A comprehensive upgrade sees the Land Rover LR3 tick up one notch to LR4 for 2010 (by Land Rover's count, it's the fourth generation of the Discovery, as the vehicle is known in other markets). Although there's a new grille, headlamps, and other minor tweaks outside, the bulk of the changes are inside the cabin and under the skin. A new interior uses more soft-touch materials and groups more functions in the central touch screen. The old 4.4-liter V-8 is supplanted by a new, direct-injected 5.0-liter unit, and output jumps to 375 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque. Chassis upgrades include revised variable-ratio power steering and suspension geometry as well as upgraded brakes. A 360-degree-view camera, trailer sway control, and keyless ignition are some of the technology highlights.
The Range Rover Sport (pictured) gets a slightly more extensive - or at least more noticeable - restyling than its siblings, with a new front-end design (including front fenders), LED lighting, and new nineteen- and twenty-inch wheels. The LR4's V-8 appears here, too, along with a supercharged variant that makes 510 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. Other mechanical changes also amp up the sport factor. There are paddle shifters for the six-speed automatic, beefier brakes, adaptive dampers for the Supercharged model, and a new dynamic mode for the Terrain Response System (which changes throttle and shift mapping, damper firmness, and steering effort). The Range Rover Sport also adopts the LR4's new tech features, and it gets a richer interior of its own.
