Spy shots: 2009 Range Rover Sport facelift

Posted Thu Nov 6 2008 2:57 AM by James Martinez

Changes will be minimal but may include the introduction of a supercharged 5.0L V8 model

Prototypes for Land Rover’s facelifted Range Rover Sport have been spotted testing at the Nurburgring less than two months after the test cars were last seen in the UK. The performance SUV already received a series of upgrades last year, including the introduction of a 3.6L twin turbo diesel V8, so for its next update the list of changes have been kept to a minimum, although there's the chance of the addition of a new high output supercharged V8 engine.

The facelifted SUV is due to hit the streets at the end of this year and is likely to be available with both the 3.6L diesel as well as a new supercharged 5.0L V8 engine developing upwards of 500hp (373kW) and 480lb-ft. (650Nm) of torque.

Another possibility is the introduction of a V6 twin-turbo diesel, likely to be the 2.7L unit used by Jaguar. However, in the Range Rover Sport, displacement would likely be bumped up to around the 3.0L mark.

In addition to the engine upgrade, the new Sport also receives a slightly revised face including a new grille design that’s reminiscent of the Land Rover Freelander/LR2 as well as a new front bumper. The side vents also feature a slightly different design to the ports on the current model, as well as the headlight treatment.

Gallery: 2009 Range Rover Sport facelift 2

Gallery: 2009 Range Rover Sport facelift

Reader Comments

Mon May 5 2008 2:11 PM
Bradley says

Its hard to say that a car has been facelifted when it looks the same. I have the current sport surpercharged it looks damn close to that except maybe the grille has 2 ridges instead of 3.
Mon May 5 2008 4:38 PM
james says

bradley, don't even give it that: this car is EXACTLY the same as the old one. if land rover calls this a facelift then i got a facelift yesterday and another one eleven seconds ago. they should at least TRY and change it up a bit, add some much needed flare or something...
Mon May 5 2008 8:12 PM
Ink Master says

what facelift? did anything even change?
Tue May 6 2008 2:17 AM
MyWheelsOnWalls.com says

I would suspect what your looking at is something you cant see. In this case a test mule of the existing model powered by the new models drive train.....

Just a thought!
Tue May 6 2008 3:41 AM
cj says

Land Rover are notorious for making minute changes to the grills every year and then calling it a facelift
Tue Jun 24 2008 4:10 PM
Rnage Rover Lover says

Haha, is there any difference?!

Looking to dupe some customers into an upgrade maybe. No need to change what is a beautiful vehicle though!
Mon Jul 28 2008 11:22 AM
Sorin says

Someone, on other site, said that he like the unstepped light/grille combo that is smoother and more modern-looking. Other person said that they forgot to mention one obvious change, the front fascia. Am I crazy? Drunk I'm not. Itâ€™s the same car.

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