Overall rating:

Range Rover's 5.0-litre supercharged flagship gets a visual makeover by Kahn Design and a boost in power from Cosworth to create a very rapid and individual 4x4.

Key Facts

Pricing: £99,875
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: six-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Body style: five-door luxury SUV
Rivals: BMW X5, Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GL
0-60mph: 4.5 seconds
Power: 555bhp

In the Metal:

Kahn states that it takes the best that exists and refines it - and in the case of this Range Rover RS600 that claim is not without merit. Some might find the front and rear bumpers and side skirts a touch over the top, but there's no denying they add some muscularity to the standard Range Rover's shape. And given the number on the road, that's no bad thing - the RS600 stands out as subtly different. Kahn resisted the temptation to paint this car in a loud colour and instead settled on an appealing, relatively muted Nara Bronze hue with contrasting black detailing.

It's arguably most successful around the rear and sides where the deeper body-coloured additions lower the Range Rover's stance, the 22-inch smoked RS wheels helping too. Inside, it's little changed with only the odd Kahn touch like kick plates, pedals and some trim pieces adding to the already fairly decadent specification of the Autobiography. If you wish Kahn will completely re-trim it to your exacting requirements though - just bring your chequebook.

Driving it:

It not only looks sharper, but is quicker too. Cosworth has been tinkering under the bonnet and the result is an even more rapid Range Rover. It doesn't feel quite as fast as the claimed 4.5-second 0-60mph time, but it's certainly not short of power. The engine enhancements are a combination of alterations to the supercharger and ECU programming, the result a boost in power from 500- to 555bhp. It's the changes to the torque that have the greatest effect though, with the '600' figure in the badge relating to the 600lb.ft of torque on offer.

Never a slow car in standard supercharged guise, that increased torque shifts the Range Rover's bulk far more convincingly. It's an amusing experience sitting so high up, in something so big that's able to accelerate with such impunity. Unsurprisingly the Range Rover's sheer size limits your chances to enjoy the additional performance, but it's pleasing to have such a huge amount of power in reserve - even if it is heavy on fuel.

What you get for your Money:

This is a truly individual Range Rover, which will appeal to many. As specified you're looking at a £100,000 Range Rover, which is over £15,000 more than a standard Autobiography. That actually makes the Kahn revisions look like decent value, given the level of work and obvious attention to detail involved.

Worth Noting

Kahn will do pretty much anything you desire to your Range Rover, including - if you're Katie Price - painting it pink. We'd avoid that though, if you ever plan on selling it.

Summary

Kahn's changes are always going to be a bit Marmite, but we're largely convinced by the looks, which gives the Range Rover a more urban than country look. We're never sad to be given more power, either. Overall, it's a convincing modification of an already fine vehicle.