The 2017 Range Rover Is The Most Powerful And Hi-Tech In History

The Range Rover is already renowned for its off-road capabilities and benchmark setting levels of luxury but with its latest refresh, Land Rover's flagship SUV is about to make a name for itself in terms of semi-autonomous driving and connected car technology, too.

For 2017 the Range Rover is getting some cutting-edge driver assistance tech, from autonomous emergency braking to collision avoidance and intelligent adaptive cruise control systems.

However, as the Range Rover is meant to be the king off the road, many of the new features have been tweaked to take into account how the typical Range Rover owner actually uses his or her vehicle.

So while a host of powerful vehicles have launch control for a perfect racing start from standstill, the Range Rover's system does the opposite. Low Traction Launch ensures a gentle, slip-free departure when stopped on snow, ice, wet grass or muddy fields.

Then there's Advanced Tow assist that will be a huge hit with the Range Rover faithful as it takes the stress and frustration out of manoeuvring with a trailer or horsebox in tow. Using the car's surround camera system and the dashboard display a driver can pre-plot the course he or she needs to take when reversing, for instance, and then the car will automatically do the rest.

Other smart features include a set of apps that can plan journeys including the sections of a route that will be on foot, and that can even start learning the owner's routine so that it can automatically offer the best route in real time and send friends or family updates regarding the estimated time of arrival.

But as well as new tech, the Range Rover is getting a new sportier flagship option -- the Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic.

With 542bhp on tap it is the most powerful series-production Range Rover in history -- capable of going from 0-60mph in 5.1 seconds. It also has sharper suspension and steering and a lower ride height for better control, but so as not to make passengers uncomfortable it uses a system that applies equal and opposite forces to stop the body from rolling when cornering or turning at speed.

Mark Stanton, Director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, said: "The Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic has been specially developed by the Special Vehicle Operations team to deliver a more engaging driving experience. It delivers the ultimate combination of performance and Range Rover luxury, befitting its unique position in the portfolio."