LR3 Diesel? Warning, LRNA Propaganda - click here

[alex3324]

I would buy an LR3 today if it were available with a diesel motor. I sent an e-mail off to LRNA asking when it would be available. Here's their response:

Thank you for contacting the Land Rover Customer Relationship Center.

At this time Land Rover does not have any plans to introduce a diesel version of any of our models into the United States. This would require several design and performance changes in order to be compliant with strict U.S. safety and emissions standards. While there are no current intentions of importing diesel vehicles, Land Rover may choose to do so in the future. We do appreciate our customer's enthusiasm regarding a diesel option and I have therefore forwarded your comments to product development for consideration.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-637-6837, option 9, or by e-mail.

Sincerely,
John Jurjevic
Land Rover Customer Relationship Center

 

[JeffM]

That figures - LRNA are so full of shit. Funny how Jeep are able to offer essentially the same diesel engine in both Europe and the US.

Is the V10 diesel Toerag available in the US?

Its the same as that whole mumbo jumbo garbage that they came out with about not having the defender in the US. Which to me is completely bogus when you consider that the jeep wrangler seems to have no problems passing all of the safety requirements etc.

Jeff

 

[jsonova99]

Speaking of the Defender safety claim, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't htink H1s have air bags either, and they are legal, why couldn't rover sell the Defender over here then?

 

[Leslie]

Speaking of the Defender safety claim, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't htink H1s have air bags either, and they are legal, why couldn't rover sell the Defender over here then?

GVW.






-L

 

[DiscoII]

I am of the same opinon on the LR3 with diesel. I would by one today.

I did here that VW is pulling the V10 diesel over here because of emision problems. I have also heard a rumor that the low sulfur diesel which is supposed to be required in the US in 2006 will make it easier to meet the emission rules.

Fingers crossed, gas prices and low economy sucks.

 

[nickangus]

h1's dont have airbags my step dad had one and that made me mad thinking that, that was the reson i couldnt go get a defender
d-90 would sell really well and so would d-110 as a family car or even d-130's for thos larger familys

just a load of bullshit

nick

 

[ducati]

You're fooling yourself if you think a D110 or D130 would sell well as a "family car." You'd have the image-concious folks try them because they looked "cool" and then hate them because they feel like, well, a 25-year-old design. And then they'd tell all their friends how much Land Rovers sucked...

I'd buy one, but I wouldn't want my neighbor to own one. I'd never hear the end of it.

The issue with the D90 is it is too light to utilize the airbag loophole (same for the D110 and D130), it didn't meet emissions regs, and it didn't meet safety regs. It's too bad that BMW and Ford decided not to fix those issues (with money, they could have) but I can only guess the balance sheet would have ended up red at the end... Or they would have done it by now. So we await the "next" Defender....

 

[DiscoII]

You're fooling yourself if you think a D110 or D130 would sell well as a "family car." You'd have the image-concious folks try them because they looked "cool" and then hate them because they feel like, well, a 25-year-old design. QUOTE]

Hey, thats the best way to pick up anearly new Defender with low mileage. You wait for you neighbour to pick one up they hate it and you offer to buy it from them at a bargin price

 

[ShaunP]

I reckon the emissions thing with the D3 is more about the quality of US Diesel,(or it's an excuse from LRNA) I suspect it is not very clean and is high in sulphur. The diesel engine in the D3 is really quite trick, goes really well has heaps of torque and is very clean, they blow no black diesel smoke at all and meet emissions all over Europe and in OZ however this is on low sulphur diesel. I can't really see LRA selling many V8s here with such a good oiler in the line up, plus Australians love diesel 4x4s, in some remote areas you can only get diesel.

 

[ducati]

Good point DiscoII!

From the HP and torque curves I looked at, the diesel would be just as peppy as the V8 for most folks. IIRC it has more (or similar) torque all the way up to 3500 rpms or so.

 

[geoff]

Last I heard low sulfur diesel will be sold in the US in 2006, but that's not the reason for not bringing a diesel Disco (LR3) here. Diesel is taxed far less in other countries relative to gasoline, so the economics and performance issues are much easier to justify. The LR3 is low volume in the US. If Ford won't sell a diesel F150 pickup (the highest volume seller in the US period), don't count on them risking a diesel engine on a "prestige" model.

Unlike Australia, it is VERY rare for a US owner to use an LR3 for extended cross country where range is an issue.

I almost forgot to add that California emissions in 2006 basically kill diesel engines for personal use. I don't think even VW will be selling them there after this year.

Of course, things could change if gas prices rise much more....

 

[jhmover]

I read an article on the Taureg diesel - it said it was abou $16,000 more to get the diesel. For $16 k I can put gas in my Disco for a long time. Jeep dealer told me the diesel Liberty won't be sold in CA. As usual - live in CA and get screwed by the tree huggers.

 

[ShaunP]

It's the other way around with the D3 the V8 is the dearest. V6 exploder engine is the cheapest TDV6 is in the middle. TDv6 diesel SE is $8k AUD less than the V8. The exploder engine is $8k less than the TDv6. I don't reckon anyone will buy the V8 here when the Diesel is $8k less, uses way less fuel, bigger touring range, more torque, nice and quiet and apart from a slight drop in acceleration, it's a no brainer for OZ buyers and you can get a 6 speed manual.

 

[Dey]

Have Faith

I asked the VP of Marketing at LRNA in Irvine a few months ago about a diesel. She said that they are working on a 50 state vehicle.

"Thanks for the note Jay. We are actively exploring alternative fuel strategies for Land Rover, including diesel options. As you're probably aware, the emissions legislation within both Europe and the US gets stricter and stricter as the years go on so our product development team is looking at options for the long term that make good business sense. VW, Mercedes and others are having success in selling 45-state compliant diesels - we are obviously looking for 50-state compliance and you should know that our retailers are equally vocal about pushing this too!

Sally

Sally J Eastwood
Vice President Marketing
Land Rover North America


Unless, England is faking her out, which I doubt, I would take her word for it. I think LRNA monitors these boards and knows the feelings and ideas of the enthusiasts. Keep the faith!

Jay

 

[ShaunP]

I reckon the biggest market for petrol cars is the US from what I can tell most of Europe run oilers, they even have diesels in really small cars. The TDV6 diesels just like the TD4 Freelanders are really clean engines and have to be to meet the EU laws, but they have to have good quality diesel to meets the regs, but I believe they meets the regs well into the future. They don't blow any smoke on Oz low sulphur diesel, they are nothing like old diesels.

 

[spydrjon]

You're fooling yourself if you think a D110 or D130 would sell well as a "family car." You'd have the image-concious folks try them because they looked "cool" and then hate them because they feel like, well, a 25-year-old design. And then they'd tell all their friends how much Land Rovers sucked...

I'd buy one, but I wouldn't want my neighbor to own one. I'd never hear the end of it.

The issue with the D90 is it is too light to utilize the airbag loophole (same for the D110 and D130), it didn't meet emissions regs, and it didn't meet safety regs. It's too bad that BMW and Ford decided not to fix those issues (with money, they could have) but I can only guess the balance sheet would have ended up red at the end... Or they would have done it by now. So we await the "next" Defender....

Don't forget the fact that in '97 they only sold, what, 1500 D90's. There is no money in it for them to import them. It is too bad too... cuz I want one

 

[Rocky]

Its quality of fuel thats the problem in the USA. Sulphur content is too high. BMW builds Diesels for the Euro market in SC-anytime they run any over here for journos they smoke badly.
That said LR is meant to have a diesel demo fleet over here.....

 

[geoff]

Well I read in Autoweek that Jaguar is going to import the V-6 diesel (same Peugeot based engine as Euro D3s) in the US in '08, so there might be hope - especially now that fuel prices are climbing fast.

 

[ShaunP]

I'm telling you it's a good thing. The OZ 4x4 press love it, even 4x4 monthly who are really anti LR( if it aint a Toyota or a Nissan they don't want to know) had to say they are sweat when LRA actually gave them one to drive. I picked up a mag the other day about buying a new 4X4, cause it had a D3 on the cover, basically specs and tests of most new 4x4 in OZ, read the D3 write up and they started by saying the D3 is probably the most capable stock 4x4 of the shelf in this magazine.

 

[punter]

2008, eh?
...a little behind the power curve aren't they?

I'm sorry but I don't understand their logic, here. You're telling me that LRNA will be willing to import this engine in 2008, but not in 2006?

LRNA has been claiming that they don't want to bring this motor in because they want a 50 state complient vehicle and the 2.7L TDV6 (the motor that you're talking about) isn't.

When you consider the fact that emissions regs. are due to become even more strict in 2007, this motor will be no more 'compliant' in 2008 than it is now. Why are they dragging their feet?

Gas prices are over $2.85/gal. TODAY ...do they honestly expect us to wait three more years for them to get around to addressing the issue?

I need a new truck, and I'd love a deisel LR3, but I'm not waiting until 2008 to buy one!
...and I'm certainly not going to buy a V8 gas hog that'll only run on premium fuel, with gas prices as high as they are!