Range Rover Sport revised for 2012

Range Rover has revised the Range Rover Sport for 2012 – and refinement is the name of the game. It has a new eight-speed auto ‘box and a host of toys including a new 17-speaker audio system and voice command.

Land Rover may talk of a focus on reducing emissions, but ironically the supercharged 510bhp 5.0 petrol V8 remains unchanged.

Far more relevant is the change to the 3.0 V6 turbodiesel, tweaked up to 256bhp. Despite the power hike, CO2 emissions tumble from 243g/km to 230g/km while economy climbs from 30.7 to 32.1mpg on the combined cycle.

A useful feature is the splitscreen DVD screen – the passenger can watch TV whilst the driver sees the navigation system, all on the same screen. It’s a clever system we first saw on the upmarket Range Rover.

The TDV6 will cost you just under £50,000, but if you want a specced-up 5.0 expect to pay the best part of £80,000. Ouch.

Most people won’t buy the 2.7-tonne Sport for the improved emissions – or for its new aluminium tailgate. It’s aimed at those who like letting others know about their wealth – the new 20in alloys and diamante headlights give a few clues to its intended customer base.

It’s a pearl necklace on wheels – a 140mph one at that.

By Jack Constantine