Land Rover has just introduced its most powerful Range Rover ever – the Range Rover Sport SV. This new performance SUV will continue the legacy of the brand’s Range Rover Sport SVR which was first introduced in 2014.
Featuring an airflow-enhanced exterior, according to Land Rover, the Range Rover Sport SV front-end is reprofiled and is equipped with a carbon fibre bonnet with vents, as well as side vents. The performance SUV is also decorated with front bumper blades and carbon fibre-tipped quad tailpipes, showcasing its sporty identity.
As standard, the Range Rover SV is specified with mixed-metal dual-cast brakes. However, customers are also given a choice to upgrade to the Brembo carbon ceramic brakes with eight-piston SV callipers as an option. This upgrade not only provides improved braking performance, but is also more resistant to high temperatures, and has a longer lifespan. Compared to the dual-cast iron brake discs found on the Range Rover SVR, the Brembo carbon ceramic brakes with eight-piston SV callipers also contribute to a total of 34 kg of unsprung weight reduction.
Out of the factory, the SV comes with Michelin Sport All Season 4 tyres. And for the first time on a Range Rover, the rear of the SV is fitted with 305-section tyres, 20mm wider than the 285-section front tyres. This is done to enable a rear-biased dynamic setup to enhance grip, stability and traction, Land Rover says.
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The Range Rover SV is the world’s first production car to be fitted with 23-inch carbon fibre wheels, as claimed by the British carmaker. By choosing to use carbon fibre wheels on the performance SUV, Land Rover has helped save a total of 35.6 kg, as compared to using conventional 23-inch cast-alloy wheels, according to the company.
Besides the carbon fibre wheels, the hydraulic interlinked 6D Dynamics air suspension with pitch and roll control found on the British performance SUV is also a world’s-first. Benefits of this suspension setup include the capability to maintain a near-level stance during extreme acceleration, braking, and cornering.
The new British performance SUV comes with specially developed chassis components. This includes a new rear subframe and new suspension links with revised geometry and compliance.
Powering the world’s most powerful Range Rover is a BMW-sourced 4.4-litre Twin-Turbo V8 petrol engine, and is mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a 48V mild-hybrid (MHEV) system. The performance SUV’s powertrain outputs a total of 635 hp (metric) and 750 Nm of torque, 60 hp (metric) and 50 Nm more than the previous generation SVR’s supercharged 5.0-litre V8.
Via the car’s new dynamic-optimised SV mode, it takes 3.6 seconds to sprint from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h). Capable of reaching a top speed of 289 km/h, the brand claims that the SV produces 15% lower CO2 emissions than the SVR’s 575 hp V8 engine.
The SV mode can be activated via a button on the steering wheel. Activating it optimises the steering, transmission, throttle response, exhaust note, as well the 6D Dynamics suspension system. The SV mode can also lower the Range Rover SV’s ride height by an additional 15 mm and allows the track-oriented TracDSC stability control programme to be activated.
The SV mode also tweaks the performance SUV’s All-Wheel Drive (AWD), All-Wheel Steering, Torque Vectoring by Braking, Configurable Dynamics, and Active Locking Rear Differential. This is done to deliver a more sporty driving experience.
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Inside of the Range Rover SV features yet another world’s first, which is a translucent edge-lit gear shift paddle, behind the steering wheel. The gear selector lever is also made of black ceramic to enhance the car’s luxurious feel.
There are also satin carbon fibre-backed SV Performance seats that feature integrated headrests, sculpted bolsters, as well as illuminated SV logos on the backrests. The SV also features an in-car sensory audio technology, known by the brand as Body and Soul Seat (BASS). BASS provides a multi-dimensional audio experience, and the SV is the first production vehicle to incorporate a tactile audio system.
Provided by SUBPAC, BASS has transducers aligned to the front seat occupants’ backs to generate high-fidelity audio to create an immersive in-car audio experience. This system works together with the 29-speaker Meridian Signature Sound System.
The Range Rover SV during its first year of production is only available in the limited edition SV EDITION ONE specification. And not everyone who wants it will be able to buy it straight away, as the performance SUV will only be available for select clients to order via an invitation programme.
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