Development of the next-generation Range Rover Sport is well underway – but don’t expect the finished product to be a clone of the vehicle you see here. Although Motor Trend’s spies recently caught a development vehicle out and about on public roads, its’ a safe bet the SUV is but a work in progress.
Though the prototype appears unchanged from the A-pillars back, the vehicle’s nose – which is comprised of a number of misshaped and awkward panels – suggests it could merely be a development mule. Given Range Rover’s recent design language, we wouldn’t be surprised if the new front clip, if not the entire vehicle, bears a close resemblance to the new Evoque.
Although the current Range Rover Sport and Range Rover use different platforms, the next-generation forms of both models are expected to share a single vehicle architecture. Taking a cue from corporate sibling Jaguar, the models are expected to be built largely from aluminum in an effort to keep the curb weight to a reasonable level. Powertrain details are still to be determined, but a new ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic will likely be paired with slightly tweaked versions of current gasoline and diesel engine offerings.
Rumors of a greener Range Rover have floated for years, and were spurred by the appearance of the Range Rover Sport-based Range-e plug-in hybrid concept at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. That vehicle, which paired a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6 with an electric motor and the aforementioned ZF automatic, reportedly allows for 20 miles of electric-powered driving. Land Rover has hinted such a powertrain will eventually reach production; we wouldn’t be shocked (pun intended) to see it wind up in the next Range Rover Sport and Range Rover models.
