Remains an accomplished, comfortable, plush long-distance cruiser with few rivals

What is it?

Thank goodness for Euro 5 emissions regs. Sure, they’ve killed off a few choice models – Mazda’s RX-8 and the five-pot Ford Focus ST, to name but two – but equally, they’ve forced some manufacturers to rethink products that, well, needed a rethink.

And this is a prime example: the 2011 Range Rover, equipped with a new, Euro 5-compliant 4.4-litre TDV8 powerplant and an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

The luxo-SUV uses parallel sequential turbocharging to deliver more power (308bhp) and torque (516lb ft) than the old 3.6-litre TDV8, while still managing to reduce CO2 emissions (by 14 per cent, to 253g/km) and fuel consumption, too.

In fact, it nudges 30.1mpg on the combined cycle; Land Rover proudly points out that this makes it the first Rangie to beat 30mpg.

The eight-speed auto is available only on the TDV8. It is controlled by a Jaguar-like rotary dial that rises from the base of the centre console. The 2011 model year also means new grilles and side vents on diesel models, a couple of new colour options and optional illuminated treadplates for the front doors.

What’s it like?

On the road, the new car builds on an already strong package. The V8 is smooth and laden with torque from as little as 1200rpm.

There is a gentle metallic twang as it rises through the rev range, and you’ll hear the faintest of V8 rasps from the exhaust, but in general it’s extremely refined.

The transmission represents a gain over the six-speed auto, too. It does trip up over its tall overdrive occasionally – you’ll feel the odd kickdown on motorways when you don’t necessarily want one – but it’s still an impressive upgrade.

Inside, the cabin is pretty much as you were, with the exception of that gear selector. The slabs of wood on the deliberately chunky dashboard and the sat-nav screen that can display different images to driver and front passenger remain, as do the excellent driving position and accurate steering.

Should I buy one?

So, the Range Rover remains an accomplished, comfortable, plush long-distance cruiser with few obvious rivals – and this is the car’s strongest variant yet. Small wonder that it has so few obvious rivals.

John McIlroy

Range Rover 4.4 TDV8

Price: £81,395; Top speed: 130mph; 0-62mph: 7.5sec; Economy: 30.1mpg; CO2: 253g/km; Kerb weight: 2580kg; Engine type: V8, 4367cc, turbodiesel; Power: 308bhp; Torque: 516lb ft; Gearbox: 8-speed automatic

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Cheltenhamshire 18 September 2010

Re: Range Rover 4.4 TDV8

PhilM4000 wrote:
There is always someone who knows someone who has had a reliable Landrover, they also make to many eyes a unique set of vehicles for which there is no competitor. Namely proper off road ability, 3.5 tonne towing capacity and 7 seats in the Discovery. They are also comfortable for big people to drive. This combo means a very loyal following of people who work in the countryside. If you ask these people about Landrover reliability they will have owned several and will know it is rubbish (however the dealers are quite good at fixing the problems as they all occur regularly). One day someone will make a reliable credible rival and Land Rover will start to worry, until that day they operate in a bubble where their core customer base just lives with the reliability issues. If I had the money I would buy a Discovery tomorrow in the full knowledge it would probably go wrong.

This happened 25+ years ago when Toyota's Land Cruiser had 80% of the off road ability, 60% of the luxury, twice to 10 tens the reliability and for 50% of the price. And in western Europe and California those looking to look good now buy Porsche Cayennes and so on. My advice to JLR, close the Solihull factory or sack the workers and get some recently redundant Jaguar workers as they can make high end reliable products (finally, from the X300 onwards Jaguars have been well made and reliable!) which clearly the workers in Solihull just can't. So in summary the bubble which used to cover the world with buyers making allowances has reduced to 'the countryside' in the UK and rich enclaves around the world where looking good is the number 1 and the servants can take the RR down the dealers 3 times a month for repairs.

Love the range, hate the prices and poor reliability.

ordinary bloke 14 September 2010

Re: Range Rover 4.4 TDV8

tannedbaldhead wrote:
His car does a tiny annual milage.
Surely any modern car that does a "tiny" mileage is going to be reliable at least ?

ordinary bloke 14 September 2010

Re: Range Rover 4.4 TDV8

paddyb wrote:
the Discovery 3 / Range Rover which have a timeless, industrial design look akin to the best in design - think Apple, top kitchen appliances, etc.
Agreed - I think the new Evoque (and Mrs Beckham's involvement) just about sums up what is happening at LR/RR - bling and lack of taste is taking over. I used to hanker after a Range Rover but now I'd not be seen dead in one even if I could afford the outrageous prices. The Cayenne or better still the Touareg are looking better and better propositions with each new Rangie that appeears.