As a way to announce SVR vehicles to the world, the Range Rover Sport could hardly have been more effective. The message about what an SVR car was going to be - loud, brash, fast, sumptuous and dynamically sorted - was foghorned across the industry, clear as day. When the later F-Type and F-Pace models arrived, we knew exactly what to expect because of how emphatically the big Range had launched the brand.
It represented a desirable set of characteristics, too, the SVR makeover; instead of focussing on a super-lightweight overhaul - always likely to be challenging with a Land Rover product - the new performance flagship was to be obscenely fast and super luxurious, yet with a chassis-based dexterity that precious few rivals could match. Those after a track optimised car will not be best served by an SVR - even the F-Type - but for those after a cosseting and charismatic fast car will find an awful lot to like.
It's arguable, in fact, that as the original take the Range Rover Sport was the very best exponent of the SVR philosophy. At launch it proved so caddishly charming (yet with a tangible depth of talent) that it was impossible not to like, noise and speed and sense of occasion more than enough to offset any SUV prejudice. This impression was further cemented by twin tests with more stoic German rivals, living with one for a few months and the worthwhile updates introduced for 2018. It wasn't perfect, the SVR, and nobody could deny that, but it would also take a very cold heart not to see the appeal.
Believe it or not, those initial drives were more than four years ago, the Sport SVR launched in those halcyon, care-free days of 2015. Furthermore, while the performance SUV was a most certainly an established segment by then thanks to AMG, Porsche and BMW, it wasn't the market that's flourished in the years since Aston, Bentley and Lamborghini joined - not to mention Alfa Romeo and Jaguar, the latter sharing the same 5.0-litre V8.
Consequently the SVR is arguably not the attention grabber it once was. However, with much time under the bridge and many miles accrued, it does make for an interesting secondhand discussion. It's unlikely that many SVRs ever left the showroom at less than £100k, given that the list price was £95,000 and desirable options like the Meridian sound system were £4,000, meaning that today's Spotted, advertised for a little more than £50,000, must be near enough half price.
While on the jazzier 22-inch wheels and with carbon trim inside, the Corris Grey paint means this SVR look reasonably subdued by the standards of the sector. Moreover, this one comes with the added benefit of seven seats, which you won't find in many other cars, and still looks more than fresh despite its 50,000 miles.
Now, obviously, while this particular SVR has halved its value in the past few years, petrol is most certainly not half as expensive. Sadly, there will be the concerns around longevity and durability as the car continues to age, along with additional depreciation and further dating of the technology, so used SVR ownership is not a decision to be taken lightly. That said, none of the 2.5-tonne, fiendishly complex and immensely powerful SUVs are going to be like Ford Fiestas to run. And if values of the X5 M and GLE63 are anything to go by, the SVR has held on to its money reasonably well.
Regardless, nobody enters into ownership of a car like this to save money. They enter it for the experience, the somewhat guilty pleasure of sitting up high in conspicuous luxury, travelling very fast and making lots of noise. Not exactly for purists, but don't knock the SVR way until you've tried it...
SPECIFICATION - RANGE ROVER SPORT SVR
Engine: 4,997cc, V8 supercharged
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 550@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 501@2,500-5,500rpm
MPG: 22.1 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 298g/km
First registered: 2015
Recorded mileage: 50,000
Price new: £95,150
Yours for: £55,450
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