Land Rover has just revealed the new Range Rover SVAutobiography LWB, one of the most opulent and expensive factory-built Range Rovers ever. Available exclusively in long-wheelbase form, the SVAutobiography is the second Range Rover model fettled by JLR tuning arm SVO, sitting above the SVAutobiography Dynamic model that currently tops the range.
Designed with the rear-seat passengers in mind, the SVAutobiography has bespoke features like a redesigned rear cabin with a large central console flanked by two captains chairs. As well as new quilted leather upholstery, the rear seats now recline to 40-degrees, offer a hot stone massage function and 1.2 meters of legroom.
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Clamber inside through a set of powered rear doors and you’ll not only be greeted by opulent materials, but able to work or relax in the upmost of comfort thanks to business class-style fold out tables and a 4G WiFi connection. Range Rover say that this new Range Rover is a match for the best luxury limos in the business, but with a starting price of close to £170,000 you would hope it would.
The usual supercharged 5-litre V8 petrol and 3.8-litre V8 turbo-diesel engines are also joined by Land Rover’s new plug-in hybrid powertrain. As used in other Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models, the PHEV version uses a 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine assisted by an electric motor and lithium ion battery pack. Producing a combined output of 398bhp, Land Rover has yet to confirm an electric range, but we are expecting it not to differ massively from the standard Range Rover PHEV’s 30-mile electric range.
The only noticeable off-road disadvantage it should have over its lesser siblings is an inferior maximum break over angle, thanks to that extended wheelbase. Otherwise, should the very comfortable rear passenger want to traverse mountainous terrain there is scarcely a better off-roader for the job.
The SVAutobiography will be hand finished at SVO’s facility alongside other SVO models like the Range Rover Sport SVR and upcoming Discovery SVX. Topping out at £177,030 for the petrol V8 variant, the huge price-tag might sound a little excessive, but with Bentley’s Bentayga often leaving dealerships at over £200k with options, and the Rolls-Royce Cullinan due to cost even more upon its release, Land Rover is hoping to tap into this high profit space at the top of the SUV market.
