Ride Along With SHARP in the Rare Ultra-Luxe Range Rover SV Arete
Range Rover & SHARP
A proper Range Rover is capability, personified. Not just unflappable off-road chops, but on-road power and poise, blended with luxurious appointments for cosseting passengers. The limited edition SV Arete goes beyond; this is a 1-of-8 offering for the Canadian market, and the most exclusive (and expensive) Range Rover ever offered in the country. As they head to select dealers across the country, here’s a look at the pinnacle of Range Rover SV Bespoke.
Luxury
With plenty of insulation and a rigid body structure, the full-size Range Rover is one of the most serene driving experiences there is. Headrest-mounted speakers and third-generation active sound-cancelling software for the 35-speaker, 1600W Meridian premium stereo combine to make it even quieter in all four seats of the cabin.
Maximum comfort can be found in the rear seats, with all eight Aretes offered in Range Rover’s Signature Suite four-seat configuration. Passengers control these seats through a touchscreen, and they offer full power functionality including power leg rests. The experience is intended to be akin to flying first class.
Additional amenities include a refrigerator hidden between the seats for cool refreshments. Passengers also have the option of deploying the power-folding club table, which folds out to provide a workspace or place to rest a drink.
Technology
While the initial impact of the Arete’s interior is the quality of materials used and its thoughtful layout, there’s a tech powerhouse hidden under all that luxury. It’s all built on Range Rover’s latest connected vehicle architecture, which allows for over the air updates so the Arete will always be current.
Central controls are through a 13.1” haptic-feedback touchscreen, with clearly marked, intuitive menus. The hardware is running Range Rover’s Pivi Pro software, and functions in much the same familiar way as a user’s smartphone. Besides the usual navigating-by-touch, there’s also onboard voice commands through Amazon’s Alexa assistant. So equipped, the Arete can call up weather or news reports, and connect to any smart devices in its owner’s home.
Wireless connectivity and wireless charging for smartphones is included. There’s also the ability for rear passengers to connect their phones to the twin 11.4” touchscreens in the second row, allowing for streaming entertainment on the go.
Off-Road
Underneath its sleek and polished sheetmetal, the Arete is still ready to tackle any kind of muddy, snowy, or rocky terrain. Intelligent all-wheel-drive can handle any slippery tarmac conditions, routing power to the wheels with the most grip via brake-based torque vectoring. There’s also an active locking rear differential in the rear, making the most of traction even in high-speed corners.
Facing a more challenging ascent, drivers can call on Range Rover’s second generation terrain management system. There are six modes available, each tailored to whatever surface you’re facing, be it snow, sand, mud, or rock. The fully independent air-suspension will raise for greater clearance depending on terrain selection, and the electrically disconnecting anti-roll bars allow for maximum articulation over broken ground.
The Arete even benefits from Range Rover’s adaptive off-road cruise control. This automatically controls vehicle speeds to maintain composure over the rough stuff, while V8 torque and low-range four-wheel-drive press onwards with confidence.
Ride & Handling
All these features are underpinned by a supremely comfortable ride provided by the adjustable air suspension. The rear wheels can dial in up to 7.3 degrees of angle, allowing for a turning circle of just eleven metres, and at higher speeds will turn with the front wheels for additional stability. All together, the Arete provides all-weather, all-terrain comfort and confidence, along with a supremely luxurious passenger experience. The bespoke design and limited number make this vehicle just a little more special, but it’s still a Range Rover through and through: capability, personified.
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