New Look for Range Rover's Iconic Performance SUV

New Look for Range Rover's Iconic Performance SUV

Cars are a beloved possession for many South Africans. Some prefer the sporty GTI, while others opt for a BMW. However, for those who seek to flaunt status and class, the Range Rover Sport is a popular choice. A new and improved version has been released, with even more power and a greater focus on sportiness.

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The Range Rover sport has been the backdrop for many a music video, representing luxury, performance and wealth. That said, this new model has had a slight change of heart, as it looks mean. The aggressive wider body, lighter weight trim options and rapid 0-100 km/h time show that this car is more driver-focused.

This monster of a Range Rover has a little spark in its step as its new twin-turbocharged V8 now also features a mild hybrid system. Fear not, as this electric support allows the Sport SV to lay down a mean 467 kW, allowing it to do a 0-100 km/h time of 3.7 seconds. An impressive feat for a luxury SUV, and if we know anything about Jaguar Land Rover, we know that the sound coming out of its pipes will be nothing short of spectacular.

Despite looking the part and having enough power to pull a freight train, the new Sport SV has a 22" carbon fibre wheel option, adding to the 76 kg weight saving. Although slightly lighter than the base model Sport, the SV is still a heavier SUV, so it will need a serious brake kit to match this car's speed. The SV now has an 8-Piston Brembo, carbon ceramic brake option, to stop hard and add additional weight saving.

A performance luxury SUV needs to deliver speed and comfort in equal measure. Striking the right balance with the suspension is a tough job; it has to be rigid enough to tackle corners yet smooth for family outings and everyday commutes. The SV brings a new suspension setup to the table. It's decked out with a 'hydraulic interlinked 6D dynamics air suspension', which enables pitch and roll control. This facilitates improved weight balance in the corners while ensuring a seamless ride, all governed by the drive mode selector.

The Range Rover Sport has an elegant design, but the SV version received a youthful and tasteful adaptation. The wheels are slightly wider and fit perfectly in the wheel wells, giving it a more aggressive and performance-focused appearance. Although the new Range Rover has a sleek body, it lacks performance-oriented features by default. A few modifications, such as a front splitter, 'airflow-honed' bodywork, carbon fibre bonnet, and quad-exhaust, have transformed this luxury SUV into an SUV looking to take on the best of them. These changes are inspired by past car models, making it a new monster in the world of SUVs.

Unfortunately, the Range Rover Sport SV is a highly exclusive vehicle which not anybody can buy. For the first year of production, 2024, the SV will be available to only those who are invited by Range Rover to buy one. The likelihood of this model being available in South Africa is incredibly slim, at least for the next few years.

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