2011 Range Rover Officially revealed with new 4.4 liter V8 diesel engine

• New 4.4-litre LR-TDV8
• New ZF 8HP70 8-speed automatic transmission
• Terrain Response® enhancements
• Optional Exterior Design Pack in a choice of eight colours
• 5.0-litre Supercharged LR-V8 retained
• Five new allow wheel designs
• Subtle exterior styling revisions
• Autobiography Black: a very special 40th anniversary limited edition

Gaydon, Warwickshire, 17 June 2010 - A new, class-leading V8 diesel engine, new 8-speed transmission, two significant Terrain Response® upgrades and subtle external styling enhancements are amongst the features on the new 2011 Range Rover – on-sale in the UK from late September 2010.

"The 2011 Range Rover retains its position as one of the world's most complete luxury vehicles. Its combination of reduced CO2 emissions and superior engine performance continue to make it a clear industry benchmark. And with the introduction of our all-new 'super diesel', we see the Range Rover delivering over 30mpg for the first time," said Phil Popham, Land Rover managing director.

The LR-TDV8 4.4-litre with parallel sequential turbocharging replaces the outstanding LR-TDV8 3.6-litre and is unique to the Range Rover. The all-new LR-TDV8 combines superior power and massive torque with unparalleled levels of refinement. Despite the extra performance, this V8 engine is cleaner too, delivering even lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions than its predecessor. The combined cycle fuel consumption of the new LR-TDV8 4.4-litre is 30.1mpg, making this the first Range Rover ever to better 30mpg.

With 313PS and 700Nm torque, the Range Rover's new powertrain reduces CO2 emissions by an impressive 14 percent from 294g/km to 253g/km. The new diesel engine is helped in this respect by its marriage to a new, electronically controlled, ZF 8HP70, 8-speed automatic. This combination is enough to catapult the Range Rover from rest to 60mph in a mere 7.5 seconds and complete the 50mph-70mph dash in just 4.0 seconds while the top speed increases from 125mph to 130mph.

Available only on 4.4-litre LR-TDV8 models, this 'smart' transmission integrates with the diesel engine to deliver the most efficient operating regime in all conditions. To reflect the performance of the new 4.4-litre LR-TDV8, diesel models are fitted with the same Brembo-based braking system fitted to the 5.0-litre LR-V8 supercharged model. The system comprises 380mm ventilated front discs with unique, lightweight aluminium six-piston opposed action monoblock callipers. 365mm ventilated discs with single piston sliding callipers are fitted at the rear. 

ZF 8HP70 automatic gearbox partners the 4.4-litre LR-TDV8 

The new ZF 8HP70 8-speed transmission is tuned to take advantage of the LR-TDV8’s low end torque with torque converter lock-up being selected as early as possible to reduce slip and energy loss. The wider ratio spread, tall overdriven top gear and the fact that no more than two internal clutches are open at any one time all contribute to improved fuel economy and emissions.

Transmission Idle Control disengages 70 per cent of the drive when the vehicle is stationary and the engine is idling in Drive, significantly reducing consumption in the urban cycle. In cold conditions, the transmission selects a lower gear to promote fast warm up and get the engine up to its efficient operating temperature as soon as possible.

Driver controls include steering wheel-mounted paddle-shift as standard enabling the driver to take control of gear shifting manually. The CommandShift lever is replaced by a rotary knob for selecting park, reverse, neutral, drive or sport modes, the last of these optimising the gearbox response times for maximum acceleration, improved response and sharper upshifts. The selector knob is flush with the centre console when the ignition is switched off, rising up when it is switched on. To avoid confusion, the Terrain Response® Rotary Switch is replaced by a new Terrain Response® Optimisation Switch.

Paul Walker, chief programme engineer says: "The performance of our new LR-TDV8 can only be described as awe-inspiring. We are confident that the combination of reduced CO2 emissions, EU5 compliance and the massive increase in performance while delivering a huge improvement in fuel economy, is world class." 

For 2011, the Range Rover retains the same class-leading 5.0-litre LR-V8, supercharged petrol engine married to the ZF HP28 6-speed automatic transmission introduced in 2010. Developing 510PS and 625Nm torque the Supercharged LR-V8 will take the Range Rover from 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds and remains the flagship model. 

Subtle Exterior Design Revisions

Inside the cabin there are optional illuminated treadplates for the front doors and new transmission controls for the diesel model. Detail improvements to the exterior include new 'Jupiter' grilles and side vents for the diesel models.

A new Exterior Design Pack option gives customers the chance to give their Range Rover a more individual look and new colours and wheels have been added to the range. The Exterior Design Pack comprises of a revised front bumper with fog lamp surrounds, front grille and side vents in Titan finish, revised side sills, rear bumper and stainless steel exhaust finishers.

The range of exterior paint colours has been expanded with two further choices, Fuji White (replacing Alaska White) and Baltic Blue (replacing Buckingham Blue). 

Terrain Response® Enhancements

The 2011 Range Rover is further enhanced by improvements to the Terrain Response® system in the form of Hill Start Assist and Gradient Acceleration Control. Hill Start Assist retains the initial driver-generated brake pressure long enough for the foot to move from brake pedal to throttle, without the car rolling backwards. Gradient Acceleration Control is designed to provide safety cover on severe gradients when the driver does not have Hill Descent Control engaged.

Autobiography Black: a very special 40th anniversary limited edition 

The ultimate incarnation of the Range Rover, the Autobiography Black 40th anniversary limited edition is quite simply the last word in bespoke vehicles.

With a unique finish in Barolo Black, the exterior also features 20-inch alloy wheels, Diamond Turned, a unique front grille with Titan grille mesh, a bright chrome grille 'U' edge and black grille surround. Side vents have a new mesh set off by bright chrome bars and a black vent surround. There are body coloured door handles and of course, the tailgate badge, 'Autobiography Black'.

Inside, there's a choice of the standard colourway in Jet, or two colourways unique to the Autobiography Black – Jet and Ivory, or Jet and Pimento. The Autobiography Black logo is repeated throughout the interior where it is embossed on the rear seat armrest and appears on the four unique, Grand Black door veneers. Front door sill tread plates are illuminated with the words 'Range Rover' and there's a half wood Grand Black steering wheel. Supercharged models also offer gearknob veneers.

"At the top of the Range, the new Autobiography Black 40th anniversary limited edition offers customers the option of complete exclusivity with unique colourway combinations as well as striking interior and exterior design features. Only 700 will be made globally, emphasising the exclusivity of this limited edition," added Land Rover design director, Gerry McGovern.