KEY POINTS:
Ironically, the smallest Range Rover - the Sport - is also the heaviest. That's because the big Rangie is a standalone model, whereas the Sport is based on the heavy-duty body-in-frame chassis of the rugged Land Rover Discovery.
Given that the Sport has certain performance pretensions, Land Rover's brilliant new 3.6-litre turbo diesel V8 engine - recently launched in the "proper" Range Rover - was a must-have for the 2.5-tonne machine.
And here it is. The Sport TDV8 does not come cheap - at $144,990 it represents a $15k premium over the 4.4-litre petrol V8 version, although it's still $20k cheaper than the flagship 4.2-litre supercharged V8.
The surfeit of torque and superb soundtrack ensures that the TDV8 is a no-brainer for Sport buyers - 640Nm of pulling power is really nothing to be sneezed at, particularly when the thirsty supercharged petrol version makes "just" 550Nm.
Even for Range Rover reactionaries such as me, the TDV8 adds credibility to the Sport cause. It's a grunty, smart-looking and sharp-handling package.
However, some bits of the Sport still seem a bit cynical - like Land Rover has deliberately kept it downmarket to preserve the full-size Range Rover's status as top dog. The Sport's cabin is closer in styling and quality of materials to the ubiquitous Land Rover Discovery than the sumptuous Range Rover.
The genuine Rangie also gets a split tailgate, with a lower section that folds down to form a seat or table; it's a useful and highly acclaimed feature, but the Sport doesn't have it.
Instead, what you get is a conventional one-piece rear door with separate-opening window, and that isn't nearly as clever.
Range Rover Sport
How much? $144,990.
Engine and transmission: 3.6 litre turbo diesel V8, 200 kW/640Nm, 6-speed automatic, full-time four wheel-drive with low range.
Performance: 0-100km/h 9.2 seconds, European Combined economy 11.1 litres per 100 km.
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