Streamlined: the limited-edition Range Rover SV Coupe

The Range Rover has become the go-to vehicle for those wanting a luxurious and practical off-roader since its debut in 1970. But in recent years Bentley and Rolls-Royce have introduced SUVs that boast both versatility and off-road ability and surpass the Range Rover in exclusivity.

In a bid to return to the top in all areas of the off-road market, Land Rover has announced a new two-door variant of its Range Rover at the Geneva Motor Show.

The Range Rover SV Coupe comes with a £240,000 price tag, which is nearly three times the cost of the base model, and is limited to a production run of just 999 examples. Each model is assembled by hand by the company’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) team, says Land Rover, which can tailor the vehicle to the client’s ideal spec.

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While the outline of the SV Coupe bears a striking resemblance to the four-door model, Land Rover has extended the bodywork and lowered the ride height to give the two-door off-roader a more driver-focused edge. The roofline also gradually slopes downwards at the rear end, emphasising its coupe-like design.

Inside, the designers at SVO have specced the launch car with a two-tone interior. The front seats sport a lighter colour, while the back bench is wrapped in dark leather.

This hasn’t been chosen purely for its design, as Land Rover’s design chief Gerry McGovern told Autocar that “chauffeurs who drive the Queen have the seat colours the other way round” - where the lighter seats are in the rear.

Having a lightly coloured cabin puts the emphasis on the driver and gives the SV Coupe a “far more road-oriented” appeal, he said.

The off-roader’s engine will no doubt excite drivers, as the SV Coupe is powered by a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 that produces a supercar-rivalling 557bhp and 516lb-ft of torque. This helps launch the car from 0-60mph in five seconds flat, before sailing on to a top speed of 165mph.

Buyers can choose from more than 100 pre-selected colours, which are available in different finishes, to tailor their SV Coupe. Treadplate and doorhandles engraving can also be specced.

Land Rover says it will open sales “from the fourth quarter of 2018”.