Land Rover is set to burst Bentley’s Bentayga bubble with its new, plusher Range Rover SVAutobiography. Unveiled at the 2015 New York Motor Show, it’s the most luxurious and most powerful Range Rover ever, featuring bespoke fittings and a 543bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8.
On sale this summer, the £148,900 SVAutobiography is the work of Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division. Available in standard or long wheelbase versions, the new flagship showcases new two-tone colour combinations – the Santorini Black upper body colour can be paired with nine colours for the lower half. And just in case the striking paint schemes don’t garner enough attention, SVO has fitted new Range Rover lettering on the bonnet, a unique front grille and special SVAutobiography badging.
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It’s on the inside where the SVAutobiography really shines though. New machined aluminium trim is fitted upfront, while rear passengers sit on plush leather seats. Thirsty? You can sip champagne from the chiller cabinet, or enjoy a snack using the electrically-operated picnic tables. Mohair carpets and aluminium coat hooks add to the opulent feel inside.
Further back the luxury increases with a variety of boot floor options – including the veneered decking as pictured – and ‘Event Seating’ – handmade, leather-covered aluminium-constructed seats that fold out from the boot.
SVAutobiography customers can choose from SDV6 Hybrid and SDV8 versions, or the Range Rover Sport SVR’s 542bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8. The colossal engine pushes out 680Nm of torque and is mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox.
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The SVAutobiography is the latest addition to the SVO division’s long-term strategy. As already revealed, there will be different cars for different purposes: the SVR badge will denote the sportiest Jaguar and Land Rovers; SVX will be applied to even more capable off-roaders and SVAutobiography now signifies the pinnacle of luxury.
The Range Rover SVAutobiography’s arrival this summer will accompany a range of 2016 Model Year updates to the standard Range Rover. Changes include a SDV6 Hybrid model, now with economy and CO2 emissions of 33.6mpg and 219g/km respectively and SDV8 models now fitted with stop-start. There will also be an improved Surround Camera System, JLR’s InControl system debuts and there’s also Gesture Tailgate allowing handsfree operation of the bootlid.
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