Seventy Years after Rover Company Released Its First Soon To Be Legend, the UK Maker Presents the SvautoBiography Dynamic the Most Luxurious Far Off Road Vehicle Ever Made

By Matt Scanlon

Since 1947, when design for its original vehicle (built on a Jeep chassis and axles) was penned by Maurice Wilks for his United Kingdom based Rover Company, the maker has been an icon. Its Series I, II, and IIA four wheel drive models were made famous in the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s (Land Rover as a separate entity has existed since 1978) not just because of their virtual indestructibility, but also thanks to simultaneously spartan yet exceptionally well thought out interiors, the latter quality ticking up incrementally over the late 1970s toward something like practical luxury. The later years of its ownership by British Leyland Motor Corporation (mid 1980s) saw the first real attempts to make the brand synonymous with more sumptuous cabins efforts that continued under later parent companies British Aerospace, BMW, Ford Motor Company, and now the Mumbai, India based Tata Motors. Today, Jaguar Land Rover’s line includes the Defender, Discovery, Freelander, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Range Rover Evoque.

The pinnacle of these off road models is unquestionably the five seat Autobiography, specifically the SV Dynamic variant, designed and engineered by Special Vehicle Operations the Jaguar Land Rover center of bespoke commissions, luxury editions, and performance models. Clues to its uniqueness begin subtly; it’s a third of an inch lower than a standard Range Rover, and there’s also a Graphite Atlas mesh grille design with chrome inserts at the front, and the bumper and lower air intake finisher get the same treatment (there are also modified side and rear accents). At the tail, the bumper integrates unique metal tailpipe finishers. There’s an optional 22 inch wheel design available, too (standard wheels are 21 inchers), and distinctive red brake calipers add to the performance appeal.

Output from the 557 horse power supercharged V8 engine is up slightly from last year’s Autobiography enough to deliver a 0 to 60 time of 5.1 seconds.

Cabin design offers a series of exclusive updates. The Executive Class Seating configuration expands the rear passenger compartment (including wider seat frames, deeper foams, and a C pillar treatment to create the impression of a wraparound lounge), and is finished in exclusive Quilted Perforated Semi Aniline Leather trim. V Auto biography branded illuminated tread plates and exclusive start up graphic in the instrument cluster are other additions, and the front center console has been updated to use the logo.

Two 10 inch touchscreens form the centerpiece of the front cabin layout, part of Touch Pro Duo, which combines physical controls and a digital interface (which can dual task for the driver, keeping mapping information displayed on the upper touchscreen while providing easy access to other features on the secondary, lower screen). There can be up to 18 USB or other charge connection points integrated discreetly throughout the cabin, and there is provision for up to eight 4G Wi-Fi connections.
Handling and performance can be managed via a series of Terrain Response 2 programs, which calibrates the suspension to optimize ride comfort (including Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Ruts, Sand, Rock Crawl, and Eco settings).

In addition to safety features like a rear camera and Rover designed Lane Departure Warning, Emergency Braking, Front and Rear Park Distance Control, Cruise Control and Speed Limiter systems, the Drive Pack adds a Blind Spot Monitor, Adaptive Speed Limiter, and Driver Condition Monitor, while Traffic Sign Recognition features enhanced accuracy in its ability to read roadway signs.
MSRP for next year’s Range Rover SV Auto biography Dynamic starts at $177,200.

Ray Catena Land Rover
920 US-1, Edison / 732.205.9000
landroveredison.com