FIRST DRIVE QUICK FACTS PRICE £165,000 ON SALE NOW
Range Rover SDV8 SVAutobiography 3.11.15, Surrey JLR’s Special Vehicle Operations division gets to work on the range-topping 4x4
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and Rover’s determination to push the Range Rover further upmarket has culminated in this new flagship model, the SVAutobiography. With an estimated production run of just 1000 units in the next year – 120 for the UK – and a list price of £165,000, the SVAutobiography is the most expensive, most luxurious version of the firm’s iconic luxury 4x4 so far. “Exclusively handcrafted” at Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) technical centre near Coventry, the SVAutobiography is available in either standard or long-wheelbase forms, the latter with a choice of three engines: an SDV6 Hybrid diesel, an SDV8 diesel and the 543bhp supercharged 5.0-litre petrol V8 from the Range Rover Sport SVR. The most obvious change compared with a standard Range Rover is the SVA’s dual rear seats and substantial centre console. The console stores a pair of fold-out aluminium tray tables and has a refrigerated locker that can take two tall glasses and a small bottle.
The specification list is long. The rear seats are electrically adjustable and heated, offer a massage function and, in the long-wheelbase version, get extendable calf supports. There’s also rear seat entertainment in the form of a pair of 10.0in screens and headphones. The main sound system is a 1700W Meridian Signature Reference unit, with speakers even embedded in the front seatbacks. A huge panoramic sunroof is standard, as are powered rear window blinds and a wood finish for the slide-out boot floor. Much of the switchgear is made from knurledfinish aluminium, while the exterior features a graphite finish on the grille and other trim parts. There’s no doubt that the longwhelebase model is the better of the two versions for being driven in, and not only because of the extra rear room and more sumptuous seats. The standard SVA is noticeably less cosseting in the back. The rear wheels crash more over sharp-edged bumps and there’s more background noise and vibration from the road
surface. The LWB model is much better, although it still suffers from occasional thumping intrusions. In truth, the Range Rover will never be as isolating for rear occupants as, say, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Body rigidity is an issue, because the British car is a hatchback and has a huge glazed roof. The only other possible criticism from the rear seats would be around the quality of some of the storage covers in the centre console, which are remarkably plasticky, when much of the rest of the rear compartment is exemplary in its construction. The larger rear TV screens might also be an issue, as they now block out part of the view forward through the windscreen for rear-seat passengers. Aside from making the rear feel more enclosed, it could also make some rear passengers feel car sick. Although the combination of the LWB body and supercharged V8 petrol engine might be the ultimate SVA specification, the 334bhp, 546lb ft SDV8 is actually better to drive. The diesel V8’s elastic torque
characteristics suit the Range Rover, especially during brisk A and B-road driving, and deliver on the effortlessness promised by the near-peerless driving position. The supercharged V8 certainly has the performance but is noticeably peakier in its responses, and the engine’s growl under acceleration seems out of place. Strictly speaking, the rear of an S-Class is more comfortable and refined, but the Benz can’t challenge the sense of light and space from the Range Rover’s elevated seats. The Range Rover also has exceptional offroad abilities – another reason why this luxury car makes a unique case for itself. It may not make financial sense on paper, but that misses the point of the SVAutobiography. HILTON HOLLOWAY
RANGE ROVER SDV8 SVAUTOBIOGRAPHY LWB Flagship SUV piles on the luxury and makes most sense in LWB form, but an S-Class cossets more
AAAAC
Wood and leather abound in the bright and airy handcrafted cabin; long-wheelbase version is better at absorbing sharper bumps
Price Engine Power Torque Gearbox Kerb weight 0-62mph Top speed Economy CO2/tax band
£165,000 V8, 4367cc, diesel 334bhp at 4000rpm 546lb ft at 1750rpm 8-spd automatic 2539kg 6.6sec 135mph 33.6mpg (combined) 219g/km, 37%
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