What the Range Rover's 700-Pound Weight Loss Looks Like

Removing weight can improve nearly every dynamic of a car, including gas mileage, acceleration, braking and handling. Shedding pounds isn't easy, however, and often requires a substantial reworking of a car's chassis or body — unless it's a track-oriented trim where buyers won't miss a backseat or air conditioner.

Land Rover took the substantial redesign route for the 2013 Range Rover using lightweight aluminum extensively in the body and chassis to shed roughly 700 pounds compared to the 2012 models.

Zero-to-60 mph is almost a full second faster for 2013 — 5.1 seconds compared to 5.9 seconds for supercharged models — and gas mileage is up two combined mpg on non-supercharged models. The Range Rover also features a new eight-speed automatic transmission and improved aerodynamics, contributing to the economy and performance improvement.

But what does 700 pounds look like? Below are other 700-pound objects to provide perspective on how much the Land Rover had to alter. The 2013 Range Rover Supercharged we recently tested is 754 pounds lighter than its 2012 counterpart.

2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Video

Where does an 800-pound gorilla sit? Anywhere he wants to. Well, if the big fella takes a seat in the all-new 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, the luxury SUV will see no net weight gain compared with the previous model. Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays, who got to monkey with the Range Rover Sport during its debut at the 2013 New York International Auto Show, notes that this version shed 800 pounds through liberal use of lightweight aluminum, boosting quickness and fuel efficiency for 2014.

More 2013 New York Auto Show Coverage

Also new for 2014 are a supercharged V-6, an auto terrain response setting that senses surroundings and adapts to it, and a platform shared with the Range Rover making it more evocative of its namesake vehicle. Check out the video below.

2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Photo Gallery

It's orange and it’s back. Today, Land Rover took the wraps off its new 2014 Range Rover Sport, which slots alongside the recently redesigned Range Rover.

More 2013 New York Auto Show Coverage

Its styling looks as if Land Rover's stunning Evoque went out on a date with the new Range Rover and never left — not that we're complaining. Power comes from either a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 that makes 340 horsepower or a supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 that makes a grand 510 horsepower.

Like its bigger sibling, the Range Rover, the new Range Rover Sport has Land Rover's advanced Terrain Response 2 system for effortless off-roading and is built on an all-aluminum unibody that shaves off nearly 800 pounds.

Check out the gallery below of Land Rover's newest model. Cars.com photos by Evan Sears.

Nine-Speed Transmission to Debut on 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

Land Rover is making a major shift in transmission technology with its new nine-speed automatic, which the British automaker will demonstrate at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show in March. Land Rover told Kicking Tires that the newly developed transmission, a first for passenger vehicles, will be available on the 2014 Range Rover Evoque.

Increasing the number of gears from six to nine will help reduce emissions and improve efficiency, Land Rover said in a statement. The automaker said the nine-speed transmission's smaller steps will also improve acceleration response, as well as shift quality and refinement.

"A higher top gear improves efficiency by lowering engine speed, which also improves comfort and reduces noise when cruising at highway speeds," Land Rover said.

The nine-speed — developed with transmission-manufacturer ZF — will also complement the all-terrain capabilities for which Land Rover is known, the automaker said. The lowest speed is geared lower than the existing six-speed's lowest and is designed for off-road use, towing and steep gradients.

2014 Land Rover Range Rover Gets Supercharged V-6

For the 2014 model year, Land Rover is eliminating one of the two available V-8 engines on its flagship SUV, the Range Rover, and replacing it with a supercharged V-6. The new 340-horsepower, supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 replaces the 375-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 this year.

The new V-6, which Land Rover says has a zero-to-60 time of 7.1 seconds and top speed of 130 mph, will be offered alongside the 510-hp, supercharged 5.0-liter V-8, which carries over from last year; both engines will be paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The new V-6 loses about 10% and 11% in horsepower and torque, respectively, compared with its predecessor — though Land Rover estimates that fuel economy will go up by as much as 15%.

Continuing its emphasis on improved gas mileage — already boosted by the 2013 model year's 700-pound weight loss thanks to the SUV's new aluminum components — Land Rover claims the 2014 Range Rover gets 16/22 mpg city/highway, a 2-mpg improvement in both measures over the outgoing V-8. A new intelligent engine stop/start system reduces idling, also contributing to fuel efficiency and emissions reductions, Land Rover says.

Cars.com Reviews the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Smaller than the titan Range Rover but larger than the compact Evoque, Land Rover's Range Rover Sport sees only minor changes for 2012. According to Industry Analyst Kelsey Mays, the premium midsize sport ute continues to offer an appealing blend of traditional SUV qualities and unexpected driving fun. Near-sedan-like handling on the streets and unparalleled off-road abilities make this a versatile truck. But will a high sticker price and this Range Rover’s hearty appetite for premium fuel spoil it for many consumers?

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Review

Cars.com Family Reviews the 2011 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2011 Land Rover Range Rover HSE performed a miracle during Cars.com Family reviewer Sara Lacey’s weeklong test drive: It turned her kids into perfectly mannered children. While Sara couldn’t pinpoint what about the Range Rover brought out the best in her children, she suspects it’s the posh leather seats or the amazingly quiet ride. Or it could be the Range Rover’s V-8 engine and four-wheel drive. Whatever it was, Sara was happy for it.

2011 Land Rover Range Rover Review

2010 Land Rover Lineup: Up Close

Land Rover's three 2010 models, side-by-side on one stage, look disturbingly alike when viewed from the front. There are subtle differences, but the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and LR4 are roughly the same size, and they’re also similar in shape, except for the more squared-off LR4's rear end. I've been criticizing Rover since the Range Rover Sport came out because it was based on the LR3 and rode on the coattails of the nicer, more expensive regular Range Rover. The interior, especially, didn't compare.

2010 Land Rover Range Rover at 2009 New York Auto Show

• Competes with: Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, Porsche Cayenne, Lexus LX 570
• Looks like: Still the stately SUV it's been for some time
• Drivetrain: 375-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 or 510-hp, supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 with six-speed automatic; four-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: July 2009

Land Rover's flagship Range Rover receives a number of updates for the 2010 model year that give it a new look on the outside, more power under the hood and features designed to improve ride comfort and offroad prowess. Pricing information hasn't been released.

Grille restyling and new headlights give the Range Rover a mildly different front-end appearance. The new headlights have integrated illumination rings around the main lighting elements; they look a little like the circular running lights BMW uses. The taillights take on a slightly different appearance, but they still have a clear-lens design like the ones on the current Range Rover.

The new base engine is a 375-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 that features direct injection. The Supercharged trim level continues, and its 5.0-liter V-8 generates a stupendous 510 hp. The new supercharged engine lowers this SUV's zero-to-60-mph time by more than a second, to 5.9 seconds.

2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport at 2009 New York Auto Show

• Competes with: Infiniti FX50, BMW X6, Porsche Cayenne
• Looks like: A Range Rover Sport with eyes for the SEMA show
• Drivetrain: 375-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 or 510-hp, supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 with six-speed automatic; four-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: October 2009

The restyled Range Rover Sport gets a big power bump for the 2010 model year thanks to a new supercharged V-8 engine that makes 510 hp. There's a new base V-8 that makes 375 hp, too. Subtle front and rear styling changes and a revised interior are also part of the package. Pricing information has not been announced.

It seems like more and more SUVs are pushing past the 500-hp mark, what with the introduction of the new BMX X5 M and X6 M, and now the Range Rover Sport joins the club. It's a little mind-boggling to see this kind of power offered in an SUV, but the Land Rover's supercharged powertrain motivates it from zero to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds. Supercharged models also include paddle shifters on the steering wheel.