Range Rover to get a Dynamic price cut

IT MIGHT pay for potential buyers of Range Rover’s high-performance SVAutobiography to hold off until early next year when Land Rover Australia plans to launch a new version with an impressive $40,000 price cut.

Called SVAutobiography Dynamic, the new variant continues with the 405kW/680Nm 5.0-litre supercharged V8 – shared with the Range Rover Sport SVR and Jaguar F-Type R – but gains a handling makeover and other improvements in line with a 2017 model-year update for the luxury large SUV range.

But the best news about the Dynamic is the pricing which today was announced as $316,000 plus on-road costs – a cool $40,210 under the list price of the current $356,210 SVAutobiography that Land Rover Australia has confirmed will be deleted from the range, at least in standard-wheelbase form.

The price reduction puts extra pricing distance between the powerful Rangie and the new $423,600 Bentley Bentayga, giving potential buyers 107,600 reasons to choose the SVAutobiography Dynamic.

Revealed overnight in the United Kingdom, the Dynamic can skate from zero to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds – the same as the outgoing SVAutobiography.

Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operation (SVO) director Mark Stanton said the new variant had been developed to deliver “the ultimate combination of performance and Range Rover luxury”.

Apart from a powertrain upgrade, SVO has also given the Dynamic an active suspension system that counters bodyroll while also automatically adjusting the suspension up to 500 times a second according to driver inputs, proving more refinement and greater control.

Externally, the Dynamic gains quad-pipe exhaust tailpipe outlets to deliver V8 aural pleasure to passers-by.

Other styling tweaks include Graphite Atlas (grey) accents on items such as the side vents and grille, as well as red Brembo brake callipers – a first for Range Rover.

The Dynamic will have a choice of 21- and 22-inch alloy wheel designs and three unique paint finishes.

Inside, the Dynamic gains diamond-quilted seat leather with contrast stitching, as well as a black perforated leather headliner and black veneer trim on the fascia and door trims.

While the Dynamic replaces the SVAutobiography in standard-wheelbase form, the long-wheelbase SVAutobiography will continue into 2017.

Pricing for the full 2017 Range Rover line-up is yet to be confirmed, but Land Rover Australia say it will start from $183,300.

This is about $3500 dearer than the current most affordable Rangie, the $179,800 3.0-litre diesel Vogue.

However, don’t be surprised if some variants are culled in the 2017 range as Land Rover Australia concentrates on the in-demand up-range variants.

From the first quarter of next year, all variants are expected to get upgraded equipment levels, some standard and others optional.

All versions will get a bigger 10-inch touchscreen with new functions including customisable home pages, instant access to favourite apps and an upgraded sat-nav system.

Buyers who do a lot of towing can opt for a new trailer reversing aid that helps the driver automatically guide the trailer via the surround-camera system. The driver uses a knob to select the direction he or she wants the trailer to go, the systems guides the vehicle accordingly.

Other features new for 2017 include a new low-traction launch function for taking off in slipper conditions such as snow.

Off-roaders can get an all-terrain information system that displays the state of play with the Rangie’s various drive systems in tough going.