Upgrades, facelifts & new derivatives

Priced from R1 091 200 (Range Rover Sport); R1 888 100 (Range Rover)

THE luxury arm of SUV manufacturer Land Rover has facelifted the top two products in its portfolio, the Range Rover Sport and Range Rover (pictured). Both models boast not only a restyled visage that brings them closer in appearance to the newer Velar, but also an interior design introduced by their smaller sibling. This includes the brand’s latest infotainment system that features a pair of high-definition, 10-inch touchscreens to handle all infotainment and ventilation duties.

The Sport range also grows from 15 to 19 derivatives. New additions include two 2,0-litre, four-cylinder, turbopetrol variants, each developing 221 kw, along with two versions of a hybrid model badged the P400e. These PHEV derivatives combine a 2,0-litre turbopetrol with an 85 kw electric motor housed in the Zf-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission, for total outputs of 297 kw and 640 N.m, and a CO figure of just 64 g/km.

Other familiar engines in the line-up include the 3,0 TDV6 (190 kw), 3,0 SDV6 (225 kw), 4,4 SDV8 (250 kw), two 3,0 V6 supercharged petrols (250 and 280 kw) and a 5,0-litre V8 supercharged petrol (386 kw). The 5,0-litre V8 in the SVR has been massaged and now produces 423 kw and 700 N.m (up from 405 kw and 680 N.m), allowing it to rocket from standstill to 100 km/h in a claimed 4,5 seconds.

The Range Rover family grows by six to 18 variants, with all additions being P400e-badged derivatives. Other powertrain options include the 3,0 TDV6, 4,4 SDV8 and 5,0-litre supercharged V8 (386 kw and 416 kw). As before, buyers have the choice of standard- or long-wheelbase configurations, along with familiar trim levels (Vogue, Vogue SE, Autobiography and Svautobiography).