The new 2014 Range Rover Sport made its debut at the New York Auto Show this week
The new 2014 Range Rover Sport made its debut at the New York Auto Show this week
(Image credit: Range Rover)

With last week's unveiling of the new generation Sport, Range Rover has secured a unique place between the design and automotive worlds. The new car, which made its debut at the New York Auto Show, is touted to be the fastest and most responsive vehicle in the Range Rover family, while still making good on all the on-road dynamics and multi-faceted capability that we've come to expect.

'We're in the process of creating a whole new generation of vehicles,' said Gerry McGovern, the design director for Range Rover and Land Rover. 'For me the original Range Rover is about formality, it's presidential. It's above everything and when you sit in it, it's almost like sitting on a throne. Range Rover Sport is a more suited to the younger crowd, probably by about 10 years.'

Despite boasting a new high strength aluminum unibody, the Range Rover Sport is actually 800 lbs lighter than its predecessors and decidedly more agile. The car is 191 inches long (actually smaller than many mid-sized sedans, despite its imposing appearance) and as a result the vehicle not only takes up fewer resources to manufacture, but is also able to stop quicker and run more efficiently on a smaller range of engines.

The original Sport was fun to drive but not really a looker - spoiled by awkward proportions and a brusque, brutish image. The new car is a marked improvement, bringing engineering and design together in one happy union, tempering the naked aggression of that cliff-like front visage with elegant lines, a dramatic silhouette and a falling, panoramic roof. Inside, the update runs to a more minimalist dashboard, the company's latest and greatest off-road tech - better able to handle all types of terrain conditions, with increased ground clearance and improved wading depth.

Just as the new Range Rover is a luxury limousine that doubles up as a true go-anywhere vehicle, so the Sport handles its dualist character with aplomb. It promises a real turn of speed and dynamics, together with a sohpsticated interior and all the off-road ability you'll ever need.

'We've taken a fresh approach to functionality,' explained McGovern, 'With us it's that killer combination: great compelling design that resonates on an emotional level, combined with that engineering capability. That's what differentiates us in the marketplace.'

Range Rover Sport is 800 lbs lighter than its predecessors and decidedly more agile

Despite boasting a new high strength aluminum unibody, the Range Rover Sport is actually 800 lbs lighter than its predecessors and decidedly more agile

(Image credit: Range Rover)

The new Range Rover Sport

The new car is a marked improvement on the original Sport, bringing engineering and design together in one happy union

(Image credit: Range Rover)

Range Rover , the view of drivers seat

Inside, the update runs to a more minimalist dashboard, the company's latest and greatest off-road tech...

(Image credit: Range Rover)

Range Rover interior from drivers seat

... It is now better able to handle all types of terrain conditions, with increased ground clearance and improved wading depth

(Image credit: Range Rover)

The new model tempers the naked aggression of a cliff like front visage with elegant lines, a dramatic silhouette and a falling, panoramic roof

The new model tempers the naked aggression of a cliff-like front visage with elegant lines, a dramatic silhouette and a falling, panoramic roof

(Image credit: Range Rover)

Exterior view of Range Rover

The car is 191 inches long (actually smaller than many mid-sized sedans, despite its imposing appearance)...

(Image credit: Range Rover)

Range rover backside view

... As a result the vehicle not only takes up fewer resources to manufacture, but is also able to stop quicker and run more efficiently on a smaller range of engines

(Image credit: Range Rover)

The new Range Rover Sport

Touted to be the fastest and most responsive vehicle in the Range Rover family, the Sport still makes good on all the on-road dynamics and multi-faceted capability that we've come to expect

(Image credit: Range Rover)

Range Rover Interior view

Just as the new Range Rover is a luxury limousine that doubles up as a true go-anywhere vehicle, the Sport promises a real turn of speed and dynamics, together with a sohpsticated interior and all the off-road ability you'll ever need

(Image credit: Range Rover)

Pei-Ru Keh is a former US Editor at Wallpaper*. Born and raised in Singapore, she has been a New Yorker since 2013. Pei-Ru held various titles at Wallpaper* between 2007 and 2023. She reports on design, tech, art, architecture, fashion, beauty and lifestyle happenings in the United States, both in print and digitally. Pei-Ru took a key role in championing diversity and representation within Wallpaper's content pillars, actively seeking out stories that reflect a wide range of perspectives. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children, and is currently learning how to drive.