Range Rovers->ke469 and diesels share a long and storied past together in just about every part of the world except the U.S. Thanks to stringent emissions standards and a general negative public opinion, diesels have yet to swim the pond – that is, until now. Land Rover->ke46 has announced it will begin selling its updated Td6 turbodiesel within the States, inside both the Range Rover and its little brother, the Range Rover Sport.

Credit can be given to better emissions controls for a public opinion that’s undergoing a slow transformation in the acceptance of compression-ignition engines.

While the Td6 diesel is new to the States, the Range Rover Sport carries over from last year. Introduced for the 2013 model year, the second generation Range Rover Sport offers a more nimble ride yet still carries more than 60 years of heritage in its design. Like its big brother, the Sport utilizes an all-aluminum chassis to shed weight and add rigidity.

Of course, the three-row SUV->ke145 comes with Land Rover’s famed Terrain Response 2 system, allowing the driver to tailor the suspension, drivetrain, and peripheral systems to whatever terrain might be under the tires.

The most important aspect – at least in this bit of news – is the new turbodiesel. Range Rover says the new V-6 offers a 32-percent improvement in fuel economy over the supercharged gasoline V-6, making the unofficial numbers equate to 25 mpg combined. The Td6 will begin appearing under Range Rover hoods starting Fall 2015.

UPDATE 05/27/2015: A leaked document suggests the Range Rover Sport Td6 will start at $66,450 – just $1,500 more than the 3.0-liter V-6 gas version. Details in the Prices section.

Click past the jump to read more about the Land Rover Range Rover Sport Td6.

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Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: land-rover-range-rover-sport-td6
Pros
Cons

2016 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Td6

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Td6
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 254
  • Torque: 440 @ 1750
  • Transmission: 8-speed electronically controlled automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Some 2014 models shown

Despite having a new powerplant under its bonnet, the Range Rover Sport still wears the same clothing. Still fresh from its 2013 introduction, the 2016 RRS remains a handsome SUV. It shares many of the same design cues as the larger Range Rover, such as the sloping rear roofline; rounded wheel arches; and strong belt line running from headlight to taillight.

Interior

2014 model shown

The same story continues on the inside as well. Nothing new here to see, save for the lower rev count on the tachometer. The interior continues to remain one of the best-looking and well-sorted interiors in the business – at least in the SUV segment. A full TFT gauge cluster, large touch screen infotainment system, and intuitive, aluminum-lined controls make the cabin a welcoming and high-tech environment.

The center console is home to the Terrain Response system with its rotary dial and ancillary switchgear. Fine leather covers nearly every surface with real wood and aluminum covering the rest.

Drivetrain

Here is where the news lives. Range Rover’s newest engine is the Td6, a 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel that is rated at 254 horsepower and an impressive 440 pound-feet of torque available starting at 1,750 rpm. The engine block is constructed from Compact Graphite Iron with a deep-skirted, cross-bolted design that includes a structural, one-piece aluminum oil sump. This adds strength and lightness over conventional iron blocks while keeping things much lighter.

Keeping tailpipe emissions in check is a Selective Catalytic Reduction system that uses Diesel Exhaust Fluid to reduce NOx levels. This helps the new turbodiesel pass the strict LEV 3 requirements in the U.S. Added to the mix is a Low Pressure EGR system that recalculates lower pressure exhaust gasses picked up after the DEF filter, sending it to the turbocharger inlet. This results in lower air temperatures entering the engine. The engine also makes use of a variable pressure oil pump for reduced parasitic losses.

Like the gasoline engines, the Td6 is backed by the ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission.

Despite only having 254 horsepower, the engine still motivates the RRS to 60 mph in just 7.1 seconds. When not at the drag strip, the projected fuel economy sits at 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. That’s not bad for a midsized SUV with the on- and off-road capabilities the Range Rover Sport boasts.

Drivetrain Specifications

Engine

Longitudinal V6, 24 valve, four OHC, direct injection diesel, single turbocharger

Displacement

2993 cc (182.6 cu. In.)

Bore x Stroke

84.0 x 90.0 mm

Valvetrain

DOHC / 4 valves per cylinder

Emissions

US LEV III

Maximum Power

254hp

Maximum Torque

440 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm

Transmission

ZF® 8-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with CommandShift™ (Normal, Sport and Manual shift modes); locking torque converter

EPA Estimated Fuel Economy

22 mpg city / 28 mpg highway (25 mpg combined)

Fuel Tank Capacity

23.5 gallons

Maximum Range

658 miles

0-60 mph

7.1 seconds

Top Speed

130mph


Prices

2014 model shown

2014 model shown Official-looking information has leaked onto the Land Rover enthusiast forum Updated 05/27/2015 showing details of pricing for the Td6 version of the Range Rover Sport. The starting price for the 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel is listed as $66,450. That’s a nominal increase of just $1,500 over the starting price of the 3.0-liter gasoline-powered V-6.

That $1,500 up-charge can be categorized as “nominal” when compared to other luxury SUVs’ pricing schemes. The Volkswagen Touareg diesel costs an additional $3,500 over the gas version, while the Jeep Grand Cherokee costs a whopping $4,500 more than the standard V-6 version, despite the Jeep’s lower overall cost. Only Mercedes’ GL350 BlueTEC has a lower buy-in price. In fact, Mercedes actually charges OvalNews.com for the diesel than the gasoline engine.

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Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC

Mercedes already offers a diesel version of its popular GL-Class. The 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6 puts down similar numbers to Land Rover’s new unit: 240 horses and 455 pound-feet of torque. The EPA rates the GL350 BlueTEC at 26 mpg highway, coming in two mpg under the estimated mileage of the RRS

Prices for the GL-Class start at $63,600 and goes north with options.

Porsche Cayenne Diesel

Like the Mercedes, Porsche has been offering a diesel variant of its SUV for some time now. Also similar is the engine size. Porsche’s diesel is a 3.0-liter V-6 making 240 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Despite its torque disadvantage, the Cayenne still hits 60 mph in 7.1 seconds.

Prices begin at a comparatively inexpensive $61,700.

Conclusion

2014 model shown

Land Rover customers in the U.S. will surely be happy about the addition of a diesel powerplant – if not for the extra torque, great for off-roading – then for the estimated 28 mpg highway fuel economy. Sure, spending $80k on an SUV isn’t the most frugal purchase in the world, but Land Rover owners will likely enjoy the fuel savings at the pump. Not to mention the three-percent increases driving range that now totals 658 miles between fill-ups.

Look for the Td6-powered Range Rover Sport to hit dealerships in the fall of 2015.