JUST recently I was stuck in one of the UK's wonderful traffic jams.

The temperature was over 30C and it was beginning to become very difficult for me to reach my destination in the time expected.

While those around me became increasingly hot and bothered, I remained cool, calm, almost serene.

My gnarly old back was being gently massaged and my nether regions were being caressed by a soothing coolness.

If I had had a passenger of two, they could have ignored the traffic and caught up on their favourite daytime TV programme while I, using the very same screen, used the sat nav to find an alternative route.

That might not sound possible but I was lucky enough to be driving Britain's - if not the world's - most iconic supercar. And, by supercar, I don't mean something lower than Ronnie Corbett's bottom that you need a degree in geometry to get in and out of.

Because, for me, the Range Rover is a supercar - and almost certainly the most luxurious supercar money can buy.

A controversial statement? Not really. Despite some johnny-come-very-latelys, the Range Rover remains the benchmark luxury SUV because of its upmarket image, incredible refinement and unrivalled off-road ability.

Let's face it, I was stuck on the M5 but I could also have been in the wildest, wilds of Africa such is the Range Rover's renowned all-terrain skills.

The Range Rover has long been the luxury SUV benchmark. Its upmarket image, exquisite interior, powerful engines and unrivalled off-road ability make it the go-to vehicle for those who want one car that can do it all. And, it certainly has presence.

Which is why it's a supercar. No, it won't do 0-62mph in a blink or have a top speed of a gazillion mph. But, it's 3.0-litre V6 powerplant does propel this two-tonne behemoth to the 62mph mark in less than eight seconds and on to a top speed of 130mph. And, as a supercar, let's not pretend it's cheap to buy or run.

However, it's also great to drive, has some pretty nifty handling skills combined with exemplary comfort and ride quality thanks to its adaptive damping and air-suspension.

In fact, everything is done with the minimum of fuss. Even the most amateur off-roader could take this Range Rover across continents because its clever all-terrain brain is so simple to use.

All while you remain cosseted in sumptuous, leather-lined luxury.

The Autobiography model is pretty much the luxury flagship (there's a souped up SV Autobiography version now for real speed freaks) so is equipped like a suite at the Ritz.

It's such a thoroughbred you want to pat it on its flanks every time you get out.

It's size also means there's plenty of space to be comfortable in and while aged Auntie Agatha might not be able to squeeze into a Murcielago, you can, because of the Range Rover's air suspension, ask it to bow down to greet anyone who might find the step up a little intimidating.

Then there's the cavernous luggage space, iconic split tailgate and the ability to tow 3,500kg.