162 | squaremeal.co.uk
As a whole generation of television producers can tell
you, there's something compelling about the possession
of improbable talents. And while the new Range Rover
Sport SVR can't quite match the novelty factor of a
dancing dog or a re-juggling unicyclist, a vast SUV that
delivers sportscar performance
does o er a similar level of surprise when
experienced for the rst time.
In fact, you would need a very serious
sportscar indeed to stand a chance of
keeping pace with a hurrying SVR. This 550hp
behemoth is capable of delivering truly
startling pace when unleashed, raising its
nose slightly and heading for the horizon like a
racing speedboat. It makes similar noises too,
and is probably guzzling fuel at a similar rate.
A 4.7-second 0-62mph time is an impressive
benchmark for any car, let alone one that weighs nearly two and a
half tonnes and is capable of wading through almost a metre of water.
Although an impressive party trick, the savagery of the SVR's raw
performance isn't the most notable thing about it. Add enough power
and anything can be made to travel quickly; the range-topping Sport's
bigger accomplishment is the way it sacri ces so
little to deliver this extra urge. The SVR rides very
nearly as well as the standard car, even when
wearing the vast, optional 22-inch alloy wheels
we drove it on. It's just as comfortable over long
distances and can even deliver equally well
when asked to head o -road. Other than the
need to nd £95,150 to buy one, and to stomach
some sizeable running costs, there isn't really an
obvious downside.
Despite all the hype, it's not a real sportscar,
of course. The SVR deals with a winding road
The fastest Range Rover is an unlikely looking performance car, and one that
combines its extreme power with extremely good manners WORDS MIKE DUFF
GOT TALENT
bigger accomplishment is the way it sacri ces so
little to deliver this extra urge. The SVR rides very
nearly as well as the standard car, even when
wearing the vast, optional 22-inch alloy wheels
we drove it on. It's just as comfortable over long
distances and can even deliver equally well
when asked to head o -road. Other than the
need to nd £95,150 to buy one, and to stomach
some sizeable running costs, there isn't really an
obvious downside.
RANGE ROVER SPORT SVR
Price: £95,150
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Power: 550bhp
0-62 mph: 4.7 seconds
Top speed: 186mph (limited)
Economy: 21.7mpg
BRITAIN'S