[AutoGuide.com]

Looking to grow its market share with a fuel efficient new option, Land Rover today announced it will offer a diesel engine in the North American market.

Going on sale this Fall, both the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport HSE models will be available with a turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel V6 engine making 254 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque at 1750 rpm. By comparison, the supercharged gasoline V6 makes 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm.

The result is a 32% improvement in fuel economy with Land Rover claiming 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for a combined 25 mpg. The total highway range is now set at 658 miles, enough to drive from the company’s US headquarters just outside New York City all the way to Detroit.

SEE ALSO: 2015 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

One of the few trade-offs is a slight decline in performance with a 0-60 mph time of 7.1 seconds for the Range Rover Sport HSE Td6 and 7.4 seconds for the Range Rover HSE Td6. That compares to 6.9 and 7.1 seconds, respectively, compared to the supercharged gasoline V6 models.

Currently offered in other markets the Td6 has received improvements before being offered in the U.S. Upgrades such as a revised design for the injectors and a new water-cooled turbocharger result in an eight percent improvement in fuel efficiency.

Much like competitor diesel vehicles from Mercedes or Porsche, Land Rover’s new diesel engine will also make use of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) to reduce emissions. DEF does require refilling every 10,000 miles. As a built-in precaution, new diesel Range Rovers will come equipped with a misfueling protection device designed to minimize the likelihood of inserting a narrower gasoline fuel pump nozzle into the fuel filler neck.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Range Rover Sport Review

While diesel engines are known to be noisier and idle less smoothly than their gasoline counterparts, Land Rover says it has taken efforts to minimize any harshness making its way into the cabin. This includes “dual-isolation engine mounts,” an acoustic laminate windshield as well as added sound deadening between the engine and the vehicle interior.

To meet the requirements of U.S. drivers, Land Rover has undergone an extensive testing procedure for its diesel engines, testing the Td6-equipped models everywhere from the heat of the Southwest to the Minnesota cold and even at altitudes as high as 14,000 feet. Once the trucks go on sale, they will have completed 1 million miles of thorough testing on U.S. soil.

SEE ALSO: Land Rover Discovery Sport First Look

Land Rover’s introduction of diesel engines to the U.S. won’t be limited to its Range Rover models either. While these two 2016 model year vehicles are the first to receive diesel powerplants the company is committed to offering diesel options across its lineup in the near future.

Range Rovers to Get Diesel Engine Option, 32% MPG Boost » AutoGuide.com News

 

[p76rangie]

I am not sure why this is such a big deal for the US. I would think that the majority of Land Rovers in the rest of the world are diesel.

 

[cnfowler]

And you'd be correct. However, most people want what they can't have. And for the US, we haven't had a diesel option in a LR since the Series. It's been a while to say the least. Diesels are available in nearly every vehicle from every manufacturer around the world, except for the US. I just hope enough people opt for the diesel so LR will continue to ship them to us. Maybe they'll drop diesels in their other models for us, too.


Colin

 

[r'elise me]

Frankly, after test driving the competitors diesels (MB, Audi, BMW), I don't like diesels in such luxurious cars. The noise is one issue, but they just lack the smoothness and broad power band of the gas engines. DIesels may get better mpg's but you've got to drive a lot of miles to make up for the added cost of the engine option and if money's the issue, then why would I be considering such a costly truck? Personally, I'm completely disenchanted with LR's US engine lineup what with their tinny sounding and darty V6SC and overpowered, rambunctious V8SC being the only engine options. We need a naturally aspirated V8! I wont let go of my 12 LR4 until that V8 is available.

Come ON Land Rover, you're slowly slipping into the same catagory as the German "competition". DONT do this to yourself or your loyal customers like me. We (or at least I) care about the subtleties that make an LR special - quietness, robust performance offroad, great road manners, reliability. How could you expect us to love the V6SC after experiencing the silky smooth power and torque of the V8. And please don't claim fuel efficiency when there is clearly less than a 5% potential mpg improvement if your sticker has any truth to it. I've owned numerous V6 "trucks" with much less power and I've never seen over 19 mpg hwy and 15 mpg city on any vehicle this size and shape. As I prepare for a year end LR purchase I'm begging you to PLEASE GIVE US BACK OUR V8!!!