This is incredible power that is nevertheless completely submissive to your right foot. No teenage antics with turbo lag or sudden surges — just smooth, endless thrust available immediately after starting the engine. The TDV8 uses compact cast-iron cylinder blocks arranged at a 90-degree angle to each other. Here there are eight cylinders, a pair of turbochargers, 32 valves, and 3.7 liters of displacement. This unit was created through the joint efforts of Ford and Land Rover, and before it, only one diesel engine elicited the same delight from me — the Land Rover TDV6…
The new engine appeared under the hoods of the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. We took both cars for a test at once: firstly, to avoid repeating ourselves when describing the same engine, and secondly, to extract maximum pleasure from our challenging work.
YOU DON'T SEEM FAMILIAR?
First, we switched to the Range Rover TDV8 Vogue. Maybe someone doesn't understand what a Range Rover is? Let me explain: it is the most elegant and aristocratic car among those called SUVs by right, not due to marketing gimmicks. In addition to serious off-road talents (low range 1:3, huge air suspension travel, adjustable ground clearance, wading depth of 500 mm, permanent all-wheel drive, and the Terrain Response system that simulates differential locks), it delights with superb ride smoothness and quite decent handling. And the word Vogue in the name is simply an indication of the most luxurious trim level.
GENTLEMEN, THIS IS A PROVOCATION
Actually, my first encounter with the Range Rover TDV8 happened at the presentation, on a race track. Even then it was clear: the engine is capable of more, but on corners, the suspension holds the car back. Annoying, right? But on regular roads, where there are no tight loops or long low-radius turns, everything turned out simply gorgeous: responsive and precise steering, moderate body roll. In this huge SUV, you want to easily change lanes as if on a motorcycle. And winding country roads and overtaking cars with a serene smile? You always have an abyss of torque in reserve: already at 1250 rpm the engine delivers 400 Nm, and from 2000 to 2500 rpm — all 640 Nm. Even during active driving, the 6-speed ZF automatic rarely lets the engine rev above 2000 rpm. Imagine: speedometer at 150, tachometer at 2000, and the car continues to accelerate as briskly as at 100, 50, or 10 kilometers per hour.
As for off-road, with such a diesel engine it is especially pleasant to storm the steepest climbs and cross ditches: the engine growls, the traction control system clicks the brake pads cozily, and the car stubbornly crawls forward with true British persistence. Put a bulldozer blade on the front — and it would simply level all that rough terrain without losing its royal dignity.
What other consumer details are you interested in? Fuel consumption? It's not so straightforward here. The manufacturer promises 11.3 liters per hundred in the combined cycle. I got about 17 liters according to the onboard computer: an hour of driving in a congested capital, a hundred kilometers on the "Novaya Riga" highway and concrete road, plus a few kilometers of off-road. On the way back, when I drove more calmly and only on asphalt, it was about 14.5 liters. In my opinion, not bad — with a 105-liter tank, the range is indeed decent. I also note that the engine is very quiet: from outside, only a slight velvety rumble is heard, but it doesn't penetrate the cabin. The exception is only very intense acceleration. But what I definitely didn't like was the loss of that outstanding ride smoothness. True, on the TDV8 the suspension was recalibrated to maintain handling and comfort. Handling indeed didn't suffer, but the rest… It seems the issue is that the Range Rover TDV8 (like the Supercharged version) is fitted with Brembo brakes. Due to their impressive dimensions, they only fit with 19-inch wheels. You understand, there's almost no room left for tires in the wheel arches, and low-profile tires noticeably worsen ride smoothness.
A SENSE OF SPORT
If slightly increased stiffness is appropriate anywhere in the Range Rover lineup, it's on the Range Rover Sport TDV8. True, it shares only part of the name, body styling, and engines with its older brother. In terms of hardware, it's much closer to the Discovery III, with which it shares the platform. However, the Sport still drives noticeably more interestingly than the "Disco" or the "Range". Whether it's due to suspension settings (it's also air here) or slightly lower weight. But be that as it may, if the big Range Rover with the new turbodiesel is a provocateur, then the RR Sport is simply a firecracker. Its steering is even more precise, body roll even less, throttle response even sharper. In total, this gives much more than a simple sum of effects. As a result, we have a car that can charge its owner with adrenaline, yet comfortably carry them for several thousand kilometers; that can show its tail to many super crossovers, then turn off the road and climb where few SUVs dare to go. But with all this, it doesn't require taming from the driver — it doesn't need to be restrained, broken, or pulled back; it's hot but adequate. And one more thing: I'll tell you a secret, it accelerates no faster than the Range Rover with the same engine. It's just that the sensations behind the wheel are radically different. However, it's unlikely anyone will choose between these two Land Rover models — they differ greatly not only in character but also in price, interior finish quality, and space. But the new engine is equally good for both.
Yes, and also: if diesel engineering continues to develop in the same direction, soon spaceships will fly on diesel fuel.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS | ||
| Make | Range Rover TDV8 | Range Rover Sport TDV8 |
| Length/width/height, mm | 4972/1956/1905 | 4788/1928/1817 |
| Track front/rear, mm | 1629.4/1625.3 | 1605/1612 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2880 | 2745 |
| Turning circle, m | 11.6 | 11.48 |
| Ground clearance, mm | 222–280 | 172-227 |
| Curb weight, kg | 2710 | 2480 |
| Transmission | 6AT+2TC | 6AT+2TC |
| Drive type | full-time | full-time |
| Engine type | V8 TD | V8 TD |
| Engine displacement, cm3 | 3630 | 3630 |
| Max speed, km/h | 212 | 209 |
| Acceleration to 100 km/h, s | 8.9 | 8.6 |
| Power, hp@rpm | 272@4000 | 272@4000 |
| Torque, Nm@rpm | 640@2000 | 640@2000 |
| Suspension | independent | independent |
| Brakes | disc | disc |