By IOL Motoring Staff
Whitley, West Midlands - Land Rover has upgraded the Range Rover for 2017 with a raft of new semi-autonomous driving features and a new range-topping model.
As usual with such things, the more special the edition, the longer the name - this one is officially the Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic, and it's being punted as the most powerful, best-handling full-size Rangie yet.
There's no argument about the first claim - it has the same 405kW / 680Nm supercharged petrol V8 as the hard-hitting Range Rover Sport SVR, mated to an eight-speed ZF auto transmission. That's enough to launch this 2360kg beetle-crusher from 0-100km/h in a quoted 5.4 seconds.
But, as any American will tell you, sheer muscle alone does not a Dynamic make. This one borrows a lot of its chassis technology from the same place it got its engine, including adaptive suspension that limits body roll in cornering by stiffening the outside dampers - operating independently on front and rear axles for more precise steering - an 8mm lower ride height, and uprated Brembo brakes.
The Dynamic Rangie rolls on your choice of 21 or 22 inch alloys, with all its exterior brightwork finished in dark grey for a little extra attitude, while the interior is trimmed in diamond quilted leather with contrast stitching, set off by piano black wood veneer with red trim elements and knurled switchgear.
New gizmotronics
The new Dynamic also gets the full suite of new driver aids that's been implemented across the range for 2017, starting with a larger 25cm central touchscreen. This is the home of Jaguar Land Rover's new InControl Touch Pro infotainment package - but you can also convert the digital display behind the steering wheel to a full screen view of the road ahead to minimise distraction time.
Included is a range of new apps that let you remotely switch on the climate control to heat or cool the interior, and even start the engine, before you get there, set the alarm and warn you if the alarm's been triggered.
Commute Mode will monitor the traffic situation in real time while you're en route and keep the person you're going to see updated on exactly how late you are going to be, while Route Planner will transfer the navigation display to your phone when you park at your destination and get out of the car, to guide you all the way to the doorstep.
Advanced tow assist now helps you reverse with a trailer. Just map out where you want the trailer to go on the image provided by the reversing camera using the rotary terrain response selector and your Rangie does the rest.
Also important for people who tow things with their Rangie is low traction launch, limiting the torque at each wheel to just below the point of wheelspin. This is not automatic; you have to engage it manually via the central touchscreen, but the car will prompt you to engage it whenever you are about to pull away in Grass/Gravel/Snow mode.
The 2017 Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic will be available in South Africa from the second quarter of 2017, with prices starting at R2 999 100.