Electrified emphasis drives a big splash start for new line.

SET to touch down on New Zealand soil – but perhaps steer clear of local hydro spillways – in November: That’s the next-generation Range Rover Sport, revealed overnight with release of a daring stunt drive video.

What’s already being cornily called a ‘dam fine entrance’, the brand’s promo movie – shown in full here – reveals the new model with it being driven up a massive hydro spillway in Iceland. The high-intensity ascent of the 193m spillway against a torrent of water flowing at 750 tonnes per minute involved a stunt driver with past involvements in Bond movies. .As you do.

It’s a power play to reinforce how electrification is now firmly entrenched with the nameplate. At launch, all but one version will feature some kind of electrification, with mild and plug-in hybrids just the start. A fully electric version is coming in 2024.

Jaguar Land Rover New Zealand has shared variants it will select - specifically these are the D300 Dynamic SE, P440e Dynamic SE, P510e Dynamic SE, D350 Dynamic HSE, P510e Dynamic HSE, P530 First Edition and a SVR - but cannot yet say for how much. The outgoing range has sold for between $134,000 and $234,000.

The First Edition is available throughout the first year of production; all others are in for the long haul. The SVR is a 2023 selection. JLRNZ is going big because Range Rover Sport has been a big seller. The best selling Range Rover and the second-best selling Land Rover, behind Defender.

Within the mild-hybrid line, there are diesel and petrol engines, all but one with 48 volt tech.

The diesel choices, all six-cylinders, are much cleaner than previously and seem very torquey, with outputs of 600Nm- and 700Nm, yet with CO2 counts of between 194 and 195g/km are achingly j-u-s-t above the Clean Car cut-off, which stops at 192g/km, so will attract a penalty.

The petrols are knocking out 212-213g/km in six-cylinder format – there are two of those – and there’s also a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, co-developed with BMW. This drops the mild-hybrid system and produces 395kW and 750Nm of torque, making it the fastest accelerating Range Rover Sport with a 0-100kmh time of 4.5 seconds.

As well as these, there are new plug-in hybrids, with super-clean optimal low emissions ratings of just 18g/km.

A powertrain marrying a 3.0-litre petrol engine with a 105kW electric motor, fed by a 38.2kWh battery (31.8kWh usable), releases an electric-only range of up to 113 kilometres. That’s almost three times that from the outgoing Range Rover Sport PHEV. The figure arrives from testing to the WLTP schedule. Land Rover says a distance of up to 88 kilometres is possible in real-world situations with passengers and luggage on board.

The entry to the plug-in charge is the P440e, which has maximum outputs of 328kW and 620Nm, accelerating from 0-100kmh in 5.8 seconds, and it can drive at up to 140kmh using only the electric motor.

Top dog is the P510e, which uses the same powertrain but with increased outputs of 375kW and 700Nm.

Adding further appeal to the hybrids is that offer rapid DC charging, meaning the battery can be replenished to 80 percent in under one hour using a 50kW source. With a 7.2kW home charger, the battery will be full within five hours.

All versions use an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox and twin-speed gearbox that uses Land Rover's Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system to distribute power according to the road conditions. Dynamic Air Suspension is also standard, helped by Dynamic Response Pro, which uses electronic active roll technology to manage body control up to 500 times per second. All can tow 3000kgs.

All-wheel steering is available on all models, coming as standard on the P510e, and can give increased manoeuvrability at low speeds by turning the rear wheels in the opposite direction of the front wheels. Above 50kmh, the rear wheels turn in phase with the fronts for added stability.

Away from the seal, the Range Rover Sport can wade through depths up to 900mm and has approach and departure angles of up to 33- and 30 degrees, respectively. All-Terrain Progress Control evolves into Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control. At the same time, the latest generation of Terrain Response provides all the assistance you might need when exploring the less beaten track.

The design theme will doubtless cause chat. It’s said to represent the brand's shift towards what it likes to refer to as “reductionist design”.

The entire glasshouse features flush glazing that appears to blend the A-, B- and C pillars and windows into one element. Particular attention has been paid to designing how the windows meet the doors, appearing as if there is no seal between the two. As with the new Range Rover, the door handles retract when the car is locked to sit flush.

The LED headlights are the slimmest Land Rover has ever fitted and carry an updated design signature while offering the company's latest matrix beam technology.

Standard cars retain hard-wearing cladding around the car's base, affirming the off-road credential, while Dynamic goes more streetwise with a fully painted body, a front apron and 23-inch wheels.

The interior takes a 13.7-inch digital instrument display and a 13.1-inch curved touchscreen that runs the latest Pivi Pro infotainment software, with ability to take over-the-air updates. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay feature.

In addition to the traditional leather upholstery, Land Rover is introducing more sustainable alternatives to keep up with what it says are changing customer demand.

Ultrafabrics is a new synthetic material made from recycled plastics yet retains the same look and feel as leather. Other new decorative materials include a dark gloss chrome and forged carbon.

Jaguar Land Rover New Zealand chief executive Steve Kenchington says the new model is “… dramatically dynamic and luxurious - with new-age modifications, this vehicle sits at the pinnacle of pioneering innovation and desirability.

“The dynamic driving capabilities are complemented by the vehicle's serene cabin, made of contemporary, minimalist materials. The new model is an evolution rather than a revolution and continues to shift Land Rover from a premium heritage brand to the creator of the most desirable vehicles, for the most discerning of customers.”