New York show: Most powerful Range Rover surfaces

JAGUAR Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations has built the luxurious, powerful and expensive Range Rover yet, with the flagship SVAutobiography set to debut at the New York motor show this week.

The Range Rover SVAutobiography will go on sale in Australia later this year and it replaces the Autobiography Black at the top of the Range Rover line-up.

It is the first Range Rover with two-tone paint, features premium leather upholstery, machined and knurled aluminium switches and pedals, mohair carpet mats and has the option of a 405kW version of Jaguar Land Rover’s supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine.

The powerplant is shared with the Range Rover Sport SVR, expected in Australia in May at $218,500, plus on-roads, and the Jaguar F-Type R sportscar.

The SVR has the same 405kW/680Nm engine with the output up 30kW and 55Nm on the standard V8.

Jaguar Land Rover Australia senior public relations executive James Scrimshaw said the price of the SVAutobiography was yet to be confirmed.

“It will be more expensive than the current Autobiography Black which in long-wheelbase form sells for $338,000,” he said.

“We expect the first cars here at the end of the year – November or December – and we are aware that demand will be tight.

“Range Rover production is already flat out and the SVO versions take another three weeks above that. Some Range Rover models on order now have July and August deliveries.”

Land Rover’s design director and chief creative officer Gerry McGovern, speaking ahead of the vehicle’s world premiere in New York, said the SVAutobiography is a true flagship model.

“With the SVAutobiography we have taken the opportunity to optimise the Range Rover’s luxury execution and precision while delivering beautiful detailing that considerably enhances the customer’s experience of our flagship vehicle,” he said.

The Range Rover variant is made at the Special Vehicle Operations’ (SVO) Technical Centre in the United Kingdom.

Available in standard and long-wheelbase guise, it is set apart from other Range Rover editions by unique exterior design enhancements, an exclusive premium leather interior and the option of the 405kW engine.

“As a result, the SVAutobiography is the most luxurious and powerful series-production Range Rover in the model’s successful 45-year history,” the company said in a statement.

“For the first time on Range Rover, customers of the 2016 Model Year SVAutobiography are able to specify a unique Duo-tone body colour option.

“The combination of Santorini Black upper body and nine colour choices for the lower body create true distinction and individualism.”

Compared with other Range Rovers, the SVAutobiography has new bonnet lettering and tailgate badges, while the grille is finished in Graphite Atlas and polished chrome, further promoting its visual differentiation.

On the most powerful 405kW supercharged V8 version, four tailpipes hint at its performance potential.

The cabin has switchgear machined from solid aluminium and then knurled. The pedals are also made from aluminium as are the coat hooks.

Rear-seat passengers have a chiller compartment and electrically-adjustable tables and the floor has twist-pile mohair carpet mats and aluminium seat-rail finishers.

Owners of the exclusive variant also receive a leather-covered handbook and polished Autobiography key fob with knurled finish.

The new variant includes some features that will be used in other Range Rovers for the 2016 model year, including the option of a sliding cargo floor and two “event seats” that mount within the lower tailgate.

The SVAutobiography’s sliding floor is made from aluminium and a choice of veneer options. It extends to the rear to make loading and unloading easier.

Powerplant choices for the SVAutobiography are confined to two engines, starting with a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged SDV8 diesel engine rated at 250kW and 740Nm.

This engine has recently been upgraded with idle-stop and now has more torque than any other Range Rover. It has an official fuel consumption of 8.4 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle.

The optional 405kW V8, also fitted to the SVR and Jaguar F-Type R, has its maximum torque at 3500rpm.

To complement the power, the new variant has Brembo brakes and the option of 22-inch Dunlop QuattroMaxx performance tyres and, for the diesel model, the All-Terrain Progress Control system.

Meanwhile, standard equipment for all new 2016-model Range Rovers has been upgraded.

It will include a new and improved Surround Camera System with crisper graphics for enhanced clarity and an integrated washer jet for the rear camera.

The new “gesture” tailgate provides hands-free access to the luggage area while “automatic access height” automatically lowers the vehicle once parked, for improved entry and exit.