2015 Range Rover Sport Is First With High-Performance SVR Badge

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The 2015 Range Rover Sport SVR is a clear indicator that Land Rover wants to dominate the track after proving their off road dominance for years. The 2015 Range Rover Sport SVR has a 550hp 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine that makes 502 lbs-feet of torque. Hooked up to an eight-speed ZF (ZF® 8HP70) automatic transmission.

This configuration gives the 2015 Range Rover Sport SVR a 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 162 mph. The 2015 Range Rover Sport SVR has 40 more horsepower and 41 additional lbs-feet of torque over the regular, supercharged Range Rover Sport. This power and performance makes the 2015 Range Rover Sport SVR the most powerful Land Rover vehicle produced.

The whole purpose is for track-dominating performance as demonstrated by its Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time:

“Producing a lap time of 8 minutes 14 seconds on Germany’s legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife racetrack, the Range Rover Sport SVR unleashes the full potential of the lightweight and robust all-aluminum architecture, while retaining refinement, luxury and off-road capability.” – – Land Rover

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Speaking ahead of its global premiere, John Edwards, Managing Director of Land Rover 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.”

Pricing starts at $110,475.

Remarkably, despite its numerous on-road/track upgrades, Land Rover is keeping the 2015 Range Rover Sport SVR off road abilities intact. “The Range Rover Sport SVR has been engineered to deliver an incredible breadth of capability. 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.

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Optimum traction is maintained with the aid of an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in the center 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 capability.

The transfer case offers selectable low- and high-range, using a two-speed fully synchronized shift on the move system which allows the driver to change between the two at up to 37 mph 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. This allows for an overall crawl ratio of 45.542:1.

To optimize traction and stability, the 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 is also uniquely recalibrated. It uses the car’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. 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.” – – Land Rover

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“Inside, Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations has differentiated the SVR with distinctive leather sports seats. These comfortable seats offer additional lateral support during spirited driving. Full 14-way electric adjustment is offered and the vehicle’s Sports Command Driving Position2 and generous rear legroom are unaffected. The sporting theme continues with the rear seats, which have been 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 62.2 cubic feet (1761 liters) of load space. 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. As standard, the vehicle is supplied with turned aluminum interior trim details, with optional carbon fiber trim for the door panels, center console, dashboard and steering-wheel bezel available.” – – Land Rover

Exterior and interior upgrades continue the theme of super-high performance.

Keeping with Land Rover’s all-around ability, the chassis, suspension and steering are multi-role capable:

“The Range Rover Sport SVR chassis has been tuned for enhanced agility. Constructed mainly from lightweight aluminum 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. A cross-linked, four-corner air suspension and Adaptive Dynamics with continuously variable magnetorheological dampers is featured in the SVR. Adaptive Dynamics active damping monitors vehicle movements at least 500 times a second, adjusting the damping force almost instantaneously in response to changing road-surface conditions and driver inputs2.

The air springs feature a modified piston profile for sportier handling and composure, while the Adaptive Dynamics damper settings have been tuned for increased agility. Rear suspension subframe bushings, upgraded by 20 percent, ensure a connected 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 continues to be 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 mode2.

The revised Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) system featuring variable-ratio, speed-sensitive assistance, with added weighting for a more immediate and connected feel at speed. Unlike hydraulically assisted power-steering systems, EPAS does not rely on an engine-driven pump, reducing fuel consumption and emissions2.

All vehicles will be equipped with Range Rover Sport SVR-specific 21-inch alloys and all-season 275/45 R21 tires.

Active-Roll Control tuned for flatter, faster cornering

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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 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 greater precision. When the system senses vehicle roll, ARC applies 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.” – – Land Rover

Only time will tell if BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche will have a direct competitor for the 2015 Range Rover Sport SVR. Give its multi-role capabilities, the competition will be hard-pressed to fight it on all fronts. The Fast Lane Car cannot wait to get their hands on one.

We recently took a Range Rover Sport off road and have the video to prove it!

Nathan Adlen Bio Picture Easily amused by anything with four wheels, Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. Wrecking yards, dealer lots, garages, racetracks, professional automotive testing and automotive journalism – Nathan has experienced a wide range of the automotive spectrum. His words, good humor and videos are enjoyed worldwide.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS*

2015 Range Rover Sport SVR 5.0L V8 S/Charged SVR
Height inches std / off-road (mm) 70.0 / 72.6 (1780 / 1845)
Width excl. wing mirrors / wing mirrors folded inches (mm) 79.5 / 81.6 (2018.5 / 2073)
Length inches (mm) 191.8 (4872)
Wheelbase inches (mm) 115.1 (2923)
Approach angle deg 22.4 std / 30 off-road
Departure angle deg 22.5 std / 27.3 off-road
Ramp breakover angle deg std height/off-road height 19.4/27
Wading depth inches (mm) 33.5 (850)
Turning Circle ft. wall to wall / curb to curb (mm) 41.0 / 40.4 (12.5 / 12.3)
Drag coefficient (Cd) 0.38
Weight from lbs (kg) 5148 (2335)
Front suspension SLA suspension with twin lower links with air springs/CVD with ARC
Rear suspension Integral link suspension with air springs/ CVD with ARC
Brakes 15in (380mm) ventilated disc-front / 14.4-inches (365mm) ventilated disc-rear
Steering Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) rack and pinion
Four-wheel drive system Permanent 4 wheel drive with std locking center differential & Terrain ResponseTM 2, optional locking rear axle differential.
Engine type Longitudinal / V8 / 32 Quad cam DIVCT (Dual Independent Variable Cam Timing)
Displacement cc 4999.7
Bore / Stroke inches (mm) 3.6 / 3.7 (92.5 / 93.0)
Compression ratio : 1 9.5
Horsepower 550
Max Torque ft. lb. 502
Fuel economy 14 mpg city / 16 combined /19 mpg highway3
Transmission ZF 8HP70 (8 speed Auto)
Fuel tank capacity gallons (liters) 27.7 (105)
0-60 mph1 4.5
0-100 km/h1 4.7
Top speed mph (km/h)1 162 (260)
Wheels / Tires
21-inch alloys with 275/45 R21 110Y Continental Cross Contact all-season tires.
Wheels: 9½-inch x 21-inch EH2+ 49