IN THIS FEATURE Flying flagship Freshened up Badge significance

Visually, its glossy mesh cheese-grater grille and mesh side vents distinguish the supercharged Range. At the back, it gains neutral coloured tail lamp lenses, and those big 20-inch nine-spoke alloy wheels are also unique to this model. The air suspension has also been tuned for flatter handling, and the front brakes are big Brembo items for even better stopping power.

The rest of the Range line-up gets a freshening, too. The new supercharged model is joined by a naturally aspirated V8, also derived from Jaguar's engine range. It's a 4.4-litre unit like the outgoing BMW engine, but it develops 20bhp more power and is marginally quicker at 8.3 seconds to 60mph. Performance does feel strong, with merging and overtaking manoeuvres just a foot-flex away. All of this with a classic hard-edged V8 woof in the background. Lovely.

Interior still as opulent as ever

The excellent V6 diesel engine continues, but all Range Rovers gain cosmetic upgrades, including a clear lens treatment at the back, deeper front bumpers, new wrap-around headlamps and a bright platinum-coloured grille on non-supercharged models. There are also new designs for 18- and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, things haven't really changed, although Range Rover claims that the cabin is 50 percent quieter thanks to laminated side glass and a re-profiled A-pillar that reduces wind noise. That's a claim we can believe as it is possible as you don't need to raise your voice during conversation at 100-plus mph on the motorway (or so we are reliably informed).