Following the Range Rover Sport SV’s record-breaking lap at Yas Marina Circuit, AutoDrift.ae posed key questions to Salman Sultan, Regional Head of PR and Product Launches, JLR MENA, to gain insights into this historic achievement.
Below, he shares details about the challenges, engineering innovations, and the significance of this milestone for the Range Rover brand.
1. What were the biggest challenges in adapting a luxury SUV like the Range Rover Sport SV for a Formula 1 circuit like Yas Marina, known for its high-speed straights and technical corners?
The Yas Marina Circuit presents a unique blend of high-speed sections and tight technical corners, demanding exceptional handling, braking performance, and aerodynamic efficiency. The challenge was to maintain the refined luxury and versatility expected of a Range Rover while optimizing the vehicle’s dynamics for precise control under high-performance conditions. Key engineering enhancements, including the innovative 6D Dynamics suspension system, lightweight carbon fiber components, and the most powerful engine ever fitted to a Range Rover, allowed the Range Rover Sport SV to achieve a record-breaking lap while maintaining its inherent capability as a luxury performance SUV.
2. How did JLR balance the vehicle’s off-road capability with the demands of circuit performance for this attempt?
The Range Rover Sport SV embodies JLR’s commitment to delivering uncompromised performance across all terrains. While setting the lap record focused on high-speed circuit driving, the vehicle remains a true Range Rover at its core. The 6D Dynamics suspension eliminates traditional anti-roll bars, ensuring both superior handling on the track and unmatched articulation off-road. The intelligent all-wheel-drive system, adaptive air suspension, and meticulously tuned chassis allow the Range Rover Sport SV to deliver exhilarating on-road performance while preserving the legendary off-road capability that defines the Range Rover brand.
3. What criteria were used to define “4-door production car” for this record, and how does the Range Rover Sport SV fit that category?
The record was set using a production-spec Range Rover Sport SV, adhering to standard manufacturer specifications without modifications. The classification of a “4-door production car” follows industry-recognized criteria: the vehicle must be mass-produced, road-legal, and available to customers without aftermarket modifications.
The Range Rover Sport SV, with its full production status and four-door configuration, fully meets these requirements, solidifying its position as the fastest SUV and fastest 4-door production vehicle to lap Yas Marina Circuit.
4. Are there plans to attempt similar records on other iconic circuits, such as the Nürburgring, where the Range Rover Sport SVR previously set an SUV record?
We continuously evaluate opportunities to showcase the exceptional performance of our vehicles in the most demanding environments. The Nürburgring remains an important benchmark in the automotive industry and we have used that renowned circuit to test our vehicle during pre production tests. For now, we are going to celebrate the success of the Range Rover Sport SV at Yas Marina Circuit, .
5. How will this accomplishment influence the development of future Range Rover models or SV variants?
The record-breaking performance of the Range Rover Sport SV reaffirms Range Rover’s ability to push the boundaries of innovation in luxury performance SUVs. The engineering advancements achieved through the development of the vehicle, including weight reduction strategies, advanced suspension technology, and high-performance braking systems, will contribute to the continuous evolution of the Range Rover lineup.
6. What does breaking this record mean for the Range Rover brand and JLR’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division?
This milestone underscores Range Rover’s position as a leader in luxury performance SUVs and highlights the technical excellence of Range Rover. It demonstrates our expertise in crafting vehicles that seamlessly integrate high-performance engineering with unparalleled luxury. This record is not just a testament to the Range Rover Sport SV’s capability but also a reflection of Range Rover’s relentless pursuit of innovation, pushing boundaries in both luxury and performance.
7. Is this achievement part of a broader strategy to position the Range Rover Sport SV as a leader in the luxury performance SUV market?
Absolutely. The Range Rover Sport SV has been meticulously engineered to set new benchmarks in the luxury performance SUV segment. This record-breaking achievement at Yas Marina Circuit reinforces its status as a class-defining vehicle, demonstrating that luxury and dynamic performance can coexist without compromise. The Range Rover Sport SV stands as a testament to our commitment to excellence, innovation, and leadership in the high-performance luxury SUV market.
Below, he shares details about the challenges, engineering innovations, and the significance of this milestone for the Range Rover brand.
1. What were the biggest challenges in adapting a luxury SUV like the Range Rover Sport SV for a Formula 1 circuit like Yas Marina, known for its high-speed straights and technical corners?
The Yas Marina Circuit presents a unique blend of high-speed sections and tight technical corners, demanding exceptional handling, braking performance, and aerodynamic efficiency. The challenge was to maintain the refined luxury and versatility expected of a Range Rover while optimizing the vehicle’s dynamics for precise control under high-performance conditions. Key engineering enhancements, including the innovative 6D Dynamics suspension system, lightweight carbon fiber components, and the most powerful engine ever fitted to a Range Rover, allowed the Range Rover Sport SV to achieve a record-breaking lap while maintaining its inherent capability as a luxury performance SUV.
2. How did JLR balance the vehicle’s off-road capability with the demands of circuit performance for this attempt?
The Range Rover Sport SV embodies JLR’s commitment to delivering uncompromised performance across all terrains. While setting the lap record focused on high-speed circuit driving, the vehicle remains a true Range Rover at its core. The 6D Dynamics suspension eliminates traditional anti-roll bars, ensuring both superior handling on the track and unmatched articulation off-road. The intelligent all-wheel-drive system, adaptive air suspension, and meticulously tuned chassis allow the Range Rover Sport SV to deliver exhilarating on-road performance while preserving the legendary off-road capability that defines the Range Rover brand.
3. What criteria were used to define “4-door production car” for this record, and how does the Range Rover Sport SV fit that category?
The record was set using a production-spec Range Rover Sport SV, adhering to standard manufacturer specifications without modifications. The classification of a “4-door production car” follows industry-recognized criteria: the vehicle must be mass-produced, road-legal, and available to customers without aftermarket modifications.
The Range Rover Sport SV, with its full production status and four-door configuration, fully meets these requirements, solidifying its position as the fastest SUV and fastest 4-door production vehicle to lap Yas Marina Circuit.
4. Are there plans to attempt similar records on other iconic circuits, such as the Nürburgring, where the Range Rover Sport SVR previously set an SUV record?
We continuously evaluate opportunities to showcase the exceptional performance of our vehicles in the most demanding environments. The Nürburgring remains an important benchmark in the automotive industry and we have used that renowned circuit to test our vehicle during pre production tests. For now, we are going to celebrate the success of the Range Rover Sport SV at Yas Marina Circuit, .
5. How will this accomplishment influence the development of future Range Rover models or SV variants?
The record-breaking performance of the Range Rover Sport SV reaffirms Range Rover’s ability to push the boundaries of innovation in luxury performance SUVs. The engineering advancements achieved through the development of the vehicle, including weight reduction strategies, advanced suspension technology, and high-performance braking systems, will contribute to the continuous evolution of the Range Rover lineup.
6. What does breaking this record mean for the Range Rover brand and JLR’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division?
This milestone underscores Range Rover’s position as a leader in luxury performance SUVs and highlights the technical excellence of Range Rover. It demonstrates our expertise in crafting vehicles that seamlessly integrate high-performance engineering with unparalleled luxury. This record is not just a testament to the Range Rover Sport SV’s capability but also a reflection of Range Rover’s relentless pursuit of innovation, pushing boundaries in both luxury and performance.
7. Is this achievement part of a broader strategy to position the Range Rover Sport SV as a leader in the luxury performance SUV market?
Absolutely. The Range Rover Sport SV has been meticulously engineered to set new benchmarks in the luxury performance SUV segment. This record-breaking achievement at Yas Marina Circuit reinforces its status as a class-defining vehicle, demonstrating that luxury and dynamic performance can coexist without compromise. The Range Rover Sport SV stands as a testament to our commitment to excellence, innovation, and leadership in the high-performance luxury SUV market.
