Land Rover LR3 details and specifications

We’ve all been there, sliding down a slimy wet clay path so steep all that can be seen through the windshield is the muddy uphill on the other side of the creek, which is filled with slippery round cobbles. That’s when we were glad we were driving a Land Rover.

What? You weren’t driving a Land Rover. So…you’re reading this still stuck in that creek, huh?

The truth is that there are vehicles with the off-road competence, or a few perhaps better than a Land Rover, but most of those require camouflage and an enlistment. And the others don’t have a choice of real straight grain walnut wood or “grand black lacquer wood” trim. And that’s just to start with.

The Land Rover LR3 is a part of a rejuvenation of the Land Rover fleet that includes the top of the line Range Rover, the Range Rover Sport, plus the new-for-2008 LR2. The LR3 that was new in 2005, a needed replacement for the Discovery. (Full disclosure: The LR3 is still known as the Discovery in other markets).

2009 Land Rover LR3 selected specifications
Engine 300-hp/4.4L SOHC 32-v V8
Displacement, cc 4394
Compression ratio 10.5:1
Horsepower @ rpm 300 @ 5500
Torque, lb-ft @ rpm 315 @ 4000
Fuel requirement Premium
Transmission Six-speed automatic
Drivetrain layout Front engine longitudinal full-time 4WD w/ low range
Suspension, front Double wishbone ind. w/ long-travel air springs
Suspension, rear Double wishbone ind. w/ long-travel air springs
Brakes, type, dia. f/r, in. 4-wheel ventilated disc, 13.3 / 13.8
Wheels, SE / HSE 18 x 8 alloy / 19 x 8 alloy
Tires, SE / HSE 255/60HR18 mud/snow / 255/55HR18 mud/snow
Dimensions
Length, in. 190.9
Width, in. 75.4
Height, in. 74.5
Wheelbase, in. 113.6
Cargo, min/max, cu. ft. 9.9 / 90.3
Ground clear., norm., in. 7.3
Ground clear., max., in. 9.5
Curb weight, lbs. 5,796
Towing cap., max., lbs 7,716
Payload, max., lbs. 1,325
Performance
0-60 mph, sec. 8.4
Top speed, mph 124
Fuel, econ, EPA city / hwy, mpg 12 / 17

Rugged LR4 smooths out its looks

There are lots of SUVs with four-wheel drive, but taking most of them into the mountains or deserts on rugged off-road trails would be a big mistake.

But that's certainly not the case with the Land Rover LR4, the newest version of the vehicle that the British sport utility builder introduced in 1989 as the Discovery.

Land Rover changed the name to LR3 for the North American market when the third generation was introduced for 2005, although the Discovery name remains on the vehicle in other markets.

While this newest model continues to have the legendary off-road capabilities of the first three generations, Land Rover says its exterior was made less boxy and more rounded to appeal more to those who have no interest in driving off road.

This is understandable, because with its $48,100 (including freight) base price, the LR4 has stiff competition from a variety of SUVs and CUVs — crossover utility vehicles — in the same general price range, and most of those are aimed more at the on-road crowd than at those of us who revel in off-road exploring.

There's lots of muscle under the hood, too, with a new 5.0-liter direct-injection V-8 engine that boasts 375 horsepower and 375 foot-pounds of torque, up from 300 horsepower and 315 foot-pounds of torque from the 4.4-liter V-8 in the 2009 LR3. The engine is the same one used in the new Jaguar XF sedan.

For the LR4, the engine's drive belts have been waterproofed, along with the alternator, air-conditioning compressor, power-steering pump and starter motor, allowing the engine to become nearly submerged during extreme water crossings. The vehicle can run in up to 27.6 inches of water in off-road mode.

EPA fuel-economy estimates remain the same, however, at 12 mpg city/17 highway. That's not very efficient in today's vehicle climate, but buyers of vehicles that cost this much or more sometimes aren't as sensitive to operating costs as those who buy less expensive cars.

Still, it would be nice to have at least a V-6 option, with much better fuel economy, for those who do care about how much gasoline they use. In Europe and other markets, the third-generation Discovery is available with a 2.7-liter V-6 diesel or 4.0-liter V-6 gasoline engine.

The difference in markets is the reason. In the United States, Land Rovers are sold as high-end luxury vehicles; but in many other parts of the world, they're less expensive and aimed at less affluent consumers. As a result, Land Rover always has been a small niche brand in North America.

A new six-speed automatic transmission is the only one available in the LR4. In other markets, a six-speed manual has been offered along with the automatic. U.S. buyers won't have that option, as consumers in this price class generally prefer automatics.

Permanent four-wheel drive is standard, and there is a low-range gearing for serious trail driving.

Land Rover says the V-8 engine will propel the LR4 from zero to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, which won't win any races with sports cars but is fairly impressive for a heavy SUV.

That kind of acceleration is superfluous off road, however, as the rule there for eco-conscious four-wheelers is to go “as fast as necessary, but as slowly as possible.” That helps the vehicle “Tread Lightly,” and there is a nonprofit organization and Web site dedicated to this concept: www.treadlightly.org. (Land Rover North America is a member).

Land Rover says it has improved the LR4's on-and off-road performance with this makeover, including the capabilities of the Terrain Response system, which has driver-selectable modes for different types of trail surfaces — such as sand, mud or rocks.

With the remake, the vehicle remains on the same body-on-frame chassis architecture of the previous generation, which was developed under the guidance of previous owner Ford Motor Co. before the brand was sold last year to India's Tata Motors.

The vehicles still are built in England, where they have been assembled since the brand began in 1948.

Land Rover says “comprehensive changes” for the LR4 include improved suspension components, steering, brakes, traction control and enhancements to the Terrain Response system.

Exterior changes are most obvious with the “smoother and simpler surfaces at the front, including a new, more aerodynamic bumper,” the company said. There is a lower front chin spoiler and new front-wheel deflectors designed to reduce drag.

Outside lights now include LEDs at the front and rear, and the headlights switch automatically between low and high beams.

New 19-inch wheels and tires are designed to reduce rolling resistance and to improve tire wear, the company said. Optional are 20-inch wheels.

There is a more upscale look to the interior, rather than the functional theme that has prevailed throughout previous generations.

Some cool new features include an optional five-camera “surround” system that is great for parking and towing trailers, but also for negotiating tricky, narrow off-road trails.

A smart-key system allows for keyless entry and push-button starting. Other new features include an interface for portable music players and an optional HD radio.

Land Rover's Hill Descent Control system was improved with a new feature, called Gradient Release Control. This helps control start-up when going down steep inclines and increases control when the brakes are released at extreme angles, the company said.

Standard on all models is a new heated steering wheel, with a revised layout for the driver information switches. It also has audio controls and cruise-control buttons.

Other interior features include a choice of wood trims, along with stitched and wrapped fascia, door casings and center console.

There are three rows of seating, with room for up to seven people.

Two models are offered, the base LR4 and the HSE version, which is created by adding the $3,650 HSE Package. It brings 19-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking assist, a cold-climate package with heated front and rear seats and windshield, on-and off-road satellite navigation system, a four-wheel-drive information system, Sirius satellite radio and Bluetooth phone connection.

Among available options is the HSE LUX Plus package ($11,115), which includes the seven-seat comfort package, the surround camera system, premium leather seats and a 480-watt Harmon/Kardon audio system with 14 speakers.

The seven-seat package by itself is $1,150 and brings second-row fold-flat seats; third-row, fold-flat, forward-facing seats; side-curtain air bags; map lights; accessory power outlet; rear luggage net; an additional front cup holder; and second-row heating/air-conditioning controls.

A rear-seat entertainment system ($2,500) is available, with dual screens and a six-disc DVD changer, wired headphones and remote control, along with input jacks for video games and MP3 players.

Available as separate items are the 20-inch alloy wheels ($2,500), special exterior paint colors such as “Lugano Teal Metallic” ($950) and the Bluetooth phone system ($400).

Land Rover LRX to Debut at Paris Auto Show

Land Rover will debut its newest and smallest model at the Paris Auto Show later this year based on the LRX concept first shown at the Detroit Auto Show back in 2008. Originally thought to be a 2011 model, Automotive News is reporting that it will arrive in late 2011, likely as a 2012 model year vehicle.

According to an older press release released by the automaker the upcoming LRX (if that is in fact its name), will be, “the smallest, lightest and most efficient vehicle the company has ever produced.”

While on one at Land Rover has confirmed as much, it is expected to be a full hybrid model, possibly using a diesel engine when it launches for the U.S. market. Diesel hybrids aren’t offered much because of the expense involve in both hybrid and diesel technology, but its likely that Land Rover sees its customers as the sort who could afford to pay extra for impressive fuel economy.

It’s also not clear if the LRX will be a fully off-road capable SUV or use a car-like crossover platform.

Supercharged 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Range Rovers have a well-deserved reputation for forging through diverse terrain, climbing mountains, fording swamps, and carting British royalty to Buckingham Palace. But the 2010 Range Rover Sport finally lives up to its promise of also speeding over twisted and winding blacktops, keeping pace with dedicated sports cars.

Previous Range Rover Sports, although shorter and lower than their full-size Range Rover cousins, felt a little wobbly in the corners. They didn't hide their bulk well. But the new version uses a few tech tricks to become downright tossable, almost competitive with the Porsche Cayenne and the BMW X5 M.

Getting into the 2010 Range Rover Sport Supercharged model that showed up in our garage, we were immediately impressed by Land Rover's improvement to the cabin. Previous generations suffered from great swaths of plastic down the console, not something you want to see in a supposed luxury SUV. The 2010 model mixes leather, wood, metal, and covers the remaining plastics with a nice finish.

Likewise, the navigation system underwent an improvement, although not quite as drastic. Rather than the previous archaic system, the Range Rover Sport now gets the same system as found in Jaguars, which we most recently saw in the Jaguar XFR. This navigation system handles the basics reasonably well, but doesn't catch up with luxury competitors who now all offer live traffic and other advanced features.

In one important way we like this navigation system's interface better than that in the Jaguar XFR; there are buttons below the LCD that give quick access to the map, along with the phone and the stereo systems. The onscreen interface is the same Flash-based system as in the XFR, and though it still looks like late 1990s Web design, the menu items are more responsive, probably because of a faster processor in the Range Rover's hardware.

Similar to the XFR, we found that browsing an iPod library using the onscreen interface required too much attention away from the road. Besides iPod integration, the Range Rover Sport also offers HD radio, Satellite Radio, an MP3-compatible disc player, and a USB port.

Music plays through a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with a 480-watt amp, with surround sound through Logic7 processing. This system produces rich sound across the frequencies, with full-sounding bass and pleasant highs. There is a good amount of detail in the sound, although some background instruments get buried.

Our car also had the rear seat entertainment package, with video screens neatly set into the backs of the front headrests. Sound for the video system can play through the Harman Kardon audio system or wireless headphones that come with the package. There are also audio and video jacks so external devices can be plugged into the rear seat system.

Also sharing the dashboard LCD is a Bluetooth phone system. It downloads a connected phone's contact list, making it available onscreen, although you can not dial by name through the voice command system.

Powerful, but thirsty
Along with the navigation system, the Range Rover Sport and Jaguar XFR also share a power train, the supercharged direct injection V-8. This engine makes 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque, which gets this SUV to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. Hitting the gas, it feels like there is no end to the power.

But this power comes at a price in the bulky Range Rover Sport, namely 12 mpg city and 17 mpg highway. We turned in a final, and dismal, fuel economy of 13 mpg after driving along freeways, city streets, and pushing the car over mountain roads.

The good: With its Terrain Response system, the 2010 Range Rover Sport tackles the back country and tricky asphalt turns equally well; the automatic transmission shifts aggressively in sport mode. The Harman Kardon audio system produces a rich sound.

The bad: Fuel economy from the supercharged V-8 is dismal, coming in at the low teens. The navigation system lacks traffic, and the iPod interface is not easy to use while driving.

The bottom line: The 2010 Range Rover Sport fulfills its promise of excellent on-road and off-road performance, but the cabin tech is just a little better than average.

Williams F1 aims to build on Jaguar Land Rover supercar partnership

The C-X75 on display in Paris last year

The chairman of the Williams Formula One team says he wants to establish a "very strong relationship" with Jaguar Land Rover after linking up with the luxury manufacturer to produce a 200mph hybrid sports car.