Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged (2009) CAR review

If you’re a regular CAR Online visitor, you may already have read Ben Pulman’s report on the newly revised Range Rover Sport TDV6. So I’ll keep the news about the Sport’s general upgrades brief and concentrate on the headline news about this model: its new 5.0-litre supercharged V8. Thought that might prick up your ears.

Does this new supercharged Range Rover Sport have the engine from the XFR?

Yes, it’s pretty much what powers the Jaguar XFR to such great effect, and it deploys the same 503bhp here too. But, as you might expect, it’s been optimised somewhat for this 4x4 application, with a deeper sump guard, thorough water-proofing and a torque curve to suit some hefty off-roading.

You can tell it apart from the old car by the revised two-bar grille, slimmer headlamps and new bumpers. Get inside and you’ll spot the new dash and doortrims. And if you’re still in doubt, give that right pedal a shove.

Quick then, is it?

You could say that. Think in terms of swift (really swift) estate cars and it’s mighty impressive. For a car that weighs 2.6 tonnes it’s nigh-on phenomenal, with visceral urge accompanied by a refined growl from under the bonnet. But only four stars? Well, to be honest, I thought it might be quicker still, but it’s given all its best by 5000rpm, after which the thrust tails off and the snarl gives way to the heavy-breathing supercharger. It’s also a little hesitant from standstill, as though the torque convertor has to spool up before slinging you down the road.

But most of the time you’re spoiled with more pace than you’ll ever need and, if used in ‘sport’ mode, the auto-box usually lands in the right ratio and is swift to kickdown. Want more control? Treat yourself to the paddleshift for a gratifyingly immediate response, but beware: it’ll expect you to carry on with the work, and won’t shift up for you at the red line.

>> Click 'Next' below to read more of our Range Rover Sport 5.0 Superchaged first drive