The hottest member of the new Range Rover Sport family is coming, packing a new BMW-sourced twin-turbo V8 instead of the familiar JLR supercharged V8.
The Range Rover Sport SV is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine from BMW producing 467kW of power and 750Nm of torque (800Nm in Launch Mode), mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a 48V mild-hybrid system.
Those outputs are up 44kW and 50Nm on the supercharged 5.0-litre V8 in the old Range Rover Sport SVR.
The company claims a 0-100km/h time of 3.8 seconds, with a top speed of 290km/h.
It’s available to order now along with the rest of the 2024 range, with customer deliveries to begin in the fourth quarter of 2023.
The SV will launch in Edition One guise, and is being reserved for “select clients globally” on an invitation-only basis.
Edition One models feature exclusive branding on the front splitter, centre console, tread plates and puddle lights.
It features a 6D Dynamics semi-active suspension system, which combines hydraulic interlinked dampers, height-adjustable air springs and pitch control.
JLR says this removes the need for conventional anti-roll bars, while also increasing grip, reducing weight, “dramatically reducing” pitch and roll to maintain a “near-level” stance during extreme cornering and acceleration.
There’s a new rear subframe and suspension links with revised geometry and compliance, while a new electronically power-assisted steering rack with the fastest ratio of any Range Rover to date.
The V8 flagship features unique tuning for the all-wheel drive, all-wheel steering, active locking rear differential, and JLR’s Torque Vectoring by Braking and Configurable Dynamics systems.
The SV rides between 10mm and 25mm lower than other Range Rover Sport models, depending on the drive mode selected. Selecting SV mode lowers the suspension, while optimising the steering, transmission, throttle response and exhaust note.
SV mode also allows the track-oriented TracDSC stability control program to be activated.
It rides on Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 tyres: 285-section up front and 305-section at the rear. JLR says the SV is capable of generating lateral acceleration in excess of 1.1G – a 22 per cent increase on the SVR.
There’s a specially developed high-performance mixed-metal Dual-Cast braking system with eight-piston Brembo Octyma front calipers, while the SV debuts optional carbon ceramic brakes on a Range Rover product. These represent a 34kg reduction in unsprung weight.
The calipers are available in Yellow, Red, Black and Carbon Bronze.
It’s available with 23-inch carbon-fibre wheels which JLR says is a world first and offers a weight reduction of 9kg per corner compared with the 23-inch cast-alloy wheels.
A carbon-fibre bonnet is standard, as are carbon-fibre quad exhaust tips, front bumper blades, grille surround, and bonnet and side vents.
JLR says the SV, when fitted with all lightweight options, is 76kg lighter than a P530 in the “nearest equivalent specification”.
All SV models feature a restyled front end and reprofiled lower body sides, while inside there are satin carbon-fibre-backed SV Performance Seats with integrated headrests, grippy bolsters, and illuminated SV logos in the backrests.
There are also translucent, edge-lit gear shift paddles, plus black ceramic for the shifter. Optional is an Ultrafabrics PU interior with a ‘3D Knit to form’ textile.
A new “multi-dimensional audio experience” called Body and Soul Seat, or BASS, works with the 20-speaker 1430W Meridian Signature sound system to generate “high fidelity audio vibrations to create the most engaging and immersive in-car audio”.
There are also Body and Soul Seat Wellness programs with multiple selectable modes.
In addition to the new V8-powered flagship, there’s a new plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Called the P460e, and replacing the outgoing P510e locally, it uses a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine with a total system output of 338kW and a 0-100km/h time of 5.5 seconds.
That’s down 37kW on the P510e, though the 0-100km/h time is only 0.1-second slower.
The Pivi Pro infotainment interface has been updated with new sidebars featuring sliders for the volume and climate control, which appear regardless of the screen you’re on.
A Stormer Handling Pack bundles JLR’s Dynamic Response Pro, Torque Vectoring by Braking and Configurable Dynamics systems plus all-wheel steering and an electronic active differential.
Finally, there’s new Country Road Assist technology which works with the adaptive cruise control and navigation data to take into account speed limits and bends in the road to adjust the speed of the vehicle.
Prices are up by between $4440 and $6629 depending on the variant.
After appearing on the MY23 price list, the petrol-powered SE P360 has disappeared. JLR Australia says petrol derivatives will be available from MY25.
2024 Range Rover Sport pricing
- SE D250: $143,600 (+$4440)
- Dynamic SE D300: $156,050 (+$5024)
- Dynamic HSE D350: $174,000 (+$5362)
- Dynamic SE P460e: $178,650 (NEW)
- Dynamic HSE P460e: $187,500 (NEW)
- Autobiography D350: $197,700 (+$6629)
- SV Edition One P635: $360,800 (NEW)
All prices are before on-road costs.
