Range Rover Sport SV is new 626bhp performance flagship

When the first Apple iPhone launched, it immediately became the must-have smartphone, combining desirability and performance – and that meant it wasn’t long before it spawned successors and an ever-widening range of versions.

Spin forward 18 years, and Land Rover is taking a similar approach as the Range Rover Sport SV range grows to encompass more desirable iterations of the fastest version yet.

Previously available in SV Edition One and SV Edition Two models, the range now includes the Range Rover Sport SV – now a permanent fixture in the luxury SUV’s range, plus the new SV Black Edition.

As with the Edition One and Two, the new Range Rover Sport SV is powered by a 626bhp twin-turbo V8 engine with fuel-saving mild-hybrid technology. The result is a 0-60mph time of just 3.8sec, near-identical pace to the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio and BMW X6 M, although the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 and Porsche Cayenne Turbo are faster still.

It also features an adaptive suspension system, dubbed ‘6D’ which reduces body lean through corners with impressive effect, making it the most agile Range Rover Sport in the range by some distance.

Equipment specifications are yet to be confirmed, but it’s likely it will match the SV Edition Two, which includes lightweight 23in carbon wheels (the rear tyres are the widest yet fitted to a Range Rover) and carbon ceramic brake discs which are designed to work harder for longer.

The Range Rover Sport SV Black, as its name suggests, adopts an all-black theme, and features a black-painted carbon fibre bonnet, plus 23in alloy wheels, brake calipers, quad exhausts and badging all in black.

Inside, the sports seats are upholstered in Ebony Windsor leather, and there are a host of gloss black trims. The price for all this is £154,975 – a £14,979 premium over the regular SV – and will be available to order later this year, with deliveries expected this autumn.

It’s not just the high-performance models which have been thrown under the spotlight, because the Range Rover Sport Stealth Edition has also been announced. It’s available with the silken D300 diesel or P460e plug-in hybrid power, and comes with a Carpathian Grey Satin bodywork – wrapped in a protective film – and contrasting gloss accents. The interior features a choice of Ebony or Light Cloud perforated Windsor leather seats.

Prices for the Stealth Edition start at £101,570. It’s available to order now, with deliveries expected in the autumn.