(Fri 16 Dec 05)

Land Rover dealer have been told to expect a new lightweight V8 turbodiesel late in 2006. As we predicted in May 2005, an expanded version of Ford/PSA's outstanding 2.7-litre V6 twin-turbo diesel is being prepared for use in the Ranger Rover. It is almost certain to also find its way into the Jaguar XJ diesel line-up, possibly with twin turbochargers.

Delegates attending the annual Land Rover dealer conference in November were told the 2007 range will see the normally-aspirated 305bhp 4.4-litre petrol V8 dropped from the Range Rover family and petrol sales concentrated on the 400bhp 4.2-litre supercharged V8.

But the big news will be the disappearance of the current 174bhp BMW-inspired straight-six TD6 engine and its replacement with the first all-new TDV8 to be seen in a Land Rover product. Dealers have been told the 2007 Range Rover model year will feature the supercharged petrol engine alongside the TDV6 and TDV8 turbodiesels.

Although no specifications have been released it is expected the compact new short-block TDV8 will displace between 3.6 and four litres and develop around 260bhp. The new engine and range revisions will appear shortly after the world debut of the new five-door Freelander late in 2006.

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