The D250 E runs a detuned version of familiar diesel six to achieve $170k pricing.

‘FOUNDATIONAL’ - that’s Range Rover-speak for what more everyday brands would call an entry specification, and it now applies to a Range Rover Sport.

Arriving in August, with orders being accepted from now on, is the D250 E edition, for $170,000.

This fresh base choice packs the same 3.0-litre six-cylinder mild hybrid-assisted turbodiesel as two other variants here for several years, but detuned.

Whereas the higher-end D300 and D350 types respectively provision 221kW/650Nm and 257kW/700Nm, the D250 E makes do with 183kW/ 600Nm.

The reduction means sticker saving. When Range Rover Sport launched in 2022, the least expensive was $179,990, rising to $259,990, with Clean Car fees attaching as well.

As with other Sports, the D250 E runs an eight-speed automatic and appears to have all the salient off-road and all-wheel-drive aides meted more expensive types. A full specification has not been detailed.

For Jaguar Land Rover New Zealand’s part, the derivative presents as “an accessible pathway to the Range Rover experience without compromising on performance or prestige.”

In supplied comment, chief executive Steve Kenchington offered” “After nearly two decades of leadership in luxury performance, the Range Rover Sport remains the definitive performance SUV. 

“The Range Rover Sport D250 encapsulates our commitment to elegance and excellence in every journey.”

Equipment includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, relaying through the usual Pivi Pro infotainment system, displayed on a 13.1 inch curved glass floating touchscreen.

Land Rover has sold more than 800,000 Range Rover Sports worldwide since the second-generation model launched in 2013.

The latest generation was developed almost in tandem with the new full-size L460 Range Rover, sharing its aluminium intensive MLA-Flex vehicle architecture and powertrain components. MLA-Flex has been designed to accommodate mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full battery-electric powertrains, and JLR’s powerful EVA 2.0 electronic architecture. 

The family is expected to expand to an all-electric model with e-motors front and rear to deliver the mandatory all-wheel drive, and sophisticated control systems that will allow infinitely variable torque splits to ensure good handling on the road and good capability off it.