ah.. does it lean much in comparison? will i need to adjust my driving style much? cheers
Rich

Have there ever been any official track figures for FFRR v RRS ?

It seems to be the general acceptance that a RRS goes round corners faster, but the FF is quicker on the straight (engine for engine).

BUT, I reckon the FF is just as good round bends, it's just too comfy to actually notice how fast you're really going

If you buy an RRS you can always have it "personalised" by Khan.

To answer the original "What's the point ?" question, I've done a bit of reading of the Anniversary Guide, authored by a chap who has held senior positions in many of Land Rovers key departments over a 30 year period.

(reworded a bit)

Land Rover learned from the Discovery Series 2, that on road performance was as important to customers as off road supremacy. This led to the appearance of Active Cornering Enhancement system on high end models. The lengthening of the rear to accomodate forward facing "7 seats" on the D2 meant that air suspension had to be fitted to keep the vehicle level. To keep costs down, this was only fitted to the rear, with standard springs on the front. This led to rather odd handling characteristics. Land Rover understood the D2 was compromised, in order to be good off road and reasonable on.

With the experience of the D2, Land Rover determined that the mid-range sector should be addressed with two vehicles, instead of one. One to meet the demands of the family orientated sub-sector that required a full 7 seat package, and the other for a more sporting audience that only needed 5 seats but demanded more performance.

To keep costs low, the 2 models would share the same platform, and whilst the Discovery 3 project was progressing well, the design studio was struggling with the more sportier model concept. That was, until someone called it " a baby Range Rover" - an event that designer Mike Sampson recalls as being like "A light turned on". Samson penned the name "Range Rover Sport" on one of his sketches, and the name stuck.

The interior, although using many components from Discovery 3 (the products have over 60% commonality) the RRS was much more Grand Tourer orientated with a high centre console , higher waistline, and a virtually 2+2 configuration.

As the RRS did not have to accomodate 7 seats, the wheelbase was the same as the P38 Range Rover. Now having virtually the same dimensions as the earlier Range Rover, and also evolving into a stunning design, Land Rover marketting began to think that with a Range Rover nameplate, it would impact on the sales of the "true" Range Rover, whose very size was perceived as an obstacle in some markets.

Mike Sampson was forced to re-style the bonnet to remove the original "casllelations", deleting a bit of obvious Range Rover DNA.

The reaction to the Range Stormer concept vehicle convinced Land Rover that the Range Rover Sport and the Range Rover could live side by side.

.....and the rest, as they say, is history......... 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Very interesting history. Thanks.

@Rykard

The Disco 2 with ACE does not lean at all. You can do things that are quite surprising on corners, like not slowing down for roundabouts, if you have a good view.

Jump to 2:35 on this youtube link for ACE at work.....



The RR was a bit of a learning curve after nearly 5 years with the Disco, but like all fairly heavy cars, you have to shift the weight over first, and then apply steering input for the corner as you go through on a progressive throttle, rather than doing it all in one go.

It still leans, but doesn't feel too bad. Independent suspension etc help nearer the limit - compared to the Disco.

If you pushed the Disco really hard, it still didn't roll, but you got the old problem of axle tramping on the old beam axles etc.......

I'm well happy with the comfort in the RR, but it would have been even better with ACE....... 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

nice vid, I love throwing it through roundabouts  cheers
Rich