- Land Rover Australia is pleased to announce that the
new 2015 Range Rover Sport SVR will be priced at
$218,500 (excluding all on road
costs).
- The Range Rover Sport SVR is the fastest, most powerful
and most dynamically focused Land Rover ever
produced.
- On sale in Australia from May, 2015.
Sydney, Australia - The first Land Rover to
wear the new high-performance SVR badge, the Range Rover Sport SVR
is capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds and on to
an electronically limited top speed of 260km/h.
The SVR's range-topping 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine has
been developed to produce 405kW and 680Nm - substantial 30kW and
55Nm increases - while it's advanced ZF 8HP70 8-speed automatic
transmission and four-wheel-drive chassis have been optimised to
complement the astonishing performance, whatever the weather.
In initial tests, Land Rover's most dynamic SUV has lapped
Germany's legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife
racetrack in 8 minutes 14 seconds, one of the fastest times ever
recorded by a standard production SUV.
The new SVR unleashes the full potential of the Range Rover
Sport's lightweight and robust all-aluminium architecture, while
retaining the refinement, luxury and off-road capability for which
Range Rover is world-renowned.
In two world firsts for Range Rover, an electrically controlled
two-stage active exhaust provides a racecar-inspired soundtrack at
higher engine revs without adversely affecting refinement during
steady-state driving. Meanwhile, unique 22-inch alloy wheels with
performance-optimised 295/40 R22 Continental SportContact 5 tyres\*
complement the driver-focused chassis. As standard, new 21-inch
alloy wheels with 275/45 R21 all-season tyres offer unparalleled
all-terrain capability.
Exterior design enhancements ensure the SVR makes a striking
visual impact, while simultaneously boosting cooling and
aerodynamic efficiencies. A bespoke interior featuring unique
sports seats provides further visual differentiation and ensures
occupants are held securely in place during spirited driving.
Speaking ahead of its global premiere, 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
structure on which to create the Range Rover Sport SVR.
The Range Rover Sport SVR has been created by Jaguar Land
Rover's Special Vehicle Operations team and will be built alongside
existing models and sold through the Land Rover dealer network.
Range Rover Sport SVR - designed, engineered and built in
Britain - amplifies the engineering integrity, robustness and
attention to detail that are Land Rover hallmarks.
The Range Rover Sport was introduced in 2005, with over 500,000
examples built to date.
Section 1 - THE MOST POWERFUL LAND ROVER
EVER
At the Range Rover Sport SVR's heart lies an evolution of the
all-aluminium 5000cc supercharged V8 engine with its cast-iron
cylinder liners and cross-bolted main bearing caps providing a
combination of strength, performance and refinement.
The engineers at Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations have
carefully optimised the Bosch management system and retuned the
supercharger's electronic bypass valve to increase maximum boost
pressure during high-performance driving, while retaining the V8
engine's exceptional flexibility for off-road versatility and
effortless on-road acceleration.
Power and torque increase by a substantial 30kW and 55Nm to
405kW and 680Nm, giving the SVR a 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds and an
electronically limited top speed of 260km/h where conditions allow.
A Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time of 8 minutes 14
seconds further underlines its capability.
The Range Rover Sport SVR's unique design enhancements also
contribute: larger air intakes in the front bumper increase airflow
to the two charge air coolers. This reduces the temperature of
pressurised air generated by the supercharger before it enters the
engine, maintaining excellent performance even in extreme
conditions.
A solid platform provided by the aluminium monocoque, along with
uprated suspension and firmer bushings, has allowed Land Rover
engineers to further increase the incredibly potent engine's
responses. Once the driver lifts off the throttle, for instance,
the air-charge is reduced far more quickly than in existing Range
Rover Sport derivatives, leading to an instant response for greater
driver engagement. In Dynamic mode, these characteristics are
intensified thanks to sharper throttle response and more incisive
gearshift logic. In addition, the fuel supply is no longer cut on
the overrun, creating a characterful crackle through the
exhaust.
The SVR's fuel economy and CO2 emissions are unaffected by the
extra performance and remain identical to the V8 Supercharged
derivative at 12.8 L/100km and 325g/km. This is due to the engine's
advanced and highly efficient design characteristics, which
include: class-leading levels of low internal friction;
high-pressure direct injection with a centrally mounted,
multi-hole, spray-guided injection system; dual independent
variable camshaft timing (VCT).
Section 2 - EVEN FASTER GEARSHIFTS AND DYNAMICALLY
FOCUSED DRIVELINE
The Range Rover Sport SVR's smooth and responsive 8-speed ZF
8HP70 automatic transmission has been optimised for additional
performance. Along with optional 22-inch Continental SportContact 5
tyres, revised chassis settings and a sure-footed four-wheel-drive
system, the transmission receives additional torque in its lower
gears to achieve a thrilling 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds.
Equipped with eight closely stacked ratios, the transmission's
shift times have been reduced by up to 50% thanks to extremely
rapid and precise fuel cut-offs during upshifts. This leads to
shorter, more visceral and audibly crisper shifts while utilising
engine inertia for a sense of acceleration throughout the
gearchange. It also creates a more immediate connection to the
vehicle, and ensures the engine is constantly within its
powerband.
The transmission's adaptive shift strategy monitors acceleration
and brake inputs, lateral cornering forces, kickdown requests and
even the severity of gradients, before choosing one of 25
pre-determined programmes to seamlessly adapt to driver behaviour
and road conditions. Sportier driving triggers more aggressive
gearshifts and defers upshifts until higher revs, for instance.
To ensure the Range Rover Sport SVR doesn't suffer any loss of
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 bend to ensure
outstanding stability while also ensuring an appropriately keen
response once the bend straightens and the driver can
accelerate.
Similarly, the transmission recognises a series of overtaking
manoeuvres and maintains a lower gear to ensure instant
acceleration for maximum safety and exhilaration.
Despite this performance focus, there is no impact on the Range
Rover Sport's class-leading refinement: the ZF 8-speed
transmission's torque converter ensures ultimate refinement in
first gear, but is bypassed by a locking clutch from second gear.
This creates a direct link between the transmission and the driven
wheels, and a more urgent sense of engagement for the driver.
The transmission is controlled via either steering wheel-mounted
paddleshift controls, or the gear lever. Drivers can default to
full automatic mode, make occasional manual interventions, or push
the gear lever to the left to gain manual control. In manual mode,
gearchanges are made via the paddleshift controls, or by pushing
the gear lever forwards for downshifts and pulling back for
upshifts, echoing the shift logic of racing cars.
In Dynamic mode, the shift strategy is further intensified: the
transmission will not upshift at the redline and only downshift to
prevent engine stalling.
The Range Rover Sport SVR has been engineered to deliver the
incredible breadth of capability for which Land Rover is famous.
The 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 percent torque split front-to-rear.
Optimum traction is maintained with the aid of an electronically
controlled multi-plate clutch in the centre differential, which
distributes torque between the front and rear axles - up to 100
percent can be channeled to either axle in extreme conditions.
Sophisticated electronic traction-control systems further
contribute to the trademark Land Rover capability.
The transfer case offers selectable low- and high-range, using a
two-speed fully synchronised 'shift on the move' system which
allows the driver to change between the two at up to 60km/h for
exceptional flexibility. High-range provides a direct drive ratio
of 1:1, while the low-range ratio is 2.93:1, providing an extremely
low crawl speed.
To further optimise traction and stability the SVR's Dynamic
Active Rear Locking Differential has been recalibrated. 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 by Braking is also uniquely recalibrated. It
uses the car's brake system to imitate 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.
The system monitors the vehicle 100 times per second via the
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) module. As the car accelerates
through a corner, the system uses yaw sensors to detect the
beginning of understeer. Imperceptible levels of braking are then
used to correct the vehicle attitude, while engine torque is
transferred to the outside wheels, which have more grip, thus
maintaining traction and steering control.
Section 3 - LEADING-EDGE DESIGN
The bold exterior design and luxurious interior of Land Rover's
premium sports SUV have been enhanced for the Range Rover Sport SVR
with an extensive range of dynamic improvements.
Designed exclusively by Jaguar Land Rover's Special Vehicle
Operations (SVO), the Range Rover Sport SVR makes a strong visual
statement, courtesy of a wide range of enhancements. These include
a new front bumper with muscular trapezoidal air intakes, dark
Range Rover script on the clamshell bonnet, which also features
revised bonnet vents, and a new grille in a dark finish that
contrasts with the headlights' striking LED signature graphics. At
the side of the vehicle, an all-new aluminium fender panel
incorporates a distinctive new design of fender vent, while unique
side mouldings add further muscularity. At the rear, prominent
Range Rover Sport SVR badging and a pronounced high-level spoiler
with an eye-catching centrally mounted brake light signal the
vehicle's sporting intent. The unique rear bumper features a gloss
black diffuser, which incorporates the SVR's unique quad exhaust
pipes, instantly differentiating this high-performance
derivative.
New wheel arch extensions contain the optional 22-inch
multi-spoke alloy wheels, creating a muscular, broad-shouldered
stance to complement the extra performance and handling
capability.
Many of the design revisions enhance the SVR's high-performance
capability. The larger air intakes in the front bumper create
additional airflow for the charge air coolers that channel air to
the powerful 405kW supercharged engine.
The new rear spoiler reduces lift, and has been carefully
balanced with the new front bumper. Beneath the front bumper a new
NVH comb is fitted, which reduces wind noise to ensure maximum
occupant refinement and further improves aerodynamic efficiency. It
also reduces front-end lift to ensure the front tyres retain high
levels of grip during enthusiastic driving. The deeper front
bumper's more aggressive lower section can also be removed for
extreme off-roading.
Additional brake cooling has also been introduced for the
six-piston Brembo brake set-up, ensuring optimal stopping
power.
A choice of seven colour palettes is available, including the
striking Estoril Blue, exclusive to the Range Rover Sport SVR.
A Santorini Black contrast roof is available as standard
equipment and combines with body-colour side mouldings to emphasise
the SVR's squat, muscular stance.
Meanwhile, exterior trim detailed in High Gloss Black and
Stealth Pack headlights with black casings round-off the design
enhancements, creating a premium impression and a visually imposing
road presence.
Inside, Jaguar Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations has
strikingly differentiated the SVR from other derivatives, thanks to
distinctive leather sports seats more typically found in
high-performance cars. These comfortable seats offer additional
lateral support during spirited driving.
Full 16-way electric adjustment is offered and the vehicle's
Sports Command Driving Position and generous rear legroom are
unaffected.
The sporting theme continues with the rear seats, which have
been completely redesigned to echo the performance-oriented front
seats. The result is an eye-catching four-seat aesthetic, with
space for an occasional fifth passenger. The new rear seats recline
for maximum comfort and offer full 60/40 folding capability and up
to 1761 litres of load space.
The seats are finished in luxurious Windsor leather with ribbed,
quilted centres, Ebony Black top stitching, eye-catching reflective
piping, and all feature the Range Rover Sport SVR logo. Four
striking interior colourways are available: Ebony Black; Ebony
Black and Cirrus White; Ebony Black and Pimento Red; Ebony Black
and Tan.
As standard, the vehicle is supplied with turned aluminium
interior trim details, but owners can specify carbon fibre trim for
the door panels, centre console, dashboard and steering-wheel
bezel.
"The Range Rover Sport SVR is the ultimate in premium
performance," said Land Rover Design Director and Chief Creative
Officer, Gerry McGovern. "Crafted by Land Rover's 'Special Vehicle
Operations', its performance-focused design revisions clearly
differentiate the most powerful Land Rover ever produced from
existing derivatives with its ground-hugging, assertive stance and
additional road presence. This striking evolution retains the
trademark DNA for which the Range Rover Sport is so widely
acclaimed."
Section 4 - EXHILARATING SOUND TRACK
In a first for Land Rover, 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.
The new exhaust features larger diameter underfloor pipes - up
from 55mm in the Supercharged V8 to 60mm - for enhanced flow
characteristics. This is just one of the measures used to help the
highly tuned V8 powerplant achieve its staggering 405kW output.
Quad exhaust pipes protruding from a redesigned rear bumper
visually differentiate the top-of-the-range premium SUV from other
Range Rover Sport derivatives.
A new racecar-like soundtrack audibly distinguishes the Range
Rover Sport SVR, with a purposeful, modulated pulsing at lighter
throttle openings combined with a higher-frequency, increasingly
urgent staccato sound as peak performance is unleashed.
Crucially, the electronically controlled active valves largely
eliminate exhaust flow noise, creating pure engine sound through to
peak engine revs. This is not possible with passive valves.
At lower revs, the electronically controlled valves close off
two tailpipes for maximum refinement. As engine speed and load
increases - typically around 3000rpm - the valves open, allowing
greater flow through all four exhaust pipes and increasing the
volume and quality of the acoustics without introducing an abrupt
change of character. A symposer further enriches sound
quality, filtering desirable induction noise into the cabin.
Together with bespoke 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 on the overrun for an
even more vivid driving experience.
The driver can select a quiet mode, whatever the engine
speed.
The new active exhaust system has been designed to ensure the
Range Rover Sport SVR's outstanding off-road performance is
unaffected should owners decide to exploit its 850mm wading
capability.
Section 5 - SECURE HANDLING THAT EXCITES
The Range Rover Sport has been praised for its high levels of
comfort and extremely agile handling. The SVR takes that capability
to the next level courtesy of extensive development on British
B-roads, derestricted autobahns and the Nürburgring
Nordschleife.
The result is a chassis that provides tighter body control,
higher cornering velocities and an increased sense of connection to
the road. Indeed, peak cornering g-force has increased from 1.1g in
the V8 Supercharged to 1.3g, a pronounced improvement easily
detected by performance-minded drivers. Yet the Range Rover Sport
SVR retains exceptional levels of on-road comfort and class-leading
off-road capability.
"Our goal was not to reinvent the Range Rover Sport, but to
build on its core capabilities and create a premium performance SUV
that's even more compelling to drive," said Land Rover's Chief
Engineer, Vehicle Integrity, Mike Cross. "I believe we've achieved
that target. The Range Rover Sport SVR has class-leading off-road
attributes; a high level of occupant comfort and, crucially, takes
the existing model's dynamic competence to an entirely new
dimension. Whatever the weather, the performance is truly
exhilarating."
• Enhanced suspension and
steering
Land Rover engineers have tuned the Range Rover Sport SVR's
chassis for enhanced agility. Constructed mainly from lightweight
aluminium components, the suspension is fully independent and
double-isolated, with wide-spaced double wishbones at the front and
an advanced multi-link layout at the rear.
The Range Rover Sport SVR also features cross-linked,
four-corner air suspension and Adaptive Dynamics with continuously
variable magnetorheological dampers. Adaptive Dynamics monitors
vehicle movements at least 500 times a second, adjusting the
damping force almost instantaneously in response to changing
road-surface conditions and driver inputs.
The air springs feature a modified piston profile to ensure even
sportier handling and composure, while the Adaptive Dynamics damper
settings have been optimised for an unrivalled combination of
increased agility and occupant comfort. In both cases, recalibrated
management software complements the changes. Rear suspension
subframe bushes, uprated by 20% ensure an appropriately connected
response to all driver inputs.
Despite offering the level of performance normally associated
with low-slung 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 50mm in access mode up to 235mm for
off-roading. Wheel travel also remains identical, with a
class-leading 260mm of movement at the front and 272mm at the rear.
Wading depth continues to be a best-in-class 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
featuring variable-ratio, speed-sensitive assistance complements
the chassis revisions, with added weight for a more immediate and
connected feel at high speeds.
Unlike hydraulically assisted power-steering systems, EPAS does
not rely on an engine-driven pump, reducing fuel consumption and
CO2 emissions.
• Optional high-performance road
tyres\*
Two wheel and tyre packages are uniquely available. All vehicles
will be specified with Range Rover Sport SVR-specific 21-inch
alloys and all-season 275/45 R21 tyres. However, a unique 22-inch
alloy wheel\* is available. The stunning new multi-spoke wheels are
fitted with road-biased 295/40 R22 Continental SportContact 5
tyres\*, allowing owners to make an informed choice based on how the
vehicle will be used. The 22-inch wheel option is one inch wider
than existing 22-inch Range Rover Sport designs, giving a dramatic,
muscular stance.
If the optional 22-inch Continental tyres are specified,
wet-weather performance is enhanced, while traction, grip and
lateral-cornering are outstanding on dry tarmac to ensure an
exhilarating experience.
• Active-Roll Control tuned for
flatter, faster cornering
Working in conjunction with the vehicle's uprated air springs and
Active Dynamics continuously variable dampers, the two-channel
Active-Roll Control (ARC) has been specially tuned to enhance the
Range Rover Sport SVR's high-performance capability. Indeed, the
SVR is so much more competent on tarmac that Land Rover engineers
had to completely re-scale existing ARC graphs to take account of
its increased cornering ability.
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 1000 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 even
greater precision.
When its management software senses vehicle roll, ARC supplies
an opposing torque, keeping the body stable and composed for
heightened driver enjoyment and control. ARC is crucial in allowing
the Range Rover Sport SVR to corner flatter and faster than any
other Land Rover in history.
To maintain a natural feeling, the body roll target is no lower
than existing Range Rover Sport models, but radically revised
settings have been required to maintain this target due to the far
greater cornering speeds the SVR is capable of maintaining.
The system has also been tuned to deliver a progressive
breakaway at the limit, particularly when the optional 22-inch
Continental tyres reach their much higher grip threshold. This
ensures the vehicle remains easy to control up to and beyond the
tyres' limits - while cornering at high speed on a racetrack, for
instance.
Dynamic mode further reduces body roll for maximum handling
capability and driver exhilaration.
While ARC is tuned to behave uniquely for the Range Rover Sport
SVR during performance driving, it automatically reverts to the
same software map as other Range Rover Sport derivatives once
off-road use is detected by sensors monitoring body accelerations,
wheel positions and vehicle height. This greatly reduces
'head-toss' at speeds up to 40kph and maintains excellent off-road
capability.
Section 6 - DEVELOPED AT THE
NÃœRBURGRING
With 20.8km of challenging twists and turns, high-speed
straights, daunting crests and compressions, as well as frequently
treacherous weather conditions, the Nordschleife is the ultimate
test for any performance car.
Due to the track's extreme nature, unique demands are placed
upon a vehicle's chassis and powertrain. The SVR was subject to
exhaustive testing, with prototype vehicles completing nearly 1000
laps around the legendary German circuit.
During testing and development, the SVR recorded a Nordschleife
lap time of just 8 minutes 14 seconds, a staggeringly fast time for
a production SUV.
Fresh from its punishing test regime in Germany, the
production-ready SVR made its dynamic debut at the Goodwood
Festival of Speed in the UK, powering up the 1.16-mile course, and
enthralling motorsport fans with its racecar-inspired exhaust note
and stunning acceleration.
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