The 2017 Range Rover Sport will offer a higher level of refined all-terrain competence when it arrives in showrooms late this year while giving buyers the choice of supercharged V6 and V8 gasoline engines as well as V6 turbodiesel power. In addition to a selection of new tech touches, the luxury-spec SUV with room for up to seven also boasts an upgraded infotainment system and All-Terrain Info Center as well as several new exterior trim and color options courtesy of JLR’s Special Vehicle Operations group.
Highlighting the roster of dynamic changes on the 2017 Range Rover Sport is Low Traction Launch system that automatically limits the amount of torque sent to the wheels when starting out on a slick or uneven surface. When conditions merit, this driver-selectable mode in the Terrain Response 2 system can remain operational at speeds up to 19 mph. The 2017 Sport-spec models also will offer an Advanced Tow Assist option. Similar to Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist, the system displays images from a rear-facing camera in the center touchscreen to help when backing an attached trailer into a given spot. The driver merely indicates the general direction of this move using the Sport’s Terrain Response 2 rotary controller and then operates the accelerator and brake pedals while the ATA setup automatically handles all steering inputs.
The Range Rover Sport’s roster of safety features is broadened with Autonomous Emergency Braking joining the standard Rear Park Distance Control, Cruise Control, Speed Limiter and Lane Departure Warning systems. Optional on lesser models but standard on the SVR and Autobiography, the Drive Pack option bolsters its blind spot monitor, traffic sign recognition and cross traffic detection functions with a new feature that reads speed limit signs and automatically adjusts vehicle speed to match the posted limit as well as a fatigue-sensing driver condition monitor. One step beyond, Drive Pack Pro has adaptive cruise control with queue assist and automatic emergency braking adds new blind spot and lane keep assist features.
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To improve connectivity, the 2017 Range Rover Sport will be fitted with the latest InControl Touch Pro infotainment system featuring a 10.2-inch touchscreen in place of the previous 8.0-inch unit. In addition to eliminating a number of buttons, the new setup now recognizes pinch/zoom/swipe motions for smoother, simpler operation and adds a host of new apps that can interact with the owner’s smartphone to permit various remote operations. The Range Rover Sport’s satellite navigation system also benefits from a series of upgrades including a new Commute Mode that learns regular trip routes and automatically redirects the travel path to avoid congestion where possible.
Pricing for the 2017 Range Rover Sport SE model with its 3.0-liter/340-horsepower supercharged V6 will start at $66,645 with the SE Td6 powered by a 254-horse turbodiesel opening at $68,645. Stepping up to their respective Sport HSE trim adds $4,000 to each. Replacing 2016’s limited-edition HST is a new Sport HSE Dynamic model that also packs a 380-horse turbocharged V6 and kicks off at $71,645. Moving on up, the 510-horse Range Rover Sport V8 5.0 Supercharged commences at $81,645, the Autobiography 5.0 V8 Supercharged begins at $95,445 and the range-topping Range Rover Sport SVR with its 550-horse blown V8 stickers at $112,345.
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