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2018 Range Rover Sport SVR – Automotive Review

Jared Syrenne

Jared Syrenne

2018 Range Rover Sport SVR – Automotive Review

The Range Rover Sport SVR, a thoroughbred English racehorse SUV, that is good enough for the royal family.

It’s no wonder we see so many luxury car manufactures releasing super high-performance SUV’s. I mean what’s not to love? Besides the fact that the whole idea seems to run counter to everything we know about sports cars. Take a look at the styling of almost every supercar.. Low to the ground, aerodynamic, lightweight, minimal features and creature comforts. However “we have the technology!” with the blank cheques from companies like Range Rover, engineers all over the world have been working around the clock to develop superpowered, ultra luxury SUV’s like the Range Rover Sport SVR

The iconic English brand has a long history of luxury and sophistication, for example, Queen Elizabeth II’s herself is a big fan, having a relationship with Land Rover that extends back to 1948, when her father King George VI was presented with the 100th production vehicle. The Range Rover Sport SVR stands proudly on that history as the highest refinement of production Land Rover technology. The SUV is built in the SVO (Special Vehicle Operations) state-of-the-art facility – (the Jaguar Land Rover Center of Excellence), which is located near Coventry, England about an hour and a half drive north of London.

2018 Range Rover Sport SVR - Exterior Side
2018 Range Rover Sport SVR - Exterior Engine
2018 Range Rover Sport SVR - Exterior Rear
2018 Range Rover Sport SVR - Exterior Hood
2018 Range Rover Sport SVR - Exterior Front Action

“SVO is about pushing boundaries and making vehicles that stand out. These are not just great-looking vehicles. We make outstanding vehicles. Vehicles with real substance and real integrity”

- John Edwards Managing Director of SVO

The SVR is the most expensive production Range Rover available.  With an incredible 575 HP V8 supercharged engine, capable of sending the SUV racing down the road from 0-100km/hr. in 4.5 seconds, making it also the fastest Range Rover created.

Having that much power in an SUV might seem absurd, but when you mate it to an ultra-luxury SUV with all the latest features, technology and comforts you really get the best of everything that the industry has to offer. I mean sure you won’t be able to beat that similarly powered 575hp Jaguar F-Type SVR coupe on a racetrack but believe me… going 0-100 in under 5 seconds is way more than enough for 99.9% of the driving this vehicle will ever do. Plus, with the switchable Active Sports Exhaust, featuring a two-stage active exhaust system letting you set the V8 exhaust notes truly free, allowing you can roll up to any situation as if you were driving a Formula One Racecar

2018 Range Rover Sport SVR - Interior Drivers Seat
2018 Range Rover Sport SVR - Interior Tech
2018 Range Rover Sport SVR - Interior Front Console
2018 Range Rover Sport SVR - Interior Dash
2018 Range Rover Sport SVR - Interior Climate Controls

The features of the Range Rover Sport SVR are designed to be either in your face or so refined that you barely even notice them heightening the entire experience. Examples of this refinement can be found in things like the Automatic Access height, which lowers the vehicle slightly helping you to get in and out of the vehicle when parked. As well as the almost $5000 Meridian Signature Sound System, with 28 speakers and 1700 watts. The system tailors the sound experience to the precise acoustics of your Range Rover’s interior and with the Trifield 3D Technology the cabin space is expanded to a 3D audio experience. For a more public display of affluence, available features like the $10,000 carbon fiber exterior package complete with carbon fiber trim and hood, matched with the $10,000 Special SVR paints including chroma and pearl will make you easily stand out from the rest of us plebs.

Key Features:

  • Starting at $133,000 CND
  • V8 Supercharged Engine with 575hp and 700 lb-ft torque
  • Maximum speed 283 km/h
  • Acceleration 4.5 (secs) 0-100km/h
  • Fuel tank capacity – usable 104 liters
  • Cargo space volume Rear Seat Upright 780 liters
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2018 Range Rover Velar - Exterior
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2018 Range Rover Velar – Review

2018 Range Rover Velar - Exterior
Andrew Harwood

Andrew Harwood

2018 Range Rover Velar – Review

One of the most elegant, luxurious, and polished vehicles on the market today the Velar is a work of art. In an ever growing highly-competitive class which features the Jaguar F-pace, the Maserati Levante, and the BMW X6 to name a few, sitting in the Range Rover Velar is something unique. The Velar just oozes that Range Rover feel.

One of the most elegant, luxurious, and polished vehicles on the market today the Velar is a work of art. In an ever growing highly-competitive class which features the Jaguar F-pace, the Maserati Levante, and the BMW X6 to name a few, sitting in the Range Rover Velar is something unique. The Velar just oozes that Range Rover feel. Perhaps it’s the just the posh sense of self entitlement impression the Velar imprints. This high-tech SUV is accompanied with a 380-hp supercharged 3-litre V-6 engine. Supported by countless features, an adaptive suspension makes driving on any road surface indistinguishable.

The exterior design is purely compelling. Its handcrafted body style complemented by the low-angle roof make the Velar a sight for sore eyes. Shaped bigger than the Evoque but, slightly smaller than the Audi Q5; this Range Rover fills that happy medium. With its integrated deployable door handles, blacked-out badges, slick LED headlights and taillights, dapper vents, and optional 22-inch wheels give this Range Rover a striking look. The R Dynamic that was tested featured a stunning Black Package®, making the Velar look like a shadow ripping through the city.  An exaggerated rounded shape to the front end is an acquired taste that I’m not sure how I feel about. I often notice the amount of dead space and gap hidden underneath the plastic paneling which throws me off slightly, however from a distance where you notice that less, the shape definitely works. I will leave the debate open.

2018 Range Rover Velar - Exterior
2018 Range Rover Velar - Exterior
2018 Range Rover Velar - Exterior
2018 Range Rover Velar - Exterior

The interior is simplicity at its finest from Range Rover. I would expect nothing less since luxury has become Range Rover’s moniker. In order to match the polished look to the outside the Velar was designed using high-end materials like wood or aluminum to give the cockpit a stunning look. The leather seats are plush and comfortable as you would expect. There is a generous amount of space for the rear passengers as well as a tremendous amount of cargo room. The all-new dual display InControl Touch Pro Duo operates the seat controls, climate, and driving modes on a lower panel, while the upper panel controls the audio, settings and navigation. This very well could be overwhelming and confusing at first but, it sure does look impressive and high-end.   

Weighing a surprisingly 4676 pounds, the Velar is anything but bulky in the looks and performance department. With a V6 supercharged engine producing 380 horsepower the Velar moves quite swiftly and smoothly, reaching 0-60 in 5.7 seconds. The suspension is tight and vigorous around every corner. The drive is smooth and dynamic on all terrain, with help from a series of drive modes ranging between six different configurations. You will notice that the ride is seemingly quiet as Range Rover has made the Velar’s interior soundproof from wind, road noise, and exterior sound. You do however; get to hear that crisp exhaust sound that this Velar produces.

The fuel economy in the Velar is something that I wish wasn’t an afterthought. This SUV remains identical to its Jaguar F-Pace counterpart; however this was a missed opportunity to gain an edge over its rival. This 6-cylinder’s 13L per 100km city and 10L per 100km highway aren’t spectacular especially with gas prices the way they are. For comparison sake, the Velar ranks lower than the Mercedes GLC43 AMG.

2018 Range Rover Velar - Interior
2018 Range Rover Velar - Interior
2018 Range Rover Velar - Interior
2018 Range Rover Velar - Interior

The drive was impressive to say the least. I’m not going to bore you with the typical it handled well, great power, highly recommend. I took it upon myself to test this Range Rover how anyone else would expect. This top heavy SUV with a thirst for power (and apparently fuel) was tested strictly on performance standards. With this in mind, the Velar controlled every turn immensely. This due in large part to the dynamic and adaptive suspension accompanied by added air springs. Agility-wise race mode engages the body by lowering itself by a couple inches, and shifts most of its power to the rear. The supercharged engine does well to jolt you back into your driving seat as you would expect. This is just one of the pillars of this Range Rovers ability. The latter being the various off-road modes. This capability raises the body, changes the powertrain, traction and differential; handling any situation from wet, muddy, or unstable road conditions with ease. It surely is an ode to the craftsmanship, engineering, and design from Range Rover. It truly is a work of art.

Key Features:

  • Price as tested $92,092
  • 3-litre supercharged V6 engine 380 horsepower
  • 8-speed transmission
  • Various configurable drive modes
  • 22-inch ‘Style 7015’ gloss black rims
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