Range Rover Sport SV First Edition 2024: 626 horsepower on the track

I travel at more than 250 km/h on the straight of the Portimao circuit before applying the ceramic compound brakes and dropping down to third gear for the first corner. In SV mode, the car I’m driving confidently enters curves and then lands on the rear axle when accelerating again.

This driving mode is the most permissive, the one that allows beautiful slides controlled by the accelerator. This is not the first time for me to drive a high-performance car on this circuit, but it is the first time that it is an SUV that weighs more than two and a half tons!

The Range Rover Sport The SV Edition One is now the most powerful, fastest and most versatile SUV in the range. It is also one of the most unique as it was a limited production run, with only 600 copies available to buyers in Canada and the United States, with a starting price of $236,555.

At this price, the Range Rover Sport SV innovates with several new features, including 23-inch carbon fiber rims, which reduce curb weight by 36.5 kg, 6D Dynamic suspension that includes air springs and shock absorbers. hydraulics connected to the shock. a sound system called the Body and Soul Seat (BASS) Sensory Sound, which has four speakers per seat so you can fully enjoy the music.

BMW V8

Under the hood, the 5-liter V8, which previously powered the SVR version of the Range Rover Sport, gives way to a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 supplied by BMW. So it’s the same engine as BMW X5M and X6M. Thanks to this unit of 626 horsepower and 553 lb-ft, the Range Rover Sport SV goes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. Several driving modes are available and SV mode, activated by pressing a button on the steering wheel, adjusts the audio, gearshift and steering response to take full advantage of the Range Rover Unbridled Sport’s performance capabilities.

To tackle the Portimao circuit test, which is 4.7 kilometers long and includes 15 turns and many elevation changes, the SVO division’s engineers fitted new Michelin Sport 5S tires and 23-inch carbon fiber rims, as well as improved brakes of composite ceramics. 8 Brembo pistons arranged on the Xr which are offered as an option. These 5S tires add grip on the track, more than the 1.1G of lateral acceleration that the SV can do with standard Michelin Sport 4S tires.

2,560 kg animal

On the circuit, the Range Rover Sport SV cannot deny its 2,560 kg. Despite this, it shows a lot of stability and amazing road behavior. The brakes are sharp, the steering is quick and the tires, once fired up, hold up very well. The new suspension makes it possible to effectively control body movements. This is the same system used by McLaren. The difference is that on McLarens, this system helps reduce roll, while the SV system reduces not only roll, but also forward dive when braking or lowering the rear axle when accelerating. All this allows you to feel very confident on the circuit.

While not as impressive as the SVR’s supercharged V8, BMW’s twin-turbo V8 engine makes a great vocal statement. Driving at high speed around the circuit, one can’t help but wonder which Range Rover Sport SV buyer would dare to take this kind of test. However, it is very good in this environment. Obviously, all this arsenal designed to meet the track test will not prevent the driver from benefiting from better daily handling on marked roads.

We also had the opportunity to drive it on the highway, where the quiet ride is impressive even at more than 180 km / h, and also on the secondary roads in Comfort mode, which takes the rare variation of the surface we encountered on our trip. How will the Range Rover Sport SV cope with the roads of Quebec? That remains to be seen. On this subject, let’s point out that it is possible to choose 23-inch alloy rims, instead of carbon fiber, but they are still 23-inch rims …

For the audio system of the Range Rover Sport SV, Land Rover designers worked in collaboration with the Canadian company SUBPAC. In short, this sound system makes the seat back “vibrate” to the beat of the bass notes of the song you’re listening to. At first, this new perspective can be confusing, but it took me a while to get used to it and it seemed difficult. My co-pilot, however, hated the experience. Fortunately, this feature can be turned on or off for each of the seats.

When driving off-road

The Range Rover Sport SV is a Land Rover, which is why it has to be able to travel on the road. During this first contact, we had the opportunity to test it on a series of specially designed obstacles, and this performance SUV impressed us with its off-road driving skills. For this cross-country exercise, we got behind the wheel of models with alloy rims, steel brakes and Michelin Sport 4S tires, a set that was more suitable for our route.

Here too, the 6D Dynamic suspension, without anti-roll bars, did a good job of ensuring a great ride thanks to the contribution of hydraulic shock absorbers connected to the cross. Now, how many buyers will drive the Range Rover Sport SV on loose surfaces? Maybe even less than those who will ride on the circuit!

The 2024 Range Rover Sport SV First Edition was offered, by invitation only, to certain customers already familiar with the brand, and all models produced were sold.

At the time of writing, the English manufacturer has not mentioned its intention to ensure the continuation of this steroid-doped version of the Range Rover Sport, but it is clear that there will be a continuation in 2025 and that the SV will be offered to a wider audience soon. JLR will also make an announcement soon…

See also: what to look for in a used Range Rover?