A brutal piece of muscles

“Exclusively for individuals who want an SUV to drag around a circuit in record time”

“Power is up to 575hp and generating an impressive 700Nm of torque!”

“Range Rover Sport SVR is the perfect daily with a hint of performance”

“The brutal Sport mode exhaust sound will open up petitions from your neighbors!” said Issam
The British-designed, engineered and built Range Rover Sport has sold more than 732,000 since it was introduced in 2004. Its unrivalled mix of refinement and exhilarating performance has starred on TV and in movies around the world. But who ever thought extravagance and off-road expertise could co-exist with on-road, and track, performance? Land Rover did it. It is dreams coming true. The Range Rover Sport SVR does just that!

What are the alterations to the 2018 model year?
The flagship SVR now delivers 575hp, making it the fastest Range Rover to date. This is an SUV driven to another level of dynamic capability, with breadth of appeal and desirability like no other. The people looking for the ultimate performance SUV will relish the potent new SVR derivative, which takes the Range Rover Sport into new territory.

-Drivetrain: Power is up to 575hp and generating an impressive 700Nm of torque. That’s a hike of 25hp delivering the 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds, while bold design revisions and the increased use of carbon fiber construction make the new SVR more dramatic, faster and more agile than before. Coupled with enhancements to the chassis, the new SVR delivers more dynamic handling without compromising its traditional comfort. The engineers at SVO focused on controlling pitch under heavy acceleration and braking, and changes to the damping hardware have improved turn-in, mid-corner grip and body control.

-Exterior: In addition to the enhanced driving experience, SVO has provided new visual cues to the model’s performance potential. The bonnet is a unique carbon fiber composite design for the first time, with integrated cooling vents that transform the front aspect of the vehicle. Its purposeful profile transforms the SVR’s appearance and its lightweight construction delivers genuine dynamic benefits by reducing weight over the front axle.

Customers can also choose a unique paint option that leaves the central section of the new bonnet’s carbon fibre weave exposed, creating an arresting high-performance aesthetic. Prominent new detailing on the front grille also catches the eye, while the side fender vents are finished in Gloss Black.

Greater use of body-coloured detailing at the rear and the presence of an SVO badge in place of the Land Rover oval also help to mark out the SVR as something very special.

A new front bumper design provides a discrete change to the SVR’s assertive appearance, with changes designed to improve brake cooling. All-new brake pads and discs provide enhanced performance at higher temperatures, ensuring the braking system is more resistant to fade during dynamic driving.

The SVR is available with 21-inch alloy wheels, while a new 22-inch lightweight performance alloy design is also available in two colour finishes.

These changes can be complemented by a series of additional design packs – most notably, the Carbon Fibre Exterior Pack, which incorporates tasteful detailing to the front bumper, grille, fender vents, mirror covers and tailgate.

-Interior: Inside the cabin the new Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, called ‘Blade’ by its developers, is the most advanced ever created by Jaguar Land Rover and is truly state-of-the-art. Two high-definition 10-inch touchscreens form the centrepiece of the minimalist cabin, blending a futuristic, elegant feel with an intuitive, engaging interface and unrivalled functionality.

Cabin changes build on the enhancements to the core model with a sharper focus on driver and passenger comfort, allied with higher specification materials and finishes. From SVR-branded treadplates that illuminate as the driver climbs aboard, to the feel of the aluminium sports pedals beneath the driver’s feet, the improvements are aimed at enhancing every element of the driving experience.

Supportive new lightweight Supersport seats create an athletic silhouette and provide exceptional comfort on long journeys. They also deliver a significant 30kg weight saving over the core seat and are heated in the front and rear as standard.

Finished in high-quality perforated Windsor leather, the revised designs reflect the model’s status as the ultimate high-performance luxury SUV. Seat backs finished in satin black with an embossed SVR logo on the headrests also leave no doubt about the SVR’s exclusivity. The new seats also liberate more rear legroom and create the impression of a cosseting four-seat interior, while retaining flexible five-seat capability.

Driving Impressions
Range Rover SVR gets a mid-life cycle facelift, which include few styling tweaks such as the carbon fiber hood, Touch Pro Duo infotainment system borrowed from the Range Rover Velar and more power: 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine now develops 575hp (extra 25hp). It is the most powerful engine and drives the 2300kg SUV from 0-100kph in just 4.5sec! The best part was the sound of the exhaust which left echoes to my ears. This will surely open up petitions from your neighbors with its brutal Sport mode exhaust!

Verdict
The SVR produced by SVO (Special Vehicle Operation) from Jaguar Land Rover is starting to gain popularity. SVR is young if you want to compare it versus AMG, M Division and Audi Sport but I am pretty sure that after this new Range Rover Sport SVR people will speak well about it. There are surely faster and more dynamically hyper luxurious SUVs in the market such as the Lamborghini Urus and the Bentley Bentayga, for instance. But the wilderness the Range Rover has, none of the competitors could match or better the SVR’s performance off-road could get close to it in a straight contest on asphalt!

Pros: Stunningly fast, plenty of carbon fiber, stability, comfortable seats, luxurious cabin
Cons: Expensive price tag puts it in another territory
Rivals: Porsche Cayenne Turbo, BMW X5 M, BMW X6 M, Mercedes-AMG GLE63, Lamborghini Urus
One word: Beast
4.5 / 5 stars

Specs
5.0-liter V8 supercharged, 575 hp @ 6500 rpm, 700 Nm @ 3500 rpm
4WD, ZF 8-speed automatic
0-100 kph: 4.5 secs, top speed: 283 kph, fuel consumption: 12.78L /100 km
Weight: 2,310 kg