Cracking new diesel V8 for Range Rover

LAND ROVER has whipped the covers off a cracking new 200kW/640Nm turbo-diesel V8 that will make its UK debut in this year's upgraded 2007 Range Rover, before coming online in Australia next year.

While Rangie’s relatively new 225kW 4.4-litre V8 and 291kW 4.2-litre supercharged V8 continue unchanged for 2007, next year’s revised Rangie will also offer more technology across the board as standard.

This will include the Discovery’s effective Terrain Response system, comprising an electronic centre ‘e’ differential (and an optional rear ‘e’ differential), plus an electronic park brake.

As in the third-generation Disco, Terrain Response allows the driver to select one of five settings via a rotary switch to suit the terrain, which optimises the vehicle’s electronic and mechanical controls to tackle specific conditions.

An improved interior will also be forthcoming for Rangie, comprising a cleaner centre console, new upper fascia, improved switchgear, upgraded audio system, and more extensive wood and metallic highlights to lift the Land Rover flagship's sense of occassion.

An enhanced airbag package and active front head restraints round out the 2007 Rangie’s safety improvements.

Complimenting the increased performance is a firmer suspension set-up similar to that of the Range Rover Supercharged, as well as upgraded Brembo front brake hardware.

But the big news is Rangie’s bullocking new oil-burning bent eight, which will replace the BMW-sourced inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel in the Td6 variant.

The 130kW Td6 currently opens Land Rover Australia’s Range Rover line-up at $131,900, while Jaguar’s 2.7-litre TDV6 powers the entry-level Range Rover Sport for $85,000.

Land Rover claims its compact, lightweight and "extremely strong" new TDV8 is one of the world’s most advanced engines, offering 54 per cent more power and 64 per cent more torque than the acclaimed BMW oil-burner it replaces.

Matched to the same six-speed ZF automatic transmission currently fitted in petrol Rangie variants, the Ford-owned British company’s all-new TDV8 is claimed to cut Rangie’s 0-100km/h acceleration time by more than four seconds (from 13.6 to 9.2 seconds).

The new engine also propels the diesel Rangie to a higher (and now electronically-limited) top speed of 200km/h (was 179km/h), while being 75 per cent quieter overall - and without any increase in fuel consumption.

The TDV8 exceeds strict EU4 emissions standards and returns combined average fuel consumption of 11.3L/100km – a figure Land Rover says is comparable to that of many petrol saloon cars "in a vehicle that has the capability to cruise motorways, climb mountains, cross rivers, carry five adults in ultimate comfort plus an enormous amount of luggage, and has one of the highest permissible towing weights of any vehicle".

It’s also claimed to make the diesel Rangie about 40 per cent quicker in 80-110km/h overtaking situations.

As well, the six-speed auto and transfer case’s wider spread of ratios includes a 12 per cent lower first gear and 28 per cent taller top gear, benefiting both off-road and freeway performance.

Jointly developed specifically for Range Rover by Land Rover and parant company Ford, the new 3.6-litre common-rail TDV8 offers a truck-like 640Nm of torque between 2000 and 2500rpm, with 400Nm (more than the previous Rangie diesel’s 390Nm peak) available from just 1250rpm.

Built at Ford Motor Company’s diesel engine facility in Dagenham, England, it’s said to borrow much technology from the Discovery’s TDV6, including a Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) cylinder block that’s said to have a much higher tensile strength than ‘standard grey’ cast-iron, better fatigue strength than aluminium, and extraordinary stiffness – allowing it to be lighter and smaller than similar-capacity diesel engines.

The CGI block’s outstanding stiffness is also credited with making the TDV8 "one of the world’s quietest and smoothest diesels".

Eschewing the TDV6’s 60-degree cylinder bank angle for a 90-degree vee because it’s "the best configuration for a V8’s balance and refinement", the TDV8 also features twin variable-nozzle turbochargers, a relatively low 17.3:1 compression ratio and two 16-valve aluminium cylinder-heads with four hollow overhead camshafts, roller-finger followers and hydraulic lash adjusters.

"The new TDV8 model has the finest blend of performance and economy ever offered on a Land Rover vehicle," said Land Rover managing director Phil Popham.

"It is faster, quieter and more refined than any diesel engine in our history, and is exactly the right powerplant to underline the Range Rover’s reputation as the world’s most complete luxury 4x4.

"Its balance of performance, refinement and economy is unmatched. We believe it makes the Range Rover an even more desirable vehicle, especially in strong diesel markets, and will appeal to many customers who’ve never considered a diesel before."