Range Rover Sport flirts with its own carbon tax

WE’RE BEGINNING TO THINK that the COVID lockdown means some marketers and engineers have way too much time on their hands.

Over at Range Rover, they just keep coming up with yet more special editions and limited editions. The new SVR Carbon Edition joins the latest Range Rover Sport line-up, providing a different take on the high-performance flagship with extensive carbon fibre detailing. Carbon fibre is renowned for its strength and lightness, but we suspect these details on the Range Rover are more about appearance than performance.

Visible carbon fibre elements include the exposed centre section of the carbon fibre bonnet with integrated cooling vents, the front bumper insert surrounds, main grille and vent surrounds, mirror covers and tailgate finisher. There are extended trim finishers on the SVR-branded steering wheel and a carbon fibre engine cover. In addition, the SVR Carbon Edition features exclusive illuminated SVR Carbon Edition treadplates.

Distinctive 22-inch five split-spoke lightweight alloy wheels finished in gloss black complete the SVR Carbon Edition specification.

Superior performance

The Range Rover Sport SVR is the fastest, most powerful and dynamic Land Rover ever produced. Designed, engineered and developed by Special Vehicle Operations, the luxury performance SUV is hand-finished in Coventry, UK.

Under the bonnet, the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine – the most powerful in Land Rover’s history – produces 423kW (575PS) and generates 700Nm of torque. That’s enough to power the Range Rover Sport SVR from zero to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds and to a top speed of 283km/h.

Coupled with bespoke enhancements to the chassis, the SVR delivers more dynamic handling without compromising traditional Range Rover comfort or all-terrain capability. The engineers at Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations focused on controlling pitch under heavy acceleration and braking, and the damping hardware is tuned to provide exceptional turn-in, mid-corner grip and body control.

Carbon fibre more for looks than weight saving, we suspect

Distinctive and powerful look

The reprofiled front bumper design lends the SVR an assertive appearance, with vents designed to improve brake cooling. The performance brake pads and discs provide enhanced performance at higher temperatures, ensuring the braking system is more resistant to fade during dynamic driving.

Body-coloured detailing at the rear and an SVR badge in place of the Land Rover oval also help to identify the SVR.

Inside, the exclusive SVR Carbon Edition-branded treadplates illuminate as you climb aboard. Supportive lightweight SVR Performance seats provide exceptional comfort on long journeys. They also deliver a significant 30kg weight saving over the standard Range Rover Sport seat designs and are heated front and rear as standard. Aluminium sports pedals also feature.

Finished in high-quality perforated Windsor leather, the SVR Performance seats reflect the SVR’s status as the ultimate high-performance luxury SUV. Seat backs finished in satin black with an embossed SVR logo on the headrests also adds that extra touch. The supportive seats create more rear legroom and the impression of a cosseting four-seat interior, while retaining flexible five-seat capability.

Continuing the high-performance theme, sound quality comes from a 19-speaker Meridian Surround Sound System, which combines 825 watts, a dual-channel subwoofer and Trifield technology for a thrilling personal sound experience in every seat.

If we are given the opportunity to test and assess the new Range Rover SVR Carbon Edition, seniordriveraus will bring you a comprehensive review, including everything the over-50 driver needs to know.