First look: Mean, green diesel for 2011 Rangie

LAND Rover has revealed that its 2011 Range Rover Vogue due for release in Australia early next year will receive a bigger, greener 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo diesel engine married with an advanced ZF eight-speed automatic transmission.

The unprecedented combination for the now Indian-owned British 4WD brand, which includes maximum outputs of 230kW at 4000rpm and 700Nm from 1500-3000rpm from the latest LR-TDV8, cuts fuel consumption to below 10L/100km, making this the most economical Range Rover ever built with a combined-cycle average of 9.4L/100km.

The figure represents an 18.5 per cent economy improvement over the current 3.6-litre TDV8, which produces 200kW (also at 4000rpm) and 640Nm (from 2000rpm), and manages 11.1L/100km.

No Range Rover Vogue has ever bettered 10L/100km on the combined cycle, and the new diesel’s fuel range is quoted at 1031km. Extra-urban consumption is rated at 8.2L/100km, while urban economy is 11.5L/100km.

The current TDV8’s CO2 emissions output of 294g/km is also bettered, down 14 per cent to 253gkm with the 4.4-litre engine, a powerplant unique to the Range Rover brand for the time being and, in addition to its specific output improvements, is said to offer “unparalleled levels of refinement”.

It also meets the tough Euro 5 emissions standard.



Like the 3.0-litre TDV6 diesel used in the Land Rover Discovery 4, the 4.4-litre V8 uses a parallel sequential turbocharger system designed to provide outstanding responsiveness at both low and high engine speeds.

The 4367cc 32-valve quad-cam unit also features third-generation common-rail fuel injection and a new CGI cast-iron block, the latter redesigned to accommodate a longer stroke and duplex timing chains.

The electronically controlled ZF 8HP70 automatic is controlled via a new rotary knob (replacing the CommandShift lever) and steering-mounted paddle shifters, while its eight gears enable closer ratios, a taller overdrive gear and greater overall ratio spread.

It also has a Transmission Idle Control function that disengages 70 per cent of the drive when the vehicle is at standstill and the engine is idling in Drive, reducing drag on the engine and saving fuel. Shift times are claimed to take 200 milliseconds, while the shift smoothness is said to be equal to that of a dual-clutch transmission.

As well as mapping driver throttle and braking inputs, the gearbox also has Curve Detection that holds on to a gear when travelling through a sequence of bends.

In acceleration terms, the permanent-4WD Range Rover Vogue is now claimed to reach 100km/h from rest in 7.8 seconds – 1.4 seconds earlier than the current 3.6 TDV8 – and top speed increases 10km/h to 210km/h.

Mid-range acceleration from 80-120km/h also improves, falling from 6.3 to 5.1 seconds.

The Range Rover Sport is now in line to receive the diesel engine upgrade, while the new-for-2010 petrol-engined 276kW/510Nm 5.0-litre LR-V8 and supercharged 375kW/625Nm LR-V8 SC Vogue models, both of which use a ZF 6HP28 six-speed auto, continue unchanged in the powertrain department.

Other mechanical changes brought with the new diesel include upgraded brakes, which bring it to the same level as the V8 supercharged model.

The Brembo-based braking system comprises 380mm ventilated front discs with six-piston ‘opposed action’ monobloc callipers and, at the rear, 365mm ventilated discs with single-piston sliding callipers.

All 2011 Range Rover models, both diesel and petrol, also pick up improvements to the Terrain Response system, namely Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Gradient Acceleration Control (GAC) modes.

HSA retains braking pressure long enough for the driver’s foot to move to the accelerator, without the vehicle rolling backwards, while GAC is designed to prevent the vehicle from hurtling downhill on severe gradients when HDC is not engaged.

Apart from detail changes such as a new ‘Jupiter’ grille and side vents for the diesel model and new alloy wheel designs across the range, exterior modifications for the 2011 Rangie have been restricted to an optional exterior design pack, which will be available in a choice of eight colours (including two new choices: Fuji White, replacing Alaska White, and Baltic Blue, replacing Buckingham Blue).

The pack comprises a revised front bumper with foglight surrounds, front grille and side vents in Titan finish, revised side sills and rear bumper, and stainless steel exhaust finishers.

Illuminated front scuff plates, which have ‘Range Rover Vogue’ backlit by LED lights, will also become available during 2011.

Land Rover Australia has advised that pricing for the 2011 Vogue will be announced closer to launch early next year.

The new model will be critical in maintaining Vogue’s presence in the increasingly competitive luxury SUV segment.

Land Rover’s global managing director Phil Popham said: “The 2011 Range Rover retains its position as one of the world's most complete luxury vehicles.

“Its combination of reduced CO2 emissions and superior engine performance continue to make it a clear industry benchmark. And with the introduction of our all-new 'super diesel', we see the Range Rover Vogue delivering under 9.5L/100km for the first time.”