Currently reading: Range Rover Sport SVR takes Nürburgring record for SUVs

Land Rover's new high-performance flagship SUV records a time of 8m14s around the famous track, setting a claimed new record

The upcoming Range Rover Sport SVR has become the fastest production SUV to lap the Nürburgring, according to Land Rover, recording a time of 8m14s around the famous circuit.

The SVR will become Land Rover's flagship performance model when it goes on sale next year. The car is powered by a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine, the same unit as found in Jaguar's R-S models, tuned to develop 542bhp. 

That's some 39bhp more than the existing top-spec supercharged V8 model, meaning performance figures for the SVR are likely to improve on the Range Rover Sport's 0-62mph sprint time of 5.3 seconds. Sources have previously suggested the firm has targeted a sprint time of around 4.5 seconds.

Land Rover says the lap was completed using a production-spec car, with engineering chief Mike Cross saying: "The Nürburgring is a benchmark for vehicle development and testing, and cars become stronger, more durable and faster over its 13 miles and 70-plus corners. We wanted to see whether an SUV could behave like a performance car in this challenging environment."

Other SUV entries which have reportedly tried to claim the Nürburgring title include Porsche, whose Macan Turbo allegedly set a time of 8m15s earlier this year.

Created by Jaguar Land Rover's new Special Vehicle Operations division, the Range Rover Sport SVR is expected to feature tuned suspension, software changes and a more powerful braking system than the current Range Rover Sport.

Despite its on-road credentials, Land Rover has also said the model will come with a twin-speed transfer case for both high and low gear ratios, as well as a wading depth of 850mm.

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Cobnapint 31 July 2014

@pauld101

When I said I had no idea where Porsche recorded their times from, I clearly meant whereabouts on the circuit as you seem to think different manufacturers pick and choose where the start/finish points will be. On the subject of reliability - I too own a Porsche, a Porsche SUV to be exact, and after two and a half years, a very reliable one at that. Seeing as SUV's happen to be the subject of the discussion, unless you own a Porsche SUV too then I think you'll find it is YOU who is providing the non-objective ownership evidence.
Norma Smellons 30 July 2014

Would WAGs/Lottery winners

Would WAGs/Lottery winners ever want to drive around the Nurburgring? If not then what is the point of this exercise?
The Apprentice 30 July 2014

and its only 60 seconds

and its only 60 seconds quicker than Topgear got round in a crap diesel Jag S-type, just as comfy and available at auction for £500 saving yourself £79500 on the Range Rover cost.