The Range Rover was first introduced back in 1970 under the British Leyland brand. At the time, it was offered exclusively in a two-door body style, and it wasn’t until more a decade later that a four-door variant hit the scene in 1981. These days, fans of high-riding luxury get to enjoy the latest fourth generation, which dropped back in 2012 at the Paris Motor Show. The last time we saw a production two-door Range Rover was in 1994, followed by the concept-only Range Stormer in 2003. Now, Jaguar Land Rover is gearing up to once again offer a two-door iteration of its iconic flagship model. It’s called the Range Rover SV Coupe, with JLR’s in-house tuners, SVO, taking responsibility for the build. JLR calls it the “world’s first full-size luxury SUV coupe,” and although details are scant as of this writing, it’s looking to be a segment-topping exercise in excess, packing the best equipment, the highest output, and the largest price tag ever attached to the nameplate. Production will be limited to just under 1,000 units.
At this point, official info is limited to an overhead shot of the interior and a few words uttered in passing from the company’s top-brass, but we also managed to get our hands on a few spy shots that reveal the forthcoming Range Rover SV Coupe doing a spot of cold-weather testing out in the wild. A full reveal is expected by this March at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, but until then, read on for our speculative review.
Continue reading to learn more about the Land Rover Range Rover Coupe.
Exterior
- Similar shape as the standard Range Rover
- Small changes to the headlights and taillights
- LED lighting
- Two-door body includes extended front doors
- Is a four-door plus Evoque-esque roofline possible?
“The Land Rover Range Rover SV Coupe offers the same boxy styling as the rest of the line”
Let’s kick things off by taking an in-depth look at the spy shots we got. While the vast majority of details are covered in swirling camouflage, and it’s highly likely that the final product will look a bit different than this early prototype, it’s still a worthwhile exercise to see what we can pick out.
For starters, it appears as though the Land Rover Range Rover SV Coupe offers the same boxy styling as the rest of the line, with a square nose and rounded edges, straight lines in the profile, an extended rear cargo area, and rectangular rear end.
However, even with that crazy black-and-white wrap, there are a few detail changes that don’t go unnoticed. In the nose, for example, there looks to be new headlight housings, with small tweaks to the design. The primary lighting is still up top and the daytime running lights are still below, but the new model looks like it gets housings that are more square than before, with a block shape replacing the older model’s wider, tabbed housings. LEDs are most definitely used.
“The Land Rover Range Rover SV Coupe will get small updates to the headlights and taillights, plus extended front doors.”
The grille also looks like it’s slightly different, not gaining a more prominent “vee” shape that visually narrows the front end. The corner intakes in the front bumper are covered in black mesh, but look for small styling updates there as well, such as with reshaped wing elements.
Moving around to the flanks, the Land Rover Range Rover SV Coupe looks as though its got a pair of extended front doors, which would make for an ideal complement to a two-door body style. The spy shots also show a small crease where the rear doors should be, but this is likely to throw us off the scent of what’s hiding underneath. Indeed, the Land Rover Range Rover SV Coupe will get just two openings for passenger ingress and egress, but we wouldn’t be surprised if JLR decided to throw a four-door coupe style into the mix, offering higher production numbers and an Evoque-esque roofline. Something like a bigger, more expensive Range Rover Sport.
In the rear, the Land Rover Range Rover SV Coupe gains slightly tweaked rear glass, which looks smaller this time around. A trailing edge roof spoiler is stuck on back as well, but it’s lower than we’d expect given the roof line, suggesting a deeper cut for the two-door. That extra padding up top might just be for show. The taillights are most likely updated in their shape, although the two-tier square design looks to be retained. Finally, a pair of trapezoidal exhaust tips reside in the bumper.
Interior
- Two-tone color scheme
- Lots of high-end materials
- Diamond quilted leather upholstery
- Aluminum and wood trim throughout
- Loads of infotainment screens
- Infotainment system takes after the Range Rover Velar
“The whole thing is split down the middle by a large central tunnel, which comes decked out in high-quality wood and set in aluminum trim.”
While the Land Rover Range Rover SV Coupe’s exterior remains a bit of a mystery, JLR did give us this top-angled interior shot to whet our appetite. As expected, this premium SUV comes loaded with opulence and luxury, cramming the expensive stuff into every nook and cranny possible.
The whole thing is split down the middle by a large central tunnel, which comes decked out in high-quality wood and set in aluminum trim. A few convenient storage cubbies are placed in the front and in the rear, and there are rear-facing HVAC vents as well. There’s also a pair of aluminum-trimmed rotary knobs in piano black that could really only be used for controlling individual climate zones, as well as the obligatory rear-facing infotainment screens fitted to the rear head rests.
“There’s also an interesting split-color design scheme, melding white upholstery in front and black upholstery in the rear.”
The layout also offers an interesting split-color design scheme, melding whit upholstery in front and black upholstery in the rear. The split emphasizes the SUV’s coupe-like attitude, while at the same time, rear legroom looks to be rather substantial for a two-door. Seating capacity is capped at four passengers.
Materials used include diamond-quilted leather upholstery for the seats, plus the aforementioned wood trim (which was also added to the upper portions of the dash) and brushed metal trim throughout. We’re also expecting the same infotainment system as the Range Rover Velar, packing in the tech goodies like a Touch Pro Duo platform with a set of 10-inch screens. The upper portion will act as the center for infotainment inputs, while the lower screen will be used for climate features. The gauges behind the steering wheel should also be totally digital. The whole shebang will integrate with your smart device for remote features like remote start and climate control, remote door lock/unlock, navigation, and more.
Finally, Meridian will provide the stereo for tunes while on the move.
Drivetrain
- Supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 most likely
- Should make at least 557 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque
- More output a very good possibility
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- Full-time 4WD
- High-4-second 0-to-60 mph time
- Comfortable with off-roading capability
- Shorter wheelbase
Note: Land Rover Range Rover SVAutobiography pictured here.
“In the SVAutobiography, the V-8 connects to an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD system, which propels the machine to 60 mph in just under 5 seconds.”
While we have yet to get any details on what JLR will stuff into the nose of this thing, the most obvious pick is the all-aluminum 5.0-liter V-8 currently in use in the Range Rover SVAutobiography. This supercharged lump of go creates as much as 557 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, which isn’t bad, even for a luxury-laden SUV like the Range Rover.
In the SVAutobiography, the V-8 connects to an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD system, which propels the machine to 60 mph in just under 5 seconds. We’d expect similar numbers from the Coupe, although it’s possible JLR will decide to imbue it with a little extra muscle to justify its outrageous price. Perhaps upwards of 580 horsepower is possible, slicing a few tenths off that 60-mph benchmark.
As for the chassis and handling, we fully expect this latest two-door variant to carry a shorter wheelbase and a sportier attitude. It’ll be quick on the road, for sure, but it should also have the right stuff to handle a stint off the road as well.
Prices
As previously mentioned, the Land Rover Range Rover Coupe is intended as a limited edition model with just under 1,000 units (999, to be exact) slated for production. It’s framed as a celebration of Land Rover’s 70th anniversary, and is aimed squarely at collectors looking to spice up their garage.
As such, the Coupe will likely be eye-wateringly expensive, exceeding the price tag of even the top-dollar SVAutobiography by a considerable margin. And with the SVAutobiography starting at around $200,000, $250,000 for the Coupe isn’t totally out of question.
Look for compete details in March at the Geneva Motor Show.
Competition
Bentley Bentayga
Land Rover is clearly swinging for the fences with the new Range Rover Coupe, but if it’s superlative swankiness that the brand is after, it’s gonna need to deal with the Bentayga first. Packing 600 horses under the hood thanks to a 6.0-liter W-12, this first from the British luxury brand is quick, reaching 60 mph in just 4 seconds flat. Not only that, but its practically dripping with over-the-top luxury in the cabin, and at just under $230,000 a pop, it’s a surefire way to separate yourself from the common rabble.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Not to be left out of the luxury SUV race, Rolls-Royce is rising to the challenge presented by the Bentley Bentayga with its very own first-ever SUV. Currently in development under the code name Cullinan, the high Roller has been spotted under the cover of camouflage out on public roads and doing flying laps at the Nurburgring. We’re expecting a Phantom-inspired interior and a V-12 under the hood, with two turbos and 6.75 liters of displacement conspiring to create as much as 563 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. Pricing should trump all challengers at $350,000.
Conclusion
With so many high-end luxury SUVs hitting the market lately, it makes sense for Land Rover to step up its game with this new flagship model. The Coupe body style should serve as a good reminder that when it comes to comfort and style mixed with off-roading capability, Land Rover is one of the originator brands.
That experience not only lends the Range Rover Coupe extra credibility, but should also result in one killer two-door SUV. We’re still a ways off from seeing this thing in the metal, but hopes are high at this point. We just hope getting in and out of the thing isn’t a chore, and that the rear seats are as comfortable as they look.
Stay tuned for more when the Land Rover Range Rover Coupe gets its big reveal in March.