2011 Range Rover released with a new V8 diesel engine

Known for its off-roading capabilities and comfortable interior, the Range Rover today is a far cry from its first model in 1970, which came with a basic interior, vinyl seats and plastic dashboards. Over the course of a few decades, the Range Rover brand has grown under the ownership of BMW and more recently the Tata Group, who also own Jaguar. The company has just released the 2011 Range Rover with a list of tweaks.

First on the list is the choice of engines, one of them being the new LR-TDV8 4.4-litre diesel engine that replaces the LR-TDV8 3.6-litre engine. Power delivery from the new oil burner has been pushed to 308hp and it creates an enormous 700Nm of torque. Added benefits of the newly developed engine include being more fuel efficient as it only consumes 7.81 litres per 100km travelled, while only producing 253 g/kg of CO2.

This as you’d expect has increased performance and the Range Rover now goes from 0 to 96km/h in just 7.5 seconds going on to reach a top speed of 209 kph. Quite an amazing feat when you realise this car weighs over two tonnes. Thus to keep this power under control, a Brembo brakes are fitted, similarly seen in the 5.0-litre LR-V8 supercharged model. This comprises of 380mm ventilated front discs with unique, lightweight aluminium six-piston opposed action monoblock calipers at the front, while the rear uses 365mm ventilated discs with single piston sliding calipers.

The engine is paired with the new ZF 8HP70 8-speed transmission, which is only for the diesel engine. The rest of the engines continue to soldier on with the 6-speeder. Steering mounted paddle shifts are also employed along with a rotary knob for selecting Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive and Sports mode. Similar to the transmission in the Jaguar XF, the knob rises when the ignition is switched on.

The new Range Rover also gets the Terrain Response system which incorporates Hill Start Assist and Gradient Acceleration Control. The first system holds the car in place on a gradient long enough for the driver to move his foot from the accelerator to the brakes, while the second is a “safety cover” which still holds the car in place, even if the Hill Descent Control isn’t engaged.

Other added features are optional illuminating treadplates for the front door, a new ‘Jupiter’ front grille and new side vents for the diesel model. The Range Rover will still be offered with the previous range of petrol and diesel engines as well. It will probably take some time for this model to reach Malaysia as we’ve just only gotten the 2010 model year Rangie here in Malaysia just a week ago!

Look after the jump for a picture gallery.

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