Superchips has not wasted any time creating another ECU remap, and this time it is for the Land Rover Discovery 4 and the Range Rover Sport HSE. Their new tuning packages for the LandRover models upgrade the performance of the 3.0-liter TDV6 engine by 35 HP and 51 NM of torque.
Since both models carry the same engine under their respective hoods, the performance boost translates into the exact same numbers. The Land Rover/Range Rover 3.0 TDV6 engine’s power output ends up at 282hp at 3632 rpm (compared to a measured 247 bhp as standard,) and 638 Nm (465 lb.ft.) torque (compared with a measured 587 Nm from the factory).
Superchips states that the increase in power will not affect the LandRover Discovery 4 or Range Rover Sport HSE TDV6’s fuel economy. They said that if these vehicles were "driven in a ‘like for like’ manner against the standard version, owners will experience noticeable fuel economy improvements due to the additional low rev torque delivered by the Superchips upgrade." You know people out there are going to test this theory so SuperChips better hope their calculations are correct.
Press release after the jump.
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Kahn Design has unveiled a new tuning package based on the Range Rover Sport Autobiography. The package is called the RS600 and includes a new ten piece Kahn body kit and engine upgrade.
Thanks to the Kahn Intelligent Power, the Range Rover Sport now develops 600 HP. And what better way to enhance the boosted power than by adding the Project Kahn Super Sound exhaust system which takes the power from the engine and transforms it into a deep rumble that escapes from the back of the car.
The interior is decked out in leather as the front and rear seats, glove box, and dashboard get wrapped in a bespoke quilted leather. The steering wheel and gearshift are also covered in leather while the speedometer, rev counter, and clock receive an electric blue color. The entire package is finished off with an elegant Kahn 22” RS Alloy Wheel and Tire set.
If this tuning kit is starting to look a little familiar then you have a keen eye for duplicate packages. Kahn Design has actually already released this package for the 2010 Range Rover Sport back in February, but apparently they felt it was good enough to slap onto the Autobiography model as well.
Press release after the jump.
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Last month Land Rover unveiled the official details on the 2011 Range Rover. For 2011 the SUV will get a new LR-TDV8 4.4-liter engine that delivers a total of 313 HP and 700Nm torque. The engine is mated to a 8-speed automatic gearbox (available only on the 4.4-liter LR-TDV8 models) and has a fuel consumption of 30.1mpg.
Unfortunately, that is where the good news end and the bad news begins. At least for US clients anyway. The new LR-TDV8 engine will not be offered on our side of the pond. Why are we not surprised? Oh, yeah, because nothing cool is ever offered here.
The reason for this news is really quite simple, though. Current US emission laws are equivalent to Euro6 standards, which don’t come in to play in Europe until 2014. Right now, the new TDV8 engine only meets the Euro5 standards. What that means is Land Rover will take advantage of the less strict laws until they absolutely have to adjust the engine. This leads us to Land Rover’s promise. They have promised that the next generation TDV8 set to be launched in 2014-2015 will “very likely to come to the US." Not a difficult promise to keep since they will have to make the adjustment on the Euro side anyway.
For now, the US will have to settle for getting the top version that sits with a 5.5 liter V8 engine.
Land Rover is preparing a surprise for its clients in London, New York, Sau Paulo, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Berlin, Sydney, Shanghai, and Moscow. The surprise? These cities have been chosen to be the testing grounds for the all new camouflaged Range Rover Evoque prototypes. The new model will go on sale in summer 2011.
Landrover has set up teams to go out to 20 countries for the soul purpose of pitting the Evoque against all types of weather conditions, including German Autobahns and Tokyo city traffic. Landrover has pulled out all of the stops by working with the engineers to carry out 17,000 individual tests as well as working with 120 unique component suppliers.
"The development stage is crucial in the year leading up to launching the car." said Murray Dietsch, Director of Land Rover programmes. "No stone is left unturned, we have a team of experience and skilled engineers who will work to a tight schedule to ensure we have a top quality vehicle to offer our consumers."
The Range Rover Evoque will go on sale next summer in 160 markets worldwide.
Press release after the jump.
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Charles Spencer King, also known as Spen King, was the man who created the brilliant Range Rover. Sadly, he has passed away at the age of 85.
King first started working in the automotive field in 1942 when he worked at Rolls-Royce as a young apprentice. Three years later he joined Rover, which was run by his two uncles, according to The Telegraph.
King tackled a few new projects, such as the JET1 and T3 gas turbine engine, but in 1959 he was named head of new vehicle projects. This allowed him to become the father of the Range Rover in 1970.
Sadly, the Range Rover was built in the midlands of England and it would be known for its horrendous reliability. That being said, it was the perfect design and today, is one of the best, if not the best, all around SUVs on the road.
King eventually became the chairman of British Leyland Technology after the company took over Rover. He was very involved with the development of a concept study called ECV, or Energy Conservation Vehicle. The technology would eventually be introduced into production vehicles.
King was honored by the company he helped build with the Range Rover CSK, a special edition two-door model.
