New Range Rover editions evoke the cosmos

RANGE ROVER’S recently revealed Sport SV Celestial Collection will be available in five “curated” variants that build on the British manufacturer’s already handsomely equipped and monumentally powerful Sport SV model.

 

Range Rover plumped for a theme of ancient mythology and the cosmos to differentiate the new offerings called: Gaea, Theia, Io, Vega and Sol, all a product of the company’s SV Bespoke Design team.

 

No pricing is available at the moment, suffice to say the donor model Range Rover Sport SV Edition One P635 five-door wagon goes for a not insignificant $360,800 excluding on-road costs pitching it directly against the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT and well above the BMW X5M, Audi RS Q8 and Mercedes AMG GLE63 on price.

 

The Celestial Collection may be seen in some circles as “gilding the lily”, but Range Rover says it is an “exclusive collection of exquisitely crafted, bespoke Range Rover Sport SV vehicles” available in Australia only through expressions of interest through Range Rover dealers before it arrives in limited numbers later this year at an unknown price.

 

The donor SV Edition One is Range Rover’s fastest vehicle despite weighing in around 2600kg thanks to its twin turbo 4.4-litre petrol V8 engine with 48V mild hybrid (MHEV) assistance that generates some 467kW and up to 800Nm on Launch Control.

 

It’s straight out of BMW’s new M5 CS model and powers the new Celestial Collection models from 0-100km/h in a scant 3.8 seconds while using premium petrol at the claimed rate of 12.5-litres/100km.

 

All wheel drive is fed torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission and the model boasts full off-road capability including more than 200mm ground clearance thanks to a Multi Terrain Mode system.

 

It can also competently complete fast racetrack laps aided by what Range Rover calls 6D (dimension) air suspension that limits fore and aft pitch under brakes and acceleration as well as diagonal and side roll to create a flat stance under all fast-driving conditions.

 

The celestial vehicles feature “meticulously curated content, including bespoke colours and finishes, with 23-inch wheels, carbon-ceramic brakes, carbon-fibre bonnets and unique symbolism throughout the luxuriously appointed interiors”.

 

The collection is a first-of-its-kind from Range Rover, and each relates to a defining factor associated with its name for example the natural tones of ‘Gaea,’ and the bright yellow exterior of ‘Sol,’ each curation Range Rover says “providing clients with a unique and personalised vision of the luxury performance SUV”.

 

“The cosmos is a transcendent theme that crosses boundaries, fascinating and uniting people globally,” said Range Rover materiality manager Phoebe Lindsay.

 

“It’s a theme that feels appropriate for the first collection for the Range Rover Sport SV – embodying modern luxury design, while pushing the boundaries of the British originality Range Rover is famed for.

 

“The idea of mystery and intrigue from the celestial sky was key – the symbolism you can find throughout the collection draws a deeper meaning. These stories have been carefully considered to reflect the exemplary tastes of our clients.”

 

The five models offer a distinctive selection of colours, finishes, style highlights and materials inside and out.

 

The Gaea variant drawing inspiration from Greek mythology, the Theia also from mythology associated with sight and shimmering light, the Io themed model reflecting the most volcanically active body in the Solar System – Io, the Vega themed model from an exceptionally bright star from the Lyra constellation with a lot of blue in its spectrum and the Sol from the Sun which, says Range Rover “has always served as a powerful symbol of life and divinity.”

 

“Today’s discerning luxury clients are looking for more than just aesthetics – we want to create vehicles with which they form personal connections and bonds,” said Range Rover managing director Geraldine Ingham.

 

“The Celestial Collection from Range Rover SV is an ethereal and unique collection of some of our most luxurious vehicles, each beautifully crafted and considered, for the clients who value meaning, spirituality and storytelling.”