Triple boost for Range Rover Sport
AN engine that uses three forms of boost to optimise performance has been developed by Jaguar Land Rover and is making its debut in the latest Range Rover Sport.
It’s a three-litre straight six and comes with turbocharging, supercharging and a 48-volt mild hybrid system which all makes for super refinement.
Power output is 400ps, maximum torque is 550Nm and the engine is mated to an eight-speed auto box with full 4x4 capability.
As such, the Range Rover Sport P400 HST can hit 60mph from standstill in 5.9 seconds and tops out at 140mph – almost as quick as the 5.0-litre V8 version.
The real benefit of the triple boost system comes with fuel economy where the HST is rated at 30.5mpg with emissions of 213g/km and that makes it the most fuel efficient petrol powered model in the Range Rover Sport line up.
We didn’t quite manage to achieve that on our run but saw an average of 25.5 to the gallon recorded on the trip computer – and for a Range Rover Sport that’s good.
The new engine will replace the 3.0-litre V6 block used in the P400 model but sees the price rise by a fair amount – from £70,695 to £81,520 – but the difference in performance between the two is considerable.
With 100Nm more torque than the V6 the new technology deployed in the HST engine raises the bar when it comes to refinement and power delivery.
Performance is throughout the rev band and the eight-speed auto box can be used via paddle shifters for manual changes.
There are also dynamic drive modes in addition to Land Rover’s Terrain Response set up which makes the Range Rover Sport a compelling luxury all rounder.
The triple boost system is a first for a British car maker – at the moment only Mercedes-Benz has a similar arrangement – and the engine is made at JLR’s factory in Wolverhampton where the company has invested more than £1 billion.
It is part of the Ingenium family of engines and like its counterparts is likely to make its way into other Jaguar and Land Rover models.
As a straight six engine it has better balance than a V6 configuration and that helps on the handling front, especially close to limits.
Apart from badging, the HST comes with red brake calipers as standard – an anodised grey finish is an option while the car has carbon fibre vents cut into the bonnet and on the front wings.
Inside, it is decked out to the nines with supportive sports seats and Land Rover’s new look interior with a wide central display screen sitting above a touch control panel.
Additional safety features fitted to the latest models include the option of adaptive cruise control and a high speed braking system.