Newest 2014 rumors?

[alexcorral]

I think that like with both the new RR and new RRS, Land Rover will offer a SCV8 on the new LR4, for those that want the V8 power plant.

 

[TangoRed]

I think that like with both the new RR and new RRS, Land Rover will offer a SCV8 on the new LR4, for those that want the V8 power plant.

Doubt it. The SC V8 will more likely be reserved for the premium Range Rover line. Got to save something for the big dogs. Besides, the LR4's dynamics don't call for 500hp.

Land Rover is trying to make its way from the niche market into mainstream and is in fact losing its identity and heritage in process.

That puts the company into the same luxury segment with the germans and the japanese. Given the LR's less than stellar reliability record, it is going to be an uphill battle

People literally say this about every iconic brand. Mercedes, BMW, Rolls Royce (when the Ghost came out), you name it. If LR is to survive in today's market, it has to make some concessions. LR's are getting cross-shopped with the Germans and the Japanese already anyways, but their fuel economy numbers especially are huge turn offs.

I do agree they're going to have to step it up with reliability across the board, this joke has gone on long enough.

In many ways, I can see Land Rover's logic in going with the SC V6 to save MPGs, but I have to wonder if it will really be that much of a savings without shedding some of the current weight (like the new RR and RRS)?

I almost don't think that most Land Rover buyers are going to care much about the engine, but the few MPG increase will make them happy. The updated headlights, mirrors, rotary knob, etc. all will attract buyers who like the luxury and prestige and don't care much about the capability and heritage.

All I know is that I am happy I got a 2013.

-David

David, you got it right. Don't expect more than 1-2mpg improvement. And agreed, most LR owners really won't care as long as the vehicle moves with some authority. Let's be honest, the LR3 was SLOW and people still bought them in droves.

It's unfortunate that LR is pushed to make these very difficult decisions, AND it'll effect their sales, without a doubt. The problem is that JRL (especially LR) has such a poor reputation in the marketplace that your joe/mass consumer will never buy into the product to begin with, so they're mostly left with loyalty customers, who eventually will migrate to other brands who continue to offer more upmarket features, rather than give in to a downmarket product, with a very high upmarket price. The change/shock is too sudden and poorly planned. Whereas Merc and others, have a true roadmap for the downsizing, easing the consumer into place organically.

It'll be interesting to see the sales data after the New Year. It is somewhat puzzling, that the '14 FFRR with the SC V6 has no reviews whatsoever. It is in the US market... but not a peep. Not one real review on the new powerplant. Is this purposeful? Who knows.

Actually, J/LR are bringing in news customers at a pretty fast rate. Take the Evoque, for example- hits the market with a turbo-4 and is bringing all sorts of new customers. The Jaguar XF with its turbo 4 and SC V6, along with the XJ SC V6 AWD, are expanding the market. There is no time for this "organic" introduction- people have been waiting on more fuel efficient JLR products for a long time now- lets not even begin to get into AWD iterations of Jaguar products. The sales for both brands are already up VYA.

There haven't been any reviews on the SC V6 Range Rover because they haven't hit the lots yet. They're just now finishing up the production run of the 2013 units. That motor has already been reviewed in Jaguar products, and the reviews are very positive.

Funny how other "me too" car makers who have already gone through the whole BMW-looking shifter thing are now shifting (no pun intended) back to more traditional looking and sporty shifters with leather boots because of poor consumer feedback. And poor LR is just getting started. Shakes head.

Actually more makers are jumping on that bandwagon as we speak. Audi's A8, Maserati's Quattroporte, any Chrysler product with the ZF 8-speed, etc.

 

[Quijote]

That motor has already been reviewed in Jaguar products, and the reviews are very positive.

The reviews of the SC V6 Jag are good. But they are good when they view it in isolation.

They say V6 is great! Smooth & powerful. The new 8-speed is great too.

But find reviews with direct comparisons with the V8 and they are not so positive. Take the new 8-speed out of it and things would be much worse.

Again, not a bad engine. But it is definitely not as good as the engine it replaces.


BMW replaced the iconic, NA I-6 on the 328i with a turbo 4. Undeniably it is a more efficient and powerful engine. And yet still, people (rightly so) complain that it is not as smooth. In LR's case, the engine is less powerful.

 

[TangoRed]

The reviews of the SC V6 Jag are good. But they are good when they view it in isolation.

They say V6 is great! Smooth & powerful. The new 8-speed is great too.

But find reviews with direct comparisons with the V8 and they are not so positive. Take the new 8-speed out of it and things would be much worse.

Again, not a bad engine. But it is definitely not as good as the engine it replaces.


BMW replaced the iconic, NA I-6 on the 328i with a turbo 4. Undeniably it is a more efficient and powerful engine. And yet still, people (rightly so) complain that it is not as smooth. In LR's case, the engine is less powerful.

The power specs are obviously not as good, no doubt about that. The reviews I read said it is [obviously] slower but still a viable powerplant. Bottom line, the reduced emissions and better fuel economy make for a "better fit" engine for the times. In any event, while the acceleration will likely be slower, it's not going to be that much slower. We're not regressing into LR3-grade acceleration here. In times like these, people are more concerned with the EPA figures rather than straight out acceleration. The market is willing to accept SUVs that get 60 in 8-8.5 seconds.

BMW's replacement of the NA I6 across the board (actually, probably a bigger deal on the 528i) is a similar story, but perhaps BMW pulled it off better. That engine is a stronger performer, albeit with the aforementioned NVH issues.

In any event, for me it's bring on the Range Rover Sport Supercharged.

 

[PALR4]

I talked to several of the guys up at my dealer that have driven the new v6 and they say it's decent off the line, but not that great out on the highway for passing maneuvers. When trying to pass, it kind of makes noise, but doesn't do much... And that's in the new "light" RR...Booooo...!

 

[SHS14]

Some people have already made the point that the S/C V6 in the new RR and RRS makes sense with a 800 lb diet. The current LR4 platform has not gone through a similar weight loss ... that thing is going to be s-l-o-w.

 

[Quijote]

To me, it's not even about how slow it will be (unless it's objectionably slower). I get the sense that the engine is going to feel strained moving 3 tons. It won't feel as nice or sound as nice. That's the biggest loss.

Performance and reliability (fairly unknown - especially in that application) just adds to the reasons why I rather have the V8. But in a vacuum, I'm sure it will be a nice vehicle.

 

[rovernut]

It's killing me that I have 16 months left on my current lease and can't get out of it and into a V8 now.......Maybe one of our nice forum members needs a new yacht and can enable me to afford another SUV in the stable! My fingers are crossed that they will offer some form of V8, but am feeling less and less positive that they will.

 

[Quijote]

It's killing me that I have 16 months left on my current lease and can't get out of it and into a V8 now.......Maybe one of our nice forum members needs a new yacht and can enable me to afford another SUV in the stable! My fingers are crossed that they will offer some form of V8, but am feeling less and less positive that they will.

I think it will be unlikely. I think naturally aspirated V8's are dinosaurs. But unless you are picky, you should be able to find plenty of nice CPO/used ones.

I love my 997TT, but I miss the responsiveness and lightness of my 987S. When my kids outgrow the rear seats, I'd love to get another Boxster S (used) and if I can score a decent V8 M3 sedan (pretty old by then) get one of those two. I'll need a fun family car!

 

[rovernut]

Unfortunately I am very picky...I drive my wife nuts as I am always cleaning detailing...I like to get my toys dirty so I can clean them up and make them look new again!

My plans are to look for a CPO and give it to my son when he turns 17 so that he has a safe vehicle....I'll have to see what's out at that time and make a decision then...I'll "live" with something close to what I want as it will be short term and keep my fingers crossed!