THE exercise lasted for three days. It involved safety talk, all terrain drive experience and guided tour.The programme was basically designed to offer motoring journalists an opportunity to have a direct encounter with the all new Range Rover Sports, regarded by knowledgeable observers as a force to reckon with in its segment.Now in its fourth generation, Range Rover Sports is reputed for its resilience, luxury and utilities innovations.Prior to the test exercise, which was held recently at Mpumalanga District, South Africa, a brief on the newly introduced products was conducted by the Operation Director of the Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Sub Sahara Africa Region, Nigel Clarke and his team, which includes, New Technical Manager Rory Beattie and the Public Relation, Marketing manager, Willem Schoeman.Speaking on the new version, Clarke said that the Range still remains a timeless product in the Land Rover line up.Specifically, he noted that 2012 Range Rover is available in four variants namely, the HSE, HSE luxury, Autobiography and Supercharged models for the African markets including Nigeria.After the product brief came the safety brief conducted by the Head of the Land Rover Experience Team, Sean Rexton, who gave Journalists adequate safety briefs as regards the almost 200 Kilometer long road test the vehicles were to be subjected to.To ensure that the drives were hitch free, each vehicle of two journalists had an instructor who was on ground to serve as guard and ensure conformity with safety standards along the various routes taken while the drive lasted.The drive experience, which took more than five hours, started from the Sabi-Sabi Bush Lodge, an outskirt of Mpumalanga where the journalists, officials and instructors were lodged by the JRL team. While the drive lasted, journalists were made to have a feel of each of the variants and at the end; they unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the 2012 Range Rover.To the journalists, the new Range Rover Sports has not only sustained but improved on age long family tradition of luxury coupled with on and off road performance.Also part of the three-day event was an evening driving experience where dynamics techniques in the sports were again put to test and a guided tour around the Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge.New features available in the 2012 Range Rover Sports include a new infotainment technology.According to the company, all models come standard with a new seven-inch colour touchscreen navigation system with voice control and traffic messaging.A new 380-watt, 14-speaker Harmon/Kardon sound system with DVD playback capability and Bluetooth audio streaming is standard for 2012, and an 825-watt Harmon/Kardon audio system with 17 speakers, satellite radio, and HD Radio is available as an option (standard on Autobiography models).The optional rear-seat entertainment system now features WhiteFire wireless control and larger screens.Available in Nigeria courtesy Coscharis Motors, the Range Rover Sport's tailgate includes standard power operation for 2012.In terms of trim levels and features, Land Rover offers four different versions for the Range Rover Sport, the HSE, the HSE LUX, the Supercharged, and the Autobiography. The least expensive model is the Range Rover Sport HSE. It includes all the amenities you would expect in a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), including leather, genuine wood trim, a Harmon/Kardon audio system with dual USB ports, a hard-drive navigation system with a colour touchscreen, a power sunroof, and power front seats.The tailgate is power-operated for 2012, and the Range Rover Sport is equipped with Xenon high-intensity discharge headlights with integrated washers, rain-sensing wipers, a rearview camera, and Park Distance Control sensors in the front and rear bumpers.A load-leveling air suspension is also standard, along with 19-inch aluminum wheels. Options for the HSE model include 20-inch alloy wheels, an upgraded 825-watt Harmon/Kardon sound system with 17 speakers, and both satellite and HD radio. Options in the SHE Luxury include a 20-inch alloy wheels as well as upgraded premium leather, power adjustable driver's seat side bolsters, and the Climate Comfort Package.In addition to the optional features offered on the HSE, the HSE LUX boasts of a Black Lacquer trim, Alcantara seat inserts, and a rear-seat entertainment system with WhiteFire wireless headphones. In addition to a supercharged engine, this model is equipped with larger brakes and six-piston front callipers, transmission paddle shifters, and an Adaptive Dynamics System suspension.To set it apart from other models, the Supercharged gets unique wheel, a different grille, special side vents, and rear exhaust outlet extensions.Premium perforated leather with contrast stitching covers the seats, and the Supercharged gets standard satellite radio. Options for the Supercharged model include the active rear locking differential, the Ebony Morzine headliner, a choice between Anigre wood or Black Lacquer trim, the Vision Assist Package, the rear-seat entertainment system, and the upgraded 17-speaker Harmon/Kardon audio system.Exclusive to supercharged models is an Adaptive Cruise with Advanced Emergency Brake Assist system that can automatically maintain a set distance from traffic ahead and can identify when a collision may be about to occur and ready the braking system for full stopping power. At the top of the Range Rover Sport lineup sits the Autobiography model. According to the auto firm, owners and potential owners can tell it apart from other Range Rover Sports by its different front and rear styling and its diamond-turned 20-inch wheels.Inside, the Autobiography is treated to a two-tone treatment with extended leather on the dashboard and door panels, the top-of-the-line Harmon/Kardon audio system and HD Radio, and the Vision Assist Package.Under the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's Hood, whether in HSE or HSE LUX trim, there isa direct-injected, 5.0-liter V8 engine sitting under the SUV's flat hood. This V8 is good for 375 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 375 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm, and requires premium fuel.According toLand Rover, this model accelerates to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds.Supercharged and Autobiography models are equipped with a supercharged, direct-injected 5.0-liter V8 making 510 horsepower from 6,000 to 6,500 rpm and 461 lb-ft of torque between 2,500 and 5,500 rpm. The result is a 5.9-second acceleration time to 60 mph and a 140-mph top speed.Every Range Rover Sport is equipped with a six-speed Command Shift automatic with Normal, Sport and Manual modes. The Supercharged and Autobiography models also get paddle shifters to facilitate manual control over gear changes.The Range Rover Sport also has a full-time four-wheel-drive system with an infinitely variable center locking differential and two-speed transfer case.Terrain Response is also standard, including General Driving, Grass/Grave/Snow, Sand, Mud/Ruts, and Rock Crawl settings. Standard safety featuresinclude a four-wheel vented-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist and Cornering Brake Control; a dynamic traction and stability control system with Active Roll Mitigation, a Hill Descent and Gradient Release Control system, and Park Distance Control sensors front and rear. Besides, it also comes with a package of six airbags. Safety-related options include the Vision Assist Package (standard on Autobiography), which includes adaptive headlights and a Surround Camera System. Adaptive Cruise Control with Advanced Emergency Brake Assist technology is available in the Supercharged and Autobiography models.
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