The status of the Range Rover Sport as a top-tier luxury performance SUV has been strengthened with a range of enhancements for 2017 model year. The latest model features the introduction of innovative new driver assistance technologies and greater scope for bespoke personalization.
The status of the Range Rover Sport as a top-tier luxury performance SUV has been strengthened with a range of enhancements for 2017 model year. The latest model features the introduction of innovative new driver assistance technologies and greater scope for bespoke personalization.
Introduced in 2013, the Range Rover Sport is a genuine Land Rover success story, delivering all the refinement and capability expected from a large SUV with the engaging experience of a performance vehicle. Underlining this is the Range Rover Sport SVR which sits at the top of the Range Rover Sport line-up and takes on-road performance to new heights with a potent 550HP Supercharged V8 engine, achieving 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds.
For 2017, Land Rover has introduced a series of new advanced driver assistance technologies to Range Rover Sport including Blind Spot Assist, Intelligent Speed Limiter and Advanced Tow Assist, which assists the driver when maneuvering an attached trailer.
All-terrain capability remains a cornerstone of the Range Rover family and the 2017 model year Range Rover Sport includes a selection of new features to enhance both the on-road and off-road driving experience. Low Traction Launch makes it easier for drivers to pull away on low-grip surfaces while the updated 4x4i menu presents key vehicle information when tackling challenging terrain.
Powered by the Land Rover InControl® Touch Pro™ system, the enlarged touchscreen features a new 10.2-inch display for greater ease-of-use and clarity and features tablet-style pinch and zoom functions.
All-new towing technology
Advanced Tow Assist technology is the latest advanced driver assistance feature to be introduced by Land Rover. This feature is a key addition in ensuring that the 2017 model year Range Rover Sport stays ahead of its rivals and assists the driver with the potentially difficult task of reversing while towing a trailer.
Images from a rear-facing camera are relayed to the central touchscreen, allowing the driver to indicate the desired direction of the trailer using the Terrain Response® 2 rotary controller. The vehicle will then steer the trailer into place while the driver operates the accelerator and brake pedals.
As well as making it easier to maneuver a trailer, the system will alert the driver if a jack-knife situation is imminent, while the driver can monitor their immediate surroundings for potential hazards using the vehicle’s Surround Cameras.
Specialist all-terrain technology
All-terrain capability is a Range Rover trademark and 2017 model year Range Rover Sport takes breadth of capability to new levels in the performance SUV class with the introduction of two advanced technologies.
Low Traction Launch is designed to assist the driver when pulling away from a standstill on low grip surfaces, such as mud, wet grass or ice. The technology can be selected manually using the central touchscreen menu. Alternatively the vehicle will automatically prompt the driver to select Low Traction Launch whenever the Grass/Gravel/Snow mode is selected using the Terrain Response 2 controller.
Once active, the system controls the amount of torque the driver is able to apply when pressing the accelerator mitigating the likelihood of experiencing a loss of traction. Active at speeds below 19mph (30km/h) the system can also be used to negotiate slippery surfaces or inclines once the vehicle is moving.
An enhanced All-Terrain Info Center is also part of the improvements for 2017 model year. Accessible via the central touchscreen it displays useful information when driving off-road, such as vehicle geometry, slope assist engagement and wheel information. This display also now includes Drive Assist, which uses the vehicle’s surround cameras to help with low-speed maneuvers when off-road2.
Enhanced connectivity
One of the most significant changes to the 2017 Range Rover Sport is the introduction of InControl Touch Pro™ which features a larger central touchscreen display. As a result, the infotainment system features smoother controls and a wider range of connectivity options and apps than ever before.
The larger screen measures 10.2-inches, a significant increase over the previous eight-inch design. The increased dimensions have allowed the Land Rover interior design team to remove the hard keys previously required, resulting in a cleaner dashboard with no compromise to functionality.
One of the key aspects of InControl Touch Pro™ is the ability to pinch and zoom when navigating maps, or swipe through menu screens as you would on a smartphone or tablet. Functions now require fewer actions, improving ease of use.
The introduction of the latest infotainment system delivers bespoke apps for functions such as music playback, contacts and calendars that are mirrored on the central touchscreen when the driver’s smartphone is connected to the vehicle.
In addition, InControl Remote allows drivers to control a number of vehicle functions remotely using the dedicated smartphone app. Owners can check data such as the mileage or fuel level, lock and unlock the vehicle, adjust the climate control settings and remote start the vehicle.
There have also been significant upgrades for the fully integrated satellite navigation system. Commute Mode is an intuitive new function that learns regular journeys so customers don’t have to set a destination manually. It recognizes frequent trips, for example the drive to work, and automatically redirects drivers if the regular route is congested. Door-to-door routing allows the customer to set a route using the Land Rover app and transfer it to the vehicle. Once the vehicle is parked, final directions to the destination can be viewed on a smartphone so customers can complete their journey on foot.
Simplified option selection
The 2017 Range Rover Sport has a simplified selection of advanced driver assistance packs. All derivatives have a comprehensive suite of technologies as standard equipment including Rear Park Distance Control, Cruise Control, Speed Limiter and Lane Departure Warning. For 2017, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) joins that list. The system monitors the road ahead of the vehicle through its forward facing stereo camera and will warn the driver of any potential collision risks. If the driver fails to respond to the warning, the AEB system is designed to apply emergency braking to help mitigate damage depending on the speed in which the vehicle is traveling.
The optional Drive Pack contains all the standard features in addition to Blind Spot Monitor, Traffic Sign Recognition and Reverse Traffic Detection, while Intelligent Speed Limiter is a new feature for 2017. Intelligent Speed Limiter uses Traffic Sign Recognition to read speed limit signs and is designed to automatically adjust the vehicle’s speed accordingly. Once the driver has accepted the on-screen prompts they will be unable to exceed this limit unless they cancel the command.
Driver Condition Monitor is another new addition. It analyses steering inputs and takes into account factors such as the time of day and journey time to warn the driver if signs of fatigue are detected.
The Drive Pro Pack includes Adaptive Cruise Control with Queue Assist and Intelligent Emergency Braking and adds Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keep Assist for 2017. Blind Spot Assist monitors for vehicles approaching from behind or those in the vehicle’s blind spot. If the driver begins to change lanes in circumstances that could pose a risk of a collision, the vehicle is designed to automatically apply gentle steering input to guide the vehicle back into its lane. Lane Keep Assist provides gentle corrective steering inputs if the driver veers out of their lane without indicating.
Exterior enhancements
A number of updates have also been made to select Range Rover Sport design options for the 2017 model year.
Customers are able to choose from an even wider choice of colors, heightening the level of personalization and luxury design of their vehicle thanks to an increased Special Vehicle Operations color palette. Buyers can pick from 19 new colors ranging from contemporary pearlescent whites to sophisticated greys, as well as luxurious high-gloss and satin finishes.
