The auto industry has become increasingly competitive in recent years, and it seems that a lot of carmakers are set on launching the "world's first" anything. With so many niches and technology around, this mission is becoming harder and harder each year, but some companies still find ways to brag about introducing something entirely new. Land Rover is the latest to join the pack with the Range Rover SV Coupe. Launched at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, it's essentially a two-door version of the big Range Rover, and it's described as the "world’s first full-size luxury SUV coupe." Yey marketing!

Created by the folks over at JLR's Special Vehicle Operations division, the SV Coupe reminds of the Range Rover Classic from the 1970s. It also had only two doors and significantly longer rear windows that made it look like a shooting brake on stilts. But, unlike its predecessor, the new model has heavily raked C-pillars and a slightly inclined roofline. Granted, it's not exactly a coupe, but it's definitely sportier than its spiritual predecessor. The SV Coupe also sports unique grille and side vent designs and its the first Range Rover available with 23-inch wheels.

The two-door SUV is also about enhanced luxury, as it features semi-aniline leather front seats with a unique diamond quilt design. Customers can choose from four front-to-rear contrast interior color, or a range of single-tone interior hues. Both are complemented by a choice of three wood veneers. This model also marks the debut of Nautica, a new trim that brings together walnut and sycamore.

Unlike the regular Range Rover, the SV Coupe is available with the supercharged, 5.0-liter V-8 engine exclusively. The unit is rated at 565 PS and 700 Nm of torque (557 horsepower and 516 pound-feet) and enables the SUV to hit 60 mph from a standing start in just five seconds, to go with a top speed of 165 mph. These figures make the SV Coupe the fastest full-size Range Rover ever. The suspension was also retuned to provide a more driver-focused experience than the standard Range Rover, with the ride height lowered by 8 mm (0.3 inches).

The coupe-style SUV will be assembled by hand at the SVO Technical Centre in Warwickshire, and only 999 examples will be made. It will be available globally, but for the time being, there's no pricing information for the U.S. market. It the U.K., it will retail from £240,000. That's around £60,000 more than the most expensive model to date, the SVAutobiography LWB. I guess Land Rover is aiming the SV Coupe at the Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, and the upcoming Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

References

Land Rover Range Rover

Read our full speculative review on the 2019 Land Rover Range Rover SV Coupe.

Read our full review on the 2018 Land Rover Range Rover.

Read more Land Rover news.

Read more Geneva Motor Show news.