Land Rover Range Rover 4.4 SDV8 of 340 CV Vogue, road test (Engine, performance and handling)

One of the innovations that personally appealed to me most at the Paris Motor Show 2012 was the new Range Rover. Half a year after its presentation at the Parisian event, the Highmotor test team had the opportunity to try out the new Land Rover Range Rover. The engine we tested is the most powerful in the diesel range, a 4.4 SDV8 of 340 CV, that is, an eight-cylinder powerplant.

The trim was the Vogue, one of the most complete, although of course the starting price is not exactly low, as it begins at 122,800 euros. The reputation the Range Rover enjoys made it even more interesting to test, after having driven an extensive range of premium 4x4s, we had doubts about whether the British model deserves its well-earned reputation or not. Stay with us for this test, and I assure you the new Range Rover will surprise you just as it surprised us.

Engine and performance

4,367 cc, eight cylinders in a V configuration, 340 CV and 700 Nm of torque. Few cars have these figures as their calling card, and at the wheel of the new Range Rover you can feel the monstrous engine hidden under that large bonnet.

This V8 stands out more for its performance than its smoothness, but it is undoubtedly forceful when we press the accelerator pedal down. Its torque and power figures are noticeable: from just over 1,500 rpm the car already responds to the driver’s commands with strength, and it keeps pushing without tiring up to 4,000 rpm.

The powerplant makes us forget the size of the car or its weight -2,360 kg-, tackling any overtaking manoeuvre or unexpected situation with plenty of force. Furthermore, Land Rover has done an excellent job of soundproofing the interior, against both engine noise and wind noise.

The gearbox paired with this V8 is an eight-speed unit, the typical ZF gearbox fitted to many models from Jaguar and Land Rover. Its operation is correct and it can be controlled via the paddle shifters. The good thing about having eight gears is that we almost always cruise at a low engine speed, taking advantage of the power from low revs and saving fuel.

Handling

Stability and comfort, these are the two sensations that dominate at the wheel of the new Range Rover. It is a car that, once you sit inside, isolates you superbly from the outside world thanks to good soundproofing, while the suspension takes care of filtering out the irregularities of the asphalt.

The downside is that compared with other rivals, the suspension is still on the soft side and still shows some inertia when driving quickly through bends. That said, it has improved over the previous generation and is now more agile.

Moreover, as soon as we take it onto a winding road, there is no need to worry, because if we try to push it off its line, the electronic aids correct it instantly. Compared with a BMW X5 or a Mercedes ML (the one in this test), it sits a step lower, but nevertheless in dynamic handling it matches models such as the Audi Q7.

The brakes have impressed us, as they stop the Range Rover with complete confidence, while the steering is quite assisted and geared towards comfort. Overall, the most outstanding aspect of this Land Rover’s handling is the comfort it offers its occupants on long journeys, where you can cover many kilometres without arriving at your destination tired.

Off-road performance

It is a Land Rover, and that alone already implies certain guarantees off the tarmac. The new Range Rover maintains its off-road abilities at the level of the previous generation. Clearly, it is not a Defender or a Discovery, but also, within the luxury SUV segment, it is one of the few that comes with mixed-tread tyres as standard and with off-road capabilities worthy of a 4×4.

Among its equipment is the Terrain Response system (a programme that lets you select various types of terrain, and the car chooses the best setup to tackle it). It is now optional, although at a very affordable price of 230 euros. It also features air suspension (which allows the car to be raised through three levels) and a low-range gearbox to lock the power distribution, as well as hill descent control.

During our tests it defended itself masterfully off the tarmac. The first surface was a wetland area with grass and muddy earth underneath, a real challenge for traction. We noticed that the V8 is heavy and that the front tended to sink, but there was no surface, whether grassy or muddy, that could resist it, even when the wheels themselves sank into the wet earth and it was almost impossible to pull it off the track. Even there, the car kept pushing forward.

The second test was on sand, where it proved it could move with total ease. The only drawback we found is the limitation imposed by the car’s own approach and departure angles, and models such as the Discovery are much lighter when it comes to leaving the tarmac and have better angles, so they move with greater ease. This becomes evident in a mountainous area with rocks and more difficult access: for the Discovery it is no problem, but for the Range Rover it can become a little more complicated.

The other models in the segment should take note, because there are indeed few that meet the demands of off-road use, and the closest is the Mercedes ML, as the others are more geared towards staying on the asphalt.

Fuel consumption

In terms of fuel consumption, the figures are not outstanding, but they are in keeping with a model of this size with a powerful V8 under the bonnet and 340 CV. On country roads during the test it hovered around 10-11 litres per 100 km, while on motorways it was possible to bring it down to 9 litres per 100 km provided we were careful with the pedal.

That said, the city is not its terrain. Although it has gained manoeuvrability and is more comfortable in the city, consumption is high, since constantly accelerating and stopping takes its toll. During our test, consumption hovered around 15 litres per 100 km.

In the second part of the test we will analyse the exterior and interior design and the build quality of the new Land Rover Range Rover, as well as the boot.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadLand Rover Range Rover25 versions · from 149,250 €