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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