Range Rover Sport, Land Rover’s luxury sports SUV, starts 2010 with two all-new V8 engines.
Although Land Rover labels these 5.0-litre DOHC engines “LR-V8”, they are actually the latest iterations of the Jaguar AJ-V8 family, shared with the 2010 Jaguar XF sedan. Both engines have many new features, including a novel spray-guided direct injection that uses multiple injection ports to optimize combustion at all speeds, providing faster engine warm-up, increased power and lower emissions. Direct injection and reverse flow cooling, which sends coolant to the heads before the block, allow for higher compression ratios and greater spark advance without knock. A unique variable camshaft timing system uses the torque generated by the movement of the valves to continuously adjust all four cams. Land Rover says this industry-first system is faster and more efficient than a conventional hydraulic setup. Each camshaft also has separate profiles for low and high rpm, which alters valve lift for better breathing at all engine speeds.
The Range Rover Sport HSE has a normally aspirated version of this engine, rated at 375 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque, 75 more horsepower than 2009, and just 15 less horsepower. than last year’s supercharged engine. The Supercharged model adds an Eaton Twin Vortices Series (TVS) supercharger, packed in the valley between the cylinder banks. It feeds each bank through a separate air-to-water intercooler. The supercharger boosts the 5.0-liter V8 to 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque.
Both engines have impressive power and a rich growl. Although the Supercharged model isn’t quite as powerful as the 555-horsepower BMW X5 M, it gives the Range Rover Sport ferocious acceleration that belies its three-tonne mass. However, both LR-V8s are thirsty. EPA ratings are 13/18 for the HSE, 12/17 for the Supercharged, and premium fuel is required.
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