Jaguar Land Rover has unveiled the fastest, sportiest and most track-capable Land Rover Sport ever. The Land Rover Sport SVR is capable of 0 to 60mph in 4.5 seconds and lapping the Nürburgring in 8 minutes and 14 seconds.
The Range Rover Sport SVR is powered by a supercharged V8. Power has been increased by 40PS to 550PS and torque by 56Nm to 680Nm over the standard Range Rover Sport. The top speed is electronically limited to a generous 162mph.
Jaguar Land Rover has fitted the SVR with a ZF 8HP70 eight-speed automatic, which has been optimised alongside the four-wheel drive system to make use of the power. A two-stage exhaust, meanwhile, gives you the sound of hell on earth at full-tilt and refinement the rest of the time.
An all aluminium inner-shell helps the SVR weigh 39 per cent less than the non-SVR model. Lightweight aluminium suspension continues the theme of keeping things light, the latter able to adjust between two ride heights automatically.
21-inch alloy wheels and all-season tyres are standard. Pimps and high-rollers can upgrade to 22-inch alloys with R22 Continental SportContact 5 tyres for a presumably sportier, grippier drive.
A number of interior and exterior changes separate the Range Rover Sport SVR from its Sport sibling. A bespoke interior with sports seats ensures occupants are held securely in place, while the more aggressive exterior is said to improve aerodynamics and cooling.
If you are in any doubt as to the off-roading capabilities, the SVR can use Wade Sensing to tell you how deep the water is. So you know to start to panicking if the depth exceeds the maximum of 850mm. There’s also Terrain Response 2 for automatically selecting the most appropriate drive mode based on the terrain.
Land Rover Special Operations managing director Jorn Edwards commented: “A thorough range of revisions specially developed by Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations combine to make this premium derivative even more distinctive both inside and out, as well as taking its dynamic capabilities to the next level without impacting on comfort, refinement or all-terrain versatility.
“The Range Rover Sport SVR is truly the world’s most capable performance SUV.”
Jaguar says the Nurburgring lap time of 8 minutes and 14 seconds makes it one of the fastest production SUV laps ever. To be honest, only something like the Nissan GT-R-powered Juke R would stand a chance and technically that is a crossover.
To put that time into perspective, a BMW 1 Series M Coupe managed a time of 8 minutes and 15 seconds. A Porsche Cayman S is 11 seconds slower, as is a Lotus Exige S. Call us skeptical, but can a two-tonne box on wheels really be that fast? True or not, the SVR sounds like a blast.
First deliveries are expected in early 2015, with customers able to order from September. The Range Rover Sport price is from £93,450. Scroll down to see the 4×4 beast in all of its glory.
Leave a Reply