Let’s be crystal clear, in the world of premium 4x4s, the Range Rover reigns supreme. So any other model competing for the top spot, even when it carries a Range Rover badge on its bonnet, must face some serious scrutiny.

As the name suggests, the Range Rover Sport is the sleeker, more athletic member of the Land Rover elite league.

Sport buyers enjoy a whacking reduction in price on the full-blown opulent Range Rover experience, but the dynamic Sport continues to pack a seriously powerful punch.

For 2010, a new family of engines has been launched. The test model was powered by a new refined and responsive 3.0-litre V6, twin-turbo diesel, developed with engineers from Jaguar. For most day-to-day driving, including motorway cruising, one medium-sized turbocharger copes with all the work, while a smaller, secondary turbo is dormant, only kicking in when engine revs climb above 2500rpm.

The new unit’s 245 horsepower output is 29 per cent up on the 2.7-litre engine it replaces, while holding out the prospect of 30mpg in day-to-day driving.

An awesome, high-performance, supercharged, 510 horsepower V8 is also available for those who can cope with its wallet-shredding 18.9mpg fuel consumption.

Externally, the Sport’s muscular lines have been given a more sculpted feel. Striking LED headlamps combine with a new two-bar grille, front bumpers and wings to create a more sporting and aerodynamic stance. At the rear, new light clusters and a revised bumper design mirror the smoother front end.

Inside, the cabin has been given a comprehensive redesign, with higher quality materials and soft-touch finishes to deliver a real move upmarket.

The steering wheel is now fitted with a paddle-shift gearchange and changes have been made to the steering, chassis, suspension and Brembo brakes to give a more solid feel and improve driver involvement, especially at higher speeds.

A refinement to the stability control system also helps automatically slow the vehicle if taking a bend too fast, enhancing driver control.

While primarily a supremely capable, effortlessly quiet, on-road cruiser, the Range Rover Sport has potent off-road capability, and its electronic ‘terrain response’ system now features ‘sand launch control’. A new gradient release control also slows the initial rate of acceleration for descending steep inclines, to increase control.

On the goodies front, there is a new hard-drive navigation system; a portable audio interface that allows connectivity to an array of personal audio storage devices and a new 5in Thin Film Transistor driver information screen along with a digital, five-camera surround system to make parking and towing easier.

The new LED headlights can automatically switch on high beam and by detecting traffic ahead, in a split second, automatically switch back to low beam.

The Range Rover Sport might not be the king of the road, but it’s a serious pretender.

Price: £52,390 Insurance group: 16 Fuel consumption (Combined): 30.7mpg Top speed: 120mph Length: 478.3cm/188.3in Width: 193.2cm/76in Luggage capacity: 33.8 cu ft Fuel tank capacity: 18.5 gallons/84 litres CO2 emissions: 243g/km Warranty: 3 years/unlimited mileage