Range Rover Sport SDV8 2014 review

Aussies love V8s - it's a well-attested fact that flies in the face of fuel costs, supported by a tribal love affair in race categories. Here is a V8 turbo diesel that not only pumps out a menacing growl but is also a temperate tippler.

Fire up the twin turbo oiler in the Range Rover Sport SDV8 and a purposeful 250kW is on tap - but more interest will be generated by the 700Nm available from 1750rpm.

The Sport is akin to a never-ending slingshot when accelerating yet it has the potential, judiciously driven, to return single-digit fuel economy. Given the kerb weight of two tonnes-plus, that's an achievement.

But what you also get is a luxury car that can clamber over just about anything that confronts it.

VALUE

The HSE Dynamic sticker is $146,300, bringing leather trim and power one-piece tailgate (not the customary two parts) among much other fruit. A sliding panoramic roof adds $4000 while the HSE Luxury Pack - a $3550 impost - adds the fetching 12.3-inch virtual instrument panel, delivering an image of analog dials, ghosted indicator needles and all manner of readouts.

Parking assistance, 22-inch alloys (up from the standard 21s), digital audio reception on the phenomenal (but also optional) Meridian 19-speaker sound system (up from the a standard eight speaker unit) and automatic headlights take the as-tested price to $176,630.

But it's what provides the punch that adds some perspective to the price tag. A 4.4-litre's surge of power is unearthly for something so beefy. But there's more - even on fast sweeping curves, body roll is minimal and driver's intended path is followed without argument.

FEAUTRES

All manner of electronic aids result in a remarkably secure feeling on the road - there are adaptive height-adjustable suspension with dynamic mode, trailer sway control, speed control for off-road work, Terrain Response 2 and torque vectoring.

Parking sensors and rear camera keep things tidy in the carpark, but if it does get ugly on the road, there are dual front, front-side and curtain airbags, front seat belts with pre-tensioners and load-limiters.

DRIVING

The diesel growls with genuine and joyful menace (100km/h is reached in a claimed 6.9 seconds) and the driver is encouraged to press on by disciplined body control, a remarkable ride quality and an eight-speed auto that holds gears in manual sport mode.

Dynamic mode on the suspension gives good cornering ability regardless of surface.

The cabin is comfortable, quiet and opulent but is built for four - the bucket-seat cut to the rear bench seat base means the fifth occupant won't want to travel far.