Range Rover Sport

The king of the urban jungle gets a facelift and supercharger

Driving a Range Rover is a bit like riding an elephant: you're king of the jungle, lumbering along at your own measured pace and everything moves out of your way. Speed isn't the first thing that springs to mind when you think of either creature, but now Land Rover is about to change all that. The company's latest series of Range Rovers includes a range-topping supercharged version; a beast that charms onlookers with its stunning appearance before scaring them to death with its almighty roar.

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Inside is a haven of stillness. Design tweaks have reduced the wind and road noise of previous versions, making the cockpit seem conspicuously quiet. Until you hit the throttle, that is, and the 400bhp Jaguar-derived V8 roars into life. Thanks to the electronically controlled six-speed box, power delivery is swift and smooth and, with a little help from the supercharger, the Rover eases past 60 in just over seven seconds. The 130mph top speed might seem a little paltry, but if you've ever held onto two-and-a-half tonnes of metal at speed, it's actually quite ample. With any off-roader, though, it's torque that counts and at 420lbs this behemoth has buckets.

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Oddly, for a car that has never been a master of subtlety, there is little to distinguish this range topper from the lesser models. A menacing mesh-design front grille and power vents, along with the bling-tastic 20-inch wheels offer some clues, but those apart, it looks just like an ordinary Range Rover - albeit a powerful one. This version is only available in the Vogue trim which, with the myriad gadgets, supercharger and Friesian-herd-clad interior, makes it the best-equipped Range Rover ever.

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The air-suspension with adjustable ride height has also been improved. Its flatter handling copes well with the extra power without compromising comfort. The Range Rover has always been admired for its capability both on- and off-road and the latest round of changes have only served to improve things.

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A new fascia-mounted touch-screen is standard on all models and, not unlike other luxury cars, can be used to control a tonne of gadgetry including satnav, in-car entertainment and a nifty tyre pressure monitor. A rear camera makes parking easier and ensures your pride and joy stays dent-free. New adaptive front headlamps turn when you do, improving illumination and bringing night-time off-roading to life. The in-car phone is now Bluetooth enabled and can be controlled via the steering wheel, touch screen or the cradle mounted handset.

Competition from the Germans has been fierce in recent years, but no-one has matched the Range Rover's blend of off-road capability and luxury. Never ones to rest on their laurels, the folks at Land Rover have raised the stakes again. This is a supercharged V sign aimed directly at their rivals.