2009 New York Auto Show News: 2010 Range Rover Sport

NEW YORK — The 2010 Range Rover Sport shares its new engines with the more sedate 2010 Range Rover. But the "junior" Rangy looks considerably fresher than last year's model. Both models will debut this week at the 2009 New York Auto Show.

Developed jointly with Jaguar is a new 5.0-liter direct-injection gasoline V8 in normally aspirated and supercharged variants, mated to a ZF six-speed automatic transmission. The latter engine can be ordered with paddle shifters.

The supercharged 5.0 replaces last year's supercharged 4.2-liter unit and delivers 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet. It enables the 2010 Range Rover Sport to sprint from zero to 60 in 5.9 seconds. The normally aspirated 5.0, which replaces last year's 4.4-liter unit, makes 375 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque. It makes the 0-60 run in 7.2 seconds.

The 2010 Range Rover Sport gets a fresh new face, with a restyled two-bar grille and a larger air intake, plus LED headlamps with interlocking circles, inspired by the senior Range Rover. Front and rear bumpers have been redesigned, as have the fender vents and rear light clusters.

The cabin is trimmed in high-grade leather and natural wood, with a new soft-touch fascia and redesigned seats with power-adjustable side bolsters. White LEDs provide soft ambient lighting throughout the cockpit. The 2010 Range Rover Sport can be ordered with a new Surround Camera system, a Portable Audio Interface, push-button start and a hard-drive navigation system.

Land Rover has fitted a new Adaptive Dynamics system, featuring continuously adjustable dampers to enhance ride control. The steering and brakes also have been upgraded, and new 19- and 20-inch wheel/tire combinations are available. Among the new high-tech systems for 2010 are Roll Stability Control and radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control with Advanced Emergency Brake Assist.

Inside Line says: This one features a little more visual pizzazz than its elder sibling. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent