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The 2023 Range Rover SV takes automotive luxury to a soaring new height—and it can still climb mountains By Howard Walker A toast to luxury. A toast to the good life. And life is definitely good in the back seat of the all-new, best-of-the-best 2023 Range Rover SV. A flute of Cristal, perhaps? Open the chiller compartment in the rear console to find a bottle of bubbles, plus a pair of cut-crystal glasses. Of course, you’ll need a table to perch them on. At the touch of a button, a handcrafted “club” table levitates majestically from the console. Another button initiates the rising, flute-holding cupholders. Time to recline. The seat goes back, the footrest comes up, and the builtin massager gets to work. How about a little Beethoven or Bach? Crank up the 1,600-watt Meridian surround-sound system, with its 35 speakers and noise-canceling tech, and you’ll be transported to, well, ecstasy. Here is a vehicle that spreads opulence around its cabin like a drywaller spreads plaster. I’m sure if Range Rover designers could have gotten away with hanging chandeliers from the rearview mirror or encrusting the door handles with rubies, they would have. 68
This Range Rover SV is the creation of Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations department in merrie olde England. Much like Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke division, it can satisfy a customer’s every automotive fantasy. It’s all part of Land Rover’s mission to make this new-from-the-tires-up “Rangie” the very pinnacle of SUV luxury—and deliver the kind of superlative experience an owner might expect of a superyacht or a private jet. Naturally, they plan to charge for it. The flagship SV long-wheelbase model kicks off at $219,650. The example I spent a couple of blissful days piloting across Napa Valley stickers at $262,000. Keep checking the options boxes, and you can easily top $280,000. You can pay more for a wellequipped Bentley Bentayga Speed or Lamborghini Urus, but, in my opin-
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