4x4 Style

THERE’S something special about a Range Rover. If you are looking for a luxury 4x4 and have the cash, then a Range Rover should be the only car on your list. This has been the case for years, and, today, it’s more true than ever.

I’ve driven many Range Rovers and managed to get behind the wheel of every engine bar one, the big diesel. At last I’ve got hold of the twin turbo V8 diesel. Of course, I’ve been delivered the very top end model, the Vogue SE. Video screens for gaming and films for the kids in the back and just sumptuous luxury for us in the front, whether driving or just enjoying the ride.

At £70,600 it’s not cheap, but who cares as it damn well near perfect. For that, you get a 3.6 litre monster under the bonnet, throwing out an impressive 272bhp.

This power is enough puts the Range Rover way above its diesel engines rivals, from Mercedes (221bhp), BMW (218bhp) and Audi (230bhp). It’s also an engine that is more befitting of a vehicle that needs a truly imperious powerplant. Range Rovers do not do average or run of the mill at all well. The brand positioning dictates that a Range Rover should be the top of the tree and the old 188bhp diesel just did not do the trick.

Eight cylinders are always a good start and the Range Rover makes the most of its octet. It’s more than just the old six cylinder plus two. Compared with the outgoing engine, its 54 per cent more powerful, delivers 64 per cent more torque but, crucially, offers similar fuel economy. As you would expect with that sort of power gain, acceleration is vastly improved, slashing the sprint to 60mph to 8.5 seconds and giving a top speed capability of 124mph easily enough for high-speed intercontinental ballistic cruising.

Refinement has been improved too. The TDV8 is claimed to be 75 per cent quieter overall and you wont need to rev it until its valves bounce because the almost obscene torque figure of 472lb/ft comes on stream from just 2,000rpm.

Almost two thirds of that figure is on tap from just 1,250rpm, which is more than the old engine could make at full tilt.