Massive V8 diesel for Range Rover Sport 4x4

And yes, it's coming to South Africa, in April or May next year (2007).

With its combination of exhilarating performance and fuel economy of 11.1 litres/100 km on the EU combined fuel cycle the new TDV8 is expected to extend the Range Rover Sport's appeal still further.

"The new TDV8 engine is a tremendous achievement, with performance, outstanding refinement and exceptional efficiency. It extends choice still further for our customers, and we expect it to help maintain the vehicle's outstanding sales success," says Land Rover managing director, Phil Popham.

The TDV8 engine has been designed specifically to power the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, ensuring no compromise to its off-road credentials, and it was first seen earlier this year in the Range Rover.

For the Range Rover Sport the engine calibration, installation and applications have been developed to deliver a more sporting driving experience to suit the vehicle.

The introduction of the TDV8 engine is accompanied by detailed specification upgrades and improvements across the Range Rover Sport line-up.

The existing three engine options continue to be available - TDV6, V8 petrol and V8 supercharged.

Peak power from the TDV8 engine is an impressive 200 kW, 42 % higher than the existing V6 diesel. The new vehicle reaches 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 209 km/h.

The TDV8's torque curve is impressively flat.

Peak torque - an enormous 640 Nm (45 % higher than the TDV6) - is available continuously from just 2 000 r/min to 2 500 r/min.

With more than 500 Nm of torque available from less than 1 500 r/min to over 3 700 r/min, it's no surprise that in-gear performance is where the TDV8 really excels.

Each cylinder bank is fed by a dedicated variable-geometry turbocharger via separate, high-capacity intercoolers to help achieve the engine's impressive throttle responses.

At the same time the TDV8 is one of the world's quietest large diesels.

Even at idle, vibrations are on a par with those of many V8 petrol engines thanks to electronically controlled, switchable-rate hydraulic engine mounts.

The TDV8 engine is mated to Range Rover Sport's sophisticated full-time 4x4 driveline.

Electronic control continuously adapts the change characteristics of the ZF six-speed automatic transmission to the prevailing driving style.

In addition, the CommandShift mode also provides manual gearchange when required, providing even greater driver involvement.

The TDV8 shares its braking system with the Range Rover Sport Supercharged too, with four-piston Brembo front brake calipers and 360 mm front discs helping to achieve consistently excellent stopping power.

The TDV8's bright Titan-finish grille and side vents are performance cues shared with the V8 supercharged derivative. Stunning new 18 inch and 19 inch lightweight alloy wheels are available on both the TDV6 and V8 naturally aspirated petrol derivatives, saving around 10 kg per vehicle.

Detail improvements inside include the optional new hybrid TV unit which offers better analogue TV reception and can also process digital TV signals too.

An attractive metallic finish is now applied to several controls to improve tactility, while crisp, clearer instrument graphics and an additional instrument pack clock make life easier for the driver.

Other enhancements to specific derivatives include stowage pouches on leather driver seats, enhanced navigation functionality, lane-change indicator functionality (providing a three-flash lane-change signal in response to a single touch), an electric tailgate latch (for automatic closing once lowered) and the optional availability of Land Rover's fully electronic tyre pressure monitoring system.

There's no indication yet on pricing.