New high-tech diesel engines are heading for the Range Rover Sport and Land Rover Defender.
The new 3.6-litre V8 diesel – already revealed in the Range Rover and set to account for 70 percent of its sales – will be available in the Sport in January 2007. CAR Online can reveal that the TDV8 HSE will cost £53,095. The HST version – which wears a bodykit inspired by the 2004 Range Stormer concept car – will cost £58,995. The refined new TDV8 diesel returns 25.5mpg on the combined cycle, despite serving up more torque than the supercharged petrol V8. Peak power is 268bhp, maximum torque is 472lb ft. The supercharged V8 produces 405lb ft. Surfing that torque wave propels the TDV8 from standstill to 62mph in 9.2sec, just 1.6sec slower than the flagship Sport. The TDV8 is available to order from December, with first deliveries due in January 2007. Expect a price around £48,000. The iconic Defender also gets a new engine: the 2.4-litre common-rail fourpot from the Ford Transit van. Producing 120bhp and 265lb ft, the new engine will deliver more torque and increased refinement over the outgoing 2.5-litre unit. The new engine is coupled to a six-speed ‘box with a higher sixth gear, for quieter motorway cruising. The only clue to the Euro4-compliant engine is the new bonnet bulge. But the cabin gets a thorough makeover. The dashboard fascia is all-new, and houses new air-con and in-car entertainment. New seats, grab handles and storage areas are also part of the upgrade. Expect the new Defender in showrooms in spring 2007, with a modest increase over today’s £18,000 starting price.