A Range Rover Sport SV Edition One ripped through the fastest lap time record for an SUV and four-door production vehicle at Yas Marina Circuit, clocking an impressive 2 minutes and 20.405 seconds.
Range Rover Sport has, from time to time, announced the arrival of each generation in sporty style, scaling incredible challenges – like ascending a thousand steps. On 25th of March, the automotive enthusiasts gathered at Yas Marina Circuit for Suhoor with the brand got to witness a Range Rover Sport, honed at the special vehicles division of JLR, achieving yet another performance milestone.
Powered by a 4.4 L twin-turbo mild-hybrid V8, the new SV delivers a stupendous 626 hp and 750 Nm of torque that can take this sporty SUV from 0 to 100 kmph in just 3.8 seconds. So, one could sense confidence in the air. Not only in the expectant eyes of the spectators but also in the race-ready heart of Emirati driver Saeed Al Mheiri in the cocooned cockpit of the Range Rover Sport SV. Soon enough, the SUV blazed across the long straight right in front of our eyes, pinning the clock at an impressive 2:20.405-minute lap time and redefining what is possible in its high-performance segment, as the the fastest SUV and fastest four-door production vehicle ever to attempt a lap on the iconic track. Set in standard production specification, the lap underlines the ultimate fusion of performance, capability, and luxury. In other words, what we witnessed was an “arrive and drive” form of setting a record on track!
From witness to riding shotgun
Minutes after witnessing the record-breaking performance, I was riding next to the racer, getting a taste of the SV’s skills on track. With its sweet sounding V8 revving high, the Range Rover Sport SV surged ahead in what seemed to be a composed rush towards confident corners, where it demonstrated its exceptional braking before picking up speeds in excess of 240 kmph. In a dramatic exhibition of its luxurious everyday features, the massage seats were in action all the while. Body lean was reduced to almost nothing in the right hand corners and negligible during left hand cornering. Here was a sports car on stilts, living it up on the track!
Engineered to be capable
- Pioneering chassis technology:Elimination of the pitch and roll was facilitated by a world-first 6D Dynamics hydraulic interlinked suspension, levelling down the SUV under extreme acceleration, braking, and cornering. It eliminates the need for traditional anti-roll bars.
- Precision braking:The exceptional braking resulted from Brembo Carbon Ceramic Brakes, featuring the largest carbon ceramic front discs ever fitted to a production SUV (440mm). Paired with exclusive eight-piston Brembo Octyma front calipers, available in Yellow, Red, Carbon Bronze, and Black, the system delivers immediate and precise pedal response, allowing drivers to push the limits with confidence.
- Lightweight innovation:The reassuring handling and responsiveness was boosted by the 23-inch Carbon Fibre Wheels that reduced unsprung mass by 76kg.
Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4 tyres: They were specifically developed to optimize high-speed handling and everyday usability with an extraordinary balance of precision, control, and comfort. An optional summer tyre, the Michelin Pilot Sport S5, designed to enhance performance in warmer conditions will soon be available to customers in the MENA region.
“The Range Rover Sport SV represents the pinnacle of performance and innovation. Breaking the record at Yas Marina Circuit is a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries of sporting luxury. This achievement cements Range Rover Sport’s position as the benchmark for high-performance SUVs, delivering an unrivalled driving experience both on and off the track.” Bruce Robertson, Managing Director, JLR MENA.