Range Rover powers up

Land Rover has dropped the 190kW TDV6 engine from its local Range Rover line-up, replacing it with a twin-turbo SDV6 diesel powerplant producing 202kW and 625Nm.

The new V6 – already offered here in 225kW form powering the Range Rover Sport – complies with the latest European emissions legislation, Euro 6d. Its power and torque figures are 12kW and 25Nm higher than those of the TDV6 powerplant, which has not been upgraded to comply with the new European legislation.

Like the TDV6 engine, SDV6 is a diesel displacing 3.0 litres. Officially, the Range Rover SDV6 uses fuel at the rate of 7.7L/100km, which is worse on paper than the figure of 6.9L/100km for the superseded TDV6.

But Jaguar Land Rover Australia advises that the older figure is based on the previous NEDC combined-cycle test standard. The newer figure conforms with the World harmonised Light vehicle Testing Procedure (WLTP) – a new fuel economy standard that better reflects real-world fuel consumption.

For the MY19 update, Land Rover has also introduced a revised eight-speed automatic transmission, the ZF 8HP76, which is understood to reduce fuel consumption. JLR Australia projects that this will lower CO2 emissions by 2.2g/km, which is a tiny amount in fuel consumption terms.

A new cruise control system – Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go – is introduced as a $3600 option for the Range Rover Vogue and Vogue SE models, but is standard for the Range Rover Autobiography. The system will bring the vehicle to a halt behind a car in front, and then automatically allow the Range Rover to set off again if the vehicle ahead moves away within three seconds.

This new feature can be specified along with a lane keep assist system that applies "moderate steering interventions" to keep the vehicle in its lane.

While the camera-based system relies on line markings to keep the vehicle on course, it can also lock on a car in front to follow the path, in the absence of clear roadside markings. The system switches off if the driver changes lanes or brakes.

The price has risen for the MY19 Range Rover, now $194,535 for the base-grade model with the SDV6 engine. Previously, the Range Rover TDV6 was priced at $190,000.

"Range Rover is the original luxury SUV and the most capable and refined vehicle of its kind," says Nick Collins, Vehicle Line Director, Jaguar Land Rover.

"The latest updates ensure customers enjoy the peerless comfort they’ve come to expect, with more choice, convenience and safety than ever," Collins was quoted as saying in a press release.

Australian customers can already place orders for the updated Range Rover. Full pricing for the revised Range Rover line-up will be available in the first week of August.