Jaguar Land Rover is repositioning its business in Brazil after ending production of the Evoque and Discovery Sport at its Itatiaia plant in Rio de Janeiro state. The company no longer sells a vehicle in the country priced below R$700,000. Its latest launch is the Range Rover Sport Dynamic, priced at R$1.06 million.
The luxury SUV combines a 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a plug-in hybrid system. It can travel about 70 kilometers using electric power alone, while combined output is 550 horsepower. The manufacturer says it accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just under five seconds.
The model was assessed at Pirelli’s Panamericano Circuit in Elias Fausto, in São Paulo state. Its adaptive suspension handled tight corners and wet pavement while keeping the body movements of the vehicle, which weighs more than 2,500 kilograms, well controlled.
Although the vehicle could not be tested on public roads, the initial assessment highlighted its cabin finishes, 15-speaker sound system and seats with multiple adjustments as strengths. The review also noted that the current generation has been on sale since May 2022 and that some of its technology is beginning to look less current as competitors update their offerings. The new Porsche Cayenne, for example, has gained improvements to its screens and connectivity, alongside hybrid and fully electric performance options.
The Range Rover Sport faces competition from high-performance Chinese hybrid SUVs that cost less than half as much, but the assessment said they do not match its perceived cabin luxury or dynamic behavior. It also noted that some Chinese models draw on styling associated with British vehicles.
JLR’s local production halt marks the end of a relatively unsuccessful effort, but the company’s adjustment could lead to a more profitable business with lower sales volumes, according to the report. JLR has not announced layoffs. The future of the assembly line depends on a potential sale to a group willing to build vehicles in Brazil. Talks with China’s Chery are advanced; the company intends to produce Omoda, Jaecoo and iCaur models in the country.
Sources: Folha Mercado.