Atlanta 2004

What the lord of the manor will truly be interested in are the supercharged models that move from 400 horses to 510, courtesy of the new Jaguar/Land Rover 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 with direct fuel injection. The price comes in at $95,125, an increase of only $950. A Roots-type supercharger sits in the valley between the cylinder banks and makes far less whine than the previous Range Rover Supercharged when called on to create maximum boost. The sound from the driver’s seat is more V-8 rumble, which adds a large dose of civility to the quickest of the Range Rovers, but we have to admit that we did like the antisocial sound of a supercharger on one of the world’s most luxurious objects.

Land Rover claims a 0-to-60 time of 5.9 seconds, which seems believable considering how the Range Rover Supercharged rears up onto its back tires under full throttle. Accompanying the extra power are six-piston calipers that clamp larger brakes than last year’s. No fade emerged in our mountain drive.

Other changes to the ’10 Range Rover include electronically controlled shock absorbers that continually respond to driver inputs and try to adjust the damping accordingly. Bent around corners, the new Range Rover exhibits a greater sense of control. The ride feels smoother and less choppy, but the difference is minute.

Although most owners will use the Range Rover as an alternative to a BMW 7-series or Mercedes-Benz S-class, the adjustable airbag suspension remains and offers the possibility of lifting the Range Rover high to clear obstacles or ford streams when off-roading. The Range Rover has no problem becoming a luxury car, but to use it solely as one is to ignore its roots and its do-anything capability.