Didn't I recently hear the same comments about the Evoque, then the FFRR? '08 RRS TDV8
I converted my diesel RRS to run on an environmentally friendly mixture of caribou fat and baby seals oil

Don't think you did actually!!

When the evoque came out - i certainly was on record as saying 2 things:
1) i didnt like it
2) it looked very similar to the range stormer (which i have sat in a number of times!!)

I can confirm - i still dont like the evoque for a number of reasons, not limited to its size and proportions - but can see how its more of a feminie car

On the FFRR, again having been in it (before most people here saw it), I wasn't a fan and was on record as such - im still in that camp actually - there are some styling clues i dont like - but i didn't dislike it as much as the evoque generally - but saw the reference. Knowing i wouldnt get one - i didnt hate it, thought it would grow on me and thought certain bits were cool - but didnt love it (in the same way i did the sport). So a "its ok" but i dont love it response

As for the new sport seen in the pictures above, similar to the FFRR (although ive only seen the outside in disguise), if its going more like the evoque and loosing the styling clues that made me like the sport when I first drove the sport in 2003 , then that's a real shame and hurts it - it certainly doesn't make me think its the coolest 4x4 on the road and really want one (as happened with the original). Now if some of those clues (that you can clearly see on the stormer) carried forward, then that might be different, my comments so far have been around:
1) its purposeful design and "aggressive front stance" - which i think its lost
2) its move more to an evoque XL rather than it being the Range Rover sport individually in the way it is now
3) the issue around the car being more of a sporty range rover derivative rather that a larger a evoque, even the new range rover front is a "better" design than the similar evoque front

There are more - but one thing is sure, the stormer, which was a concept, prompted the sport to be brought to reality 10 years ago (remember the concept wasnt going to be built) the evolution of the sport over 10 years has been 10 years of solid design improvement of actually a good design, linked to the similar platform

Its a little poor to go back 10 years, take a design that had evolved and then apply a new direction and then reapply it across the fleet.

I could go on but wont - there will always be doom mungers (look at the new defender concept which i loved but was hated and LR went back to the drawing board), thats not going to happen to the sport and most of you havent seen the inside, which is where we will spend time - will that change views. Im not sure it does what i said earlier and make me fall in love with the sport.

But to be on record (as i know LR are watching), to those that say people were negative about the evoque and new FFRR - yes thats true and is always the case. I however, remain of similar view and as above, whilst i dont hate the new sport - i personally dont want an evoque XL and wouldnt want to spend ££ extra on a bigger one. Im all for innovative development BTW things must evolve.

Design DNA, does not mean copying! Mike

2014 Facelift Discovery

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WUOsXIY6pg

. '08 RRS TDV8
I converted my diesel RRS to run on an environmentally friendly mixture of caribou fat and baby seals oil

I think it's safe to say those pictures are what we will see on the 26th

Click image to enlarge

+1 sag

From my perspective, I originally had ideas with regard to trading in the RRS for the new FFRR, but after parking next to one a few weeks ago, I passed on that idea, as I couldn't see the logic of lashing out another 60k for something which didn't attract a second glance in the supermarket car park! I bought some nice MA speakers instead. Then, my next idea was to buy the new RRS but if the current crop of photos is correct, it is going to be perceived a a jumped up Evoque rather than a sporty version of the original FFRR, even though the platform is Disco based, whereas perversley the new RRS platform is FFRR based.
So, I'm going to stay put as the current RRS is visually more appealing than the new replacements, and still retains very similar off road capabilities. Only one thing would make me switch - if the D4 had a V8 diesel.

If this is really the new Sport and it looks like it is - LR ...... 2008 RRS TDV8 HSE, Java black, Alpaca,.....

I'm more relieved now after seeing the 'arrival' video - note that the date is wrong in the instrument binnacle.

Inside seems to be lovely. I notice the TFT screen like the vogue and I have been reliably informed that the MY14 will be equipped with the TDV8 engine. Could that be the noise we are all listening to? MY10 HSE 3.0 TDV6 : Santorini Black : Ebony Interior w/Anigre wood : Privacy Glass (total) : Sunroof : Sidesteps : Hybrid TV : Detachable Tow Kit : Spare Wheel Cover : 22" Dished Supersports

peanutbob wrote:

So, I'm going to stay put as the current RRS is visually more appealing than the new replacements, and still retains very similar off road capabilities. Only one thing would make me switch - if the D4 had a V8 diesel.

I think the noise is more america v8 - rather than rattly TDV8

Click image to enlarge

bootz wrote:

peanutbob wrote:

I passed on that idea, as I couldn't see the logic of lashing out another 60k for something which didn't attract a second glance in the supermarket car park!

Where's the logic in spending £60k on something because it turns heads in the supermarket carpark? If you're dropping that sort of money on anything then you do it because it turns your head, suits your tastes, makes your pulse race. what other people like!

Looking at the possible RRS replacement, I'm thinking I'll wait for a suitable second hand new-shape FFRR in a couple of years rather than a second-hand new-shape RRS. The FFRR is fabulous - classy and understated (if understated is possible for any vehicle that big!). The new-look RRS - from what we've seen so far - is too toytown for my tastes. I can just about see the point of the Evoque but an Evoque Sport? No thanks. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Front end looks ok, and will probbably grow on me, but, overall still too much RRE and too little FFRR...

Looking at the pictures of the back it's all wrong... I can't see LR selling a car with exhausts like that, they stick out like a sore thumb. If that's a diesel, which I presume. surely they would have 'tucked away' the downward pointing tailpipe behind the bumper to give some clean lines???

Also, from the photo I can't see any way to access the mounting of a tow bar... I can't believe the whole of the silver section will be removed to mount a tow bar?!

As others have said something is wrong with the photos... Or maybe that's just wishful thinking


Cheers

Guy 2006 RRS S/C CONSTANTLY under modification...
1994 RRC 4.2l not LSE sadly gone but not forgotten
LR Defender 300Tdi - affectionately know as "The Black Beast"