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DRIVE!Leader in a class of oneSYD TAYLOR drives a vehicle that comeswith social cachet as standardSend a grizzled explorer into thedeepest Brazilian rain forest. Chargehim to locate the most isolatedtribe known to man. Instruct him to asktheir leader a question: “What is a RangeRover?”I guarantee you will receive an informedresponse – for nowhere on the globe livesa breathing sentient creature that has notheard of the iconic Range Rover.This is a long-winded way of saying theRange Rover needs no introduction. It’squite simply the best of its kind – indeed asui generis motoring marvel that eclipsesrivals even before they are born.It’s the only big 4×4 today that combineseverything you need with a packageyou really must have . . . if only you couldafford it. But then – goodness! – manylucky people can, for given the qualityof its prestige specification it comes atsomething of a bargain price at £84,720.Undoubtedly it’s the best, and I wasdelighted to put through its paces thelatest lighter, stronger and more refinedLuxury Range Rover Vogue SE, secure inthe knowledge that it would take the strainand I would feel no pain.With 339PS the 4.4-litre SDV8 diesel canwaft you seamlessly through the eightgears to 135mph. “But think of the fuelconsumption!” I hear you cry. Amazingly, Igot an easy 40mpg-plus on a run and theofficial figure claimed of 32.5mpg overallis a very honest one. Drive in a statelymanner and you’ll get more.SuperiorOf course, the car has undergone manydesign modifications over the years, butit’s still unmistakably what it is: decidedlysuperior, eminently desirable, stylish,accommodating, powerful, poised – asensible car for those possessed of goodsense.Gratifyingly, during my stint at the wheel,I could tell that this big car ‘classiness’certainly rubs off. Almost without lookingI knew I was considered a prestigiousperson. Indeed, my sartorial unstylishnesswas explained away as eccentricbohemianism.as you step from the now even morespacious cabin, to deport yourself as anindividual of rare and fine breeding.In truth, you can’t beat the Range Rover’sluxury which is there in super-abundance.But it’s more than that. It’s luxury allied tosuperb utility, performance that’s not justfor show but which will go anywhere.It’s very easy when comfortably supportedin power-operated seats covered infragrantly scented leather to imagine thatyou are relaxing at your club and you halfexpect your man to present you with asilver platter of cucumber sandwiches. Butpoint the car to the open road, depressthe throttle and be amazed.The subdued woofle of this powerfulengine proclaims that this is a mightybeast, albeit an exquisitely mannered one.Whether you’re off to Ascot or easing yourway into Balmoral, the badge is an instantadmission ticke. So many ‘rough andready’ off-roaders forget that it’s not whatyou do but the way that you do it, and theRange Rover has no rivals.That’s why many who have owned thesecars for years couldn’t even consider analternative. For the simple reason thatthere is none.More than 40 years on since its launch,the Range Rover is still a recognisabledescendant of that first incarnation.Step out of a Range Rover and into aselect retail outlet and you are instantlycategorised as ‘someone what has’;approving eyes follow your movements42 43