For presence, power and all-terrain prowess, little comes close to Land Rover’s Range Rover Sport – let alone the barn-storming, range topping SVR version.
The producers of the latest James Bond movie certainly think so and chose this model to go off-road in pursuit of 007. In the behind-the-scenes glimpse of No Time To Die, you can see the most powerful Land Rover ever made pushed to extremes by stunt professionals. There’s a chase sequence which puts this luxury performance SUV right in the middle of the action, led by Oscar winning special effects and action vehicles supervisor Chris Corbould and stunt coordinator Lee Morrison.
Bond film star car
The Range Rover Sport SVR takes luxury performance to new heights with enhanced driving dynamics and a powerful 575HP supercharged V8 engine, making it the perfect choice for the role. It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds (0-60mph in 4.3 seconds) and has a top speed of 283km/h (176mph), making it the fastest ever Land Rover.
The SVRs used in No Time To Die feature the same specially tuned suspension as in production models – devised by engineers at Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations to deliver more responsive handling and tighter body control without compromising on comfort.
Buy your own replica
The pair of eiger grey models are fitted with gloss black 22-inch alloy wheels and the optional carbon pack, which includes gloss carbon fibre front fender vents, lower bumper intakes, grille, and mirrors. The optional lightweight SVR carbon fibre vented bonnet features a body-coloured finish in No Time To Die, but can also be specified with an exposed carbon fibre centre section. 007 fans can actually replicate the No Time To Die specification with a single click on the configurator on the Land Rover website.
The Range Rover, the original luxury SUV, made its world premiere in 1970. Since then, the family has grown to include the Range Rover Sport, Evoque and Velar. No Time To Die also features a Range Rover Classic alongside three Defenders and a Series III Land Rover.
Land Rover has a long-standing partnership with EON Productions and James Bond films, which began in 1983 when a Range Rover Convertible appeared in Octopussy. Most recently, in 2015 the Range Rover Sport starred in major action sequences in SPECTRE.
Out on test
Even if you’re not a 007 fan, it’s always a treat to test drive a Range Rover SVR. Little can match it for impressive stature and presence, driver enjoyment and passenger space and comfort. It’s beautifully crafted too, with a choice of tasteful trims to please the most discerning owners. During our test it made long cross country trips a pleasure. One day, eight hours were spent in the driving seat (with quick rest breaks of course), and we arrived back home without any of the usual stiffness and aches you’d get travelling in most other cars.
The high command driving position isn’t just useful for negotiating off-road tracks, but enables perfect all-round visibility on the motorways too. Being able to spot traffic jams far ahead of you and what other drivers are doing close is a real safety benefit. And passengers appreciate being able to see the countryside around rather than just hedges and walls. Despite its slightly raked roofline, the cabin and boot are huge so carrying cases, riding kit, golf clubs and mammoth M&S Food shops is a breeze.
Comprehensive SVR specification
The SVR Range Rover Sport spec includes sports suspension with dynamic response, adaptive and configurable dynamics, active exhaust system with integrated exhaust mounted quad-tailpipes, SVR exterior styling, black contrast roof, twin-speed transfer box, terrain response 2 with dynamic program, all terrain progress control, electronic active differential with torque vectoring by braking, 21” style 5091 alloys, SVR performance seats and much, much more. Options fitted to our £104,570 car on test included estoril blue metallic paint, cirrus/ebony interior, 22” STYLE 5083’ 5 split spoke alloys, privacy glass and a fixed panoramic roof.
All this is great, but the sheer driving pleasure you get from a Range Rover Sport SVR tops it all. Its 575HP, 5000 cc supercharged V8 delivering a whopping 700Nm of torque enables the 0-60 print in a mere 4.3 seconds – incredibly impressive given the SUV’s substantial size and weight. The power is instant and delivers that punch back in the seat thrill at the slightest touch. The steering is sharp and ride just right. For cruising though it’s super smooth and refined. We didn’t venture off road this time round, but can testify from driving other Range Rover Sports what these cars can tackle terrain and surface-wise is seriously impressive.
Safe and technology rich
The Range Rover Sport SVR is loaded with a raft of state-of-the-art safety tech. In addition to the usual already comprehensive ‘normal’ Range Rover Sport spec, SVR spec highlights include the park pack which consists of clear exit monitor, 360° parking aid, and rear traffic monitor, and the drive pack with blind spot monitor, driver condition monitor, traffic sign recognition and adaptive speed limiter.
A car you’d feel privileged to own
The Range Rover Sport SVR really is today’s global stand out large SUV star. No other competitor model comes close to ticking all the boxes in terms of handsome presence, class, space, comfort, pace, handling, and power. It’s a car you’d feel privileged to drive and own.
The Range Rover Sport SVR is priced from £99,620 in the UK.
landrover.co.uk/RangeRoverSport
Image copyright: Range Rover Sport SVR during rehearsals on set of NTTD. © 2021 Danjaq, LLC and MGM. All Rights Reserved.
