Land Rover has been spotted testing a prototype for a
redesigned Range Rover Sport.
The new mid-size luxury SUV is expected to debut alongside a
redesigned Range Rover late next year, which means we'll likely see it arrive
as a 2022 model.
Land Rover only last year introduced an updated Range Rover
Sport that offered a new inline-6 engine and mild-hybrid system as the base
powertrain. But the current Sport dates back to 2014 so it makes sense the
redesigned, third-generation model is coming up soon.
Compared to the current Sport, Land Rover's design team
looks to have implemented a boxier, more upright shape for the redesigned
model's cabin. The wheel arches also appear to be a bit less pronounced. Finer
details, like the accents in the lights, are similar to what we see on
the redesigned
Defender introduced for 2020.
Underpinning the vehicle will be Land Rover's MLA (Modular
Longitudinal Architecture) platform that debuts this year in a redesigned
Jaguar XJ. It was previously thought the platform would debut in the
redesigned Defender but Land Rover went with an evolution of the D7 platform
instead. The D7 platform underpins the outgoing Range Rover and Range Rover
Sport, as well as the Discovery.
The new MLA platform has been designed to fit battery-electric
powertrains and will eventually underpin most models from the Jaguar and Land
Rover brands. The platform will also be lighter than the aluminum-intensive D7
platform.
When it comes to powertrains, a mild-hybrid setup will
remain the base option, while a new plug-in hybrid setup featuring an engine
mated to an electric motor at the front axle and a second electric motor
powering the rear axle is expected to replace the current Range Rover Sport
plug-in hybrid's single-electric motor setup. A battery-electric powertrain
will also be offered and targeted at buyers in urban areas.
It isn't clear if a V-8 will still be on offer, though a
deal with BMW Group could potentially make it happen. Jaguar Land Rover and BMW
Group are already poised to share
some engines and
electric powertrains. We've got our fingers crossed, since the current
Range Rover Sport SVR with its supercharged V-8 is one of the best
performance SUVs on offer.
by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com
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