Land Rovers have run Jaguar's rorty AJ V8 engine since Ford got tired of sourcing engines from BMW. CAR magazine has dug up information on some mules running around in Finland with a new 4997cc engine underhood. Their photographers also caught the vehicles while they hung out in a parking lot full of tantalizing 2 and 7 series Volvos. While the AJ is a great motor, it's well into its design life. Range Rover's new engine is being developed with Bosch, and sports direct fuel injection to boost efficiency while keeping power up and emissions down. Output is rumored at 350 horsepower in naturally aspirated form and 460 ponies come to the party when a supercharger pressurizes the intake. The new engine will wind up in the engine compartment of Land Rovers, Range Rovers, and Jaguars, and will be part of a freshening of Landies and Rangies expected to drop soon.
[Source: CAR]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Polly Prissy Pants @ Feb 9th 2008 9:32AM
Why not just use the 300hp OHC V8 and the 500hp supercharged 5.2 from the Mustang? They're both great engines and would probably save Ford a ton in design, tooling and manufacturing expense. You would just need to make sure no one knew it was a "Ford" motor in their Land Rover or the poseurs might throw a hissy.
And for the love of god, please stop with the "Landies" and "Rangies" and everthing else-ies. Seeing people cutesifying words with "ies" is like a screw driver through the eye socket to us regular people.
David @ Feb 9th 2008 9:41AM
Ford is selling LR (and Jaguar) so I'd imagine they wouldn't want LR and Jaguar to use their engines.
And this Landies and Rangies thing is stupid, because it makes no sense. Range Rovers are Land Rovers
Avinash machado @ Feb 9th 2008 10:06AM
Well Tata might still source engines and other components from Ford after they purchase Land Rover and Jaguar.
Sam @ Feb 9th 2008 9:46AM
i had to wonder just how much ford was paying bmw for their 4.4L V8s for all those years...
DJ @ Feb 9th 2008 11:23AM
Given Tata's relationship with Fiat (owner of Ferrari/Maserati/Alfa), we might see V8's sourced from those brands going into Jag's and Rovers.
By the way, did someone totally skip over the line about 2 and 7 series volvos? What are those?
Dan Roth @ Feb 9th 2008 11:58AM
2 series Volvo: 240/260 model range
7 series Volvo: 740/760 model range, also the basis for the 9-series Volvos.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Feb 9th 2008 11:24AM
The 1997 AJ V8 was "well into its design life"? The engine Jaguar used before that (and still used for some purposes until 2005) start life as a Buick V8 in 1961!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rover_V8_engine
That engine is still produced in an aluminum block version (for the Roewe/Rover 75 V8) by SAIC.
Dan Roth @ Feb 9th 2008 11:59AM
Yes, the B-O-P is an absolute dinosaur, but as far as modern engines go, the AJ is mature. It's a great engine, not looking to take anything away from what came before (the 215 with a turbo is one of my favorite GM curiosities), nor am I diminishing how good the AJ is, just pointing out
Tool @ Feb 9th 2008 1:08PM
I'm in the market right now. I love the Range Rover but the base engine is NOT competitive against Mercedes-Benz (GL450 and GL550) and BMW (X5 4.8).
In particular, the BMW 4.8 blows away the Range Rover with gobs of power--350 horses and 350 foot pounds of twist.
If the Range Rover had that kind of power, it would be an easy decision. The super charged RR isn't worth $94k to me. Let's hope they announce something soon.
Oliver @ Feb 9th 2008 2:42PM
LETTER FROM QUEEN OF ENGLAND TO ALL AMERICANS
Dearest Citizens of the United States of America,
In light of your failure to understand the true heritage and purpose of our beloved Land Rover, I feel it is my duty and obligation to inform you of the history of this beloved British Icon.
The first of all Land Rovers was designed and built over 60 years ago on a small farm north of what is modern day London. The earliest of Land Rovers were to be military vehicles. As such, they were all terrain, four by four, and had the capability of being field-serviced. Thus, the cars were simple and utilitarian.
That being said, Land Rover has a rich heritage of building and supplying no nonsense utility vehicles to the most remote areas of the world. Dare I say that Mercedes Benz and BMW have no such history? Mercedes Benz and BMW are nothing more than luxury automobile makers whom happen to play “ball” within the idiocracy that is the American “sport utility” market. The “G” wagon you ask about, well it is nothing but a Joker. The “X” series you all so desire is merely its follow up Court Jester.
To those of you who have “cross-shopped”, I excuse your stupidity. You know, as well as I, that you are merely clowns dressed in casual attire. I, however, see through this disguise. Please, enrich yourselves in the basics that is “Automobile 101”. I’m sure there is a class at your local county college.
I will have no further comment about this matter.
Sincerely,
Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Zane @ Feb 9th 2008 5:49PM
AutoBlog editors - Is there any way of getting a high res version of the first image? It looks bloody amazing IMO .. please do post a high res one if possible.
British_Rover @ Feb 9th 2008 6:51PM
Heheh now that is funny.
British_Rover @ Feb 9th 2008 6:52PM
Bah the above was supposed to be a reply to Oliver.
Robert Ryan @ Feb 10th 2008 4:34AM
CAR is an English Magazine, its readership is mainly English.. so Landies for Landrover or shortening is quite acceptable.