Land Rover is said to be moving forward with a sleekly-styled Range Rover model that will take on the BMW X6 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.
The new model is being developed under the codename L560 and is believed to be the same vehicle as the long-rumored Evoque XL. However, the repurposed Evoque XL will take on a sportier and more stylish demeanor than initially thought.
Positioned more as a lifestyle vehicle than Land Rover’s Defender and Discovery model lines, the L560 will utilize coupe-like styling not unlike the X6 and GLE Coupe. As a reflection of that, Autocar reports than the model could bear the name Range Rover Sport Coupe.
Although that nameplate would closely tie the Sport Coupe to the Range Rover Sport, it will actually be based on Jaguar’s upcoming F-Pace SUV. That means the Sport Coupe will be slightly smaller than its German rivals, but the F-Pace’s aluminum platform should give it a significant leg up in the weight department. It’s possible that the Sport Coupe could weight up to 880 pounds less than a comparable X6 or GLE Coupe.
As style will take priority over SUV functionality in the Sport Coupe, it will ship standard with a 2+2 seating configuration. However, a five-seat configuration will likely be offered as an optional extra. A three-row version has been ruled out due to the constraints of the F-Pace’s aluminum construction.
Power will likely come from Land Rover’s current six- and eight-cylinder engines. It’s also possible that Land Rover could use the same 575 horsepower F-Type SVR for an SVR-version of the Sport Coupe. A hybrid will eventually join the range and a pure electric could also be in the cards.
The interior of the Sport Coupe will be more driver focused than Land Rover’s other Range Rover models, with an emphasis on luxurious appointments. Although the Sport Coupe will be closer in size to the X4, it will command an X6-like MSRP, which means Land Rover will have to get its cabin just right.
Land Rover is keeping quiet on the Range Rover Sport Coupe for now, but the fast-back model could debut as soon as next year.
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