News that the Jaguar Land Rover chief creative officer, Gerry McGowan, has departed has drawn some predictable reactions, with many suggesting his departure was due to the controversial “woke” rebrand attempt last year, even though no reason has been forthcoming from JLR.

Such a focus, however, overlooks some significant developments McGowan masterminded over the past 21 years, not least the emergence of the Range Rover Sport, which involved taking the Land Rover Discovery and giving it a new image and purpose.

Anyone undertaking a Range Rover rebuild might reflect on this achievement and how it came about, as an understanding of this can help you as you seek to capture the essence of the Rover Sport and incorporate it in your own project.

What Kind Of V8 Engine Does A Rover Sport Have?

According to What Car?, the appeal was fairly straightforward. It stated: “If you like the idea of a Range Rover but want a bit more sport in your SUV, Land Rover hopes this is the car for you.”

The V8 engine is a central feature of the vehicle, with the Rover Sport coming with a “fire-breathing” 626bph V8 petrol engine option as well as hybrid alternatives, with the review also noting that, because its basic design uses the template of the standard Range Rover, it retained the luxury of the interior and strong off-roading qualities.

Depending on the model you are working on, you may not have the space inside to match the roomy luxury of the Rover Sport, even if that is a priority anyway. Off-roading is another matter, but making any Land Rover or Range Rover a strong performer on the rough ground is a quest that has never yet been hampered by having a powerful V8 engine.

Gerry McGowan may have gone, but his legacy remains in the Rover Sport and, if you can capture some of its essence and incorporate it into your rebuild, you can enjoy some of the qualities that made the vehicle such a successful and powerful innovation.