The International Boxing Federation Heavyweight World Champion recently got the keys to a personalized Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic.
Anthony Joshua is on roll right now. And in a new Range Rover.
He’s a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE). In late April, he defeated World Boxing Association World Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko in a bout to claim boxing’s “Super Title.” Shortly before that, he took delivery of his very own Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic from Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations.
You can see him do that in the video above. As special as the SVAutobiography Dynamic is, Joshua’s is even more special. His is the very first one fitted with the SVO Design Pack. First one as in ever. In the world. According to Land Rover, that suite of features includes “a number of highly desirable and distinctive exterior enhancements to the standard vehicle. It provides more options for customers to personalize their vehicle and includes a number of distinct exterior changes, including unique front and rear bumpers – the latter incorporating integrated quad tailpipes – new side vents, side sills and a unique grille.”
Joshua took full advantage of SVO’s personalization program. He had his regal rig trimmed with accents such as ebony and pimento red quilted seats that feature his signature on the driver’s headrest and a special rear compartment for storing his training equipment. His signature appears again on a chrome badge on one of the B-pillars and the door panels. SVO coated the exterior in a unique color it calls World Champion Graphite. We call it fitting. We’re sure Joshua would, too.
The supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine is stock, but with 550 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque, it packs plenty of punch already, just like the heavy hitter who now gets to enjoy its exhaust note and acceleration.
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.
