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Your options for a highly sporty luxury SUV have just become more complicated. That's because in addition to the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG and Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Land Rover has just busted its way onto the scene with this, the 550-horsepower, supercharged Range Rover Sport SVR.
Land Rover has taken the consistently excellent 5.0-liter supercharged V8 from the Sport Supercharged and Autobiography to the outer limit, joining the likes of the Jaguar XFR-S, XKR-S, XJR and F-Type R Coupe and allowing the Sport SVR to stampede to 60 miles per hour in just 4.5 seconds before reaching a top speed of 162 mph. For those keeping track at home, that's two-tenths faster than a ML63 AMG, while it ties the old BMW X5 M. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo, meanwhile, is still the quickest, at 4.1 seconds when properly equipped and with a top speed of 173.
Like its high-performance cousins from Jaguar, the Range Rover Sport SVR features ZF's critically acclaimed eight-speed automatic. This is the same gearbox found in the non-SVR models of the Sport, although Land Rover claims its been "retuned" for its latest job. The company claims shifts will occur 50-percent faster.
Because the SVR is still a Land Rover, it doesn't skimp on its off-road credentials. A two-speed transfer case is standard, while up to 100 percent of torque can be sent to either the front or rear axle, as needed. Drivers can shift the transfer case between low and high range while traveling at up to 37 mph. LR also tweaked the Sport's Dynamic Active Rear Locking Differential. The ride height remains unchanged for this new model, which boasts a total adjustment range for the air suspension of 9.3 inches from the lowest "Access Mode" to the off-road setting. Naturally, the off-road systems will be under the orchestration of Land Rover's Terrain Response 2 system.
The Range Rover Sport SVR can stampede to 60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds before reaching a top speed of 162 mph.
A fully independent, cross-linked air suspension and adaptive dampers should allow the Sport SVR to deliver a comfortable ride when required and a crisp, sporty ride when demanded. Active Roll Control is also standard, and should help the SVR corner flatly.
As for the SVR's looks, well, we'll leave that one to you. We're quite fond of the SVR-exclusive Estoril Blue paint (LR needs to offer this across the Range Rover Sport line ASAP), and the new front and rear fascias are certainly more aggressive. The quad exhausts at the rear are a nice touch, although we're less excited by the larger, oddly shaped side grille. In the cabin, the new sport seats look splendid, and should serve as adequate companions both on and off-road. The contrasting color scheme shown here is fine, although it's only one of four interior styling options available (black and red, black and tan and straight black are the others).
Finally, pricing for the new model has seen a big bump relative to the Autobiography model. Whereas the former top of the range Sport model rings up at $93,325, including a $925 destination charge, the SVR kicks off at $110,475. That's not cheap by any stretch, although it does best the Cayenne Turbo's $113,600 starting price, and it's a safe bet that a fully loaded Sport SVR will be far more affordable than an equally equipped Porsche, which can be easily optioned past $130,000.
So, what do you think? Will the Range Rover Sport SVR be a winner? Would you spend an extra $17,000 to get one over an Autobiography model? Have your say below, and be sure to check out the official press release from Land Rover, as well as a video of the Sport SVR in action.
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