In effect the production version of what was thought to be known as the Velar SVR, the SVAutobiography is the result of JLR’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) and comes with a series of subtle tweaks such as a redesigned front bumper with wider air intakes, lightweight 21-inch alloy wheels with diamond-turned, Silver Sparkle 22-inches optional, a new rear bumper and grille, different lower side mouldings, quad exhausts, unique Range Rover badging on the bonnet and tailgate, and an exclusive Satin Byron Blue Metallic paint option in contrast with a Narvik Black roof.
Equipped with upgraded brakes utilising a 395mm rotor, four-piston red painted caliper setup at the front and a two-piston configuration at the rear with the rotors measuring 396mm, the SVAutobiography’s under-the-skin changes consists of a Variable Active Exhaust system, revised anti-roll bars, a firmer air suspension, upgraded dampers and recalibrated electric power steering for sharper turn-in and improved feedback.
Despite retaining the standard Velar’s multi-mode Terrain Response system, SVO has strengthened the SVAutobiography’s transfer case to cope with the additional power underneath the bonnet, as well as retuning the Intelligent Driveline Dynamics system to send as much as 100% of the available power to the rear wheels.
Inside, the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster receives a unique SVAutobiography Dynamic screen, while the ten-inch Touch Pro Duo infotainment system and rotary gear lever benefit from a so-called knurled finish. In addition, SVO has added a bespoke sports steering with aluminium gear shift paddles attached, as well as twin-stitched perforated and quilted 20-way electrically adjustable Windsor leather seats that are heated and cooled, feature a massaging function and can be had in four finishes; Cirrus, Ebony, Vintage Tan and Pimento. Rounding off the interior are alloy pedals and Range Rover inscribed illuminated treadplates, with a carbon fibre pack being optional.
As indicated with the prototypes and indeed by the upgraded brakes, exhaust and wider air vents, the Velar SVAutobiography ditches the 3.0-litre supercharged V6 as the most powerful engine currently offered, for the same 5.0-litre supercharged V8 used throughout the JLR range.
Producing 405kW/680Nm with an eight-speed ZF-sourced automatic gearbox entrusted with the sending the amount of twist to all four wheels, Land Rover claims that the SVAutobiography will complete the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.5 seconds, and reach a limited top speed of 274km/h. Supplementing the added power is a 83-litre fuel tank in place of the regular 63-litre unit will allow for a range of 483km.
Aside from the mentioned Satin Byron Blue Metallic paint finish, the Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition can also be specified in five other hues; Fuji White, Santorini Black, Indus Silver, Corris Grey and Firenze Red.
Land Rover South Africa has meanwhile confirmed local availability from the second half of this year with pricing from R1 714 000.
