With the Range Rover, er, range getting its midlife model facelift this year, Land Rover has decided to slot a new bad boy in at the top of the tree: the Range Rover SVAutobiography, which - with the engine from a Range Rover Sport SVR under the bonnet - is the most powerful production Rangie yet. The SVAutobiography is a Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) model, which will make its debut at the New York international Auto Show this week.
Exterior
We could tell you that the SVAutobiography comes in either standard or long wheelbase derivatives, or that there's new Range Rover bonnet lettering and a specific SVAutobiography badge on its rump, or that the front grille is unique to the range-topper in its Graphite Atlas and polished chrome finish. Oh, and it has quad tailpipes at the rear. But, none of that matters, because it's two-tone, isn't it? Yup, the SVAutobiography can be had in optional Duo-tone body colour, meaning a Santorini Black upper half combined with a choice of one of nine hues for the lower portions. Take it or leave it? We'd leave it.
Interior
The SVAutobiography gets a cabin swathed in jewellery-like brightwork to mark it out, such as solid aluminium, knurled surrounds for the main dash controls and pedals, and a knurled, polished key fob too. The two rear seats are full luxury items with a chiller compartment between them and powered, deployable tables. More gobsmackery continues out the back, not so much in the optional sliding boot space floor (which is new for the 2016MY cars), but with a pair of 'Event Seats' that can be stowed in the luggage compartment and then quickly put up at, say, a garden fête or hunting trip. Supah, daaahling!
Mechanicals
The SVAutobiography puts paid to the old Autobiography Black model, the previous king of the Rangies, but the new car can be specified with the ultimate version of the Jaguar Land Rover supercharged petrol V8, previously only seen in Land Rover circles in the Sport SVR. It makes 550hp and 680Nm in its ultimate trim, representing 40hp and 55Nm hikes over the Black, with peak torque coming in at just 3,500rpm. There's a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission handling the grunt and the front brakes are Brembo callipers in a gloss black finish. Should you not possess your own oil refinery; the SVAutobiography can also be had with the SDV6 Hybrid and SDV8 drivetrains for more acceptable fuel economy.
Anything else?
The rest of the range sees some updates, with the SDV6 Hybrid benefitting from lower (unspecified) CO2 emissions. The SDV8 also gets start-stop technology, resulting in better eco-figures of 8.4 litres/100km (33.6mpg) combined economy and CO2 emissions of 219g/km. All-Terrain Progress Control has been added to the SDV8, all models receive an improved Surround Camera System with crisper graphics, the rear-view camera now has an integrated washer jet and the boot can be opened hands-free with Gesture Tailgate as standard. Automatic Access Height lowers the Range Rover for easier entry and exit when parked, while the updated InControl infotainment system is drafted in. Full Irish prices and specs to be confirmed in the near future.