Land Rover Sport: Green Queen Gets 5.0-liter Supercharged Engine

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

Four days after the Indian-owned SUV maker secured a $400 million loan from the European Investment Bank to “invest in new greener technology to lower emissions during vehicle production and driving,” Land Rover journeys to New York City to reveal that it’s sticking a monster motor in its Range Rover Sport Supercharged. The new, Jag-sourced 5.0-liter force-fed lump stumps-up 510 hp and 461 lb·ft of torque, up from 390 hp and 410 lb·ft of twist. That’s enough shove to fling the 5670 lb beast from zero to sixty in a claimed 5.9 seconds. Let’s hope those big ass Brembo brakes are up to snuff (so to speak). The Range Rover and Range Rover Sport’s cabins receive a few upgrades here and there (no I can’t be any more vague), maintaining the SUVs hold on “the world’s most imperious driving position” title. Saying that, I’m not convinced two mouse warts on the steering wheel (in addition to the one between the seats) is such a great idea. We’ll have a review as soon as we get our audience with the Queen’s favorite mobile throne. Meanwhile, the best sign that Indian ownership may rescue Land Rover: their clean, functional and attractive website. But does Landie really have a “Muddy Buddy” event? How . . . Spongebob.



Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • Psarhjinian Psarhjinian on Apr 08, 2009
    I only see the green envy in other owners while I past them in my new Range Rover. And that's cool. It's an interesting, luxurious car. But it's not green.
  • Wsn Wsn on Apr 08, 2009

    Or, if you order one in green ...

  • Merc190 I would say Civic Si all the way if it still revved to 8300 rpm with no turbo. But nowadays I would pick the Corolla because I think they have a more clear idea on their respective models identity and mission. I also believe Toyota has a higher standard for quality.
  • Dave Holzman I think we're mixing up a few things here. I won't swear to it, but I'd be damned surprised if they were putting fire retardant in the seats of any cars from the '50s, or even the '60s. I can't quite conjure up the new car smell of the '57 Chevy my parents bought on October 17th of that year... but I could do so--vividly--until the last five years or so. I loved that scent, and when I smelled it, I could see the snow on Hollis Street in Cambridge Mass, as one or the other parent got ready to drive me to nursery school, and I could remember staring up at the sky on Christmas Eve, 1957, wondering if I might see Santa Claus flying overhead in his sleigh. No, I don't think the fire retardant on the foam in the seats of 21st (and maybe late 20th) century cars has anything to do with new car smell. (That doesn't mean new car small lacked toxicity--it probably had some.)
  • ToolGuy Is this a website or a podcast with homework? You want me to answer the QOTD before I listen to the podcast? Last time I worked on one of our vehicles (2010 RAV4 2.5L L4) was this past week -- replaced the right front passenger window regulator (only problem turned out to be two loose screws, but went ahead and installed the new part), replaced a bulb in the dash, finally ordered new upper dash finishers (non-OEM) because I cracked one of them ~2 years ago.Looked at the mileage (157K) and scratched my head and proactively ordered plugs, coils, PCV valve, air filter and a spare oil filter, plus a new oil filter housing (for the weirdo cartridge-type filter). Those might go in tomorrow. Is this interesting to you? It ain't that interesting to me. 😉The more intriguing part to me, is I have noticed some 'blowby' (but is it) when the oil filler cap is removed which I don't think was there before. But of course I'm old and forgetful. Is it worth doing a compression test? Leakdown test? Perhaps if a guy were already replacing the plugs...
  • Crown No surprise there. The toxic chemical stew of outgassing.
  • Spamvw Seeing the gear indicator made me wonder when PRNDL was mandated.Anyone?Anyone?1971
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