Range Rover Sport Continues to Bolster Land Rover's Year-to-Date Sales

PEABODY, MASS. (11/13/2012)(readMedia)-- Even with a new model expected to be on the way for next year, the Range Rover Sport continues to boost Land Rover's sales in 2012. The luxury SUV moved 1,391 units last month alone and has seen a 7-percent sales increase through October year-over-year. As Land Rover's volume leader, the Range Rover Sport has helped the overall lineup's sales rise by 18 percent so far this year compared to the same period in 2011.

With plush seating and a powerful 5.0-liter V8 engine generating 375 horsepower, the 2013 Range Rover Sport is designed to provide a luxury driving experience whether owners are on- or off-road. A four-corner air suspension can be raised and lowered manually to accommodate for load size, while Land Rover's Terrain Response system lets drivers select the appropriate terrain mode for optimal suspension and traction settings. Meanwhile, a bevy of technology features keeps passengers connected, including Bluetooth smartphone compatibility with audio streaming and a Hard Disk Drive Premium Navigation system that reduces route calculation times.

"The Range Rover Sport balances the ultimate off-road capability and luxury for which Land Rover is known with a more dynamic ride for smoother trips in and around Boston," said Dave Edwards, general manager of Land Rover Peabody, a Range Rover dealer in Massachusetts. "It's the go-everywhere SUV that is just as well suited for the mall parking lot as it is for rambling down the back roads."

When the next-generation 2014 Range Rover Sport is unveiled next year, it is expected to share the lightweight all-aluminum body structure of the redesigned 2013 Range Rover, which will arrive at dealers in December. If Automobile magazine's recent review is any indication, the latest Range Rover should bring some added sales momentum to the Land Rover lineup.

Driven through muddy, rocky terrain during the rainy season in Morocco, the 2013 Range Rover excelled, and even when Automobile magazine editors found some winding paved roads, they lauded the off-roading SUV for feeling more like a sport sedan through corners and during acceleration. Much of that added agility was attributed to the new aluminum frame, which drops about 700 pounds compared to the previous generation. The new Range Rover received high marks for its interior as well, with editors noting the cleaner center console with a minimalist knob layout and leather seating that was deemed supple, soft and comfortable.

While Automobile magazine praised the 2013 Range Rover's luxury amenities, its improved off-roading abilities took center stage during the test. Driving up and down wet sand dunes proved to be no problem thanks to the new Terrain Response 2 system, which not only lets the driver manually select one of five terrain settings, but can also automatically engage the ideal setting. Fording depth has been increased by nearly eight inches as well for the new generation, rising to 35.4 inches.

"If the new Range Rover can triumph over the harsh conditions in Morocco, we can only imagine how much fun it will be to take out on our off-road demonstration course," added Edwards. "We can't wait to get behind the wheel to see for ourselves how well it performs on the back roads and highways in Massachusetts."

About Land Rover Peabody

Land Rover Peabody is home to a remarkable group of off-road enthusiasts who know exactly what their customers expect in Land Rover sales and service. They're proud to offer the latest Land Rover models, as well as unparalleled Land Rover service and OEM parts, and they invite new customers to take a test-drive on their unique demonstration course to experience Land Rover performance firsthand. Browse their selection online at www.roverpeabody.com, visit the showroom at 247 Newbury St. in Peabody, Massachusetts, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/landroverpeabody or call them at 888-472-4137.