Efforts to reduce costs within JLR meant there was no place for it.
One of the highlights for this writer at the 2018 Geneva motor show came in a relatively unusual form. While most would have clamoured over the latest supercars or concept next-generation vehicles, yours truly found himself most drawn to the Range Rover stand where, on a pristine white plinth that wouldn’t have looked out of place on the high street, sat the Range Rover SV Coupé. Designed as a testament of the capabilities of the brand’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division, the 3-door SV Coupé also served as a throwback to the original Range Rover, which debuted with this bodystyle first before gestating into the colossal palace on wheels that we recognise today.
Some 999 examples of the SV Coupé were intended to roll out of SVO, each packing a 5.0-litre supercharged petrol V8 with 416kW/700Nm. However, a statement issued by Jaguar-Land Rover has revealed that the SV Coupé, in all its glorious beauty, is simply not meant for this world.
“We have taken the difficult decision to inform our customers that the Range Rover SV Coupé will not proceed into production. Instead, Land Rover is focusing its resources & investment on the next-generation of world-class products. With exciting plans for electrification, enhanced craftsmanship, innovation and technology, we are working to ensure that we continue to offer our customers a choice of world-leading SUVs.” – Statement, Jaguar-Land Rover
The SV Coupé was meant to be a bit of a flex by SVO, who had developed the car from the ground-up using the standard Range Rover aluminium platform as a base. Only the bonnet & the lower-tailgate (the one that flips out) were taken straight off the series-production Range Rover, with everything else (fast roofline included) being unique to the SV Coupé.
That said, SVO is not slowing down anytime soon, as detailed further in the announcement:
“Our Special Vehicle Operations division is continuing to develop exciting cars that push the boundaries of luxury, performance and capability – the all-new Jaguar F-Pace SVR is weeks away from its first deliveries, and we have many more new models in development.” – Statement, Jaguar-Land Rover
If there were any of our readers who were waiting on an SV Coupé for themselves, you have our deepest sympathies. But with a $430k pricetag, might we suggest you save yourself (quite alot) of dosh and plonk for that Jaguar F-Pace SVR instead?
For the best deals on a new Range Rover, check out our Showroom.
