So what did the SVO division do to make this the maddest Range Rover ever? Simple.. take the 5.0 litre supercharged V8 motor from the F-Type R and plonk it into this beast. If you want to see what a sexy engine bay looks like, just pop the hood. Just one look at the engine and you know that it means business. The engine cover is all carbon fibre with a shiny SVR logo in the centre. This supercharged unit develops 550 horsepower and 680 Nm of maximum torque coming up between 3500 to 4000 rpm. Acceleration is explosive right from the word go and you are left baffled thinking that you are actually driving an SUV. The bonnet rises as the SVR rockets forward making you utter unmentionable words as you get thrown back into the seat. Land Rover claims a 0 to 100 kph timing of 4.7 seconds but our fuel quality will definitely affect performance. The SVR goes to a top speed of 260 kph. And then there is the noise. Press the exhaust button and there’s even more noise. Orgasmic would be an understatement and it would be just fine putting the Meridian system on mute while soaking in the supercharged V8 soundtrack. The eight speed automatic gearbox works like a charm and gives you seamless shifts. Just like the F-Type, it is serious fun to accelerate hard and let go off the throttle. Those crackles and pops that the exhaust gives out are seriously addictive. Amidst the fun, you have to also remember that the SVR is a thirsty animal and the combination of the V8 engine and 2.3 tonne weight means that your wallet will become lighter the faster the SVR goes. It does however come with a 105 litre fuel tank. This Range Rover is also a fantastic highway cruiser. Cruising with a light foot is as enjoyable as going flat out. There is a nice deep rumble from the engine as you drive along at lower rpms, reminding you of the power that lies beneath the hood should you wish to unleash it.
Apart from the existing driving modes, the Terrain Response 2 on the SVR gets an additional ‘Dynamic’ mode. This mode firms up the suspension and lowers ride height. The SVR does have body roll when going into corners and it is felt more because you have a high seating position. This is an SUV after all. Dynamic mode automatically shifts to another mode if the sensors detect that the SVR has hit off road terrain. Mind you, the SVR flies even when it is not on tarmac. Ride quality is surprisingly good considering the 21 inch alloy wheels. Stopping power is excellent and the 275 profile tyres offer great grip as well.
The safety features on the SVR include driver and passenger airbags, side curtain and thorax airbags, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, Reverse Traffic Detection, Reverse Traffic Detection, Hill Descent Control, Wade Sensing and Dynamic Stability Control.
The Range Rover Sport SVR is unique in more ways than one. On one hand, it comes with a stonker of an engine, with power that can give a scare to many a sports car out there and on the other hand, it will go places where a Range Rover feels most at home, off the road and in the mountains. At the same time it will hold its own in a five star hotel lobby like no other. With an ex showroom price of Rs. 2.3 crore, it is not at all cheap and there are many other options you could consider. But if you are looking for raw power, aural drama and road presence, the SVR will do that for you and more. And oh, you can also throw it around a track and put in some hot laps too. The SVO division at Jaguar Land Rover has nailed it on their first outing with this Range Rover Sport SVR and we can’t wait to get our hands their next offering, the recently revealed F-Type SVR. Are we excited? You bet we are.
Range Rover Sport SVR photo gallery:
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