From boating to watchmaking. From design to fashion. Every sector has produced its icons. And the automotive industry boasts the most. But few, very few, have been able to transcend their mechanical nature to become cultural symbols, status symbols, visions of style and lifestyle.
The Range Rover is one of them. And it didn’t happen by accident. Here too, there is a before and after. Yes, because 17 June 1970, when the first Range Rover appeared, was a date that marked a turning point in the automotive world. The project was born from an ambition as simple as it was revolutionary: to combine the off-road capabilities of a Land Rover with the comfort and luxury of a saloon car. In short, a car that could tackle muddy dirt tracks and city streets with the same impeccable ease. It was a bold choice, but one that proved so successful that the British press went so far as to call it “the Mona Lisa of off-road vehicles”. For the first time, the concept of the luxury SUV had form and, above all, substance. But there was more. For the first time, the car became an object of desire that spoke of freedom, adventure and success without ostentation.
Fifty-five years have passed since that day, and five generations of Range Rovers have spanned the ages, maintaining their charisma intact and reinventing themselves without ever betraying their DNA. Of course, the design has evolved, as has the technology that enriches each model, but one thing has remained the same: the desire to remain true to itself. That’s why Range Rover has never sought consensus. It has never followed trends. It has created its own world of style, quiet power and functional elegance. It has become the car of African safaris and Paris fashion shows, extreme expeditions and villas on the French Riviera.
It has been driven by Paul McCartney and Ralph Lauren, Kate Moss and David Beckham. It is parked outside Aman hotels and in Tuscan vineyards, on the streets of Belgravia, in Namibian resorts and in the most exclusive marinas and regatta fields. In short, it is a car for which there are no boundaries, which has had the merit of going beyond the concept of luxury, an adjective that is so terribly overused today. It has rewritten the rules of comfort and elegance, transforming them into an experience. This is where the concept of “modern luxury” was born, a philosophy that shuns the idea of simple ostentation. Sustainable materials, essential design, invisible technology and rare sensations: every detail is designed to offer a space that accompanies, protects and inspires. It is no longer just a question of driving something exclusive, but of experiencing every journey as a gesture of balance and awareness. These sensations can be found in all Range Rover models.
The new frontier of performance
Nothing has been left to chance in the latest model. Every detail is the result of extensive research, which has resulted in an elegant and well-proportioned design in terms of aesthetics, while from a functional point of view, it has met the demand for excellent aerodynamic performance. This performance is given a new, captivating interpretation in the Stealth Pack version. This model features a number of new solutions, such as Carpathian Grey metallic paint with contrasting satin protective wrapping, air vents on the bonnet, lettering, lower sections of the bumpers and side sills in Narvik Black Gloss, all of which enhance the sporty look and feel. The bar is raised even higher in terms of performance with the Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two.
Available in four versions (Blue Nebula Matte, Ligurian Black Gloss, Marl Grey Gloss and Sunrise Copper Satin), it features an even more aerodynamic design conceived specifically to further enhance road performance. Equipped exclusively with a 635 hp Twin-Turbo MHEV V8 petrol engine, it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 290 km/h. This achievement is also made possible by the use of cutting-edge materials, above all the carbon fibre used to make the bonnet. Carbon also plays a starring role in the interior.
The SV Performance front seats, exclusive to this model, offer integrated headrests, carbon fibre rear panels, sculpted side supports and a backlit SV logo. They are electrically adjustable in 16 directions, heated, ventilated and equipped with a massage function. Body and Soul Seat technology, which acts on sensory stimulation, is standard. The rear seats follow the same philosophy: a more dynamic design with accentuated side padding, electric reclining function, heating and ventilation.
The steering wheel, redesigned in terms of shape and materials, includes a new thumb contour, a thicker rim and a backlit SV Mode button. Pressing the button activates SV mode, which adjusts the suspension, engine, steering, transmission and exhaust. Pressing and holding the button opens the Configurable Dynamics menu for customised settings. The larger, LED-backlit paddles on the steering wheel display white symbols when the vehicle is started. In SV mode, they turn red. For even more intense driving pleasure.
From dream to reality
Sometimes the line between what you imagine and what you experience disappears. This is the case with SV Bespoke. It’s not just a service. It’s an invitation to participate in the creation of something unique. With SV Bespoke, Range Rover redefines the concept of personalisation, transforming each vehicle into a shared project between the customer and the brand. An approach that closely echoes the world of luxury yachting, where shipowners, designers and shipyards work together to create unique objects.
At the heart of the programme is the SV Bespoke Commissioning Suite in the United Kingdom and in the Midlands at Gaydon, and the Commissioning Suite Studio in Anversa, Belgium: a true atelier where the customer is at the centre of every decision. Alternatively, a virtual version with remote consultation is also available. The creative process is divided into seven stages, during which colours, materials, finishes and details are selected to achieve an unprecedented level of customisation.
Some figures? For the interior, up to 391 combinations of materials and colours can be selected. For the bodywork, there are over 230 SV Bespoke colours in gloss and satin finishes. And for those who want to go even further, there is the Match to Sample service, which can replicate any desired colour. The attention to detail extends to elements such as the bonnet and tailgate, which are also available in premium metallic finishes, including a 24-carat gold version.
The service is reserved for Range Rover Autobiography and Range Rover SV models and represents the pinnacle of the Land Rover bespoke experience. Technology also plays a central role. The new Pivi Pro infotainment system with simplified interface stands out on board: 80% of functions can be operated with two touches. New side bars allow immediate control of volume and climate, while integration with Alexa Voice AI and voice commands help manage every function without distractions.
Thanks to the Advanced Software Over The Air system, the vehicle stays up to date, constantly improving its digital performance. The Range Rover SV Bespoke is much more than an option: it is a statement of identity. For those who are not satisfied with driving an icon, but want to shape it.
Matteo Zaccagnino
