Car News
Car Reviews
Cars for Sale
Car Discussion

The turbocharged 272 bhp/PS (200 kw) TDV8 diesel is one of the most advanced engines that makes its debut in the Range Rover. It is 54 percent more powerful than the six-cylinder diesel it replaces, and it delivers 64% more torque with the same fuel economy. The designers believe that the TDV8 diesel makes Range Rover a desirable vehicle that will appeal to the customers who have never considered a diesel before.

Maximum torque is 640 Nm (472 lb.-ft.). This is maintained constantly from 2000 rpm to 2500 rpm, delivering effortless performance even at low engine speeds. Over 400 Nm of torque is available from just 1250 rpm – greater than the previous engine’s maximum torque of 390 Nm (288 lb.-ft.).

Twin variable nozzle turbochargers contribute to the huge torque of the V8 diesel, as does the relatively low 17.3:1 compression ratio. The 32-valve engine configuration allows for smooth high-revving assisting performance and on-road refinement.

The new Range Rover delivers more then performance and fuel economy – great comfort, huge carrying capacity, awesome off-road capacity and massive towing ability.

Compared to the previous diesel engine, acceleration is significantly improved: over 4 seconds has been cut from the 0-60 mph and 0-100 km/h times (now 8.5 sec. and 9.2 sec. respectively). Maximum speed is raised to 124 mph (200 km/h). in addition, the TDV8 is up to 75 percent quieter overall, more refined.

The engine exceeds EU4 emissions standards and fuel consumption is impressively low considering the performance: combined average fuel economy is 25.1 mpg (11.3 litres/100km). this is comparable to that of many petrol saloon cars.

The 3.6l TDV8 has been designed to meet the refinement, torque characteristics and off-road needs of the Range Rover. Unlike the V6, the V8 has a bank angle of 90 degrees what gives it balance and refinement. Also, it uses a revolutionary Compacted Graphite iron (CGI) block which has a higher tensile strength than “standard grey” cast iron, better fatigue strength than aluminum and good stiffness. Its advantages in weight and strength mean the block can be lighter and smaller than those of rivals. A major factor in the refinement of the engine is the block’s outstanding stiffness. The heads of the engine are cast in aluminum, the overhead camshafts – 2 per cylinder bank – are hollow to reduce weight, and actuate the 32 valves through roller-finger followers and hydraulic lash adjusters. The intake camshaft is driven by a simplex bush chain, the exhaust camshafts by near-silent gearwheels. The intake manifold that is made from lightweight injection moulding, and cylinder heads employ Land Rover’s intake port deactivation technology to optimize swirf across the full engine speed range.

Besides the day-to-day road driving and high-speed motorway or autobahn cruising the new TDV8 is also designed for river wading, dust, mud and the steep angles necessary for class-leading off-road capability. As with all Land Rover products, the new Range Rover TDV8 must be able to drive through 45-degree gradients and traverse 35-degree side slopes, as well as wade through water 500 mm deep. At extreme angles there is a risk that either turbo may be below the sump level, restricting oil flow. So a new, patent pending, vacuum lubrication system has been developed to ensure full flow of oil at all times to the critical turbochargers, even on the most severe side slopes. No other turbo V8 has anything like the all-terrain versality of the Range Rover’s new engine.

By common-rail injection technology fuel is injected at up to 1700 bar, about 30 percent higher than in previous-generation common-rail fuel systems. Incredible accurate Piezo injectors provide highly efficient combustion, very low emissions and instant power on demand. They also reduce combustion noise, improving refinement. Land Rover has developed a new patent device for TDV8 fuel filler neck to avoid the risk of inadvertent fuelling with petrol.

The engine’s ZF six-speed automatic electronically controlled transmission offers extra smoothness and response. The Command Shift facility allows for manual gearchanges, improving the dynamic nature of the driving experience when required.

The vehicle is also provided with a new gearbox and a transfer box that have a wider ratio spread than the outgoing units and provide a 12 percent lower first gear, giving better off-road control and power. The top gear is now 28% higher. Developed especially for Range Rover, this latest Land Rover diesel engine is built at Ford Motor Company’s high-tech diesel engine facility in Dangenham, England.

Source: Internal