New flagship Range Rover revealed

A new range-topping Range Rover SVAutobiography model has been unveiled by Land Rover at the New York International Auto Show – and it will cost a cool £148,500.

A product of Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations centre, the flagship model comes with a premium leather interior with unique trim finishes and the option of a 550PS 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine for the first time.

As a result, it is the most luxurious and powerful series-production Range Rover in the model’s 45-year history.

Available in standard and long wheelbase variants, the SVAutobiography can for the first time be specified with a Duo-tone body colour option – Santorini Black for the upper body and nine colour choices below.

Inside, much of the driver’s switchgear including the start-stop surround and rotary controls are machined from solid aluminium with knurled details, as are the foot pedals.

Inside the plush new Range Rover SVAutobiography

And rear passengers can enjoy a chiller compartment and powered tables while aluminium seat rail finishers and mohair carpet mats add to the luxury, along with a leather-covered handbook and polished Autobiography key fob.

Beneath the bonnet, the  aluminium 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine has been re-tuned for the SVAutobiography to produce 550PS, an increase of 40PS compared to existing V8 supercharged models.

Transmission is via a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox and the car also gets Brembo front brake callipers in gloss black and quad tailpipes.

Alongside the V8 supercharged engine, SVAutobiography customers can choose from the SDV6 Hybrid and SDV8 powertrains, with increases in efficiency and performance.

Thanks to calibration changes, the Hybrid benefits from lower CO2 emissions while SDV8 derivatives are now offered with stop-start, delivering 33.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 219g/km.

Range Rover SVAutobiography with Duo tone

Convenience features include an improved Surround Camera System with crisper graphics, an integrated washer jet for the rear camera and a gesture tailgate providing hands-free access to the luggage.

Automatic access height automatically lowers the vehicle once parked, for improved entry and exit.

Priced from £148,900, the Range Rover SVAutobiography will be on sale this summer alongside the updated Range Rover line-up costing from £74,950.