Range Rover SV Coupe revealed at Geneva Motor Show

LAND Rover has revealed a new limited-edition two-door Range Rover, dubbed the SV Coupe, at the recent Geneva Motor Show.

This luxo off-roader is powered by a grunt-laden supercharged V8 petrol donk, and it will be hand-assembled at Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations’ Warwickshire Technical Centre, with a limited production run of 999 vehicles globally.

There will be 20 SV Coupes arriving in Australia early in 2019 with – take a deep breath – an expected asking price of “in the vicinity of AU$500,000 … pricing will be confirmed shortly”, according to Land Rover Australia.

IT’S THE BUSINESS

So what do you get for the money? Well, it’s an SVO vehicle, so this Rangie ain’t shy in the sheer grunt department: 416kW and 700Nm of supercharged 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine backed by an eight-speed auto ensures the SV Coupe is the fastest-ever full-sized Range Rover, knocking off 0-100km/h in 5.3 seconds and capable of a 266km/h top speed.

Impressively – for owners who are game – the SV Coupe retains the Range Rover off-road DNA, with the vehicle featuring a two-speed transfer case, Terrain Response 2, an active locking rear differential, wading depth of 900mm and a 3500 maximum towing capacity. Off-road stats also impress: approach angle is 31 degrees, breakover 26.5 and departure 25.

However, bushability is reduced somewhat by the available wheel sizes; the four alloy wheel options start at 21 inches and go through to (for the first time with Range Rover) 23 inches. These monsters are wrapped with Pirelli Scorpion Zero All Terrain 275/40 R23 rubber. The SV Coupe also has adjustable on-road height, dropping automatically by 15mm above 100km/h.

AN ICON REVISITED

Land Rover is spruiking the SV Coupe as ‘the world’s first full-size luxury SUV coupe’, with the two-door design and floating roofline harking back to the original two-door Range Rover, according to Gerry McGovern, Land Rover’s Chief Design Officer.

“The Range Rover SV Coupe is a celebration of the Range Rover bloodline,” McGovern said. “With a dramatic two-door silhouette, this breathtaking four-seat coupe alludes to its unique heritage whilst being thoroughly modern and contemporary.”

The SV Coupe shares just the bonnet and lower tailgate with its four-door stablemate; the exterior panels (aluminium) and front and rear bumper bars are exclusive to this new model, as is the two-part grille and the frameless power-close doors. Yes, that’s right, power-close doors. Your doorman may need to find a new gig.

If you look closely enough, the swooping roof looks quite similar to that of the Range Rover Sport (and for those with a good memory, that of the 2004 Range Stormer concept). If this is the case, it could point to some panel sharing to cut costs on what is a short production-run – and thus very expensive – model.

Other unique styling and design points include a four-seat interior, panoramic roof and eight body colours (in gloss and satin), four of which are new to the Range Rover line, including Liquesence (a liquid-metal finish). There are a further four duo-tone gloss Contour Graphic options and 16 optional SV Premium Palette colours. For those after a more unique SV Coupe, SVO does offer bespoke personalisation, with access to 100 additional paint colours and a range of finishes.

The interior features all the goodies you’d expect including heated/cooled 20-way adjustable front and 10-way adjustable rear seats, covered in a leather that, according to Land Rover, is a “specially selected semi-aniline leather from a single tannery established in 1905”, as you’d expect, of course.

The InControl Touch Pro Duo includes a 10-inch display, 12-inch driver display, 10-inch control panel and a 10-inch full colour HUD. The stereo is next level: a 1700W, 23-speaker Meridian 3D Signature Sound System (with dual-channel subwoofers) ensures you’ll hear every minor key change the next time you’re poodling around, feeling chuffed with SV Coupe ownership and pumping out the Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction”.

IN DEMAND

As mentioned earlier, final pricing has not been confirmed, but, alluding to Land Rover Australia’s hint, there’s no getting around the fact that it will take a very hefty chunk of cash to place your posterior on that semi-aniline leather driver’s seat. Unsurprisingly, there’s already plenty of interest here, according to James Scrimshaw, Land Rover Australia Product Public Affairs Manager, who said: “Dealers do have quite a few interested Range Rover owners who are very keen on getting more information on the SV Coupe.”

If you’re keen, that early 2019 Aussie sale date gives you at least some time to save, flog off that spare kidney, or – heaven forbid - reduce the household staff even further.

On a more serious note, the SV Coupe’s limited production run, the incredibly high spec level, performance and off-road capability, and the fact only 20 will arrive here, means we expect this thing to sell out as quickly as it covers the quarter-mile.

Your best bet to avoid disappointment is to head to www.landrover.com.au and register your interest.