Powerful new engines, revolutionary interior technologies and enhanced
driving dynamics reinforce the position of the 2010 Range Rover as Land
Rover's most complete luxury 4x4. Land Rover’s flagship has been
comprehensively updated to deliver more refined and efficient
performance, along with the ultimate in interior comfort and
craftsmanship. “The 2010 Range Rover is a considerable step forward for
what is already regarded as the one of the world's most complete luxury
vehicles. New engines provide formidable power, efficiency and
customary Range Rover refinement, and new technologies, such as the
dual view screen, deliver a world first. Like its legendary
predecessors, the 2010 Range Rover is setting the pace once more,” says
Phil Popham, Land Rover managing director.
Pride of place on the 2010 Range Rover goes to the brand new 510PS
supercharged LR-V8 petrol engine. The engine was developed in-house by
the Jaguar Land Rover powertrain team, with the requirements of the
Range Rover in mind from day one. The LR-V8 engine has been developed
to deliver more power and refinement, but without a corresponding
increase in consumption and emissions. The result is a lightweight
direct fuel injection engine with class-leading efficiency, which
provides significantly more usable low end torque and superior dynamic
responses without compromising power at higher RPM. The LR-V8 improves
fuel consumption by 7.3% on the EU cycle and CO2 emissions by 7.4
percent, despite substantial increases in both power (+29 %) and torque
(+ 12%), compared with its 4.2 litre Supercharged predecessor. The
engine is compliant with stringent EU5 emissions regulations.
The popular diesel derivative continues to be powered by the acclaimed
272PS 3.6-litre TDV8 and also benefits from upgrades to the design and
under-the-skin enhancements. These improvements include subtle exterior
revisions, featuring changes to the headlights, grille and bumper which
enhance the classic Range Rover style with more contemporary
detailing. The interior benefits from more luxurious materials and
finishes which add further refinements to the premium interior
ambiance.
More significantly, the 2010 Range Rover uses some revolutionary new interior technologies which enhance the experience for driver and passengers alike. The vehicle is the first to feature ‘dual view’ infotainment touch screen technology which allows the driver and passenger to view different images simultaneously. This means that the passenger can enjoy a DVD movie while the driver follows navigation instructions, all on the same screen.
Another dramatic innovation is found in the instrument cluster. Here, traditional physical instruments are replaced by a fully configurable 12” TFT screen which presents all essential driver information via cleverly designed ‘virtual’ dials and graphical displays. “The new display technology used by the 2010 Range Rover is a major advance. It gives us tremendous flexibility in presenting information, so that the driver gets precisely the data they require, in all driving conditions. Meanwhile, the passenger can be relaxing with a movie!” explains Nick Rogers, Chief Engineer, New Vehicle Architecture. The vehicle incorporates state-of-the-art Adaptive Dynamics technology to further improve the Range Rover’s peerless ride quality.
All-terrain performance is also enhanced by updates to the Terrain Response™ and Stability Control systems. To complete the package, the 2010 Range Rover benefits from a series of enhanced active safety aids including Adaptive Cruise Control, Emergency Brake Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, Automatic High Beam Assist (AHBA) and a surround camera system.
“The Range Rover remains the consummate luxury 4x4. Its combination of unrivalled all-terrain performance with the ultimate in comfort and refinement, remains a clear industry benchmark,” says Phil Popham, Land Rover managing director.
The 2010 Range Rover gets an all-new 5.0-litre LR-V8 supercharged petrol engine. The engine was developed in conjunction with Jaguar - the first time an engine has been designed from the outset with the requirements of both brands in mind. Shared primary objectives included the highest possible torque and fast response from low revs.
Although the basic architecture of the LR-V8 supercharged is the same for each brand, some changes were needed for the Land Rover engines to satisfy demanding all-terrain requirements. For example, the engines feature a deeper sump to accommodate the extreme tilting angles experienced when driving the Range Rover off road, and to accommodate the front differential which attaches to it. In addition, belt drives are waterproofed, as are the alternator, air conditioning compressor, power steering pump and starter motor.
The supremely powerful supercharged LR-V8 delivers 510PS and 625Nm of torque. One of the most advanced petrol engines ever built, the engine is packed with innovative features to ensure that it is also one of the most frugal in its class. The LR-V8 was developed with an emphasis on delivering a smooth, refined and responsive driver experience, with excellent power characteristics. Compared to the current 4.2-litre V8 the supercharged engine increases power and torque outputs by 29 percent and 12 percent respectively.
Despite this extra power, CO2 emissions are just 348g/km, 7.4 percent lower than the 4.2-litre; fuel consumption is reduced by a similar amount. Yet when it comes to regulated emissions the engine is incredibly clean, meeting the EU 5 regulations not due to come into force until 2011.
Direct injection – increased power and torque, lower emissions
One of the key features of the new LR-V8 is an industry first, centrally-mounted, multi-hole, spray-guided fuel injection system, delivering fuel at a pressure of up to 150bar directly to the cylinder. The positioning of the injectors ensures fuel is precisely delivered to the centre of the combustion chamber, maximising air-fuel mixing, and improving combustion control.
Fuel is delivered by twin, high pressure fuel pumps driven via an auxiliary shaft in the all new engine block. Delivery of fuel direct to the cylinder has substantially contributed to improved low speed, dynamic response which is particularly useful off-road while adding to driving pleasure on-road. The charge cooling effects of the direct injection fuel system have allowed the compression ratio of the naturally aspirated engine to be raised to 11.5:1, further improving the engine economy. During the engine warm-up phase, the combustion system employs multiple injection mode strategies to deliver 50 percent more heat for fast catalyst warm-up and reduced emissions.
6th generation supercharger – quieter and more efficient.
A sixth generation, twin vortex system (TVS) supercharger is fitted to the 510PS engine. A compact Roots-type unit, it feeds air through twin intercoolers which in turn are water-cooled by their own discrete cooling circuit. The high helix rotor design both improves the supercharger thermodynamic efficiency by 16 percent and improves noise quality to the point where the unit is virtually inaudible. The intercoolers reduce the temperature of the pressurised intake-air and so optimise power.
The air intake has been radically redesigned compared to the previous V8. The intake air path is a direct feed to the supercharger inlet from the centrally mounted front throttle body. Air is delivered through twin air boxes which reduce flow loss and further increase efficiency. Mechanically, the new supercharger and its intercoolers are efficiently packaged in the V of the engine to deliver a low overall engine height.
New variable camshaft timing system boosts engine torque, saves energy
A new type of variable camshaft timing system (VCT) on the V8 engine introduces another industry first. The four VCT units are activated by the positive and negative torques generated by opening and closing the intake and exhaust valves, instead of by oil pressure. This has allowed the engine oil pump to be reduced in size, saving energy and reducing fuel consumption.
VCT units work independently on all four camshafts with 62 degrees of authority on the inlet cams and 50 degrees of authority on the exhaust cams. Timing is optimised by the engine control unit for torque, power and economy at every point in the engine’s speed range. The response rate of the new VCT units is 25 percent quicker than before with actuation rates in excess of 250 degrees per second. This delivers a more immediate engine response to the driver’s demand.
Strong and compact
The new LR-V8 engine is built around a stiff, all new, aluminium block with cast-in iron liners and cross-bolted main bearing caps, to reduce noise, vibration and harshness. For the first time at Land Rover, the blocks are high pressure die-cast rather than sand-cast, providing a superior finish and dimensional greater accuracy. The engine also has aluminium heads, with four-valves per cylinder and strong, spheroidal-graphite cast-iron crankshaft and steel connecting rods. The cylinder heads and block are manufactured using recycled aluminium alloy for the first time, thus reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing the new engine.
The new direct injection petrol engine is more compact than its predecessor. Overall engine length has been reduced by relocation of the oil pump within the engine architecture.
The diesel alternative
For customers who prefer diesel power, the acclaimed 272PS 3.6-litre TDV8 engine continues to be available on the 2010 Range Rover. It is paired with the smooth and responsive ZF HP26 6-speed automatic.
