What is a badge? It's a calling card, a way to tell people who or what you are. It's a symbol of something. Well, in Jaguar Land Rover's (JLR) case, its 'SVR' badge is a symbol of something a little bit special.
So Land Rover added a badge to the Range Rover Sport and want to charge people even more?
That's quite far from the truth, actually. This particular model isn't just some trim level special - it comes from JLR's Special Vechicle Operations (SVO) unit. SVO produces a wide range of unique, bespoke vehicles, including the Range Rover SVAutobiography and even armoured vehicles. The 'SVR' badge specifically refers to high-performance variants, kind of like the equivalent 'AMG' or 'M' badge. It is presently pegged onto two cars - the recently launched F-TYPE SVR, and this one.
How is this different from a typical Range Rover Sport?
The SVR is much more aggressively designed - from the darkened head lights and the unique grille and bumper at the front, to the specialised rear spoiler and quad tailpipes, the SVR cuts a beastly presence.
So Land Rover added a badge to the Range Rover Sport and want to charge people even more?
That's quite far from the truth, actually. This particular model isn't just some trim level special - it comes from JLR's Special Vechicle Operations (SVO) unit. SVO produces a wide range of unique, bespoke vehicles, including the Range Rover SVAutobiography and even armoured vehicles. The 'SVR' badge specifically refers to high-performance variants, kind of like the equivalent 'AMG' or 'M' badge. It is presently pegged onto two cars - the recently launched F-TYPE SVR, and this one.
How is this different from a typical Range Rover Sport?
The SVR is much more aggressively designed - from the darkened head lights and the unique grille and bumper at the front, to the specialised rear spoiler and quad tailpipes, the SVR cuts a beastly presence.
Inside, the most noticeable thing is the full bucket seats at the front and the semi bucket seats at the rear. This is a car that makes its sporting pedigree abudantly clear - our car also came specced with interior carbon fibre trim.
Beyond that, though, its still very much a top notch Land Rover product. This Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) has got all the bells and whistles you'd want - panomaric sun roof, Meridian Surround audio system, Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, etc. It's most definitely a comfortable place to be in.
This isn't some stripped out track special - it's a proper luxury SUV that's been made a little madder.
Beyond that, though, its still very much a top notch Land Rover product. This Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) has got all the bells and whistles you'd want - panomaric sun roof, Meridian Surround audio system, Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, etc. It's most definitely a comfortable place to be in.
This isn't some stripped out track special - it's a proper luxury SUV that's been made a little madder.
Mad? A mad Range Rover?
Yes, you heard us right. Slide into the driver's (bucket) seat, and it's clear what the car wants you to do, and that is to drive fast. Very fast. With the 5.0-litre superchagerd V8 engine kicking you in the head with all of its 543bhp and 680Nm of torque, this is a mean machine. And despite tipping the scales at 2,335kg, the SVR will still sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds.
At that insane exhaust note! In Normal mode, it is actually reminiscent of a two-stroke bike - the way the exhaust valves open up at around 4,000rpm and just builds to a menacing roar, combined with the oomph from the engine.
Put it in Dynamic (or just hit the exhaust button in Normal), and it gives you a kind of permanent in-your-face brutish shouting. Some may call it obnoxious with the way the SVR barks and farts, but we think it is actually pretty intoxicating.
SVO has also played around with all the different mechanical parts that affects the car's dynamic behaviour. The chassis has been tuned to be tighter around corners, throttle response has been made sharper, and the steering is remarkably quick and agile for a car it's size.
And thanks to adjustable dampers, handling through corners is aggressive yet confident - the SVR corners flat and with little body roll.
Yes, you heard us right. Slide into the driver's (bucket) seat, and it's clear what the car wants you to do, and that is to drive fast. Very fast. With the 5.0-litre superchagerd V8 engine kicking you in the head with all of its 543bhp and 680Nm of torque, this is a mean machine. And despite tipping the scales at 2,335kg, the SVR will still sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds.
At that insane exhaust note! In Normal mode, it is actually reminiscent of a two-stroke bike - the way the exhaust valves open up at around 4,000rpm and just builds to a menacing roar, combined with the oomph from the engine.
Put it in Dynamic (or just hit the exhaust button in Normal), and it gives you a kind of permanent in-your-face brutish shouting. Some may call it obnoxious with the way the SVR barks and farts, but we think it is actually pretty intoxicating.
SVO has also played around with all the different mechanical parts that affects the car's dynamic behaviour. The chassis has been tuned to be tighter around corners, throttle response has been made sharper, and the steering is remarkably quick and agile for a car it's size.
And thanks to adjustable dampers, handling through corners is aggressive yet confident - the SVR corners flat and with little body roll.
Once you tone it down, it certainly passes off as a typical Range Rover, aggressive engine gurgling aside. The ride is comfortably soft, and the car is easy to drive. Just make sure you don't rev it past 4,000rpm or the mad howling returns.
But what's the point?
Does anyone really need 543bhp and bucket seats in a luxury SUV? Absolutely not. But then again, does anyone, especially in Singapore, buy a Range Rover for what it is actually capable of? Surely not. And that's because the only time it's complex and excellent off-road capabilities will even see grass is when someone ends up mounting a curb.
The Range Rover is a badge that's packed with meaning and desirability - it's a statement of one's accomplishments, tastes and bold character.
With the 'SVR' badge slapped on, it's a bigger, bolder statement. Not only does it speak to the car's unique capability, it also holds a special place in the brand's portfolio and on the roads. It's a car of immense dynamic capability, as well as of special charisma.
This car, while not entirely practical, is entirely special. And that's a badge worth having. That's the point.
But what's the point?
Does anyone really need 543bhp and bucket seats in a luxury SUV? Absolutely not. But then again, does anyone, especially in Singapore, buy a Range Rover for what it is actually capable of? Surely not. And that's because the only time it's complex and excellent off-road capabilities will even see grass is when someone ends up mounting a curb.
The Range Rover is a badge that's packed with meaning and desirability - it's a statement of one's accomplishments, tastes and bold character.
With the 'SVR' badge slapped on, it's a bigger, bolder statement. Not only does it speak to the car's unique capability, it also holds a special place in the brand's portfolio and on the roads. It's a car of immense dynamic capability, as well as of special charisma.
This car, while not entirely practical, is entirely special. And that's a badge worth having. That's the point.
