Like most trends, the fad for sport-utility vehicles started at the top. The Range Rover was the vehicle that first brought the four-wheel-drive estate car off the moors and into Bond Street and is now so well established as a luxury car that it outsells all the top executive saloons in Britain — the Mercedes S-class, BMW 7-series, Audi A8 and Jaguar XJ.

These days Land Rover and Jaguar operate as one company within the Ford group and the association is brought into focus as the latest version of its 4x4 flagship is equipped with the Jaguar V8 engine. It is called the 2006 Range Rover but will in fact be available from May this year.

The current Range Rover was launched in 2002 and so, following motor industry convention, it is due a facelift in 2006. It has had a minor one — larger front bumper, new grille, different lamp units — but the most important change is out of sight beneath the bonnet.

At the moment the Range Rover is equipped with a BMW engine, a legacy of the days before the German car maker sold its Land Rover division to Ford. Ford liked the idea of the perfect car for an English gentleman but understandably didn’t want to purchase most of its expensive parts — such as the engines — from BMW. The Jaguar V8 was the obvious substitute for the 4.4 litre BMW engine but it has taken time to adapt it to Land Rover’s requirements and make suitable modifications to the Range Rover.

Now the redesign is complete and the Jaguar V8 versions will start at £50,995 and extend up to a supercharged Vogue SE at £72,995. Diesel Range Rovers will continue to have BMW engines for the time being, but there is a new V8 diesel, also shared with Jaguar, coming in a year’s time.

The Jaguar petrol engine beats the BMW all round: the 4.4 litre V8 produces 305bhp, 20 more than its predecessor, the car is quicker, a little less thirsty, and runs more quietly and smoothly, helped by an excellent six-speed automatic transmission. The supercharged model, with a 4.2 litre version of the V8 similar to that of the Jaguar S-type R and XJR, develops 400bhp and is the fastest and most powerful production Range Rover ever offered. It can accelerate from 0-60mph in 7.1sec and its top speed is electronically limited to 130mph.

The supercharged Range Rover (it has no other name) proves the company’s claim to have used Jaguar’s expertise to improve its on-road behaviour while maintaining Land Rover’s unrivalled reputation for off-road capability.

I drove it in Spain in the hills to the west of Barcelona. On motorways and main roads with long, fast sweeping bends it was rock-steady — remarkable for such a tall, heavy car. Its steering feel is much improved from the earlier model and body movement is very well controlled.

We ventured off the road and discovered that the Range Rover’s legendary go-anywhere ability is not compromised in any way by the racy 400bhp engine or the special tyres on 20in wheels.

With the low-range gears engaged, the throttle pedal is given less sensitivity, which makes it absurdly easy to trickle smoothly along tracks precarious even for mountain goats, let alone a 2.6-ton car with heated leather seats, a 14-speaker 710-watt stereo and a DVD system. Land Rover says the majority of Range Rover owners do use their vehicles off-road, though not, I suspect, quite like this.

The supercharged Range Rover is a smarter and more luxurious alternative to rivals such as the Porsche Cayenne Turbo; it comes equipped with everything, and has the latest safety equipment, including high-performance Brembo brakes such as those used on supercars, and tauter suspension. Cosmetically, a Bentley-like mesh grille and side vents distinguish it from other versions, and inside it features shiny piano-black wood trim.

The combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 16mpg suggests the supercharged engine does slightly better than the BMW original, but you can still expect mpg figures in single digits if you often make use of all that performance.

Those who buy the Range Rover say they want the ultimate luxury car that can go anywhere. Personally speaking, if I had one I would think twice about using a £70,000 car to clamber among rocks and wade through rivers, if only to preserve its paintwork and smart alloy wheels. But let’s face it, the king of the road is really the king of the King’s Road.

Vital statistics

Model Supercharged Range Rover V8
Engine type V8, 4197cc, supercharged
Power/torque 400bhp @ 5750rpm / 420 lb ft @ 3500rpm
Transmission Six-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Fuel/CO2 17.7mpg (combined cycle) / 376g/km
Performance 0-60mph: 7.1sec / Top speed: 130mph
Price £72,995
Verdict Fastest, most powerful Range Rover is back on top of the hill
Rating 4/5

The opposition

Model Porsche Cayenne Turbo, £70,860
For A 4x4 with even more power and performance and remarkable sports-car behaviour
Against Odd looks, hard ride, can't match Range Rover's off-road ability

Model Jaguar XJ Super V8, £71,970
For Same engine as Range Rover in a classic big saloon. Lighter and faster, old-fashioned class
Against Doesn't have that dominant, extrovert style or 4x4 drive