Land Rover refreshes 2010 model range for Malaysia
Land Rover (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd’s model range for Malaysia has just been brought up to date, with new versions of the Discovery, Range Rover Sport, and Range Rover lining up alongside the unchanged Defender and Freelander 2. Updates for the trio include new engines, reworked styling, and improved cabins which were showcased to the media in a test drive from Klang Valley to Tanarimba, Janda Baik and back.
However, the realities of logistics, with some 15-20 journalists having to rotate between five available test cars – Discovery 4 2.7 TDV8, three variants of the Range Rover Sport (3.0 TDV6, 5.0 LRV8, 5.0 LRV8 Supercharged), and the Range Rover 3.6 TDV8 – means that we will have to make do with just relaying some brief impressions for you, the readers, until test cars can be allocated to us for a more comprehensive review.
The 2010 iteration of the Discovery, dubbed the Discovery 4, soldiers on with the existing 2,720cc turbodiesel V6 producing 189hp @ 4,000rpm and 440Nm @ 1,900rpm. The engine is a legacy of Land Rover’s days under Ford ownership, and is mated to a ZF-sourced 6-speed automatic transmission.
A unique feature of the Discovery’s underpinnings is its Integrated Body Frame (IBF), which is essentially a monocoque body shell sitting on a ladder frame chassis – allowing Land Rover to combine the benefits of both chassis designs into one vehicle. Taking into account the inherent weight penalties that this design incurs, the Discovery 4 didn’t handle half bad when we harried it along the old KL-Bentong roads.
Externally, cosmetic upgrades from the Disco 3 to the Disco 4 took place at the front grille, side air vents, headlamps (LED bi-xenon type), and tail lamps. The cabin has also received a welcome makeover which made the dash look less like a workstation and more like the interior of a premium vehicle.
Next up the range, but sitting on the same underpinnings, is the Range Rover Sport in the three aforementioned variants. Restyling work performed include a new-look front bumper & grille, ‘concentric circle’ LED headlamps, LED tail lamps, and a restyled spoiler with integrated third brake light.
The three engines on offer are all new, starting from the 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel rated at 245hp and and a monstrous 600Nm. Petrol power, meanwhile, is supplied from a 5.0-litre V8 which can be specified with either natural aspiration (375hp/510Nm) or supercharging (510hp/625Nm).
Topping the range is the Range Rover flagship model, offered with the choice of a TDV8 3.6-litre diesel (available in HSE or Vogue trim) and the same 5.0-litre supercharged petrol engine found in the Range Rover Sport.
Equipment on the Range Rover includes air suspension, Land Rover’s Terrain Response system, Dynamic Stability Control, and Enhanced Understeer Control. The Enhanced Understeer Control system reins in overenthusiastic attacking of corners by reducing engine torque or braking the appropriate wheel.
The complete range of Land Rover vehicles for 2010 in Malaysia, with prices, are as follows:
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