What’s the fastest SUV around the Nurburgring? The Porsche Cayenne Turbo? No. How about a 547bhp BMW X6 M?
While 8 minutes 24 seconds for the X6 might be fast, Land Rover have gone one better – the new Range Rover Sport SVR lapped the 12.7 mile circuit in just 8 minutes 14 seconds, same as the latest 296 bhp Golf R.
Land Rover say that makes it the fastest production SUV around the Nürburgring and the most performance-focused Range Rover Sport ever.
It’s powered by the same 542bhp 5.0-litre supercharged engine as the F-TYPE R, providing a 40bhp increase over the existing V8 Supercharged model.
Naturally its handling has been honed for fast circuit driving, but according to Land Rover, this has been achieved without compromising its refined on-road performance or its all terrain capabilities.
The Range Rover Sport SVR features a twin-speed transfer case to provide a choice of high and low gear ratios and the same 850mm wading depth as other models in the Range Rover Sport line-up.
“The Nürburgring is a benchmark for vehicle development and testing, and cars become stronger, more durable and faster over its 13 miles and 70-plus corners,” said Mike Cross, JLR’s Chief Engineer for Vehicle Integrity.
“We wanted to see whether an SUV could behave like a performance car in this challenging environment. The results are spectacular and the Range Rover Sport SVR has demonstrated outstanding on-road performance capabilities.”
The new SVR made its dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June and will go on sale sometime in 2015.
Source: Nurburgring lap times provided by FastestLaps.com
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