Should Land Rover Bring Fuel-Efficient Diesel LR3 to North America?

Photos

Although large SUVs are currently selling well, increasing gas prices will no doubt reduce their market dominance. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

The minds at North American Land Rover must seriously be thinking of bringing the diesel version of the LR3 stateside. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

The diesel engine would not only improve the SUVs fuel economy but also reduce emissions while making it a better off-road vehicle. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Taking into account better fuel economy and cleaner diesel fuel, there is usually about a 17 percent reduction in emissions with diesel engines. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

While the 2.7-L TDV6s 190-hp doesnt sound that impressive, its 324 lb-ft of torque is amazing. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Land Rover has gone to great lengths to ensure the LR3 continues the brands impressive off-roading heritage. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

European Discovery TDV6 Gets Jaguar-Derived V6 Diesel

With fuel costs escalating to the point that most consumers are feeling a significant pinch in their budgets, buying patterns are starting to show smaller SUVs rising in popularity. Large SUVs are still selling fairly well, however, but long-term extortion at the pump will no doubt reduce their market dominance.

How will this reflect on Land Rovers V8-powered LR3 - the long awaited upgrade to the Discovery? The Ford Motor Company owned British brand has done well with its 5- and 7-seat sport utility in North America over the last decade, but after two generations its perceived quality isnt quite up to scratch and reliability near the bottom of the heap.

The new redesigned 2005 LR3 sports is all-new from the ground up, including its powerful 4.2-liter V8 engine derived from Ford sibling Jaguar. While the new engine improves performance while reducing emissions and fuel consumption, the vehicles large size and resultantly substantial curb weight still make it a gas guzzler.

North American Land Rover product planners must now be thinking seriously about importing the diesel version of the LR3 (still sold as the Discovery in other markets), which would not only improve the SUVs fuel economy but also reduce emissions while making it a better off-road vehicle.

OK, the fuel economy benefits are obvious but how does an oil burner reduce emissions first of all, and then what makes it better for serious 4×4 expeditions? To answer the former, the additional pollutants excreted by diesel engines are compensated by the engine not using as much fuel in the first place. The benefits do not follow an exact science, but overall there is usually about a 17 percent reduction in emissions. Depending on the diesel fuel itself, however, particulates can actually go up. By 2006 diesel fuel has to be refined to a new, much higher tolerance, which will dramatically reduce particulate pollutants, meaning diesel technology will become a lot cleaner here at home.

And why does a diesel powered SUV make a better SUV off the beaten path? Well, once again the word “better” needs to be defined. Conventional diesels wont make the 1,400 horsepower necessary to jump Dennis Andersons “Gravedigger” monster truck over a stack of cars and a school bus, but most outdoor adventurers adhere to the tread lightly philosophy as it is, so this wont be an issue. Diesel power not only delivers greater torque at lower revs than gasoline, the ideal scenario for crawling over rocky crags and fallen logs, but the improved fuel economy will allow adventurers to make treks farther into the wilderness before needing to turn back. A quick glance at the resale value of diesel powered Land Rover Defenders and rival Toyota Land Cruisers in your local classified ad section will show they are the popular choice among 4×4 enthusiasts.

And the LR3 is said to be an even more capable off-road vehicle than its superb predecessor, making the availability of a diesel even more advantageous.

Rather than just sticking with the current European Discoverys TD5 5-cylinder diesel, the new model will be named TDV6 for (you guessed it) the new engines V6 configuration. Just like the SUVs top-line V8, the diesel variant will be sourced from Jaguar. The 2.7-L TDV6, developed in cooperation with PSA (Citroen and Peugeot), makes a decent 190 horsepower, hardly a number that would entice North American enthusiasts, that is until factoring in its torque figure measures 324 lb-ft available at merely 1,900 rpm. The new engine is more refined too, offering improved emissions and fuel economy over its predecessor.

The engine features dual overhead cams, on both banks of cylinders of course, the latest common rail technology, which makes it extremely quiet, and electronically adjustable nozzles for a more thorough injection process, making use of all available fuel. As is almost always the case with modern diesels, the TDV6 is turbocharged, this one with variable geometry, enhancing performance.

Being that a much higher percentage of Land Rover owners take their vehicles off-road when compared to those that own competitive brands, the automaker has gone to great lengths to make certain mud, dirt, sand and water cannot seep into vital mechanical and electrical components. The crankshaft seal material reportedly repels dirt and water, while the oil pump is said to be mounted out of harms way.

Ironic is the fact that what might be Land Rovers most capable off-road vehicle isnt available on the continent with the most opportunity to make use of it, North America being riddled with dedicated off-road trails and more untamed wilderness than just about anywhere else on earth. And most likely the only way its going to change is if enough potential customers let their desires be known to their local Land Rover dealers.

Until then the only sport utility vehicle to offer a diesel engine in North America will be Jeeps updated 2005 Liberty, what was considered a risky decision last year but now as fuel prices continue to climb the charts appears more and more like an intelligent move. Land Rover has a history selling diesels in North America while its core clientele is sophisticated enough to embrace an alternate fuel technology, both key points that make importing the new TDV6 a smart business decision.

With or without the diesel, the new LR3 is expected to arrive later this year. Its a giant improvement over the outgoing Discovery in every way, with much more interior room and seating for up to seven adults. Panel fit is finally top-notch, partly due to its rigid integrated frame and monocoque construction. Interior quality is also greatly improved, but based on a pre-production example still not rising to benchmark levels set by rivals BMW, Lexus, Volkswagen or Volvo. The Land Rover is expected to be less expensive than at least two of the four brands mentioned, however, making this last indiscretion less of a concern. The addition of a diesel would set it apart from all of its direct competitors, which might be exactly what Land Rover needs to improve sales.

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1994 Land Rover Defender 90		Colorado Springs, CO	Price: $32,935
1999 Land Rover Discovery Series II		Elmwood Park, IL	Price: $4,995
1999 Land Rover Discovery Series II		Houston, TX	Price: $5,450
2003 Land Rover Discovery SE		Shreveport, LA	Price: $12,977
2003 Land Rover Discovery HSE		Columbia, MO	Price: $7,950
2003 Land Rover Discovery SE		Fairfax, VA	Price: $9,991
2003 Land Rover Discovery S		Mckinney, TX	Price: Contact Seller
2003 Land Rover Discovery SE		Houston, TX	Price: $11,256
2003 Land Rover Discovery SE		Springfield, VA	Price: $13,995
2003 Land Rover Discovery HSE		Springfield, VA	Price: Contact Seller
2003 Land Rover Discovery HSE		Sarasota, FL	Price: $14,990
2003 Land Rover Discovery SE		Columbus, OH	Price: $14,995
2003 Land Rover Discovery SE		Atlanta, GA	Price: $10,587
2003 Land Rover Discovery S		Roanoke, VA	Price: $12,805
2003 Land Rover Discovery SE		Saint Paul, MN	Price: $9,999
2003 Land Rover Discovery SE		Jersey City, NJ	Price: $11,950
2004 Land Rover Discovery SE		Norristown, PA	Price: $13,999
2004 Land Rover Discovery S		Fairfax, VA	Price: $14,995
2004 Land Rover Discovery SE		Grapevine, TX	Price: $11,995
2004 Land Rover Discovery SE		Hardeeville, SC	Price: Contact Seller
2004 Land Rover Discovery SE		Costa Mesa, CA	Price: $13,995
2004 Land Rover Discovery SE		Costa Mesa, CA	Price: $15,995
2004 Land Rover Discovery SE		Huntington, NY	Price: $15,988
2004 Land Rover Discovery SE		Georgetown, TX	Price: $12,988
2004 Land Rover Discovery SE		Bedford, OH	Price: $10,995
2004 Land Rover Discovery SE		Franklin Park, IL	Price: $11,895
2000 Land Rover Discovery Series II		Dahlonega, GA	Price: $11,991
2000 Land Rover Discovery Series II		Irving, TX	Price: $8,950
2000 Land Rover Discovery Series II		Jersey City, NJ	Price: $6,750
2000 Land Rover Discovery Series II		Fort Lauderdale, FL	Price: $7,995
2001 Land Rover Discovery Series II SE		O Fallon, IL	Price: Contact Seller
2001 Land Rover Discovery Series II SE		Austin, TX	Price: $5,944
2001 Land Rover Discovery Series II SE		Manasquan, NJ	Price: $9,900
2001 Land Rover Discovery Series II LE		Bellevue, WA	Price: $9,888
2001 Land Rover Discovery Series II SE		Spring, TX	Price: $7,945
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2001 Land Rover Discovery Series II SE		Honolulu, HI	Price: Contact Seller
2002 Land Rover Discovery Series II SD		Aurora, CO	Price: Contact Seller
2002 Land Rover Discovery Series II SE		Fremont, CA	Price: $10,822
2002 Land Rover Freelander S		Dublin, CA	Price: $7,698
2002 Land Rover Freelander SE		Lowell, NC	Price: $7,988
2002 Land Rover Freelander S		Smyrna, GA	Price: $5,888
2002 Land Rover Freelander SE		Cincinnati, OH	Price: $7,995
2002 Land Rover Freelander SE		Atlanta, GA	Price: $7,995
2002 Land Rover Freelander S		Englewood, CO	Price: $7,990
2002 Land Rover Freelander SE		Little Rock, AR	Price: $9,656
2002 Land Rover Freelander SE		Goldsboro, NC	Price: Contact Seller
2002 Land Rover Freelander S		Colorado Springs, CO	Price: $7,995
2002 Land Rover Freelander HSE		Boulder, CO	Price: $8,988
2002 Land Rover Freelander S		Torrance, CA	Price: $8,995
2002 Land Rover Freelander S		Denver, CO	Price: $4,991
2002 Land Rover Freelander SE		Brookhaven, MS	Price: Contact Seller
2002 Land Rover Freelander SE		Tampa, FL	Price: $7,995
2003 Land Rover Freelander SE		Norristown, PA	Price: $8,999
2003 Land Rover Freelander SE		Dublin, CA	Price: $7,998
2003 Land Rover Freelander S		Aurora, CO	Price: $10,998
2003 Land Rover Freelander S		Aurora, CO	Price: $9,995
2003 Land Rover Freelander SE		Weslaco, TX	Price: Contact Seller
2003 Land Rover Freelander S		Dalton, GA	Price: $6,267
2003 Land Rover Freelander S		Beaverton, OR	Price: $8,488
2003 Land Rover Freelander SE		North Richland Hills, TX	Price: $7,911
2003 Land Rover Freelander S		New York, NY	Price: $9,995
2004 Land Rover Freelander SE		Tampa, FL	Price: $6,672
2004 Land Rover Freelander HSE		Machesney Park, IL	Price: $10,999
2004 Land Rover Freelander HSE		Huntington Beach, CA	Price: $13,995
2004 Land Rover Freelander HSE		Wantagh, NY	Price: $12,555
2004 Land Rover Freelander SE		Bayside, NY	Price: $8,995
2005 Land Rover Freelander SE		Boulder, CO	Price: Contact Seller
2005 Land Rover Freelander SE		Devon, PA	Price: Contact Seller
2005 Land Rover Freelander SE		Toms River, NJ	Price: $12,788
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Littleton, CO	Price: $27,988
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Colorado Springs, CO	Price: $28,935
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Colorado Springs, CO	Price: $26,935
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Encino, CA	Price: $26,991
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Cherry Hill, NJ	Price: $28,915
2008 Land Rover LR2 HSE		Paramus, NJ	Price: $35,900
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Pasadena, CA	Price: $25,965
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Naples, FL	Price: $28,552
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Wesley Chapel, FL	Price: $19,000
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Tucson, AZ	Price: $25,997
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Tucson, AZ	Price: $27,898
2008 Land Rover LR2 HSE		Elmwood Park, IL	Price: $25,995
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		West Palm Beach, FL	Price: $28,995
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		West Palm Beach, FL	Price: $28,995
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		West Palm Beach, FL	Price: $27,995
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Sarasota, FL	Price: $23,950
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Colorado Springs, CO	Price: $29,935
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Fort Myers, FL	Price: $30,995
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Fort Myers, FL	Price: $30,995
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Columbia, SC	Price: $27,488
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Dalton, GA	Price: $23,957
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Vienna, VA	Price: $29,987
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		York, ME	Price: $27,500
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Floresville, TX	Price: $22,000
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Lighthouse Point, FL	Price: $28,931
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Lighthouse Point, FL	Price: $28,931
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Lighthouse Point, FL	Price: $26,931
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Laurel, MD	Price: $25,165
2008 Land Rover LR2 SE		Laurel, MD	Price: $26,344