Land Rover has revealed the new Range Rover Sport SVR for the international markets. The Range Rover Sport SVR draws power from a 542bhp supercharged 5.0-litre V8, which helps propel the SUV from 0-100kph in just 4.5sec and reach a top speed limited to 261kph.

Honed at the Nürburgring, the SVR is the work of Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Operations unit, which is headed by former Land Rover boss John Edwards. It is the latest in an increasing number of SUVs with supercar-baiting levels of power and performance, its rivals including the likes of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, and BMW X5 and X6 M. The SVR’s supercharged V8 engine is also found in some of Jaguar’s most potent models, including the F-type R coupé and XFR-S saloon.

The 5000cc all-aluminium unit produces 69.3kgm of torque. Despite the higher power and torque, over the 503bhp Range Rover Sport Supercharged, economy and CO2 emissions remain unchanged over the less powerful model. Drive is sent to all four wheels through a revised ZF-supplied eight-speed automatic transmission, which can be controlled by steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters or the gearstick. The torque converter is tuned for 50 per cent quicker shifts, which Land Rover claims are “shorter, more visceral and audibly crisper” than in the gearbox’s standard application. Gearbox functions include the blipping of the throttle in high-speed downshifts.

Off-road ability is maintained by having permanent four-wheel drive, a two-speed transfer case, and an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in the centre differential. On-road performance is boosted by a recalibration of the Dynamic Active Rear Locking Differential, which sends torque to the rear wheel with the most traction. A torque-vectoring differential is also imitated by a Torque Vectoring by Braking function, while the dynamic stability control system is also retuned.

The SVR uses a two-stage active exhaust with electronically controlled valves, which creates a “racecar-like soundtrack”, according to Land Rover. At low revs and loads the valves in two of the four pipes are closed, but under increased loads and engine speeds of around 3000rpm, the valves open. A crackle has also been tuned on overrun. The exhaust still works with the Range Rover Sport’s 850mm wading depth.

The chassis has been tuned for improved agility, the SVR featuring air suspension and adaptive dampers, and stiffer, lighter components. Key to the SVR’s cornering ability is an Active-Roll Control system, which replaces anti-roll bars with a hydraulic pump on each axle to control body roll and allow the car to “deliver a progressive breakaway on the limit”. Weight has also been added to the variable-ratio electronic steering system.

Fitted as standard to the SVR are 21-inch alloys shod in 275/45 R21 tyres. Optional are 22-inch alloys equipped with 295/40 R22 Continental SportContact 5 performance tyres. Stopping power comes from Brembo brakes with six-piston callipers.

The SVR is easily distinguished from other Range Rover Sports by a series of design changes. There’s a new front bumper with larger air intakes, a new grille finish, flared wheel arches, a new rear bumper with integrated diffuser and quad exhaust pipes, and a rear spoiler. Inside, new and luxuriously-trimmed sports seats feature alongside standard aluminium trim and optional carbonfibre trim. Four different colour schemes are offered inside.