By: IOL Motoring Staff
Whitley, UK - More than a month after throwing its heady output numbers at us, Land Rover has released the first official in-the-flesh pictures of its fastest Range Rover ever and on that note, they've also told us exactly how fast it is.
Powered by a 405kW/680Nm version of the JLR Group's supercharged 5-litre V8, mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox, the new Range Rover Sport SVR will hurtle itself from zero to 100km/h in just 4.5 seconds, according to Land Rover, and reach a top speed of 261km/h.
Better still, if you ever feel the urge to push this powerful SUV around a circuit, you'll be pleased to know that it has been decked out for high-speed cornering, its arsenal including optional 22-inch alloys shod in high-performance rubber (21 inch wheels are standard) and an optimised all-wheel drive chassis.
But the proof is in the Nürburgring pudding, where this SVR managed to lap the legendary circuit in just 8 minutes and 14 seconds, which is one of the best times ever attained by an SUV.
Yet the thing that should really make the experience come alive is the active exhaust with electronically controlled valves that allow for a “racecar-inspired” sound track when you're hoofing it at higher revs and a more sedate sound when you're just cruising casually.
Regardless of the occasion, the performance flagship shows off with a bold SVR exterior design package and will keep you in the mood with numerous unique interior touches, including a proper set of racecar-like front sports seats.
This sporty SUV is not only about ripping up the tarmac though and as much as we would hardly feel right taking it to a gruelling trail, it does at least have some decent off-road capability to boast about, thanks to its transfer case with low range, air suspension and second-generation Terrain Response System.
The Range Rover Sport SVR is set to hit SA streets during the second quarter of 2015.