The 3.0-litre SDV6 diesel engines in the Range Rover Sport now offer even greater efficiencies, with reduced CO₂, improved fuel economy and an increase in power for 2012.

The output of the 242bhp engine has been increased to 253bhp whilst CO₂ emissions have been reduced from 243g/km to 230g/km. These improvements are partly due to the introduction of the new, highly-efficient, ZF 8HP70, 8-speed automatic gearbox, combining smooth shifting and improved fuel economy. The combined fuel economy has improved from 30.7mpg to 32.1mpg.In conjunction with the new 8-speed gearbox, the Range Rover Sport SDV6 comes equipped with the ‘Drive Select’ rotary gear shift and steering wheel-mounted paddle shift. All EU5 SDV6 models are equipped with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) making them among the cleanest diesel engines on the market.

Design and equipment levels have moved up a level too with colour changes to exterior detailing and new interior colour ways for the Autobiography Sport. A new powered single piece tailgate has also been introduced across the range for 2012, enabling drivers to set their desired lift height.

For the first time on the Range Rover Sport, the next generation 7-inch touch-screen is available with optional Dual View technology, allowing the driver to view the navigation display whilst the passenger watches TV or a DVD whilst listening on WhiteFire^TM headphones. The rear seat entertainment package has also been enhanced with the availability of WhiteFire^TM wireless technology. Significant specification and performance improvements have been made to the Hi-ICE and Premium audio systems, offering a staggering 825W of power through 17 speakers on the Premium Harmon Kardon LOGIC 7. The new ‘Say What You See’ voice command helps the driver learn commands with useful step-by-step screen prompts and allows the use of spoken short codes too.

“The enhancements to the 2012 Range Rover Sport will ensure this car retains its position as one of the most economical and dynamic high performance SUVs on the market today. With greater levels of diesel engine efficiency, lower fuel emissions and exciting new features, the Range Rover Sport continues to live up to its reputation for power and refinement,” said Colin Green, Land Rover UK Managing Director.

The 2012 Model year Range Rover Sport is on-sale in the UK from October and available from £48,795 on the road.