FREEDOM OF CHOICE STILL REIGNS - SO USE IT
23 March 2007 - Land Rover

Thankfully when it comes to choosing and buying a car we still have freedom of choice as long as we have the where-with-all to buy or lease it and to pay the running costs.

With the Government’s tax gatherers and the eco-police targeting the car industry trying to force us to buy smaller less CO2 polluting cars, for now we can choose to buy what we want. The same cannot be said about choosing the school for our children or choosing a doctor, dentist or hospital. So the real freedom of choice for anything important is getting less.

4x4s are being targeted as anti-social gas-guzzlers but in reality the tax gatherers love them because they can penalise the owners with a modern interpretation of highway robbery, so boosting their coffers to spend on other things, certainly not the roads or the motorists.

So for those people who can afford to utilize their freedom of choice options what 4x4 stands out as the must have vehicle? You could look at Range Rover and as they have recently adopted an innovative CO2 Offset Programme it means that the first 45,000 miles of Land or Range Rover ownership is carbon neutral for the customer.

Royalty, landed gentry, celebrities, Premiership footballers and their WAGS, country folk and even certain Police Forces opt for the British built Range Rover. Although sold all over the world, Range Rover epitomises Britishness at its best and the brand continues to enjoy record sales year after year.

Range Rover, the first luxury SUV, sports utility vehicle, was launched in 1970 and since that time there have been three generations, the latest was introduced in 2002.

However nothing in the car industry stands still and the current Range Rover has been constantly updated and revised since its launch. Recent changes were the introduction of two new petrol engines in 2006. But with the pressure to reduce CO2 emissions the most significant change recently happened for the 2007 model year with the introduction of a new 3.6-litre TDV8 diesel engine.

The new turbocharged V8 engine delivers 272 bhp and a huge 640 NM of torque from 2000 rpm with 400Nm available from just 1250 rpm. Compared with the straight-six cylinder turbodiesel engine it replaced, the new power unit gives 54 per cent more power, 64 per cent more torque and it is up to 75 per cent quieter as well. Fuel economy is the same at a combined average of 25.1mpg. Top speed is limited to 124mph whilst the 0-62mph acceleration time has been lowered by four seconds to 9.2 seconds. CO2 emissions are 299 g/km which means a high Band G vehicle excise duty rating of £215 per annum. The insurance group is 17E.

Three range Rover variants are available with this new engine, the TDV8 HSE priced at £53,995, the TD Vogue at £61,825 and the TDV8 Vogue SE at a significant £68,825. All have a 6-speed automatic transmission with permanent four wheel drive, terrain response, hill descent control, electronic traction control, electronic air suspension ABS braking and stability control as standard. For serious off-roading an active rear differential lock is an option at an extra £446. Other 2007 model year specification improvements include an electronic parking brake, Terrain Response is now standard for all models and includes an electronic centre differential, improved cabin stowage space, a more effective air conditioning system plus the option of cooled seats.

For the record Range Rover owners can also choose V8 petrol engined models with the same four wheel drive system at prices ranging from £55,075 right up to £74,795 for the supercharged version favoured by an image conscious elite few who would never buy a diesel vehicle.

Make no mistake the Range Rover in any form is a luxury five-seat limousine with performance, refinement and equipment levels to match. It maybe a hated 4x4 but in fact it is no larger or more polluting than any large luxurious saloon or estate car yet it does so much more with its all wheel drive capabilities from cruising through mud to crossing rivers.

Talking of limousine status, most Range Rover models have alloy wheels, nine airbags, central locking, electrically operated windows, climate control air conditioning, alarm, powered leather seating seven inch touch screen with 4x4 information and satellite navigation, superior sound system with multi speakers, and personal telephone integration. Go for Vogue and Vogue SE specification and items such as television, surround sound, more wood trim, heated steering wheel, cooled front seats and rear screen entertainment are standard, depending on model. As always there is a huge extra cost options list just to set you Range Rover apart from somebody else’s.

The general improvements in the Range Rover’s specification, the upgrading and redesigned interior and attention to detail items such as acoustic laminated glass to reduce noise intrusion, the new facia and layout of controls and the general improvement in quality are all welcome and were needed to keep it rated as the world’s number one 4x4.

The new Ford designed and produced V8 engine is a revelation. It is responsive, pulls strongly and is ultra flexible with the huge amount of torque it produces. The 23.2mpg returned by my test vehicle is not brilliant for a modern diesel but bearing in mind the weight it has to propel and the 4x4 system it is acceptable. The refinement and low noise levels are however pretty much as good as it gets.

The Terrain Response all wheel drive system has been modified and I think made simpler to use in conjunction with the display screen. There are five settings, general driving, grass/gravel/snow to include slippery on-road conditions, sand, mud and ruts and rock crawl. Just dial in the mode you need and off you go. There is no doubt no other production 4x4, other than the stablemate Land Rover Discovery, Defender or Freelander, comes close to out performing this vehicle off-road and add in the 3,500kg towing capacity and you have a world-beater.

On-road, bearing in mind this is a big and heavy 4x4, the Range Rover TDV8 handles pretty well. The air suspension does float along leaving you feeling somewhat detached from any feedback through the wheels but the body roll is limited. The high up, throne like, driving position provides good visibility so vehicle size is no issue on narrower roads or in town traffic. With the electronic seat and steering wheel adjustment you can optimise your driving position pretty well. There is plenty of interior space and headroom and only the high level side sills will make it difficult for some people to get in and out of the vehicle elegantly. The boot seems larger as well and the conventional Range Rover split rear tailgate is retained.

MILESTONES. Range Rover TDV8 Vogue SE. Price: £68,825. Engine, 3.6-litre, V8, turbodiesel, 272bhp, 640 Nm of torque. Transmission: All wheel drive with Terrain Response screen selection modes. Performance: 124mph (limited), 0-62mph 9.2 seconds, 25.1mpg (23.3mpg actual), CO2299g/km. VED: Band G £215. Tax liability: 35%. Insurance group: 17E. Maximum towing weight braked: 3,500kg.
For: Limousine status and quality, technology that really works in the real 4x4 world, safety features, off road and towing capabilities.
Against: Big in size, big on costs, will be hit by higher taxes in future.

Miles Better News Agency

www.landrover.com

More News
  For March 2007
  From Land Rover
  For 4 x 4
  Driver247.com Home Page