- Most powerful Range Rover now available in South Africa
- Revised chassis and high performance tyres for exhilarating dynamics, with active exhaust for sporty V8 soundtrack
- Retains Range Rover’s class-leading all-terrain capability
Pretoria, 25 May 2014 – Range Rover’s fastest and most powerful model yet, the Range Rover Sport SVR, is now available in South African showrooms. The first model to wear the SVR badge – destined for all future high-performance Jaguar and Land Rover models – made its local debut at the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb, in May. Its impressive acceleration and thrilling V8 soundtrack wowed crowds, who were some of the first to witness its capabilities.
The Range Rover Sport SVR accelerates from 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds, and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 260km/h. Last year it also lapped the world-famous Nürburgring Nordschleife, in Germany, where it set a lap time of 8 minutes 14 seconds on the 20.8-kilometre-long circuit. This is one of the fastest times ever recorded by a production SUV and underlines its performance credentials.
The SVR’s range-topping 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine has been developed to produce 405kW and 680Nm – substantial 29kW and 56Nm increases over the current range-topping V8 model – without compromising fuel economy. And its advanced ZF 8HP70 8-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel-drive chassis have been optimised to complement its astonishing performance, whatever the weather.
In a world first for the brand, the Range Rover Sport SVR is equipped with a two-stage active exhaust featuring electronically controlled valves. The system optimises sound quality, performance and aesthetics and provides a racecar-inspired soundtrack at higher engine revs without adversely affecting refinement during steady-state driving.
Exterior design enhancements ensure the SVR makes a striking visual impact, while simultaneously boosting cooling and aerodynamic efficiencies. As standard, new 21-inch alloy wheels with 275/45 R21 all-season tyres offer unparalleled all-terrain capability. A bespoke interior featuring unique sports seats provides further visual differentiation and ensures occupants are held securely in place.
John Edwards, Managing Director of Land Rover’s Special Operations, said: “The Range Rover Sport SVR is a natural progression beyond the core vehicle’s outstanding on- and off-road capabilities and leading-edge design. Its exhilarating performance will satisfy a particularly demanding customer set.
“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.”
The Range Rover Sport SVR builds on the success of the new Range Rover Sport, with its all-aluminium monocoque – a world first in the segment – which reduces weight by 39% compared with its predecessor and provides the ideal strong, stiff and lightweight structuautre on which to create the Range Rover Sport SVR. The premium sports SUV unleashes the full potential of the lightweight and robust all-aluminium architecture, while retaining the refinement, luxury and off-road capability for which Range Rover is world-renowned.
SVR is fitted with permanent four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, with a low-range option for demanding terrain, and a 50/50 per cent torque split, front-to-rear. The upgraded air suspension system automatically varies between two ride heights, and the next generation of the groundbreaking Terrain Response® 2 system automatically selects the most suitable terrain programme.
The Range Rover Sport SVR’s lightweight aluminium suspension is fully independent, with wide-spaced double-wishbones at the front and an advanced multi-link layout at the rear. Wheel travel is class-leading (260mm front and 272mm rear) and provides exceptional wheel articulation of 546mm to deal with the toughest conditions.
Wade Sensing™, introduced on the Range Rover Sport, also features on the SVR as an option. This innovative technology provides ‘depth’ information when driving through water, and in line with the mainstream Sport, the vehicle can wade up to 850mm. It also has towing capability up to 3 000kg.
The Range Rover Sport SVR has been created by Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations team and all SVR models need to meet key performance criteria to wear the SVR badge. Range Rover Sport SVRs will be built alongside their mainstream sibling models in existing production facilities.
Range Rover Sport SVR – designed, engineered and built in Britain – amplifies the engineering integrity, robustness and attention to detail that are Land Rover hallmarks.
Recommended Retail Pricing:
R1 865 200 (incl. VAT; excl. CO2 taxes of R20 725).
CO2 emissions: 322g/km.
Fuel economy: 20.6 litres/100km (urban); 9.9 litres/100km (extra urban); 13.8 litres/100km (combined).
