This is the third generation of one of the pioneers of performance SUVs. The Range Rover Sport was first launched in 2005, when fast 4x4s were still in their infancy. Now everyone is in on it, giving the boys and girls of Gaydon a tougher task than ever in keeping theirs relevant. The Sport follows a few months after the reimagining of the fat-packed Range Rover.
It’s 35 per cent stiffer and sits 20mm lower – to help justify its suffix – and comes with four-wheel drive as standard, linked to a range of petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains. Yes, the diesel troopers are firmly entrenched here and launch the range at just over £80,000. That gets you a D300 – three-litre, six-cylinder and a mite under 300bhp – in base SE trim.