I still vividly recall the first time I got behind the wheel of a Range Rover Sport SVR (that’s what it was called, back then). The sheer perplexed look on bystander faces as the shape they had come to associate with stately composure and future-proof luxury, squatted on its haunches and leapfrogged towards the horizon, roaring like some sort of prehistoric predatory creature. Suffice it to say that even though the new Range Rover Sport SV is one letter short, it has lost none of the madness of what was once the pack leader of a new breed of super-powered SUVs. It continues to embrace the sheer, hair-brained buffoonery of such a concept, running headfirst towards the vanishing point, practically tripping over itself because it’s having such a good time.
The new Range Rover Sport SV isn’t like the Range Rover SV. Here, the SV is born of JLR’s “Special Vehicles Operation” and denotes pure performance rather than peak luxury. Nomenclature at JLR appears to be more complex than theoretical physics at this point, so we’ll just let that be. Speaking of physics, the new SV continues to stand in clear defiance of its laws. It gets a massive 4.4-litre twin-turbo, BMW-sourced petrol V8 producing a massive 626 hp and torque whose conservative end puts out 750Nm while switching to dynamic launch mode gives an even more profligate 800Nm.
Thug in a suit
Don’t be fooled by the finely tailored exterior of the Range Rover Sport SV. Sure there are plenty of visual cues distinguishing it from the standard Range Rover Sport, including a louvred bonnet, larger, vertical air intakes on the front bumper, lower side skirts and massive quad exhaust pipes. The kind that continues to crackle and pop on the overrun. On the inside, things are relatively more subdued. This is the antithesis of an AMG SUV, so muted is the sporty attribute of the SV. The biggest indicator that this is a super-Rangie is the big SV badge on the base of the steering wheel, which audibly turns-up the drama when you press it, allowing the exhaust to breathe freely. A large 13.1-inch touchscreen sits in the centre of the dashboard, a smattering of backlit SV logos punctuate the cabin while edge-lit paddles keep things tasteful and stealthy.
That is, until you fire-up that massive, primordial V8. Floor it and you need a recalibration of your senses, especially in Dynamic Launch mode. Despite being mated to a standard 8-speed torque converter and not a dual-clutch unit (there’s just too much torque) the upshifts are seamless to the point of being lightning quick given how fast that the revs climb at supercar pace. Linear speed isn’t really a novelty in the age of EVs, but it’s the manner in which the SV delivers it, the sheer theatre of it, enhanced by an operatic soundtrack of pops and crackles – proof that electric performance can never be as satisfying as the one that comes from burning dinosaur juice. The revs rise fast and you feel far more engaged to the powertrain in manual mode where your reflexes have to keep-up with the responses and demands of the gearbox. At full clip, the horizon practically hurtles towards you, flushing you with adrenalin and gratitude for having experienced the finer aspect of the human experience.
Underlying wizardry
The sheer linear speed might be a familiar feeling, but the new SV feels far more dynamic when it comes to cornering. All-wheel drive, all-wheel steering, torque vectoring and proprietary tech called 6D system which makes anti-roll bars redundant, instead using hydraulic dampers to contain body roll. It rides on massive 23-inch forged wheels which stiff-up the overall ride quality but spiff-up the exterior so it really looks the part. It’s a fair trade-off as far as track dynamics are concerned. Still compared to the erstwhile SVR, I was pleasantly surprised by how supple the ride felt on our roads. Everytime I braced myself for the bone-crunching thud while driving over undulations, none came. The Sport SV also gets an active rear locking differential so in theory, it should be reasonably adept at off-roading, but you’d have to have some loose wiring in the head to actually use it for off-roading. Either that or you’ve got plenty of cash to burn. Which you’ll need because this thing isn’t frugal, despite being equipped with mild-hybrid tech.
Verdict
Although it still occupies a niche, the new Range Rover Sport SV finds itself surrounded by intense competition. Pretty much every luxury carmaker now has a super-SUV in its stables, and while the RR Sport SV isn’t the sharpest handling of the lot, it is incredibly refined and unbelievably fast. It has one major advantage – it’s easily the best-looking, most desirable SUV in the market. The SV’s fit and finish is like nothing else. It’s dripping with tasteful elegance and avant garde design flourishes. It’s easy to lose yourself in the detailing,in the small design touches and it’s impossible not to turn around and stare at this machine, the second you step out of it. It’s why the Range Rover continues to be the preferred luxury marque for the world’s one percent. And at Rs 2.7 crore (ex-showroom) make no mistake, that’s who this top-of-the-line Range Rover Sport is targeting.
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