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Side vents cool the R's 5.0-litre V8
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| PERFORMANCE RATING: |
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No complaints on this score: when it comes to driving pleasure, there's nothing better than a large capacity normally aspirated engine. Although we've only sampled the SV-R, we have tried the SV's 4.6-litre Ford V8 in other cars, and found it an affable, flexible and powerful companion. But the SV-R, which is constituting the majority of customer interest and, it seems, will steal more sales, is better still.
The standard engine goes off to tuner Sean Hyland of Canada, where it gets bored out to 5.0 litres and, on its return, boasts 385 rather than the regular 320bhp. In the SV-R, it idles a little roughly and won't happily tickle away from standstill without the application of some throttle, but once underway it's excellent. The powerband is broad, peak power is delivered - like the 4.6-litre - at 6,000rpm, with peak torque (up from 301lb ft to 375lb ft) also maintained at the same 4,750rpm. It sounds pretty good too, a muted woofle at idle, that becomes a pleasing V8 growl as revs build, though it never gets loud enough to be intrusive. The five gearbox ratios are adequate given the large powerband, and third gear is fine for most B roads. A four-speed auto is available on the R, which we haven't tried, and aren't sure why you'd choose.
Performance figures see the regular SV complete the 0-60mph dash in 5.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 165mph, while the R is claimed to reduce the former to 4.9 seconds and be limited to 175mph, which feels believable but we'd be surprised if the R went much quicker than 175 anyway.
The figures alone would be good enough for five stars here, if it weren't that some rivals blitz these for less money.
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