Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Spy shots: 2009 Range Rover Sport facelift

2009 Range Rover Sport facelift spy shots
Changes will be minimal but may include the introduction of a supercharged 5.0L V8 model
Prototypes for Land Rover’s facelifted Range Rover Sport have been spotted testing at the Nurburgring less than two months after the test cars were last seen in the UK. The performance SUV already received a series of upgrades last year, including the introduction of a 3.6L twin turbo diesel V8, so for its next update the list of changes have been kept to a minimum, although there's the chance of the addition of a new high output supercharged V8 engine.

The facelifted SUV is due to hit the streets at the end of this year and is likely to be available with both the 3.6L diesel as well as a new supercharged 5.0L V8 engine developing upwards of 500hp (373kW) and 480lb-ft. (650Nm) of torque Another possibility is the introduction of a V6 twin-turbo diesel, likely to be the 2.7L unit used by Jaguar. However, in the Range Rover Sport, displacement would likely be bumped up to around the 3.0L mark.

In addition to the engine upgrade, the new Sport also receives a slightly revised face including a new grille design that’s reminiscent of the Land Rover Freelander/LR2 as well as a new front bumper. The side vents also feature a slightly different design to the ports on the current model, as well as the headlight treatment.

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