Range Rover Sport SE TDV6 road test
by Stephen Walker
31st March, 2015
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- Extended road test
- We clock up 1,400+ kilometres
- Port Macquarie here we come!
Popular ever since its introduction, the Range Rover Sport remains an admired piece of automotive luxury that offers
compelling off-road ability and a prestigious on-road presence.
For our return trip from Sydney to Port Macquarie we chose what we believed would be quite a good choice for a little
project that the team wanted to undertake in 'Port'.
Having heard about the rough track known as Point Plomer Road we set about checking out the road to determine just how
rough it was and, additionally, to admire the waters of the South Pacific from Point Plomer.
The car proved to be a popular choice with the team and it was obvious long before we even got close to 'Port' that
this vehicle was a perfect choice.
Test car particulars
Our test car was the Range Rover Sport in SE guise fitted with the TDV6 engine and numerous options. It was a very
nicely presented package.
This variant is priced from $102,800*.
Options fitted to the test car included:
- Sliding Panoramic Roof - $4,000*
- SE Comfort pack – (Front parking aid with front visual display, Auto dimming mirrors, Xenon headlamps with LED
signature, Headlamp power wash, Automatic headlights w/- high beam assist) $3,860*
- Power seats 14x14 $3,000*
- 20” Style 12 Alloys Wheels $2,400*
- Metallic Paint $2,100*
- DAB+ audio $900*
- Privacy Glass $900*
- Electric steering column $860*
- Paddle Shift $460*
- Aluminium RR Tread strips $440*
Hence, the as tested price* for the exceptionally well equipped test car was $121,720*.
Variants
Range Rover Sport comes in various flavours, namely S and SE with TDV6 priced from $92,600* (S TDV6); SE, HSE and
Autobiography with SDV6; HSE and Autobiography with SDV6 hybrid; HSE and HSE Dynamic with SDV8; SE and HSE with 3-litre
supercharged V6 petrol; HSE Dynamic and Autobiography Dynamic with 5-litre supercharged V8 petrol.
On the road in the Range Rover Sport TDV6
The long distances of the Pacific Highway and the roughness of Point Plomer Road were easy motoring aspect for the
Range Rover Sport. Even with four on board for part of the journey, there was always comfort for all occupants.
With superb ride qualities, even long distances mean an emphatic 'thumbs up' from everyone. In fact, all the driving
dynamics are particularly admirable in all respects.
Although we covered this project in a week if we were smart we would have sent Land Rover an SMS saying 'see ya' in a
couple of weeks then travelled out of telephone range to further enjoy the Range Rover. After all, who wants to give
up on a good thing?
Specifications
The V6 diesel has a capacity of 2,993cc, delivering 190kW of power at 4,000rpm and 600Nm of torque at 2,000rpm. This
indicates why the car gets along so well! A stop/start function for the ignition is a part of the deal.
An eight-speed automatic transmission is fitted and it's disc brakes all around.
Performance
Being a diesel doesn't hinder performance. Factory testing indicate that the Sport TDV6 can do a 0-100Km/h dash in
just 7.2 seconds. No-one should complain about that!
Fuel
The factory indicate the fuel consumption rating for the TD V6 diesel is 7.3 litres per 100 kilometres on the
combined cycle. Can't complain about that consumption rating!
The rating on the urban cycle is 8.3 litres/100 km and on the extra urban cycle it is 6.7 litres/100 km.
The fuel tank capacity is 80 litres.
Connectivity/Infotainment
Standard: 8" screen, Bluetooth connection, USB socket, 3 x AUX sockets, 8 speakers, navigation system.
Safety
Standard: Airbags, Roll Stability Control and a big list of worthy features and design elements. A camera for assisting
with reversing manoeuvres is standard, as it should be.
Dimensions
Length: 4,850 mm
Width: 2,073 mm (mirrors folded)
Height: 1,780 mm
Wheelbase: 2,923 mm
4WD aspects (standard/off-road mode)
Ground clearance: 213mm/278mm
Approach angle: 24.3 degrees/33 degrees
Departure angle: 24.9 degrees/31 degrees
Wading depth: 850 mm.
Towing
A braked trailer up to 3,500 kg can be towed by an appropriately equipped Range Rover Sport TDV6. An unbraked trailer
needs to be no more than 750 kg.
Trailer Stability Control is fitted as standard.
After Sales
The Range Rover Sport TDV6 has a 3-year/100,000kms warranty (conditions apply).
Roadside assistance applies for the warranty period too (once again, conditions apply).
The warranty/roadside assist can be extended for 12 or 24 months, up to 200,000 (conditions apply). The warranty is
transferable to subsequent owners within the warranty period (conditions apply).
The road trip
The purpose of the team's project was to drive the Point Plomer Road (Port Macquarie area). Overall, this was a most
pleasing journey and our story is published
here.
The team travelled from Sydney, via Newcastle, to Port Macquarie and return. Although Point Plomer Road is quite short,
the team managed a total of 1,400 kilometres which proved to us that you cannot tire of driving the Range Rover Sport.
Conclusion
The superior comfort and the eloquent presentation of the test car once again proved that Land Rover know how to
satisfy folks in the luxury 4x4 market.
The Range Rover Sport SE TDV6 is an excellent choice. It demonstrated that short runs were great but more importantly
when a big trip is in front of you the Rangie Sport provides excellent performance and comfort as the kilometres fall
away behind you.
Somehow, the team got it right all along - a superb choice was made beforehand and it was confirmed conclusively
during our project. It is difficult to imagine any other vehicle being a pleasurable as the Range Rover Sport for such a
journey.
Top marks, nothing less than top marks!
NOTE: * Manufacturer's List Price (MLP) excludes dealer delivery
fees and the numerous statutory charges (commonly known as on-road costs). Additionally, please note that all prices,
fees and charges are subject to change without notice, as are the specifications.
E&OE
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