THE Range Rover Evoque has proved to be a massive best seller for Land Rover, with diesel models taking the lion's share of sales.

But for Evoque buyers who want a bit more dynamic performance the company has now produced a 290bhp petrol version available in top-of-the-range Autobiography spec and guaranteed to make the neighbours green with envy.

It might not be as frugal as the ubiquitous TD4 diesel version but when it comes to performance this one is top dog in the Evoque hierarchy.

But as with everything if you opt for the best you can expect to pay for it, and in this case prices start from £55,200.

For that you get a car which has all the onboard four-wheel-drive equipment to tackle tough terrain - with the facility to dial up whatever surface you are about to encounter - but is really designed more for performance on the highway.

This model has a top speed of 144 miles per hour and will hit 62mph in just 6.4 seconds thanks to the latest home grown Ingenium petrol engine produced at the company‘s engine manufacturing centre in Wolverhampton.

It's quiet, punchy and delivers dynamic performance whenever you put your right foot down hard no matter which of the car's nine gears you are in.

Mid range performance is particularly impressive but although it corners well I did find the Evoque a bit wallowy with noticeable body roll.

The Autobiography comes with all the bells and whistles though, and from a comfort point of view is very easy to live with.

It thumbs its nose at icy conditions thanks not only its four-wheel-drive credentials but also a host of creature comforts.

An electrically heated windscreen, for example, means frost free glass in seconds while a heated steering wheel alleviates the need for gloves in cold weather.

And while heated front seats make for comfortable travelling in winter for front seat travellers the Autobiography offers the same facility for those in the rear seats.

And if you did get stuck you could always watch the dual view television which, when you are driving, cleverly allows only the front seat passenger to see the picture. The driver has to be content with sound only.

Other features of this top spec model include one of the largest panoramic glass roofs I have seen, 20-inch alloy wheels, a powered tailgate and perforated Oxford leather seating which can be both heated and cooled.

With its dramatic clamshell bonnet front and tinted side windows that taper dramatically towards the rear of the car the Evoque is certainly an eye catcher.