The Range Rover 2007 model year, seen for the first time in the UK here at the British International Motor Show in London, gets an all-new V8 diesel engine and a series of other significant enhancements..

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Latest improvements to Land Rover’s flagship include a revised cabin design and a host of technical upgrades, such as Land Rover’s patented Terrain Response system, which extends even further the vehicle’s impressive breadth of capability.

The Range Rover’s outstanding off-road capability is enhanced by the addition of Terrain Response as standard for all 2007 models, together with a centre ‘e’ (electronic) differential and the availability of a rear ‘e’ differential. Terrain Response allows the driver to select one of five settings on the rotary switch, to suit the terrain. The vehicle’s electronic and mechanical controls are then optimised to tackle the specific conditions.

“Terrain Response improves absolute off-road ability while reducing driver effort: off-road performance has never been easier,” says Phil Popham. “It benefits on-road driving too, and perfectly exemplifies Land Rover’s belief in offering the greatest breadth of capability in the class.”

Other enhancements apply across the Range Rover line-up for the 2007 model year. The cabin gains better stowage space (including a new twin glovebox), an enhanced airbag package, a cleaner centre console design, an electronic parking brake, a new upper facia and substantially improved air-conditioning and ventilation. Switchgear and the audio system have been improved, and there are more extensive wood and metallic finishes, all contributing to an enhanced premium feel. Front seats now offer an optional cooling function, as well as a standard heating feature, and active head restraints contribute to improved safety.

All 2007 Range Rovers have revised cabins, to improve storage space and further increase the premium ambience.

“Most of the changes are very practical, designed to enhance day-to-day living with the vehicle,” says Land Rover’s design director Geoff Upex, “with much improved stowage and better siting of controls. The vehicle is now equipped with twin gloveboxes and higher quality centre console storage and cupholders. The new electronic park brake and off-set gearchange are better oriented towards the driver.

“The facia is all new – to meet the latest safety standards – so we’ve taken the opportunity to refine the highly regarded architectural design theme, increasing both luxury and craftsmanship. The new facia design also improves the renowned Range Rover ‘command view’ driving position.”

The smart new door casings feature more extensive use of wood. Instruments have new graphics and the bezels now have a richer alloy finish. The centre console switchgear has been redesigned to improve both functionality and its tactile appeal.

The front seats are new too, and now offer the option of a cooling function, as well as the standard heating feature. For an even quieter interior, the Range Rover now gains acoustic laminated windscreen glass, reducing transmitted exterior noise by up to 6 dB.

An enhanced airbag strategy relocates the side airbags, formerly in the doors, to the seats, to improve cushioning in the event of a side impact. A driver’s side inflatable knee bolster is also added to all models, and the passenger front airbag has been redesigned.

The air-conditioning system has been comprehensively revised, to offer improved cooling, better airflow distribution, lower noise and greater comfort levels. The new 9 kW evaporator (replacing a 7.8 kW version) enables 15 per cent more heat to be removed from the cabin. In addition, new centre top vents help improve ventilation for front-seat occupants, and lead to a significant reduction in airflow noise at high fan speeds.

Technical upgrades for the Range Rover at 2007 model year include the addition of Terrain Response, Land Rover’s patented technology to make off-road driving easier. Terrain Response allows the driver to choose one of five terrain settings via a rotary control, located on the newly redesigned centre console of the Range Rover.

Terrain Response then implements the most appropriate settings for the vehicle’s many advanced electronic controls and traction aids, including ride height, engine torque response, Hill Descent Control, electronic traction control and transmission settings.

The five Terrain Response programmes optimise the vehicle set-up for virtually any on-road or off-road driving conditions:

• General driving
• Grass/gravel/snow (for slippery conditions on-road as well as off)
• Sand
• Mud and ruts
• Rock crawl

The rear ‘e’ (for electronic) differential is also new for the 2007 model year. It is standard on the Range Rover Supercharged, and available as an option on both the diesel and the normally aspirated petrol engine. It improves on-road handling and off-road dexterity. All models have a centre ‘e’ differential.

Suspension settings and brakes have been upgraded for the TDV8. Competition-bred Brembo front brakes are standard, identical to the high-performance ones used on the latest Range Rover Supercharged. Revised spring and damper rates have been selected, to replicate the same ride and handling characteristics as on the supercharged model. 19-inch wheels are standard on the TDV8, with a 20-inch wheel and tyre option also available.

An electronic park brake replaces the space-consuming conventional hand brake lever in the centre console area. It is engaged by a simple pull of a switch. It is disengaged automatically when the vehicle moves off, or can be released manually.

TThe original Range Rover was the world’s first luxury 4x4 when it was launched in 1970. There have been three new distinct versions, with the most recent model unveiled in 2002. Since the release of the latest version, sales of Range Rovers have been running at record levels.

The 2007 model year upgrades come on top of a number of major improvements for the 2006 model year, when two new petrol engines were introduced. Both give better performance and greater fuel economy than the single V8 they replaced. The flagship model uses a 396 bhp/PS (291 kW) 4.2-litre supercharged V8, which is 35 per cent more powerful than the previous engine, has over 25 per cent more torque – which contributes to refinement and ease of driving – and is about 1.5 seconds quicker from 0-62 mph (100 km/h).

The other V8 is the normally aspirated 306 bhp/PS (225 kW) 4.4-litre engine, also quicker, more refined and more economical than the previous engine.

For the Range Rover, these two Jaguar-derived engines were specially developed to offer more torque at lower revs. For tough off-roading, the engines can operate at more extreme angles and have enhanced protection from dust and rocks. They are also better water-proofed for Land Rover’s tough wading requirements.

“Supreme breadth of capability is a hallmark of the Range Rover,” says Land Rover managing director Phil Popham. “It inspires a sense of confidence no matter what the conditions. The latest Range Rover offers effortless performance, irrespective of terrain, and has better on-road performance than ever before, both in handling and straight-line speed.

“The new TDV8 model has the finest blend of performance and economy ever offered on a Land Rover vehicle. 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.”

 

Range Rover Engine Specifications

 

 

 

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