Development work is continuing on Land Rover’s ‘baby’ model, the LRX, which is sure to be one of the big automotive stories of 2010, writes motoring editor Peter Carroll.

But in the meantime the West Midlands firm has revised its three premium models: the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Discovery.

Each has a subtle new design together with a much more luxurious interior.

There have been tweaks to the Terrain Response system which governs off-road driving – but the biggest differences concern on-road performance. . .

RANGE ROVER SPORT

While I did not get to drive the new Range Rover – notable for its opulent cabin and impressive range of electronic gadgetry – I did get to sample its more exuberant cousin, the Range Rover Sport.

And if it doesn’t appear that different from the old car – it’s only because Land Rover customers insisted that they wanted to preserve the look of the Sport.

“Leave the looks alone – just make it better,” was the general response from Sport customers when asked what they would like to see in the new model.

Accordingly, the styling changes are subtle but effective. There’s a slimmer two bar grille at the front and a tidier look to the bumper. The lights have blingy LED detailing which is sure to go down well with the Sport’s likely owners: Premiership footballers and pop stars.

The new interior is a triumph: the seats and high driving position are outstandingly comfortable and the quality of materials lavish. Land Rover has reduced the number of buttons on the dash to give a more premium feel.

The new engines are also likely to go down well with Range Rover customers. The Sport gets the new 3.0 litre twin turbo engine which has been successfully introduced to the Jaguar XF range.

The Land Rover version develops 245hp and boosts power by 29 per cent, and torque by 36 per cent, compared with the existing 2.7 diesel.

Even more impressively, fuel consumption improves by nine per cent and emissions are down by eight per cent.

The Sport is great to drive on-road with plenty of power for overtaking and lots of low down torque should you venture off the beaten track.

The new six-speed ZF transmission does a fine job of putting down the power and the new variable ratio steering is light and quick.

There’s a new ‘dynamic’ mode which tightens up the suspension and quickens the steering.

The Sport range also has a new flagship in the form of a five-litre supercharged petrol V8 monster. It’s a hoot to drive but likely to remain a guilty pleasure for well-heeled enthusiasts.

Also impressive is the Sport’s off-road performance. Land Rover has built its reputation on the ability of its vehicles to cope with inhospitable terrain and it doesn’t do any harm to remind yourself how formidable they are when the going gets tough.

It’s just a shame that so few Sports are destined to go off road…

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 4

The Discovery usually gets a completely new look when it moves on a generation -Êbut such has been the enduring appeal of the third incarnation of the car that Land Rover has decided to preserve much of its character.

The Discovery 4 shares the same boxy outline as its predecessor but the hard edges have been toned down.

The distinctive, brutalist front end of the Discovery 3 has gone, to be replaced by a more corporate Land Rover grille. There are new LED light clusters both at the front and back which I suspect will delight and annoy Land Rover fans in equal measure.

Personally, I’m not sure the utilitarian Disco needed any added bling but Land Rover will have researched what its customers wanted before introducing features like this.

What customers certainly wanted, however, was a better quality interior – and there’s definitely a huge step-up in cabin comfort this time round.

I thought I’d jumped into a Range Rover when I sat in the new Disco 4 HSE for the first time – not a car that’s around £20,000 cheaper.

The Discovery 4 also gets the capable 3.0 litre diesel and it makes light work of shifting the car’s substantial 2.6 tonne bulk around. The on-road driving experience is good with a much less wafty ride than before.

The Disco continues to seat seven and is as peerless off-road as ever. The car’s ability to breeze up slithery, muddy hills thanks to its masses of torque and the excellence of its Terrain Response system never ceases to amaze.

If you want a manual there’s an entry level GS at £31,995 featuring the old 2.7 litre engine.

Otherwise, prices start at £34,495 for cars equipped with the new 3.0 diesel – and, for large, adventurous families, there’s nothing to touch it.

By Peter Carroll

LAND ROVER 2010 FACT FILE

Models: Discovery 4 from £31,995 on the road; Range Rover Sport from £44,895

Engine: 2,993cc, V6, twin turbo diesel

Power: 245hp

Transmission: Six speed automatic, four wheel drive

Performance: 0-62mph in 9.6 seconds (Discovery); 8.8 seconds (RRS)

Top speed: 112 (Discovery); 120mph (RRS)

Economy: 30.4mpg (Discovery) 30.7mpg (RRS) on combined cycle

CO2 emissions: 244g/km (Discovery); 243g/km (RRS)

Length: 4,829 (Discovery); 4,783mm (RRS)

Weight: 2,583kg (Discovery); 2,535kg (RRS)

Servicing: 16,000 miles

Warranty: Three years / unlimited miles