Land Rover unveils the new Range Rover, Range Rover Sport

Land Rover has revealed its 2021 version of the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. Right off the bat, we can say the aesthetic changes are kept to a minimum, as the motivation behind the update had more to do with powertrains (read: hybridisation) than any widespread revamp to the existing model range. At the moment, Land Rover has not revealed any details regarding prices or exact launch dates.

New Range Rover

Land Rover had already showcased the Range Rover Fifty, the commemorative edition for the badge’s 50th anniversary. Joining the limited edition Fifty model are four further special editions, namely the Westminster, Westminster Black and SV Autobiography Dynamic Black. Additionally, the new Range Rovers can be had in both standard and long wheelbase variants.

We start off with the biggest changes, which is the inclusion of the new engines.

The new engine range comprises four petrol and three diesel engine options.

Speaking about the petrol, there’s the entry-level P400 which is a 3-litre in-line-six making 394bhp and 550Nm and the P400e with a 2-litre in-line-four with PHEV tech making 398bhp and 640Nm of torque. The range-topping 5-litre V8 comes in two variants, the P525 making 518bhp and the P565 making 557bhp.

Meanwhile, the diesel engines all comprise of 3-litre in-line-six engines with Mild-Hybrid tech. The entry level D250 makes 245bhp and 600Nm, the D300 makes 296bhp and 650Nm and the top D350 variant makes 345bhp and 700Nm of torque.

Now that we know the biggest changes in the new Range Rover, we now move to the changes in the interiors, headlined revamped connected features, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now offered as standard across the range, and the inclusion of eight 4G Wi-Fi connections. Next comes the comfort-enhancing features, namely the new Cabin Air Ionisation with PM2.5, activated via the ‘Purity’ option within the infotainment system which initiates the recirculation function, cleaning the air and removing particulates smaller than 2.5 micrometres in size. Additionally, it also gets three-zone ambient lighting, configurated via fully controllable tri-colour LEDs.

With occupant safety in mind, the Range Rover offers Lane Departure Warning, Emergency Braking, and Cruise Control with Speed Limiter available as standard across the model range, along with Adaptive Cruise Control also on offer.

Moving now to the special editions, we have the Westminster edition which based on the Vogue model. Externally, the Westminster edition gets a range of solid, metallic and Premium Metallic paint schemes, 21-inch alloys and Privacy Glass (similar to photo-chromatic glass) at the rear. The Westminster Black edition adds the Black Exterior Pack, with a choice of three Gloss Black alloy colours in 21 and 22 inches. On the inside, the Westminster edition features Grand Black Veneers combined with a suede headlining, a sliding panoramic sunroof, soft-close doors and a 19-speaker Meridian surround sound system.

We finally move to the SV Autobiography Dynamic Black edition, created by Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations, which gets Santorini Black Metallic paintwork with Narvik Black Gloss exterior accents, 22-inch gloss black alloys with black brake calipers on the outside, and Ebony seats with Pimento stitching on the inside.

Range Rover Sport

As with the Range Rover, the Range Rover Sport also comes in special edition models. These are the HSE Silver, HSE Dynamic Black and SVR Carbon Editions. And in another similarity, the biggest change is the inclusion of, you guessed it, a new 3-litre in-line-six diesel engines. The in-line-six engines replace the V6 and V8 diesels, and come in three guises, all of which deliver performance figures identical to those employed by the Range Rover.

Besides, the ’Sport also gets three petrol engines with two variants each, for a total of six engine options. Starting off, we have the P300 with a 2-litre in-line-four making 296bhp and 400Nm of torque. The P404 then takes the same engine and tacks on PHEV tech courtesy a 105kW electric motor, making a combined 398bhp and 640Nm. We then move on to the 3-litre in-line-six duo of the P360 and P400, making 355bhp/495Nm, and 395bhp/550Nm, respectively. The range-topper here is once again the 5-litre Supercharged V8 duo, making 518bhp and 625Nm in the P525, and 567bhp and 700Nm in the P575 variant.

Once again, the infotainment and electronic suite for the ’Sport is identical to that in the Range Rover. However, there is the addition of the embedded Spotify app, which can be accessed directly through the Touch Pro Duo without the need to synchronise a smartphone with the vehicle. The new Range Rover Sport now gets eight new colour options including Tourmaline Brown, Amethyst Grey-Purple and Petrolix Blue.

Moving to the special edition models, there’s the added inclusion of seven exterior colour options, including new Lantau Bronze and Hakuba Silver, and adds the Shadow Atlas exterior trim finishes including the black bonnet and tailgate lettering, grille details, front bumper vent surround and bumper accent. Also on offer are the rear privacy glass, and 21-inch gloss black and contrast diamond-turned alloys as standard. On the inside it gets a fixed panoramic roof, , front centre console cooler compartment and Meridian Surround Sound System.

Next, the new HSE Dynamic Black edition, based on the HSE Dynamic, features an exterior Black Pack, with matching 21-inch gloss black alloy wheels, privacy glass and an all-black interior. This too gets the fixed panoramic roof, Ebony Premium Headlining and Meridian Surround Sound System as standard.

Lastly, the SVR Carbon Edition provides a stealthy take on the flagship of the Range Rover Sport family with extensive carbonfibre detailing, with an exposed carbonfibre bonnet centre section, surrounds for the bumper inserts, grille and vent surrounds, carbonfibre interior trim finishers, SVR Carbon Edition treadplates, a carbonfibre engine cover and 22-inch gloss black alloy wheels.

Being that these are 2021 models, the earliest we will see the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport in India is by the first half of 2021. Once here, the Range Rover will face off against the Mercedes-Benz GLS, Audi Q8 and BMW X7, while the Range Rover Sport will rival the likes of the BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE.