The £46,995 flagship, then, is not a car for those on a budget, especially when you consider it returns 18.8mpg. If anything, it takes up where the previous-generation Range Rover left off, as the current flagship has ascended into the realms of super-luxury territory.
Viewed in this context, the Discovery V8 HSE is an impressive car. It shares the diesel's excellent road manners and off-road ability, while the Jaguar-sourced 4.4-litre engine is a cracker, producing a remarkable 427Nm of torque.
The Disco also offers great comfort and equipment levels, as well as the genuine seven-seat versatility of the oil-burning models. All of which makes the newcomer an impressive machine. It's a thoroughly good drive, is brilliantly designed and has an image that rivals can only dream of matching. Whether that's enough to justify the expense, though, is a different question altogether.
Although we're not convinced, it appears that the majority of buyers are - the UK's allocation of V8 models is sold out well into next year. So, if you feel the need to take the plunge, you'll have to join the waiting list.