The new RR Sport SVR

[Deleted member 37751]

It's a shame the new Freelander is still some time away from launch as I would seriously have considered one instead of the Volvo I have. I was discussing the success of JLR with the former treasurer of BMW last week, and he was saying that it has rather dismayed them, having sold it off cheaply, and are astonished by the turnaround in profits and quality.

In my opinion the recent success of Land Rover began with the release of the first RR Sport and the Discovery 3; it opened the brand up to the younger market (with young children) and have gone from strength-to-strength since.

Seen on the ferry to France last week. Possibly the next car for me if in hybrid form.

I'm viewing on a phone and can't quite make that out, is it the new Discovery Sport?

Edit: it looks more Freelander size?

 

[Charles Morgan]

Not sure Lee, I couldn't see the badge! It looked smaller than a Disco, but it is a healthy disguise.

My full fat RR of 12 years ago was an absolute beauty of a car, beautiful leather, interiors, build quality and finish. Probably the most complete car in all senses, if a little heavy on the juice with the V8.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Not sure Lee, I couldn't see the badge! It looked smaller than a Disco, but it is a healthy disguise..

It was bugging me so I've just hpi'd it and it comes back as a white Freelander.

My full fat RR of 12 years ago was an absolute beauty of a car, beautiful leather, interiors, build quality and finish. Probably the most complete car in all senses, if a little heavy on the juice with the V8.

A good friend of mine has the new 339bhp FFRR 4.4 SDV8 and it does 35 mpg average!

On a side note, Ringway is looking at RR's of the 12 year old vintage at the minute, you'll have to let him know your experiences.

 

[gbjeppm]

I always fancied a RR as a luxury car one day but often wondered what the equivalent would be in a Merc 4x4? I love MLs but just don't think they cut it against a RR at all. Not that I intend on doing much off-roading in it but still don't think they measure up?!

I like your response though - think you've hit the nail on the head. X

I have the new W166 ML, it is a seriously good car, and quite capable offroad.

Agree it is not in the same league as the new RR's, but it is also quite a bit cheaper for equivalent specs.

 

[BFT]

BMW certainly overhauled Range Rover in their short time owning it and made it a true premium brand. My 2005 4.4V8 Petrol was lovely and certainly better than the 3.0D BMW put in there. But compared to my Audi A8 and BMW M5 still lacked a certain class to it and very wallowy.

I brought a 2008 RR Sport TDV8 after that and it was a fantastic engine, averaging around 25mPG but the engine was gorgeous. Torque and sounded almost like a petrol. The sport still lacked some refinement I thought BUT it did exactly what I wanted and again off road it was incredible.

Long story short I had a few 3.0TDV6 245bhp which were excellent and ecomomy went up a few MPG. Was concerned about the V6 diesel after a V8 but it is a peach of an engine.

Last 2 I have had the 3.0TDV6 255bhp with the 8 speed gearboxes. Massively impressed with the combination of the gearbox and the engine, makes the old 6 speed seem dark ages. Economy is easy 31-33MPG on these now. The new one is the 292bhp TDV6 which reportedly is doing high 30's. I will soon see!

For me when TATA took them over they did it correctly. The RR Sport was a good machine with years left in it. So they revamped the interior. It's night and day compared to the older Sport's with better seats, all in car electronics are a million times better whilst retaining the RR big button philosophy etc.

I brought the wife a Kia Sportage 2.0CTDi 140bhp back in 2009 with a 7 year warranty so I could forget about it. Car was ok, but the dealership were tossers. 9 months to get approval and 20k the entire suspension had collapsed. Plus many many other faults. So I dumped it for a Freelander, supposedly unreliable. She loves it and best car she has had.

I love the Land Rover marque. Just brought a Defender new as well before they disappear and again the gadgets in the Defender are unreal. 175bhp and it goes off road. Fantastic!

100% agree on the LR bashing though SPX, it's always from what people have heard.

I'm pretty lucky to have an awesome Mercedes dealer and LR dealer where I live. Both are superb and can't praise them enough. They make you feel like you do indeed own a premium car, regardless of age and do everything they can for you without the nose up their ****.

I desperately want an RS6. But means I have to deal with the local Audi dealer and that suprisingly puts me off!

 

[BFT]

I have the new W166 ML, it is a seriously good car, and quite capable offroad.

Agree it is not in the same league as the new RR's, but it is also quite a bit cheaper for equivalent specs.

No indeed and money always drives it. And the way I take them offroad it can't cope at all the ML. Throw it in a field and it's awful.

But most people don't take them to the extreme I do.

The new 250 CDi engine in the Mercedes range is stunning. I have one in the SLK and just amazing all round. And I imagine in an ML it certainly has some nice economy behind it.

 

[gbjeppm]

The new 250 CDi engine in the Mercedes range is stunning. I have one in the SLK and just amazing all round. And I imagine in an ML it certainly has some nice economy behind it.

Agreed, very capable engine, I am averaging 34 over 17k miles, and can get 43+ on a run, which is not bad at all for a big tank. It is surprisingly rapid as well, certainly quick enough for every day driving, lots and lots of torque. Road tax is a pleasant surprise at 170 pounds per year as well.

 

[V12]

The L322 started stealing S class drivers and other luxury vehicle drivers. It's an impressive piece of kit. If I needed any off road capability i'd be in the market for a range rover.

 

[RWDpetrol]

What I find hilarious is those that slag JLR off have never actually owned one, it's normally 'their mate' that's had one or they've 'heard' from a family friend...

I too like my Mercedes but the three LR's I've owned (Discovery 3 and two RR Sports) have been more reliable overall than the Mercedes I've owned. But don't let that get in the way of a bit of LR bashing!

Any opportunity to promote JLR on Merc forum, hey?

Generally to all - It would be helpful if you clarified whether you are talking about a proper RR or the far lesser RRS.

 

[ChrisA]

Any opportunity to promote JLR on Merc forum, hey?

Generally to all - It would be helpful if you clarified whether you are talking about a proper RR or the far lesser RRS.

"reaches for popcorn" :bannana:

 

[wemorgan]

I am not sure I would want two RRS in the garage! Two 4x4s is very extreme a decision.

This morning have been looking at MGB Coupes

MGB for RRS money

Frontline MGB Abingdon Edition: Driven - PistonHeads

 

[John Jones Jr]

If I needed any off road capability i'd be in the market for a range rover.

If you really need off road capability, 21 or 22'' wheels along with a petrol engine would not be the way to go.

Back in 1980 we had a '78(?) 3dr RR (that had to be converted to gas) and we had a 5dr diesel for short period (don't know what happened to it), both for work duties. Along came the first LandCruiser Amazon and really nothing ever got a look in after that. The point being there is a major if not massive distinction to be made between a working 4X4 and something like this RR. Really chalk & cheese.


P.s. Looking at something new a Disco would seem a better bet if sticking with LR or a LandCruiser with a big dirty diesel.

 

[V12]

If you really need off road capability, 21 or 22'' wheels along with a petrol engine would not be the way to go.

But that's what I just don't get. I really don't like the look of larger wheels on SUVs at all, let alone the many compromises that they force.

In regards to a landcruiser. They are great for what they are, but they are not in the same league as RR for luxury and refinement.

 

[poormansporsche]

Simple fact of the matter ...

Theres is absolutely nothing wrong with anything RR horses for courses its just "some" of the people that drive them ! Even then they are no worse than alot of other MB BMW Audi drivers its just that RR are larger and more in your face so it sticks in your mind more

 

[Deleted member 37751]

In regards to a landcruiser. They are great for what they are, but they are not in the same league as RR for luxury and refinement.

That's the bit people that have never owned a FFRR/RRS/Discovery struggle to comprehend; they tick more boxes than any other vehicle on the road in reality (although taking a corner at 70mph in one is a near-death experience!).

I'm 99% certain the ML's replacement will be a facelift RR Sport, like BFT stated earlier that once TATA got involved, they moved the game along from BMW and the interiors, for one, improved immensely (which isn't a surprise when you see how depressingly bland BMW interiors are)

 

[wemorgan]

In my opinion the recent success of Land Rover began with the release of the first RR Sport and the Discovery 3; it opened the brand up to the younger market (with young children) and have gone from strength-to-strength since.


I'm viewing on a phone and can't quite make that out, is it the new Discovery Sport?

Edit: it looks more Freelander size?

I thought the Freelander name is being dropped, to be replaced by Land Rover Discovery Sport. It will either be Land Rover or Range Rover.

edit: yes, the picture is the new Disco Sport

 

[developer]

Land Rover and to a lesser degree Jaguar would have always done well in recent times, regardless of who owned them, as their current sales success is almost entirely due to the enormous and emerging Far Eastern market and it's like of "known" GB brands.

Long may it continue .

Though I wish the profits were coming back to a UK company .

I'd own a RR or a Jag, but neither are on my radar presently.

 

[John Jones Jr]

In regards to a landcruiser. They are great for what they are, but they are not in the same league as RR for luxury and refinement.

Oh, indeed not. I wouldn't imagine anybody buys one for that.

 

[SportsCoupeRich]

The 2nd gen RRS I have was a huge improvement on gen 1. Worlds apart, and i would go so far to say it was very close to the entry spec FFRR on quality.

I personally don't think there is much to be gained in separating the two out as one being good and the other not as good as it.....the price points barely overlap. Its like complaining an e class isn't an s class....

 

[SportsCoupeRich]

MGB for RRS money

Frontline MGB Abingdon Edition: Driven - PistonHeads

I was thinking more like a £4k run around for a few months whilst I get round to having something built/getting my hand in my pocket.

Did see this on Autocar yesterday though - handsome and reasonably good value in comparison to the 500k e-type remakes....

i liked the modernised Jensens a few years ago - will try and dig a link out.