2014 LR4 rolls into view

[Some Dude]

This kind of crap in the press drives me nuts:

Despite being one of Land Rover's biggest volume models, the LR4/Discovery has had to sit idly by while its brethren received all manner of attention,

The model has had to sit idly by for the last 3 years. Dear God, how is it possible that they let the same vehicle go on sale for 3 years in a row without a major face lift!?!? What does the media expect? A brand new model every single year? Ridiculous.

 

[David Harris]

This kind of crap in the press drives me nuts:


The model has had to sit idly by for the last 3 years. Dear God, how is it possible that they let the same vehicle go on sale for 3 years in a row without a major face lift!?!? What does the media expect? A brand new model every single year? Ridiculous.

The press needs something to talk about. . .

 

[umbertob]

Here is the press release, I guess it's official... No more V8.

http://newsroom.jaguarlandrover.com...rketLanguageNodeId=16077&brandId=2827&locus=1

 

[Hugh166]

I've driven the new trucks and jags that have the v6 in them and let me tell you they are fine. I've not driven the lr4 with it yet, but feeling the engine in their other models I can tell you it will feel like the lr3. The specs on the new engine are right on par with the ajv8 4.4. So while it won't have the mind blistering seat of the pants feel like the lr4, it won't be under powered. And mated with the 8 speed transmission you can cruise along at 70mph and 1500rpms. , if that doesn't impress you I don't know what to tell you.

 

[proper4wd]

Yes it will actually have more power and torque than the old 4.4, and combined with the 8-speed my estimation is that it will feel roughly equivalent to the 2013 5.0 model under all but the most demanding acceleration (while returning significantly better economy under most conditions as well).

 

[umbertob]

We'll see how the V6 really compares - I guess nobody has driven a LR4 fitted with one yet - but between that and the deletion of the two-speed transfer case (now an extra cost option available only with the Heavy Duty package, and we all know how easy to find that package is, whether you are buying a new or used LR3/4), to me the 2014 LR4 is not looking as attractive a package as it did before. While it's true that 90% of customers didn't buy these vehicles just because of the powerful V8 engine or off-roading capabilities made possible by the two speed t-case, those were the things that made the LR4 unique and special in its class.

 

[EricTyrrell]

I'm all for a real transfer case, but maybe the LR4 has enough power and low enough gears that low range doesn't provide as much advantage as it used to with low power engines and 4 speed transmissions. I'm just speculating this may be their thinking.

 

[David Harris]

I'm all for a real transfer case, but maybe the LR4 has enough power and low enough gears that low range doesn't provide as much advantage as it used to with low power engines and 4 speed transmissions. I'm just speculating this may be their thinking.

The amount of power doesn't matter so much as how slow you can crawl, which is more crucial off road than anything. So the question is how low is the low gear in the 8 speed transmission? My guess is that it won't be anywhere near low enough to be effective off road. Have to have the low range gear in the transfer case.

 

[David Harris]

The amount of power doesn't matter so much as how slow you can crawl, which is more crucial off road than anything. So the question is how low is the low gear in the 8 speed transmission? My guess is that it won't be anywhere near low enough to be effective off road. Have to have the low range gear in the transfer case.

I looked it up and the LR4 will use the new ZF8HP70 transmission. Its ratios from 1st to 8th are as follows: 4.696, 3.130, 2.104, 1.667, 1.285, 1, .839, .667 and Reverse = 3.300. The first gear at 4.696 is pretty low, but the rest depends on which ratios are in the diffs. At any rate, with out the multiplication of low range, it won't be anywhere near the effect of the two speed case.