2018 Land Rover Range Rover SVAutobiography is the Flagship of Flagship SUVs

Top-of-the-line SVAutobiography trim shows just how luxurious Range Rover can be.

This is a big year for Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO). A few months ago, it announced the high-performance XE SV Project 8. Then came news of the ultimate version of the already capable Discovery, the Discovery SVX. The 2018 Range Rover Sport SVR soon followed. Now we have info about the 2018 Range Rover SVAutobiography, the most luxurious model in the Range Rover lineup.

The SVAutobiography stands apart from lesser Ranger Rovers by wearing a unique grille with chrome inserts, a variety of Bright Atlas accents, tailpipe finishers integrated into the modified rear bumper, and special 22-inch wheels. It is available exclusively as a long-wheelbase model, with nearly four feet of second row legroom. The SVAutobiography focuses on the pleasure and comfort of its two rear passengers. They can recline up to 40 degrees and receive a hot stone massage in the heated and ventilated 22-way Executive Class Rear Seats.

Between the two thrones is a full-length console that features controls for the power close rear doors and electronically deployable tables. A refrigerated compartment can hold four 20-ounce bottles, or two 750-mL bottles and two glasses.

A pair of 10-inch screens and 4G WiFi connectivity are ready to assist in getting business, or nothing productive at all, done on the go. A Zenith clock helps the well-heeled travelers in the back seats stay on schedule. That shouldn’t be a problem thanks to the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 under the SVAutobiography’s hood. It routes its 557 horsepower through an eight-speed automatic, and gets the SVAutobiography to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds.

ALSO SEE: Jaguar Showcases Entire SVO Line-Up Ahead of L.A. Auto Show

Front seat occupants have access to the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10-inch touchscreens. Those screens control functions such as navigation, phone, climate distribution, seat adjustments, and Terrain Response.

When it’s time to unload the rear cargo area, an optional Power Deployable Veneered Loadspace Floor can make whatever high-end luggage may be back there easier to reach.

The 2018 Range Rover SVAutobiography is on display now with other Land Rover and SVO vehicles at the L.A. Auto Show. It’ll show up in dealerships early next year with a starting price of $207,900.*

*Excludes $995 destination and handling charge.

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Derek Shiekhi

Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.

After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.

While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.

Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.

In addition to writing for a variety of Internet Brands sites, including JK Forum, H-D Forums, The Mustang Source, Mustang Forums, LS1Tech, HondaTech, Jaguar Forums, YotaTech, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts. Derek also started There Will Be Cars on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

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