Review of the new Land Rover Range Rover

Having single-handedly laid the foundations for the modern luxury 4x4 sector, Land Rover's Range Rover assumed ownership of its own personal area of the market and has stood astride it like a colossus ever since. Rivals have tried to topple the icon but while some have experienced success in certain areas, none have truly eclipsed the Range Rover's unique blend of capability and class. With the latest version, Land Rover is looking to push its flagship that bit further out of reach.

It's all very well having a market leading product but questions need to be asked if the market it's leading is in a terminal nose dive. Nobody would suggest that such a situation is facing the luxury 4x4 sector yet, but few would disagree that change is needed if these monsters of the passenger car world are to remain relevant going forward. It might well be the next generation Range Rover that brings us real strides in a more environmentally-sound direction but indications are there in the promotional material for this heavily revised 2010 model year car that the marque is attempting to tread more softly.

A V8-only engine range isn't going to get the Range Rover installed on the Greenpeace Christmas card list but the latest engines both give more than a nod to matters of efficiency. The installation of the 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine developed in house at Jaguar Land Rover is a major boost for the Range Rover. It's quite a piece of engineering and it's British, which should still count for something with customers. With 503bhp, this supercharged, direct injection engine isn't backward in going forward and there's torque of 625Nm for all that towing and off-roading that the Range Rover set are inclined to do. The alternative engine is a diesel with more modest costs and capabilities. The 3.6-litre TDV8 produces 268bhp and like the petrol engine, it's matched to a six-speed automatic gearbox.

"The Range Rover is stronger than ever in its latest guise"

The Range Rover has long been a master when it comes to getting its occupants across their chosen terrain with consummate assurance and comfort. The latest model aims to take things to the next level with its Adaptive Dynamics system. Sensors monitor the dampers on each wheel 500 times per second to predict the optimum body and ride control settings for the driver's style and the terrain. The Terrain Response off-road driving system features a 'Sand Launch Control' function for those days at the beach while the Rock Crawl Program has revisions to help tackle boulder-strewn river beds. There's also a Gradient Release Control function for the Hill Descent Control System that lowers the Range Rover over precipitous descents in a more ginger fashion that passengers will appreciate. No other vehicle takes this much pride in going where it probably shouldn't.

This is the latest revised Range Rover but how will we mere mortals know that when it whooshes by. The headlights are shallower and the fog lights have been relocated from the bumper to the air-intake below. Taking pride of place is a deeper grille with crisp metal louvers in front of a heavy duty aluminium mesh. It looks liable to process anything that strays into the Range Rover's path into pieces roughly the size of McCain Oven Chips but we're told that pedestrian safety is an integral part of this model's design. The cabin looks as classy and cosseting as ever with its clean, elegant controls and high quality materials. The big seats look the ideal place to sit out big journeys and there's a host of technological gadgetry built in.

The instruments are in the usual place but they aren't real instruments in the manner that we're used to. The Range Rover replaces the traditional speedo and rev-counter clocks with digital facsimiles of the same projected on a 12" wide TFT screen. In normal mode, you'd have to look twice to verify that anything was amiss as the display looks conventional but at the touch of a button, the area between the 'virtual' dials can be customised to show anything from the outside temperature to navigation information, telephone system settings or wheel articulation. Controls on the steering wheel like those of a games console controller can be used to adjust the various functions without recourse to the main touch screen display at the centre of the dash.

A huge range of high tech and highly priced options is available for Range Rover customers to pimp their rides. The Autobiography model is where it's really at for those seeking a truly bespoke feel and here it's possible to select from a catalogue of leathers and wood finishes to adorn the car's cabin.

It's no surprise that the Range Rover will continue to campaign at the top end of the luxury 4x4 market against the same cars that have tried and failed to eclipse it in the past. The likes of BMW's X5, Audi's Q7 and Porsche's Cayenne are going to have a tougher fight than ever on their hands.

We're fed a lot of information about the Range Rover's lightweight construction and the efficiency of its engines but the car's only ever going to be light and efficient for a full-size luxury 4x4 weighing not far shy of three tonnes. The V8 petrol engine emits 348g/km of CO2 which is a seven per cent improvement over the old range-topping V8 while the diesel alternative pumps out close to 300g/km. Land Rover is showing willing but there's some way still to go.

The Range Rover is stronger than ever in its latest guise, still imperious, instantly recognisable and the king of the luxury SUVs. Enhanced engine technology addresses the running costs and environmental issues that have threatened to spoil the big 4x4 party but there's only so much that can be done with a vehicle matching the Range Rover's description.

The looks have been sharpened up, particularly around the front end, and the cabin is plusher than ever. Performance from the latest 5.0 V8 petrol engine is a major improvement and if you want to undertake serious off-road driving, the Range Rover will remain one of the very best there is at any price.