The Range Rover Sport SV has arrived as the most powerful and fastest production Range Rover yet, boasting game-changing technology and offering supercar performance at 2560kg. Developed by JLR’s Special Vehicles team, the SV is based on the latest-generation Range Rover Sport and is one of Land Rover’s final new combustion cars. Under its Reimagine transformation plan, JLR will launch a Range Rover EV next year, before the Land Rover Discovery Sport, Range Rover Sport, Evoque and Velar go electric from 2025.
The SV features a 626bhp 4.4-litre V8 engine sourced from BMW, which is twin-turbocharged and mildly hybridised, pushing out peak torque of 590lb ft. It can go from 0-62mph in just 3.6 seconds and has a top speed of 180mph, driving four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The SV has subtle design changes over the P530 model, including wider front and rear tracks, increased camber, a new front bumper and grille treatment, side skirts, and a rear bumper with four round exhausts.
The SV is equipped with carbon-ceramic brakes with eight-piston calipers, which are standard on the limited-run launch-edition model. It also features the first carbon-fibre wheels in 23in offered by an OEM. Fitted with optional carbon-fibre wheels and carbon-ceramic brakes, the car’s unsprung mass is reduced by 70kg over the regular Sport. A carbonfibre bonnet is also optional, as is carbonfibre or carbon-look detailing both inside and outside.
The SV’s chassis is a development of the P530 model’s, although it sits 10mm lower. It features air suspension and a linked hydraulic system that is directly linked left-right and front-rear to help contain both pitch and roll movements. There are no mechanical anti-roll bars, and the system is incredibly powerful, with an active 48V mechanical anti-roll bar system that can put a total force of 1600Nm into roll control. The SV can pull 1.1g laterally, at which point it only has 3.5-4deg of lean.
The SV comes with all-season Michelin Pilot Sport 4s as standard, and there are different road-focused drive modes, including SV, which brings a further 15mm suspension drop. It also features an electronically controlled rear differential and active rear steer as standard. Inside, the SV has new seats with integrated head restraints, which can be specified in leather or a technical fabric. The steering wheel is smaller and has a thicker rim, with clearly moulded hand positions. It also incorporates an SV button to activate the SV or a personalised drive mode.
The SV’s integrated head restraints make it onto two rear chairs too, but otherwise, the interior architecture largely continues unchanged. Optional transducers can be fitted in the backs of the front seats, developed in conjunction with a company called SubPack. The tech produces a wearable system that transmits music to the body via vibrations, enabling people to experience what music will feel like when it’s loud without harming their hearing.
JLR says the first year of production, comprising exclusive Edition 1 models, is already sold. This constitutes 550 cars in the UK, although Special Vehicles declines to say how many will be worldwide. Edition 1 cars will cost from around £169,000, or £190,000 with the carbonfibre options specified. The first customer deliveries will be before the end of this year. The SV promises to be “the most dynamic and technologically advanced” version yet, offering unparalleled performance and cutting-edge technology that will change the game for sports SUVs.