2015 Range Rover Sport SVR: 404kW SUV the first series production car from JLR Special Vehicle Operations

Featuring the same 404kW 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine as Jaguar’s RS models, the outlandish super-SUV will also be the first series production vehicle from Jaguar Land Rover’s newly-minted Special Vehicle Operations division, tasked with tackling BMW’s M Division and Mercedes-Benz performance arm AMG. 

Currently, the most powerful version of the Range Rover Sport has 375kW and covers 0-100km/h in 5.3 seconds — though reports indicate the SVR version could undercut the 5.0 second barrier. 

Rivals will be the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, the next-generation BMW X5 M and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo. With this in mind, expect the Special Vehicle Operations team based in Britain to modify the car’s exhaust, air suspension, anti-roll bars, brakes and transmission. 

The prototype Sport will join the production Jaguar F-Type Project 7 at Goodwood, giving JLR a comprehensive assault on the iconic UK event. The SVR Range Rover will perform a series of runs up the famous hill-climb. 

Further details are scarce, though JLR says Goodwood crowds “can expect a thrilling soundtrack to match its impressive pace”, adding that performance data shows the SVR will extend will extend the Range Rover Sport’s existing capabilities as the fastest, most agile and most responsive Land Rover built.

JLR today released a short video of the SVR tasked with answering the question: “Could a Range Rover perform like a performance car at the circuit they call the green hell?”

“We always knew there was more to come from the RR Sport,” said chief engineer of vehicle integrity Mike Cross. “We had a super-stiff lightweight aluminium structure, powerful engine and state-of-the-art driveline. 

“We rolled the car into our Nurburgring development program, and the results are spectacular… We’re able to lap the Nordschleife at a time more akin to a sportscar than an SUV.”

Stay tuned for more on the new Range Rover Sport SVR.