Here’s a sport utility vehicle that’s a whole lot more “sport” than “utility.”

Just as capable off the road as on, the 2006 Range Rover Sport has four-wheel drive with low-range gearing for such duties as rock-climbing. With either a normally aspirated 300-horsepower, 4.4-liter V-8 engine or a supercharged, 390-horsepower, 4.2-liter V-8, the Range Rover Sport is all new for 2006.
Not that the 2006 Range Rover Sport supercharged model isn’t suitable for utility purposes; it actually offers more utility than most other midsize SUVs. But with a supercharged 390-horsepower V-8 engine under the hood, the emphasis truly is on the sport side of the equation.

• Range Rover Sport HST most expensive yet
• £5500 for aggressive makeover
• Performance unchanged

If the standard Range Rover Sport doesn’t have enough road presence for you, this new HST version might be the answer.

Land Rover reckons this 385bhp, supercharged model is the closest thing yet to the Range Stormer concept of 2004.

The most expensive Range Rover Sport to date offered gets an aggressive makeover with open-mouthed grille, deeper air intakes, rectangular tailpipes, unique 20-inch wheels and tail spoiler.

For the extra £5500 over a standard Supercharged car, at £63,000, the HST also comes with an electric sunroof, privacy glass and polished oak trim.

Falling Hard For My Long-Distance Winter Travel Companion
March 23, 2006
by Trevor Hofmann / American Auto Press

I couldn’t believe it. The middle of winter, and despite being on the West Coast, where it tends to rain more than snow come March, or anytime for that matter, Land Rover had equipped its new Range Rover Sport Supercharged with stock performance-oriented summer tires. Large in diameter and ultra low in profile, 275/40R20 at all four corners no less, the hot looking Pirelli PZero Rosso Asimmetricos wouldnt do at all. I quickly made the appropriate phone calls that resulted in plans to go to an LR dealership and have the racy rubber replaced with more suitable tires.

We trust you all had a good Christmas and New Year, let’s get back to the good stuff…

On Christmas Eve, Scotland’s Daily Record reported that Land Rover gave a fleet of eight vehicles–worth over £400,000–to Britain’s Prince Charles as a Christmas gift.

This prompted the publication to call Charles the “Prince of Wheels,” and Land Rover must be eating it up. After all, the Ford Motor (nyse: F - news - people ) subsidiary loves its ties to the British monarchy. Hanging near the entrance to the company’s factory in Solihull, England, are plaques commemorating visits from the queen and the queen mother.

Our 2005 Land Rover LR3 has performed admirably so far. It has been pressed into service for a variety of duties including participation in an Edmunds.com fuel economy test and a week-long family vacation by an Edmunds employee.

The e-mailed comments exchanged concerning the LR3 are primarily positive but some editors took issue with the midsize Land Rover’s nearly $51,000 as-equipped price. As we noted in our long-term introduction that price includes every option except DVD navigation and an in-car beverage cooler. However, it’s important to remember that Land Rover has a well-deserved reputation for building top-notch off-road vehicles so the price certainly reflects abilities and technology that might not be useful to the average minivan owner. It’s important to consider your needs before adding the Land Rover LR3 to your shopping list.

The 4X4OTY award-winning new Discovery bristles with technology, but does it work and how does the all-new Land Rover compare with its rivals? Allan Whiting and the gang from 4X4 Australia magazine were pleasantly surprised.
Occasionally a landmark vehicle comes along and, more often than not, it emerges from the British town of Solihull. Some of us are old enough to remember the impact the first Range Rover made on the Australian 4X4 scene in 1972.