With a new Range Rover on the way, Land Rover is also prepping the smaller variant of the iconic off-roader, the Range Rover Sport, for launch. Rumored to be based on a modified Jaguar XJ platform, the Range Rover Sport is said to share underpinnings with the larger Range Rover model, as well as the next-gen LR4 (known as the Discovery in the UK and other markets). Our trusty spy photographer was working hard when he captured these shots, lurking in the bushes to give us a glimpse of this mostly uncovered future sport ute.
The front end is the only part of the vehicle wearing any form of camouflage, using armor-like body cladding to cover up the fenders, front bumper, and headlights. The outline of the grille is more exposed here than on the regular Range Rover we caught in August, helping us to better visualize what the final product might look like. The shape of the grille resembles an inverted trapezoid, and looks taller and wider than the one employed on the current model. We saw a similar grille design on a Range Rover variant we caught winter testing earlier this year.
The body work aft of the A-pillar doesn’t look much different from the model currently sold, although test mules aren’t always an accurate indicator of the production model’s final styling. A feature present on this mule that likely won’t make it to production are the comically oversized, and conspicuously exposed, dual mufflers hanging off the rear bumper. Likely installed for testing purposes, the dual pipes could hint at a V-8 powerplant, or another engine large enough to warrant a dual exhaust setup. The Jaguar-sourced 5.0-liter V-8 – both in naturally-aspirated 375-hp spec and 510-hp supercharged guise – is expected to carry over for the year or two, but hybrid and fully electric drivetrains are currently in development.
