1996 Land Rover Range Rover 4.6 HSC

The term "sporty" is used to describe many vehicles, but typically not a Range Rover. This luxury 4x4 is often rightly regarded as "rugged," "elite," "pampering," "unstoppable"-but "sporty"? It didn't quite suit the Range Rover...until now. In an attempt to bridge that emotional chasm, Land Rover has pulled the wraps off a new, even higher-scale version of its perennial off-road wanderer. Meet the 4.6 HSE.

The HSE is primarily about power. A bump in displacement from 4.0 liters (in the Range Rover 4.0 SE) to 4.6 boosts power output from the 4.0's 190 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque to heartier 225/280 figures. The company claims that this additional oomph trims two seconds off the SE's 0-60-mph time, allowing it to make the charge in just 8.5 seconds-downright excellent for a 4960-pound SUV. Our driving impressions confirmed that the 4.6 delivers a beefier midrange and more spirited performance, which comes in especially handy for highway passing and hill-climbing situations.

Complementing this extra performance is the other side of the HSE formula: huge 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and low-profile 255/55HR18 Pirelli tires. This aggressive combination not only gives the prestigious SUV better on-road grip, but, yes, it also lends a truly sporty visual accent. The setup is a definite plus for the majority of Range Rover buyers, who spend the bulk of their driving lives on public roads. As we discovered in a muddy cross-country trek, though, these tires are better suited for the asphalt than for the backwoods, so if off-road excursions are more than an occasional occurrence, you may want to opt for more appropriate rubber.

As with the 4.0 SE, the 4.6 HSE comes amply stocked. Amid the many standard features are dual airbags, full-time four-wheel drive, an electronic air suspension system, 10-way power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, four-channel ABS, and an 11-speaker, 120-watt, CD- changer-equipped sound system. In fact, the HSE is so well outfitted that no options are offered.

In addition to establishing still another level of luxury for the SUV segment, the 4.6 HSE also sets a new upper price point of $62,000, seven grand more than the SE. But for the exclusively inclined, that's merely the price of entry.

Body type: 4-door, 5-passengerDrivetrain: Front engine, four-wheel driveCurb weight, lb: 4960Wheelbase, in./mm: 108.1/2745Engine: 4.6-liter OHV V-8, 2 valves/cylinderHorsepower: 225 @ 4750Torque, lb-ft @ rpm: 280 @ 3000Transmission: 4-speed automaticBrakes: Discs/discs, ABSEstimated base price: $62,000