More Rover, more Sport, that’s what the boffins at Range Rover are claiming, and they have a point. The previous Range Rover Sport was a sheep in wolves clothing but this car is the real deal.

Closely based on the latest Range Rover SUV, launched back in early 2013, the Sport is over 400kg lighter than its predecessor and offers an attractive line-up of engines. Included at the top of this car’s line-up is a supercharged V8 petrol engine. Blindingly quick pace and superb handling make this particular specification the best ever Range Rover Sport. When the engineers were designing the latest Range Rover Sport it was their mission to make it sportier than ever before – well, they have succeeded.

Yes, it helps to have a 5.0-litre V8 Supercharger but this car is much more than pure speed in a straight line.

Rivals for the latest Range Rover Sport include the Porsche Cayenne and the Mercedes M-Class.

Performance

Under the bonnet, the flagship car has the most powerful engine in the Range Rover line-up. It comes with the 5.0-litre supercharged petrol V8 engine producing a whopping 503bhp. The raw pace is phenomenal as it will complete the benchmark sprint in five seconds flat and go on to a top speed of 140mph. That’s quite a feat for a car that weighs over two tonnes.

Feather the throttle with your right foot and you can feel the surge of energy from the V8 – as you would expect overtaking is child’s play, however, it does not take long to get up to the national speed limit so you will have to be wary of that.

The cheaper and alternative engines available for the latest Range Rover Sport have considerably less power than the supercharged V8. Fear not though, as they still deliver plenty of torque and speed in general.

Ride and Handling

The steering could be a little better weighted and more feedback from the front wheels would be appreciated, but the rack is quick making this new Range Rover Sport fun when negotiating the twisty stuff.

The V8 Supercharged variant of the Range Rover Sport is a joy to drive. With 503bhp, it has tons of grip and even though it weighs over two tonne, it is agile and fun through the corners. When driving enthusiastically the agility of this two-tonne Range is truly impressive. The steering could be a little better weighted and more feedback from the front wheels would be appreciated, but the rack is quick making this new Range Rover Sport fun when negotiating the twisty stuff. The rivalling Porsche Cayenne does feel better to drive, but the Range Rover Sport is closer than ever to the German manufacturer. It’s as accomplished off-road as it is on road. Maximum ground clearance has been increased to 278mm (+51mm) and the upgraded air suspension system automatically varies between two ride heights. Another nifty piece of kit is Terrain Response 2 system, it automatically selects the most suitable terrain programme for you giving the driver less work. The engineers have reworked the system so you can travel at speed up to 50mph when off-road.

Interior and Equipment

The previous and first generation Range Rover Sport was not actually based on the Range Rover, despite the name. Instead it used the same platform as the Land Rover Discovery.

Standard equipment includes a powered tailgate, keyless entry and stop/start technology, 14-way power adjustable front seats, reclining rear seats, an eight-inch dual view touchscreen mounted in central dash, soft door close and a sliding panoramic roof. - plus heated front seats, steering wheel and windscreen. Cool features include a comprehensive connectivity package allowing the driver to check the status of the vehicle via an App installed on their smartphone. Features provided include Stolen Vehicle Tracking, Emergency Call and Land Rover Assist Call. A high bandwidth Wi-Fi Hotspot can be installed in the vehicle to make it even more connected. Optional features available include cooled and heated front and rear seats (£500), on-board television (£800 and privacy glass (£300). Load space with the seats in place stands at 958 litres and this extends to a massive 2,013 litres when folded flat. That should be ample for most families. Crossing fords should not pose too much of a problem as the Range Rover Sport has a new Wade Sensing feature that provides ‘depth’ information when driving through water. The maximum wading depth has increased by 150mm over the previous model to 850mm.

Cost

If you’re considering this car but these running costs and the purchase price seem too extreme, then you may be far better off considering the standard specification.

The Range Rover Sport powered by the 5.0-litre V8 Supercharger emits 298g/km of CO2 emissions, placing it in band M for Vehicle Excise Duty. With a price tag of £82,650 the Range Rover Sport with the supercharged V8 is not cheap but you do get a fantastic car. If you’re considering this car but these running costs and the purchase price seem too extreme, then you may be far better off considering the standard specification. Priced at £61,250, the cheapest new Range Rover Sport uses a 288bhp 3.0-litre SDV6 diesel engine which emits 199g/km. This moves the SUV down to band J for Vehicle Excise Duty.

Our Verdict

The Range Rover Sport is exactly what it now states – much more Range Rover and is incredibly sporty for a two-tonne vehicle. Mixing the new design with an epic engine has worked thanks to the engineering work that has taken place underneath the body. This is the sportiest and the best driver’s car that Land Rover has ever produced. This car will win over many new drivers from rival brands. Some rivals are a little better to drive, but the difference is marginal. There’s no doubting that the cabin of the Range Rover Sport is a pleasant place to sit in. Whether you’re in the mood for some driving fun, tackling off-road terrain or comfortable cruising, this car is very capable at all those tasks. You can buy cars that are much more affordable but few have the prestige to match the Range Rover Sport.