An amazing ride

The word ‘amazing’ gets thrown around a lot, so much so that it often loses its impact, well, there really is no other word befitting the new Range Rover Sport.

This sophisticated SUV has been revamped and from the looks of things it’s been on the Atkin’s diet because it’s much sleeker and lighter than its predecessor. The aluminium body has reduced the weight considerably, but luckily this model has lost none of its charm.
 
Looks are important and the Range Rover Sport is a real stunner. They say beauty is only skin deep and I guess that applies to cars too because the interior of this model is just as alluring as the exterior.

One of the coolest features is the side step, which automatically glides out from underneath when you unlock the vehicle. Admittedly, you probably don’t need to use them if you’re an average sized adult, but they probably come in handy for children or the vertically-challenged.

Climb aboard and it’s easy to get comfortable. Tap the push button start and the memory adjustable seats delicately and smoothly slide into position, as does the telescopic steering wheel.

The cabin is more akin to a space shuttle cockpit thanks to the fine finishes, attention to detail and state-of-the-art infotainment system, which is controlled via steering wheel mounted buttons and a touch-screen in the centre stack.

Anthony Raymond, general manager - Jaguar Land Rover at Euro Motors, told me this model is ideal for people who are looking to make the switch from a sports car to an SUV. I’d say that’s a fair statement to make since it has enough horsepower to gallop along the highway with the best of them.

With GulfWeekly’s photographer Ryan and new intern Kristian in tow, I took my gleaming new ride for a spin down to Amwaj Islands.

Along the way we encountered potholes, speed bumps and haphazard driving, courtesy of our neighbours from across the Causeway. Luckily, in this SUV, we tackled each obstacle with finesse and made the most of the outing.

In fact, as I was driving I was blown away by the torque (the amount of ‘turning power’ you have), which made this SUV incredibly quick off the mark.

Under the bonnet of the model I drove was a magnificent 5-litre V8 that makes the dash from 0-100kmph in 5-seconds. All engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, which changes gears in 200 milliseconds, four times faster than the average resting human heartbeat. However, because I was so excited my heartbeat was banging like a bongo and I took the opportunity to put the tiptronic gearbox to work by shifting to manual.

Manual shifting is a nice touch for feeling more connected to the drive. I love using paddle shifters to change gear, so much so that I’ve almost forgotten how a clutch works, fortunately for the purists out there, you can also change gear via the gearstick in this model.

The safety features are definitely worth a mention and, as expected, there are many to brag about.

A plethora of cameras cover virtually every inch of the SUV, projecting all the information onto the screen and making parking and reversing effortless.

Another cool feature is the blind spot monitor. This system utilises side-mounted radar sensors to survey the vehicle’s blind spot. If a vehicle is detected within this area, a bright amber warning icon is illuminated in the driver’s mirror, identifying the hazard and helping prevent a potential collision.

One of the highlights is the full panoramic sunroof, which offers openings above both the front and rear seats.

My favourite feature was the dual view monitor, which allows the driver to view the navigation display whilst the passenger watches a DVD ... on the same screen at the same time, genius.

The model I drove also had satellite navigation, DVD players, duel zone AC, TV, radio, CD, MP3, Bluetooth and plethora of other cool gizmos to keep everybody entertained.

I only have one regret, I didn’t have the time to try out all the off-road gadgetry, although I have it on good authority that the option may soon be available for the public … watch this space. 

In the base option with the Terrain Response system, drivers have the ability to toggle between General; Grass/Gravel/Snow; Mud/Ruts; Sand; and Rock Crawl settings, helping them find the most appropriate traction setting. The upgraded Terrain Response 2 system takes the guesswork and human error out by automatically choosing the best setting. The term ‘intelligent drive’ comes to mind.

If you’re looking for an SUV with power, precision and class, this may be the one for you.
The model I drove cost BD53,000. For details, call Euro Motors on 17750750.