That lap time is achievable thanks to a serious loss in bulk, the new Sport some 420kg lighter than the car it replaces, while the 510hp and 625Nm of torque from the supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine also helps. That new lighter structure not only aids Nurburgring lap time, but increases economy too, though efficiency isn't likely to be on drivers' minds when setting that lap time.
What it does also allow is Land Rover to consider fitting an in-line four-cylinder engine to the Sport. Indeed, Land Rover staff are fairly open about the company's plans to offer the Sport model with a four-cylinder unit. Expected to be a turbocharged petrol engine, it will join a diesel hybrid in the line-up, the full range of engines anticipated to be available by early 2014.
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