RODEO'S largest turbo-diesel has, since 1990, been the 2.8-litre engine, which has gathered a good following and is sold widely. The new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel with intercooler therefore has a lot to live up to.

Offering 96kW of power and a maximum of 275Nm of torque, when mated to an automatic, the 3.0-litre engine is ahead of its smaller brother by 22kW and 50Nm. And anyone who drives a diesel will tell you that every single power and torque unit can make a whole lot of difference to the way a vehicle works and drives.

The downside from the increase in cubic capacity is that the engine is now increadably loud in the cab. At idle it grumbles and rattles and when you step on the right pedal it makes a real din.

Once you reach highway speeds the tall gearing of the LS Sport brings the revs down to around 2250rpm and, when combined with road noise, the engine racket becomes less obvious.

A less than sophisticated diesel by modern standards, it employs only two valves per cylinder, combined with a high pressure electric fuel injection unit and an oil/water-cooled turbocharger. The intake air is cooled via an intercooler that is mounted on top of the engine.