A brute, but not for the bush

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT HERE?

For those of you who aren't au fait with the Land Rover line-up, the Range Rover Sport fills the gap between the rugged Discovery 4 we tested a few weeks ago and the über-luxurious Range Rover. Slightly more compact and closer to the ground, it's more of a plush sports utility vehicle than an out and out off-roader. So it's the Landy to buy if you explore the urban jungle.

Clad with subtle "supercharged" badging, this model is the daddy of the range, loaded with an outrageous 375kw V8 engine to give it near sports car performance. The business under the bonnet; it's every bit as intimidating in the flesh as it comes dressed with 20-inch alloy wheels, LED running lights and a host of new-for-2010 cosmetic tweaks that include a revised two-bar grille, sleeker front wings and redesigned bumpers.

Stick your head in and you'll also notice a face-lifted interior. Comfortable and generously appointed, it's screwed together right, with none of those annoying rattles we experienced while rolling in the Discovery.

WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

Utterly bonkers. Despite weighing more than 2.5 tons, this supercharged monument to the good life hurtles out of the blocks like some over-endowed '60s muscle car raging on nitrous oxide. Stamp hard on the loud pedal, leave the cog swapping to that butter smooth six-speed automatic gearbox, and in seconds you'll be steaming past 100km/h to that licence-revoking top speed of 225km/h.

Brutally quick in a straight line, this road-focused Range Rover is also deceptively competent through the bends, with masses of mechanical grip and limited body roll allowing you the sort of pace you'd only ever expect to emulate in a low slung sports coupe. Unfortunately, completely lacking in any steering feel, it's a rather remote experience. Be that as it may, a bump-stumping air suspension system does provide one of the cushiest rides in the business, which makes cross-country touring thoroughly relaxing.

As a high-speed point-to-point cruiser the Range Rover Sport will take some beating.

CAN IT REALLY GO OFF ROAD?

Yes, just don't expect it to complete the Camel Adventure. Even though it doesn't ride as high as the Discovery or Range Rover, the Sport packs an aggressive set of approach and departure angles, both crucial when clambering over gnarly obstacles. It also ups the mud-slinging ante with Land Rover's exceptional Terrain Response System that allows one to automatically tweak suspension, engine and differential settings to suit a particular set of off-road driving conditions.

But I recommend you approach the big bad bundu with a certain caution as those standard, drug-dealer spec 275/40R20 tyres aren't the best companions when it's really tough.

WHO SHOULD BUY ONE?

Bad-ass urban warriors, when not making lucrative deals or working out in their home gyms, will dig the Sport's anti-social, slightly sinister image and power glut. The perfect complement to their chunky TW watch.

IS IT A BABE MAGNET?

Yes. In fact, being blessed with considerable badge pedigree and those macho good looks, the Range Rover Sport stirred up all sorts of interest when I grilled a pair of singletons hanging out a local watering hole.

"I'm not really into cars," cooed 28-year-old Tanya Sutherland. "But I must admit a gloss black Range Rover Sport would do a lot to boost a guy's sex appeal. It's a very manly sort of machine and I kind of like that."

WHAT'S THE FINAL WORD?

As with the rest of the Land Rover portfolio, the Range Rover Sport Supercharged is a well-executed product that excels across a spread of motoring disciplines.

Great on road and reasonably competent off it, this intimidating executive really does offer everything you'd ever want from a car, which makes it particularly suited to somebody looking to garage just one vehicle.

Unfortunately this multi-talented prowess comes at a price, and one that only the well-heeled will be able to afford. Not only expensive to buy and maintain, this range-topping Sport is also a costly beast to run with its insatiable thirst for fuel.

Investigate if you've got the cash, but avoid if you don't.

CHARACTER PROFILER

If you Range Rover Sport were human, it would:

• Play one of those well-dressed hoods in the film 'Layer Cake'.

• Listen to rap greats like The Notorious BIG.

• Regularly indulge in Dom Perignon.

• Have a bespoke pair of diamond-studded cuff links.

• Be said to 'pack heat'.

AT A GLANCE:

Specs:

• Engine: 4999cc supercharged V8.
• Power: 375kW @ 6000 - 6500rpm.
• Torque: 625Nm @ 2500 - 5500rpm.
• 0-100km/h: 6.2sec (claimed).
• Top Speed: 225km/h (claimed).
• Fuel Consumption: 14.9l/100km (claimed). 22.89l/100km (achieved).
• CO2: 348g/km.
• Price: From R983995.

We like:

• Blisteringly quick.
• Very comfortable.
• Excellent through the corners.

We don't like:

• Massive thirst.
• High C02 emissions.
• Steering feels numb.