The fifth generation Land Rover Range Rover has just arrived. The automaker gave the luxury SUV a complete redesign, with many of the changes taking place under the familiar-looking sheet metal. A new Archie Hamilton Racing YouTube video pits the new Range Rover Sport against the previous generation Range Rover SVR in a contest to compare the two in a series of drag races.
The new Sport packs a new engine, featuring a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8. It produces 523 horsepower (390 kilowatts) and 553 pound-feet (750 Newton-meters) of torque. The SVR packs an even bigger supercharged 5.0-liter V8. It pumps out 575 hp (575 kW) but only 516 lb-ft (699 Nm) of torque.
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The new Range Rover Sport uses the automaker’s MLA-Flex platform like the rest of its model lineup. The new architecture allows automakers to cram it with the latest technology, including all-wheel drive and other features. However, the latest Sport does have its work cut out for the competition.
Although Sport comes with the latest engines and technologies, it still pales in power by comparison, and this is an insurmountable deficit. The Launch Sport was solid from the start, beating the SVR at times, but not strong enough to maintain its lead in any of the three races. The SVR caught up and passed the Sport with ease, the extra power making it quite visible on the track.
The final rolling race is not much different from the other rounds. Sport took the early lead, but SVR reclaimed it before the two crossed the finish line. The extra power from the SVR’s larger engine is enough to keep its crown for now.
The new Sport may not beat the previous generation SVR, but it continues. This is a good starting point for the fifth generation SVR which is already in development. It will have a smaller Sport engine, but can produce as much as 617 hp (453 kW), more than the old SVR and likely enough to beat it.
