Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR
The new Range Rover Sport SVR is powered by a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine tuned to produce 550 hp and 502 lb-ft (680 Nm) of torque - increases of 40 hp and 41 lb-ft (56 Nm) over the supercharged V8 in the Range Rover Sport Supercharged model. An electronically controlled two-stage active exhaust gives the Range Rover Sport SVR an inspired soundtrack to accompany the astonishing performance at higher engine speeds - 0-60 mph in 4.5s (0-100 km/h in 4.7s) - while maintaining refinement during everyday driving.
Emphasizing all-terrain capability, vehicles are equipped with 21-inch alloy wheels with 275/45 R21 all-season tires. The exterior design of the SVR makes a powerful visual impact while also enhancing cooling and aerodynamic efficiencies. Design enhancements include larger air intakes in the front bumper to increase airflow to two intercoolers that reduce the temperature of pressurized air from the supercharger before it enters the engine.
A modified interior featuring sport seats provides visual differentiation and offers increased support during spirited driving. The SVR was subject to exhaustive testing, with prototype vehicles completing nearly 1,000 laps around Germany's Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit; its best lap was just 8 minutes 14 seconds.
With the standard four-wheel-drive system, the eight-speed transmission receives additional torque in its lower gears. In Dynamic mode, sport-driving characteristics are intensified thanks to sharper throttle response and more incisive gearshift logic. Shift times have been reduced by up to 50 percent compared to the Range Rover Sport Supercharged. The transmission's adaptive shift strategy monitors acceleration and brake inputs, lateral cornering forces, kickdown requests and even the slope of gradients, before choosing one of 25 pre-determined programs to seamlessly adapt to driver behavior and road conditions. Sportier driving triggers more aggressive gearshifts and delays upshifts.
To improve dynamic stability, the throttle is automatically blipped during high-speed downshifts, smoothing the transition between ratios. This function also allows the transmission to perform a series of rapid downshifts under hard braking with maximum refinement and control. Corner Recognition maintains one gear through a turn to improve stability while also ensuring a quick response for exiting the curve. Similarly, the transmission recognizes a series of overtaking maneuvers and maintains a lower gear to ensure instant acceleration.
In manual mode, gearshifts are made via the paddle shift controls or the gear lever. Even with this performance focus, there is no negative impact on refinement: the transmission's torque converter operates for smooth take off in first gear, but is bypassed by a locking clutch from second gear upward, creating a direct link between the transmission and the driven wheels.
The Range Rover Sport SVR mirrors the wide breadth of capability found in the Range Rover Sport Supercharged model. Standard equipment includes permanent four-wheel drive with a 50:50 torque split and a two-speed transfer case. The electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in the center differential distributes torque between the front and rear axles; up to 100 percent can be channeled to either axle in extreme conditions. An electronic traction-control system further contributes to capability. The transfer case offers selectable low- and high-range, with shift on the move capability at up to 37 mph. Low-range ratio is 2.93:1, providing an extremely low crawl speed for off-road terrain.
The Dynamic Active Rear Locking Differential has been recalibrated for the SVR. The differential now locks earlier and to an increased extent, satisfying performance-minded drivers and ensuring torque is transferred to the rear wheel with most traction, increasing agility.
Torque Vectoring is also uniquely recalibrated for the SVR. It uses the vehicle's brake system to create the effect of a torque-vectoring differential, constantly balancing the distribution of engine torque between the four wheels during cornering, for improved grip and steering, and reduced understeer.
Designed by the Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) team, the Range Rover Sport SVR makes a strong visual statement. The front bumper features muscular trapezoidal air intakes to provide additional airflow for the intercoolers that channel air to the 550hp supercharged engine. The deeper front bumper's more aggressive lower section can also be removed if necessary for extreme off-roading. The air intakes also provide additional cooling for the six-piston Brembo brakes.
Additional SVR-exclusive elements include dark Range Rover script on the clamshell hood, which features revised vents, and a new grille in a dark finish that contrasts with the headlights' LED signature lighting. An all-new fender design incorporates a distinctively designed vent, while unique side moldings add muscularity.
At the rear, prominent Range Rover Sport SVR badging and a pronounced high-mounted spoiler reduces lift. The unique rear bumper features a gloss black diffuser, which incorporates quad exhaust pipes. The new rear spoiler reduces lift, and has been carefully balanced with the new front bumper. A new NVH comb mounted beneath the front bumper reduces wind noise and improves aerodynamic efficiency, reducing front-end lift. Exterior trim detailed in black and headlights with black casings round off the design enhancements, creating a visually imposing road presence.
Inside the Range Rover Sport SVR, 14-way power leather sports seats offer additional lateral support during spirited driving. The rear seats have been redesigned to echo the performance-oriented front seats. The result is a sporty four-seat look, with space for an occasional fifth passenger.
The seats are finished in luxurious Oxford leather with ribbed, quilted centers, Ebony Black top stitching, eye-catching reflective piping, and all feature the Range Rover Sport SVR logo. Four striking interior color options are available: Ebony Black; Ebony Black and Cirrus White; Ebony Black and Pimento Red; Ebony Black and Tan. Turned aluminum interior trim details are standard, with optional carbon fiber trim available for the door panels, center console, dashboard and steering-wheel bezel available.
An exclusive two-stage active exhaust uses electronically controlled valves to deliver a rousing exhaust sound. The system features larger diameter pipes - up from 2.2-inches (55mm) in the Supercharged V8 to 2.4-inches (60mm). At lower engine speeds, electronically controlled valves close off two of the four tailpipes. As engine speed and load increases - typically around 3,000 rpm - the valves open, allowing greater flow through all four tailpipes and producing a stirring staccato exhaust note at higher engine speeds. Together with modified engine tuning that cuts the air charge far more quickly when the driver lifts off the throttle, the new exhaust also creates a pronounced crackle during deceleration. The driver can also select a quiet mode. In addition, a symposer enriches sound quality by filtering desirable induction noise into the cabin.
For sportier handling and composure, the Range Rover Sport SVR uses an exclusively tuned version of the cross-linked, four-wheel air suspension of the standard model. Adaptive Dynamics with continuously variable magnetorheological dampers adjust the damping force almost instantaneously in response to changing road-surface conditions and driver inputs. Rear suspension subframe bushings, stiffened by 20 percent over the Range Rover Sport Supercharged, ensuring even quicker response to driver inputs.
While offering a level of performance normally associated with performance cars, the vehicle's high levels of comfort and off-road capability have not been sacrificed: the ride quality retains its compliance and the ride height is unaltered, with an adjustable range from 2 inches (50mm) in access mode up to 9.3-inches (235mm) for off-roading. Wheel travel also remains identical, with 10.2-inches of movement at the front and 10.7-inches (272mm) at the rear. Wading depth remains 33.5-inches (850mm). Six Terrain Response® 2 settings continue to be available: General, Dynamic, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Ruts, Sand, and Rock Crawl. Alternatively, the "Auto" setting intelligently selects the most appropriate mode.
The revised Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) system features variable-ratio, speed-sensitive assistance, with added weighting for a more immediate and connected feel at speed. Range Rover Sport SVR-specific 21-inch alloy wheels carry all-season 275/45 R21 tires.
Active-Roll Control tuned for flatter, faster cornering
Working in conjunction with air springs and Active Dynamics continuously variable dampers, the two-channel Active-Roll Control (ARC) enhances high-performance capability. Replacing traditional anti-roll bars, ARC employs actuators powered by a hydraulic pump to keep body roll in check, adapting to body accelerations up to 1,000 times a second. Compared with earlier iterations with a single actuator, ARC uses two actuators to respond independently to lateral roll at each axle, providing greater precision. When ARC senses vehicle roll, it is designed to apply an opposing torque, keeping the body level and composed. ARC allows the Range Rover Sport SVR to corner flatter and faster. Dynamic mode further reduces body roll for maximum handling capability.
While ARC is tuned to behave uniquely for the Range Rover Sport SVR during performance driving, it uses the same software map as other Range Rover Sport models when off-road use is detected by on-board sensors.
