Land Rover has confirmed it will make available a supercharged petrol V6 engine in its new Range Rover line-up, which went on sale this month.
Due in Australian showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2013, the blown V6 variant effectively ensures the petrol Range Rover line-up will comprise exclusively supercharged engines in Australia, with the supercharged six-cylinder joining the 375kW force-fed 5.0-litre V8.
The forced-induction 3.0-litre aluminium V6 has more than enough power and torque to motivate the lighter new Range Rover's still-significant mass (around 2.2 tonnes) with an output of 250kW at 6500rpm and 450Nm between 3500 and 5000rpm.
Borrowed from the Jaguar F-TYPE, the 24-valve, quad cam, supercharged V6 will be paired to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, enabling the British luxury SUV to accelerate to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds. The V6-powered SUV's maximum velocity is 210km/h.
It's not as fleet as the 375kW/625Nm supercharged 5.0-litre V8 Range Rover variant, which sprints to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds, but is more efficient.
Land Rover hasn't released an official fuel figure yet, but claims a 15 per cent reduction compared to the naturally aspirated V8 Range Rover that will not be offered in Australia (but uses 14L/100km in outgoing Vogue guise).
The new 'charged V6 Rangie has been "engineered to support the Range Rover's full breadth of capability" says the company, which includes a 3500kg (braked) towing capacity, an "extreme" 45-degree rollover angle and a 900mm wading depth.
Ensuring reliability during water crossings, several components of the V6 engine have been waterproofed, including the air-conditioning compressor, starter motor, engine belt drives power steering pump and alternator.
According to John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director, the new 2995cc six-cylinder engine will increase the new Range Rover's appeal thanks to a smaller carbon footprint, combining the "...desirability of the world's finest luxury SUV, with the enhanced sustainability offered by this advanced downsized petrol engine".
Land Rover Australia is currently taking orders for the new direct-injected supercharged V6 Range Rover which arrives in the fourth quarter of 2013, but has not issued a price yet.
It will likely be positioned between the entry-level 190kW turbo-diesel V6 ($168,900) and 250kW turbo-diesel V8 ($195,100).
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