Range Rover Velar SVR and its 542 hp are nearly complete

The Range Rover Velar spotted last April testing at the Nürburgring is indeed an extra piquant Velar SVR model. Autocar says it should come with the same supercharged, 5.0-liter V8 used in the Range Rover Sport SVR, producing 542 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque in this application. That would put the Velar down 25 hp compared to big brother, a tiny loss when considering the 300-pound weight difference between the two SUVs.

But the Velar SVR takes aim at scorching competitors like the BMW X6 M and Mercedes-Benz GLE63 S Coupe. Using Autocar's numbers, the Velar would sacrifice 25 hp and 51 lb-ft to the X6 M, 35 hp and 59 lb-ft to the big Mercedes. The operative word, though, is "big." The X6 M weighs 5,185 pounds, the Mercedes weighs 5,379 pounds. The most powerful Velar on sale at the moment, equipped with a 3.0-liter supercharged V6, touches the scales at 4,471 pounds. Even with a larger, 5.0-liter V8 underhood, by the time Jaguar Land Rover engineers complete the SVR weight-loss regimen there should be at least one pygmy hippo between the Velar SVR and its obvious rivals. Autocar thinks the men wielding the calipers will get the weight "down to about 1,800 kg," which is a ludicrous 3,960 pounds.

Adaptive dampers, new suspension settings that include an SVR mode, larger brakes, lighter wheels, and a reworked eight-speed transmission will sync up to provide dynamic bona fides. Telltale identifiers spotted so far on camo'ed testers include revised front intakes, a rear diffuser, and new exhaust outlets. The changes won't unduly compromise the Velar SVR's off-road chops, a key USP, since Jaguar's expected to unveil an F-Pace SVR at the New York Auto Show. The Jaguar's been developed to keeps its cat's eyes on the road, though. The Velar SVR should go on sale toward the end of the year.

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