If you spend a lot of time each week stuck in traffic, that time could be better spent sitting in the luxury leather seat of a Range Rover Sport. The fact that it costs NIS 845,000 should not influence your decision, of course.It’s likely, though, that someone who drives a Range Rover Sport (or one of its competitors: Mercedes ML, Porsche Cayenne or BMW X5 or X6) thinks the exact opposite. I think that such people might be very interested in having people look at them.In fact, this could be the main reason someone would choose a car with such a tremendous presence. Maybe this person even once owned a Hummer H2 or at least considered at one point buying such a monstrosity.
Land Rover designers came up with the idea for the original Range Rover Sport at the beginning of the previous decade, in response to the success of the Porsche Cayenne and in an effort to bridge the gap between the Discovery and the king of luxury jeeps – the Range Rover.The Range Rover Sport weighs almost two-and-a-half tons (depending on which fittings the buyer orders) and its basic version is slightly cheaper, since it is fitted with a relatively simple fourwheel drive system.Since most Range Rover Sport owners do not drive through the desert sands and over huge boulders with their almost NIS 850,000 toy, it’s quite likely that they won’t really care about which system is installed (and they can always choose the more expensive one if they so desire). In any case, I was forbidden to drive on any such terrain when I test-drove the Range Rover Sport, so I have no way of knowing if this piece of information is significant or not.The new Sport is bigger in every way (except for its height – which is one centimeter shorter): its wheelbase was extended by almost 18 centimeters and its length by 10 centimeters.The vast interior space is reminiscent of a gigantic, luxurious living room that was built for four passengers. And you can definitely squeeze a third person in the middle of the back seat if you want.The trunk is huge – there’s no other way to describe how humongous it is – and for an additional fee, you can order a third row of two seats.I could list all of the amazing features the Range Rover Sport offers – from the quality leather seats to the expensive audio system – but I don’t think it is a good idea since it would cover a few pages, and would take too much time. I think it can best be summed up by saying that high-quality fittings are the Sport’s middle name.There are two TFT screens so the driver to see what’s going on in the back and sides of the car, and our investigation revealed that the Range Rover Sport has an extremely sophisticated system which is more advanced than that of any of the German competitors. The only downside – and it’s a very strange one – is the metallic-looking mesh inside the windshield.An engine can never be considered too strong, and the Range Rover Sport is able to make its monstrous body reach 100 kph in just 7.2 seconds. And if you keep your foot on the gas pedal, you can quickly reach about 210 kph. Another interesting tidbit that might interest potential buyers who drive long distances each week, is that the new turbo-diesel 3-liter engine comes in two versions: the 258 horsepower (NIS 835,000) and 292 horsepower (NIS 898,000). But leaving aside the issue of fuel consumption, it’s hard not to fall in love with the deep sound of the diesel engine – which almost begs to be prodded into action by pressing down on the gas pedal.Large jeeps were not meant to drive like regular cars, and the ability of tires carrying a mass twice as heavy as a standard passenger car is not a given. Drivers who are looking to be pampered and drive long distances (or who get stuck in traffic on a regular basis), will find that the Range Rover Sport is undoubtedly the most luxurious car available in today’s market. Translated by Hannah Hochner.Making a big impression
If price is not an issue, the new Range Rover Sport is the ultimate car for those interested in making a serious statement.
