EFFICIENCY

Range Rover discovers fuel

Since its introduction in 1970 Range Rover has been the sport utility to beat, not only in off-road capability, but also in setting the standard of luxury, prestige and pride of ownership.

Its only real downfall was fuel economy.

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their big V8 gas guzzling engines, you had to be even more BGmVFOU UP CF BCMF UP SVO UIFN PO

a daily basis.

Now with the introduction of the new diesel engine it pushes the Sport TD6 into the unchartered territory for Range Rover n GVFM FGlDJFOU ESJWJOH

The 2017 Range Rover Sport HSE TD6 certainly is as luxurious as you would expect from any truck wearing the Range Rover badge.

Externally, there isn’t any difference from the gasoline-powered version; it’s what’s under the hood that makes the big difference - a new 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel that pushes out 254 hp with a very impressive 440 lb/ft of torque available at just 1,750 rpm.

Power is laid down through an eight speed automatic transmission and a full time four-wheel drive system.

Internally everything is as you would expect from 3BOHF 3PWFS 5IF DIPJDFT PG MFBUIFS BOE lOJTIFT BSF

superb; the dash is simplistic and uncluttered with the digital dials easily read. * lOE UIBU 3BOHF 3PWFS IBT POF PG UIF NPTU QMFBT

ing sitting positions of any SUV. You sit nice and high and normally all round visibility is great.

Looking through the rear view mirror in this mod- of the second row headrests, but with proper wing mirror placement blind spots are easily eliminated.

The front seats come with adjustable armrests that seem to add that little bit of extra support and comfort when seated.

The light ivory leather and huge panoramic moon roof adds to the airy and bright feeling in the cabin.

The centrally mounted 10-inch infotainment touch-screen dominates the long dash and acts as a hub for radio, phone and navigation with the climate controls situated just below.

The second row seating is just as plush as the drivers and passenger seats. There is plenty of leg and headroom with a centrally located climate control.

The third row while still very nicely liveried in the same leather as the rest of the cabin it is a bit tight and would be better suited to young adults and kids rather than a full grown adult. Turning the engine over was a great surprise. There was no noticeable clanking and thumping, as you would normally expect from a diesel engine. In fact it, from the driving seat, was really hard to distinguish the difference from a regular gas engine.

When pulling away the TD6 is full of beans, for a heavy truck with 240 hp it was surprisingly nimble, the low torque availability certainly makes up for the meagre horsepower. Not until you really stomp on the pedal can you hear any semblance of a diesel grunt. 5IF QPXFS JT TNPPUI BT UIF USBOTNJTTJPO mBX

lessly switches gears and for a heavy beast it was up to highway speeds in way quicker than I anticipated.