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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.

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-

POWER FILE

PRICE: SV STANDARD WHEELBASE FROM $194,450 ENGINE: 4.4-LITER TWIN-TURBO V8 POWER: 523 HP TORQUE: 553 LB-FT TRANSMISSION: 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC 0-60: 4.4 SECONDS TOP SPEED: 155 MPH LENGTH/WIDTH: 199/87 INCHES WEIGHT: 5,600 POUNDS WHY WE LOVE IT: BECAUSE HERE IS THE PINNACLE OF NOT ONLY SUV LUXURY BUT ALL AUTOMOTIVE LUXURY.

ion, this new Rover is in a class of its own. At the core of all this luxury is a new aluminum chassis and body structure that’s reckoned to be as much as 50 percent stiffer than the outgoing model’s. It also boasts new independent air suspension, rear-axle steering, active roll bars, and 23-inch wheels. Powering the SV is a new BMW-sourced 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, good for 523 hp and a muscley 553 lb-ft of torque. That’s power-a-plenty to sweep this all-conquering 4x4 from standstill to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and cross continents at a bullet train–like 155 mph.

Before you hit the road, just gaze at this work of modernist automotive art. It is spectacular, with its broad-shouldered stance, floating roof, clamshell hood, and flush door handles and glass. While the overall design is a little on the evolutionary side, changes to the rear end—with those blacked-out vertical taillights and lack of adornment—deliver a fresh, sophisticated feel.

The current 2022 Range Rover is the flagship of a whole new lineup of models that are now offered in standard or long-wheelbase lengths, with pricing from $105,850. And, for the first time, surprisingly roomy third-row seating is available. Coming later for 2023 is a plug-in hybrid version with 434 hp and 48 miles of electric range, plus a highly anticipated all-electric version due in 2024. But this, this Range Rover SV is without a doubt the most luxurious, most desirable 4x4. I’ll raise a glass

«to that.

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2022 A CULINARY ADVENTURE

That Gives Back - MENU OF THANKS STARTERS

20 FABULOUS RESTAURANTS AND CHEFS WHO SERVED WITH FLAIR

 Barbatella  Bar Tulia  Bevy  Bice  Bistro La Baguette  Campiello  Chez Guy  Dorona  The French  Grappino  La Pescheria  Lemonia  Ocean Prime  Osteria Trulia  Ridgeway  Sails  Seasalt  21 Spices  Truluck’s  Veranda E

FIRST COURSE

THANKS TO THESE STAR STUDDED SPONSORS

 Bigham Jewelers  Gulf Coast International Properties  Amy Berko Iles  Molly Hoover Design Group  Naples Illustrated  Moran Wealth Management

SECOND COURSE

THANKS TO THESE ADDITIONAL SPONSORS PLUS THE MANY OTHER BUSINESSES AND GUESTS WHO HELPED MAKE THIS POSSIBLE.

 Cornerstone Builders  Damilano Wineries  Barr Family Foundation  Nancy & Ken Quinter  First Foundation Bank  Maxwell Mortgage Team  MHK Architecture and Planning  CK Custom Homes  Grant Fridkin Pearson  Dolphin Heating and Cooling

DESSERT

TOPPING IT OFF WITH OVER $90,000 IN GRANTS TO HELP THOSE FACING HUNGER AND HOMELESSNESS:

 Meals of Hope  Hunger and Homeless Coalition  Legal Aid of Collier County  St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry  St. Matthew’s House Thank you!

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