What's all this about?
It's only the most powerful production version of a Range Rover yet, called the SVAutobiography. One of Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) concoctions, the SVAutobiography will take its global bow at the New York International Auto Show this week.
How much power does it have?
If you choose it with the ultimate iteration of the Jaguar Land Rover supercharged V8 petrol - as seen in countless big Jags and the forthcoming RR Sport SVR - 550hp and 680Nm, increases of 40hp and 55Nm over the previous Rangie range-topper, the Autobiography Black. A ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox handles power while gloss-black Brembo front callipers are drafted in to try to haul the giant SUV down from high speed.
Umm, I'm not an oil magnate - any other engines to choose from?
For the SVAutobiography, the SDV6 Hybrid and SDV8 drivetrains with more acceptable fuel economy are available too.
Is it my imagination, or is the car in the pictures two-tone?
Yes, as part of the package you can opt for Duo-tone exterior treatment, which paints the upper half of the Range Rover Santorini Black while there are a choice of nine other colours to, er, complement this on the lower half. Other SVAutobiography pointers are a specific Graphite Atlas/polished chrome front grille, badging on the tailgate and quad tailpipes.
What about the interior?
Lotsa knurled solid aluminium, mainly around the dials and on the pedals. The two rear seats are special executive items with a fridge and powered folding tables thrown in for good measure, while an optional sliding boot floor can be had. Oh yes, and the option of event seats - those chairs hanging out the split tailgate. These are normally stowed in the boot and then easily folded up for those times when you're at, say, Ascot or Badminton. Supah!
Is there a reason for announcing the SVAutobiography now?
Yes, it's time for a raft of changes to the L405 Range Rover line-up anyway, so the SDV6 Hybrid emits slightly less CO2 than before (no figures on what the reduction is compared to the old figure of 169g/km), while start-stop tech is fitted to the SDV8 to improve its green credentials to 33.6mpg and 219g/km CO2. The SDV8 now also benefits from standard All-Terrain Progress Control, while equipment range-wide includes an improved Surround Camera System with crisper graphics, an integrated washer jet for the rear-view camera, hands-free boot opening with Gesture Tailgate and Automatic Access Height for more elegant egress/ingress in car parks. InControl connectivity is also part of the 2016MY Range Rover's electronic arsenal.
Go on, then - floor me with the cost of these things.
The 2016MY Range Rover line-up starts from £74,950 when it goes on sale from this summer, but if you fancy getting into a SVAutobiography, you'll need at least £148,900. Cripes!
Matt Robinson - 30 Mar 2015