Land Rover management was not initially keen on making the Range Rover Sport as there was a fear that it might have an adverse impact on the Range Rover itself. After all, the big daddy Range Rover has always been the flagship model and one of the most well-known luxury SUVs in the world.
After wrestling with the idea of whether they needed another Range Rover model at all, the decision was made to go ahead, but it had to be something very different. That was definitely the case for the Range Stormer concept that debuted in 2004 at the Detroit Auto Show. Then in 2005, it became a production model, and the Range Rover Sport was born.
It was an immediate hit with everyone from school-run parents to music stars the world over. It was more athletic both visually looks and in the driving experience, and it made its owners look cool. Plus, it was fast and loud, something to take on the Mercedes-AMG G63 brigade.
The arrival of the third generation brings with it some major changes, not least of all when it comes to design, suspension, and the introduction of plug-in hybrid technology. But can it still take the rough with the smooth as a Range Rover should? We drove the new SUV in Spain to find out.
Exterior Design: Reserved But Sophisticated
Like the Range Rover and the Velar, it's all about reductionist design at Land Rover these days. Outside of the design studio, to the rest of us, that means not making cars that look fussy and overdesigned, not that we're pointing any fingers at Audi or BMW here.
Read more - 2023 Range Rover Sport First Drive Review: A New Experience
Author: Mark Smyth
