Land Rover Range Stormer

L322 Range Rover 2002-Present
The third Range Rover model, representing only the second major design update in 32 years, was officially introduced to the world at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2002.The new model was developed during BMW's period of ownership of Land Rover from 1995 to 2001.The redesign was given a high priority by BMW, with a total "clean sheet" approach.The challenge was to update the on-road performance and handling from that of past Range Rovers to levels more competitive with contemporary luxury sedans, while also improving on past Range Rovers' supreme off road abilities.The designers succeeded brilliantly in improving both on-road handling and off-road ride through the use of a highly innovative cross-coupled independent airbag suspension.The latest Range Rover is bigger, better looking, has a fantastic interior, is marginally faster, much more refined and of course even more luxurious than its predecessor.
Reassuringly, full attention was paid to off-road capabilities to ensure it is still the "king off road".Following the tradition of all Range Rovers to date, further innovation in suspension design is largely responsible for these remarkable dual personality capabilities.It is acknowledged that most buyers may never use its stupendous off road capabilities, but knowing the capability is there is the reason people will pay for a Range Rover.
The redesign continued the recent trend in this market segment towards larger vehicles, expanding the Range Rover's length by another 9.5 inches to 195 inches, providing a body as cavernous as a Toyota Land Cruiser.Wheelbase is increased by five inches from 108 to 113 inches.The modern monocoque construction techniques did not prevent a small weight gain.
The designers wished to avoid the main criticism levelled at the P38 body, that it erred on the side of blandness.Accordingly, the new shape, while very recognisably a Range Rover and similar to the P38, is more interesting.The new model borrows numerous design cues from the Classic Range Rover, including round headlights under a rectangular lens cover, more prominent castellations on the bonnet, a squarer top line & rear pillar, and the "floating" roof.(Rumour has it that Spen King, designer of the legendary Classic, has been consulted in the redesign).The large air vents that grace the sides of the front wings like shark gill slits provide the necessary engine bay cooling, so they are not just for show.The rear overhang slopes upwards for improved departure angle.The much-loved rear tailgate arrangement is again retained.
The interior is, as expected, luxurious, with every possible amenity, but with improved ergonomics and more intuitive controls for items like the windows.Sufficient genuine wood panelling is in evidence to exude the feeling of a prestigious club that only British cars can achieve.
Unlike the P38, the chassis, suspension and engine are complete breaks with the past.A monocoque design replaces the separate chassis and body.Don't get the idea, however, that this new technique has resulted in a lightweight version of the Range Rover, as it weighs approximately the same as a Bentley Arnage.The BMW 4.4 litre V8, borrowed from the 7-series BMW's, was given the unenviable task of powering this vehicle.The engine was modified in various ways to withstand the rigours of off-road use, including re-tuning for low speed torque, strengthening of the crankcase to mount the front differential, beefing up of drive belts, etc.Power output, in spite of its twin overhead cams and four valves per cylinder, is only moderately greater than the 4.6 litre version of the old Rover V8, but its wider torque band and 5 speed gearbox yield a modest boost in acceleration.
Like the previous model, the suspension has several height settings, and can be adjusted in similar fashion.
The transmission is still a ZF unit but now has the BMW Step-tonic function (called Command Shift in the Range Rover), allowing automatic or manual shifting.The transfer case has been upgraded to allow shifting into low range without coming to a halt.A new torque-sensing centre differential performs a similar duty to the viscous centre diff lock on previous models.The innovative electronic traction control system is retained, applying the brake to a spinning wheel so that torque is transferred to the wheel with the most grip.Hill Descent Control, which automatically and selectively applies the brakes on steep descents in such a way as to avoid wheel lockup, is borrowed from the Discovery to add to the vehicle's manageability on steep downhill grades.
2005 Model UpdateConscious of the need for more horsepower to keep up with the Range Rover's competitors, and reluctant to keep relying on BMW for power plants, Ford, the new corporate owners presided over the adaptation of engines from Jaguar (also Ford-owned) for Land Rover use.A 4.4 litre, 300 hp version of the Jaguar 4.2 litre V8 was developed and first used in the new 2005 LR3/Discovery 3 model, temporarily giving it more power than the Range Rover.A premium model using a supercharged version of the Jag 4.2 litre V8 developing 400 horsepower was also introduced.Both engines are lightweight aluminium alloy units, with advanced torque-based engine management systems that, together with drive-by-wire throttle control and variable camshaft phasing (on the 4.4 litre version), continually adjust the engine to deliver optimum performance.Both the engines are specially adapted by Land Rover for better low speed torque characteristics, the ability to run at the extreme angles encountered off road, improved protection from dust and rocks, and improved sealing needed for wading.
The new engines are matched to the new 6 speed ZF HP26 unit also used in the Discovery 3 and Range Rover Sport, with normal, sport, and manual shift modes.On the supercharged model, a "positive torque" feature is added to enhance gear changes.The transfer case, also shared with the Discovery, has an excellent low range ratio of 2.9 to 1 and an electronically controlled locking centre differential.
The supercharged models got their own special mesh-design front grille and power vents, 20-inch alloy wheels, plus special black-on-silver badges.
2006 June: Range Rover III gains a Twin-turbo V8 diesel engine option, TDV8, more details soon.
Range Rover Sport
The Range Rover Sport brings to fruition the desire of Land Rover's latest corporate owner (Ford) to expand the number of models in the line-up and increase market share with a slightly smaller, more sporty luxury SUV.It is aimed squarely at the "sports car SUVs" such as the BMW X3 & X5, Mercedes ML, VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne, with the idea of equalling their on-road performance while blowing them away in off-road capability.When a "Range Stormer" concept vehicle made the rounds of auto shows, everyone hoped that Ford would not debase the Range Rover name by using it on something with less than superior off road capabilities.As it turns out, Land Rover has done a creditable job, and the resulting vehicle is so impressive that thousands were ordered months before it became available to the buying public.
The new model was officially unveiled in November 2004.Based on the Discovery 3 (LR3) platform, the Range Rover Sport uses the same hybrid chassis and body construction, with wheelbase reduced by 6 inches and the overall stance lowered.The more stylish, less bulky bodywork has traditional Range Rover styling cues such as the "floating" roof and clamshell bonnet.The Discovery's double-wishbone air suspension with "Terrain Response" system is utilized, along with its base engine, the 300 horsepower Jaguar-derived 4.4 litre V8.
The Sport's reduced bulk gives it better highway performance than the Discovery, further enhanced by a sophisticated dynamic stability system.More exciting is the upscale version with a 4.2 litre supercharged version of the V8, developing about 400 horsepower and a top speed of 140 mph.Even this version will not quite keep up with the fastest "posh" SUVs from Porsche and Mercedes, but it's good enough to provide a serious alternative for those looking for something with real off-road capability.For the more economy-minded, a 2.7 litre diesel version is also available.
The Range Rover Sport shares the Discovery 3's "integrated body-frame".This gives it serious off-road underpinnings combined with the body stiffness needed to reduce rattles and improve crash performance.About 6 inches has been cut out of the Discovery frame, making the Sport's wheelbase 108 inches, the same as the P38 Range Rover and about 7 inches shorter than the current model Range Rover.The bulky, spacious Discovery body shape is replaced with a more compact, aerodynamic, lower-profile body that looks more like a Range Rover.The roofline slopes down towards the rear spoiler, and the use of black trim on the window pillars retains the "floating roofline" styling cue of the Range Rover.Other Range Rover cues include the clamshell bonnet (which, however, has lost its castellation) and a high "command" seating position.
One loss compared to other Range Rovers is the traditional and very useful tailgate, as this is replaced in the Sport by a hatch back design that allows you to open either the top window only, or the whole hatch for full access.
In spite of the 6 inch wheelbase reduction, overall length is only 2.4 inches (6 cm) shorter than the Discovery, and the Sport is actually 20kg heavier.Compared to the standard Range Rover, it is about 6.5 inches shorter and 40kg heavier.This reflects the less efficient (from a strength to weight point of view) body and frame construction compared to the BMW-designed monocoque Range Rover.
The lower, more aerodynamic body of the Sport coupled with the same engine and transmission gives it better high speed performance than the Discovery, with a top speed of 130 mph for the base version and 140 for the supercharged version.The Sport's interior is similarly more "sporty" than the standard Range Rover, with leather, wood and metallic finishing materials conveying the feel of a high performance machine.
The transmission for the new model is also directly from the Discovery, a 6 speed ZF HP26 unit with normal, sport, and manual shift modes.On the supercharged model, a "positive torque" feature is added to enhance gear changes.The transfer case, also from the Discovery, has an excellent low range ratio of 2.9 to 1 and an electronically controlled locking centre differential.
Land Rover's now-standard 4-wheel electronic traction control and Hill Descent Control systems are included on the new model.Also included is the new "Terrain Response" system that was introduced on the Discovery 3.Like the rest of the Sport's mechanicals, the suspension derives directly from the Discovery 3, but with some variations to optimize it for higher speed performance on road.This suspension was in turn derived from the Range Rover independent electronically controlled air suspension introduced in 2002, but uses double wishbones both front and rear (the Range Rover Mk III uses MacPherson struts in the front).