Currently reading: Land Rover launches 170mph Range Rover Velar SVA

Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic takes the fight to Porsche's Macan Turbo with a 542bhp 5.0-litre V8

Land Rover has pushed the performance envelope of the Range Rover Velar by shoehorning a 542bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8 under the bonnet. 

Unlike its identically powered Range Rover Sport sibling, however, the new eight-cylinder Velar doesn’t wear the SVR nameplate, with Land Rover instead choosing to borrow the SVAutobiography Dynamic badge from the full-size Range Rover

Rr velar sva d 19

Available to order now priced from £86,120, the Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic is capable of firing from 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds, and heading on to a top speed of 170mph. Despite the performance, Land Rover claims it offers “traditional Range Rover refinement and comfort” instead of the out-and-out thrills of the Sport SVR. A louder active exhaust still features, however, claimed to be 7.1kg lighter than the standard system. 

The range-topping Velar also features uprated brakes (395mm front and 396mm rear) with four-piston, red-painted brake callipers, alongside firmer air chambers for the air suspension. Upgraded anti-roll bars combine with a revised variable damping system to ensure the handling matches the pace on offer. 

Rr velar sva d 19

Land Rover has also recalibrated the SVA’s steering, all-wheel drive, eight-speed transmission and active rear differential, claiming nearly 64,000 man hours of fine-tuning to the car’s control systems. A stronger transfer box has also been added to the all-wheel drive to ensure the driveline can withstand the V8’s 502lb ft of torque. 

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Alongside the new quad tailpipes, exterior revisions include enlarged air intakes, a new grille and reprofiled rear bumper, and lightweight 21 or 22-inch wheels. Bespoke badging and colour choices, all with a contrasting black roof, complete the look. 

Rr velar sva d 19

Inside there’s unique quilted leather in four colours, 20-way adjustable heated, cooled and massaging front seats, a sports steering wheel and aluminium shift paddles. Detail changes such as a knurled finish for the switchgear and rotary gear selector feature alongside bespoke graphics for the digital instrument display. Buyers can also specify a carbonfibre pack for the Velar SVA’s interior trim.

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Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

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stephen sharp 6 February 2019

What a great car....

What a great car for illustrating you have no understanding of climate science and no care for the planet or future generations... 

When the brown sticky stuff really starts to hit the fan in a few years time this car will have no value, but at that point it will be the last of your problems. 

stephen sharp 6 February 2019

What a great car....

What a great car for illustrating you have no understanding of climate science and no care for the planet or future generations... 

When the brown sticky stuff really starts to hit the fan in a few years time this car will have no value, but at that point it will be the last of your problems. 

si73 6 February 2019

I don't really understand

I don't really understand this things place in the market, I get the premium sporty range rover and jag suv but surely having land rover competing in the same market is wrong? Arent landies the everyday more affordable brand? This is surely akin to vw producing the phaeton, a great car with the wrong badge? Land rover need to have a more affordable range not compete price wise with range rover. And to be fair I see a range rover when I look at the velar, and similarly the disco as well, there used to be a differentiation between the two brands, now any difference is blurred.

si73 6 February 2019

si73 wrote:

si73 wrote:

I don't really understand this things place in the market, I get the premium sporty range rover and jag suv but surely having land rover competing in the same market is wrong? Arent landies the everyday more affordable brand? This is surely akin to vw producing the phaeton, a great car with the wrong badge? Land rover need to have a more affordable range not compete price wise with range rover. And to be fair I see a range rover when I look at the velar, and similarly the disco as well, there used to be a differentiation between the two brands, now any difference is blurred.

Ignor me, I appear to be incapable of saying what I mean, should have proof read what I typed.

I do like this but feel there is too much cross over within the range rover and land rover brands to the point I think the disco looks like a range rover as opposed to having its own identity, I get high performance jags and rangies but do they need another?