new model rollout starts in February with the arrival of the TT coupe for just under $80,000. It will be joined by the soft-top roadster midyear and the TT S performance model in August or September. The plug-in petrol-electric A3 e-tron five-door hatch is due in May with an expected price of $60,000, with the Q7 large SUV due late in the year. Updates or variants include the A6/A7, RS6/RS7, A1, RS3 and Q3/RSQ3.New metal is in short supply at the British brand but two models will join the line-up, starting with the Vantage S Roadster at a shade under $420,000. If that isn't exclusive enough, consider the $500,000 Vanquish Carbon using the same V12 but with eight forward ratios in place of the Vantage's seven.BENTLEYChauffeurs will going cap-in-hand to buyers of the Mulsanne Speed for the chance to steer the best Bentley ever. A twin-turbo V8 cranks out 1100Nm - only the Bugatti Veyron can torque itself up as a more powerful production model - to push the 2.7-tonne limo into triple figures in 4.9 seconds. Pricing has yet to be set but if you have to ask, you can't afford it.There's a lot of product in the pipeline this year but only one all-new car. The X1 will switch to front-wheel drive when the second-generation model arrives in the third quarter. The X1 will look more mini-SUV than compact wagon, aligning it with the X3 and X5. Top-end versions will be all-wheel drive. Updates and new variants include the 2 Series convertible, X5M/X6M, 6 Series/X6, 3 Series, X4 M40i and X5 e-Drive.The 458 range has a Speciale A due next month. The 499 examples of the alloy hardtop model are already sold, meaning the $635,000 two-seater is likely to be a smart investment. Keep an eye on the classifieds.The struggle to be a serious prestige player continues for Infiniti with a major model overhaul due in 2016. A refreshed Q70 flagship is due midyear with a nip-and-tuck for the bumpers, updated interior trim and more safety software.The transition from niche player to prestige powerhouse is predicated on the XE sedan being a genuine rival for the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and BMW C-Class. Specs indicate the engines are up to the job, so it comes down to how well it can be priced in Australia. There will be updates for the F-Type coupe and convertible and XF sedan.Styling that echoes the Evoque and a premium interior mark the Discovery Sport, debuting in May. Essentially a replacement for the Freelander, the Sport is a serious off-roader with 600mm wading depth and four-wheel drive. Also expect a Range Rover Sport SVR, Range Rover hybrid and updated Evoque.A compact performance sedan, the RC F will cost $133,500, making it a 'budget' alternative to the Germans. The naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 isn't quite on par with the Euro competition but neither is the price. The GS F mid-sized sedan will use the same engine and is due later in the year, price undisclosed. The NX200 will get a new turbo engine.No new news is still good news for Lotus aspirants. An automatic Exige - the brand's first self-shifter - is due in the second quarter. Expect to pay around $9000 for the clutch-less version, putting the price above $135,000. An updated Evora should land late with less weight and improved interior.An 'affordable' McLaren is due late in the year with an entry level Sport model priced at more than $300,000. That puts it in the higher echelons of Porsche 911 territory - but still well below typical McLaren prices.Australia's top-selling prestige brand rolls out a range of new toys this year to expand its appeal. The action starts with the AMG GT and C63 AMG in the second quarter, both using a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8. Skip ahead to Q3 and there's the new GLE (formerly known as the ML) and GLE coupe SUVs, followed by the CLA Shooting Brake and the much-needed GLC compact SUV. Other updates or variants include the S63 coupe, CLS, B-Class and S500 coupe.The action starts with an entry-level five-door Mini Cooper One at $25,600 in February. It is powered by a three-cylinder engine with 75kW/180Nm. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the John Cooper Works three-door hatch, which will be the Mini with the most mumbo ever when it arrives midyear at an estimated $48,000.There's plenty to whet the appetite for performance enthusiasts, even if it is all clad in existing bodywork. The base V6 and performance GTS Cayenne SUV models are due next month, followed by the Turbo S midyear. An update of the 911 should make it before Christmas and Santa may deliver the new GT4 Cayman at the same time.The XC90 large SUV is due midyear with prices starting from about $90,000. A more affordable alternative will be the V60 Cross Country due late in the year from $65,000. The elevated version of the V60 wagon will be sold in FWD and AWD guise.

New entry-level and hybrid models added along with more standard equipment for 2015 Range Rover Sport.

Faster Jaguars and Land Rovers will roll from the Indian-owned brand's high-performance works and first cab off the rapid rank is the Range Rover Sport SVR, fresh from pipping Porsche as the fastest SUV around the famed Nurburgring circuit.Fresh from a thinly disguised debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the maker has released details of the fastest, most powerful Land Rover yet. It will arrive in local showrooms in the second quarter next year.Under its clamshell bonnet, the first Land Rover to wear the SVR badge has a supercharged V8 5.0-litre (405kW/680Nm) as used in the F-Type R. It drives all four wheels via a ZF eight-speed auto. The SVR claims 4.7 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint and a governed top speed of 260km/h.Demand should exceed supply despite the price. The current flagship is the $182,400 Autobiography Dynamic but the super-SUV is expected to land nearer $200,000, still coming in below the $222,100 Porsche Cayenne Turbo.The SVR's fuel economy and CO2 emissions match those of the V8 Supercharged: 12.8L/100km and 325g/km.At the Nurburgring, an early example clocked 8 minutes 14 seconds - "the fastest time ever recorded by a standard production SUV" says Land Rover - or a second quicker than Porsche recorded with a production Macan Turbo. The SVR also gets body enhancements, unique interior and "active" exhaust (with quad outlets - or the driver can select a quiet mode, whatever the engine speed). Wheels will be 21-inch alloys with optional 22-inchers.Rather than a single-range driveline to keep weight down, the SVR retains the dual-range transfer case, even though it is unlikely SVR owners would venture far off the bitumen.The V8 is fed and calibrated to deliver "exceptional flexibility" off-road. The deeper front spoiler can be removed in rough terrain and the SVR can switch between low and high range at up to 60km/h. The normal 50-50 torque split has been retained, as has the ability to send up to 100 per cent to either end as needed. High or low range can be selected at up to 60km/h.There's no mistaking this is a Rangie - it has a sports body kit with a new front bumper, trapezoidal air intakes, extra brake cooling ducts, darkened grille and graphics, flared wheelarches, new-look fender and vent arrangement, roof lip spoiler, underbody aero additions and rear diffuser.The seven-colour palette includes the SVR-specific Estoril Blue (pictured), with Santorini Black roof as standard.The cabin gets aluminium trim (or optional carbon fibre), leather sports racing-bucket seats and redesigned 'bucket cut" reclining rear bench.

The Range Rover Sport SVR is Land Rover's most powerful and dynamic model ever.  After teasing crowds at the UK's Goodwood Festival of Speed in concept form, Land Rover has revealed its production-ready Range Rover Sport SVR performance SUV.  The new Sport SVR will battle with the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG and Porsche Cayenne Turbo at the high horsepower end of the luxury SUV market.  Boasting the same 405kW/680Nm 5.0-litre supercharged V8 as the Jaguar F-Type R Coupé , the SVR gains 30kW and 55Nm over the standard Range Rover Sport V8 Supercharged.  The power and torque gains come courtesy of a recalibrated engine management system and retuned supercharger bypass valve which increases maximum boost pressure.  Land Rover claims the SVR can rocket from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 260km/h.  Despite the increases in power and performance, the SVR's combined fuel economy figure mirrors that of the standard Range Rover Sport V8 Supercharged at 12.8L/100km.  An 8-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters is carried over from the standard V8 Supercharged, though shift times have been reduced by up to 50 per cent through software upgrades.  The SVR also gains an active exhaust system with electronic valves that open at around 3,000rpm to deliver a fruiter note. A fuel cut-off system also activates during upshifts to provide a more visceral and audible shift.  Land Rover has even deliberately tuned the active exhaust to produce loud crackles and pops on the overrun.  The Range Rover Sport's standard four-wheel-drive system has been tuned to make the SVR more engaging and agile than existing variants. Up to 100 per cent of the engine's power can be sent to either end, while a revised rear locking differential – which can react quicker than in the standard car - is enhanced by a brake-based torque vectoring system.  Compared to the standard Sport chassis, the SVR adopts 20 per cent firmer rear subframe bushes, while the standard air suspension system has been modified for improved handling.  Adaptive dampers and hydraulically controlled active anti-roll bars are also fitted standard and presumably necessary to manage the hefty 2335kg curb weight.  Much of the hi-po Range Rover's development was carried out at the infamous Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany, which it lapped in 8:14 – quicker than any other production SUV and about the same as a BMW 1 Series M Coupe.  Despite the SVR's on-road focus, Land Rover insist the Range Rover's renowned off road capability has not been sacrificed. Ground clearance and wading depth both equal the standard Sport, and you still get the low-range transfer case and Land Rover's Terrain Response traction control system.  The standard wheel and tyre package includes 21-inch SVR-specific alloys wrapped in all-season tyres, while more road-focused 22-inch items wearing Continental SportContact 5 tyres are available as an option.   In terms of styling, the SVR features a redesigned front bumper with larger air intakes, while the side 'gills' and bonnet louvers have been restyled.  A more aggressive rear bumper housing quad exhaust tips has also been added along with flared wheel arches fore and aft.   Inside, the high-performance model gains 16-way electrically adjustable sports bucket seats and aluminium trim with carbon fibre available as an option.  The Range Rover Sport SVR will go on sale locally during the second quarter of 2015, slotting above the existing $161,600 V8 Supercharged variant.  

New JLR special vehicle operation previews Range Rover Sport SVR at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.A hulking SUV seems like a strange way to start a new high-performance division — but not at Jaguar Land Rover. It is using the coming Range Rover Sport SVR to show just what it can do, starting with a weekend tease at the Goodwood Festival of Speed for its boxy-bodied supercar.“It’s happening. It’s got to happen. We’ll build it for next year,” says John Edwards, who has recently taken the reins at JLR’s new Special Operations division, talking about the SVR.Edwards has 500 staff at his disposal including 200 engineers, and a broad brief that covers JLR’s bespoke, heritage and special ops projects.The Jaguar Project 7 retro roadster is under way but the Range Rover SVR — a 400kW variant of the Sport — is really going to make an impact.Says Edwards: “People have been speculating about the car for a long time in RS form. But it’s not RS, its SVR. It’s still got camouflage, it’s still in development but it’s here. And it sounds great.”Edwards has much to talk about but he cuts quickly to the chase, covering everything from bespoke cars to changes in the naming of JLR’s performance models to the creation of six hand-built “continuation” versions of the 1960s lightweight E-Type, all pre-sold at more than $2 million each.“We don’t want to do horrible bling cars. We’re in the business to do tasteful bespoke,” he says. “As a business we’ve got to a position where we’re at the critical mass."We want to go to the next step. The opportunities are endless. But ... we have to decide which is the best one. Our proposition is slightly different. It’s a broader proposition. All-terrain performance is another obvious area.”But it’s the go-faster models that will create the cut-through for customers. “Land Rover has never had a performance brand. It does now,” he says. He is clear on the brief for anything that wears an SVR badge.“We want the cars to have integrity and be demonstrably a step ahead. It could apply to any product, but we’ve only confirmed this SVR,” he says.“What we want to do is more special cars. And the clue is in special cars.”It’s a very British approach to a motor show, with the very latest sharing space with the vintage and the quaint.