Range Rover Sport SV Debuts As The Most Powerful Range Rover Ever

Land Rover has finally put the ‘sport’ into the Sport model, as the firm launches the all-new Range Rover Sport SV. Although this is not the full-blown Sport SVR version, this third-gen SV model is already the most powerful Range Rover model to date.

Based on the third-gen L461 Range Rover Sport, this super-SUV borrows its heart from the newly-updated 2024MY Range Rover, albeit with more extreme state-of-tune. This BMW-sourced 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 mill that is mated to a mild-hybrid (MHEV) system to spit out 626 HP and 750 NM, with the latter figure can go up to 800 NM temporarily via the car’s Dynamic Launch Control mode.

Those figures eclipse the previous-gen Sport SVR’s total system output of 567 HP and 700 NM, which is provided by a bigger 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine. This improvement also grants the Sport SV a 0-96 KM/H (60 MPH) sprint finish of 3.6 seconds, which is faster than the old SVR’s 4.3 seconds time. Thanks to the smaller cylinder size, the new Sport SV also emits 15% less CO2 compared to the old SVR model.

Aside from the improved engine, Land Rover has also fiddled with other mechanical parts of the Sport SV to make it stable, even during fast speed. This includes the 6D dynamic suspension system featuring interlinked hydraulic dampers and adaptive air springs, Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes – first time offered in a Land Rover, and more.

Also first time ever featured in a Range Rover Sport is the staggered tire sizes that comprises of 285s for the front axle, and the larger 305 ones for the back. Land Rover claims this new setup contributes to 1.1 G of lateral grip on all-season tyres, but we bet this figure will rise further if the Sport SV rides on summer-season performance tyres.

Visually, the Sport SV does not veer that far off from the standard Range Rover Sport. Up front, the carbon fibre hood has been redesigned to provide better airflow and cooling, while the Range Rover lettering on it now is made from carbon fibre. Funnily, the hood vents are actually fake, as the redesigned front hood is already providing enough airflow to the massive V8 engine.

And just like any RR cars, the Sport SV is offered with several wheels, but we’d reckon the 23-inch carbon fibre ones are the one to get. All four carbon wheels are 36.5 KG lighter than the alloy ones, while the aforementioned carbon ceramic brakes and carbon fibre front hood help to shed a further 76 KG from the Sport SV, making it weigh less than 2,500 KG.

Elsewhere, the Sport SV gets quad tailpipes – also finished in carbon fibre, as well as ceramic SV badging on the tailgate instead of carbon fibre like the front one.

Things are a tad bit different on board the SV cabin, as it’s primed with a slew of SV-specific parts. This includes the ceramic gear shifter, illuminated pedal shifters that hides behind the SV leather steering wheel, and illuminative SV Performance seats. 

While the illuminated SV logo seems already impressive, it’s still a pale comparison against the seats’ BASS system.

Stands for Body and Soul Seat, this BASS seating system is co-developed with Californian start-up Subpac that enables front passengers to ‘feel’ the music that’s being played. Four small-sized transducers are fitted in the front seat backs, generating vibrations in time to the music. Speaking of music, the Sport SV employs a 29-speaker 1,430-watt  Meridian premium sound system, which we think is already enough to shake your body.

Though just unveiled to the public, the Range Rover Sport SV is already sold out, at least for the first year of its production. Pricing for the standard SV has yet to be announced, but we’ve been told that the special SV Edition One, which features a bevy of visual upgrades, commands a hefty price tag of £171,460 (RM981,089).

So folks, what are your thoughts on the new L461-gen Range Rover Sport SV? Keen to take this RR over the likes of Aston Martin DBX707, Porsche Cayenne or Lamborghini Urus? As always, leave your thoughts in the comments down below.