IN THIS FEATURE Flying flagship Freshened up Badge significance

Across the range, which starts at £45,995 for the TD6, suspension has been fettled for flatter handling and steering has received attention to improve feel and feedback. Indeed, on very quick motorway sweepers, the Range Rover feels superbly well planted and the steering is accurate and confidence inspiring. Point it at twisting mountain roads, though, and you get a sharp reminder that this thing weighs two-and-a-half tonnes in V8 form. Body roll is fairly pronounced, understeer is the order of the day through tight corners, and the steering feel isn't great. That said, this car was never intended to be a B-road hero, and off-road, there is simply nothing that can touch it.

The Range Rover is still a lovely piece of design, still feels fresh at the three-year mark. And early criticism that it didn't have quite the power-punch you might expect, especially in America where Yanks have become used to 7.0-litre-plus V8 SUVs, have been firmly put to rest with the supercharged version.

Small badge, big meaning

Back on that Barcelona motorway, the BMW finally moved over and we powered on past with our supercharger's evocative, high-pitched whine filling the cabin as we swept on by. Still not sure if he caught the significance of the 'supercharged' badge on the Rangie's boot as we passed but I can guarantee you one thing. Next time a Range Rover fills that fellow's rearview mirror, he'll pay a whole lot more attention. Oh yes.