The new models boast a plethora of technical and aesthetic enhancements and what we're talking about here isn't merely a mid-life facelift and botox job. The new Rangeys, as well as their bumpkin cousins, if you can call them that anymore, get a brand new 5.0-litre heart.
In fact, Land Rover is so confident of the improvements to the new LR-V8 powered machines, they set up a media day, served up with a number of challenges to emphasise the new range's ability both on and off the tarmac.
Drive time
First order of the day was the LR4 (also known as the Discovery) and a bit of dune bashing. The top spec Disco, like the entirety of the new collection, packs Land Rover's new 5.0-litre V8. In normally aspirated form it's home to 375 horses and a peak torque of 508Nm, which can pelt this off roader to bonkers speeds on any terrain.
Power is transferred through a six-speed automatic transmission, while independent double-wishbones and air-sprung suspension mean this Landy will stop at nothing to get you where you want to go.
The most impressive enhancements on the new model focus on off-road ability in the sand, and sure enough, the Land Rover team was eager to show off the new system.
Once on location, there was the inevitable product briefing to explain the improvements to the LR4's Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and the new sand launch control. The traction control when left on, hampers off-road performance on sand. Well, not any more, the LR4 will automatically alter the traction control once in sand mode, preventing a loss of power when it's most needed and removing the inconvenience of deactivating the DSC between settings.
To demonstrate this, we were piled into an LR3 with an experienced off roader and launched up the side of a dune. Once we began to travel side-on across the face of the dune, the DSC kicked in and power was lost from the engine. We were stuck on the dune leaning nervously to one side, something had to be done. A flick into neutral, deactivation of the DSC, a lift of the ride height and we were back in business.
Once on firmer ground, we switched to the LR4 so it could flex its muscles. And flex it did. Taking an identical route on the dune, the 4 just creamed it, without even batting an eyelid at such a menial task. It was over so quickly that we were taken over the dune again in a much softer spot but the result was the same; not a flinch. The LR4 is certainly a dune buggy on a colossal scale.
Next up was a demo of the sand launch control but this time they trusted us to go behind the wheel. Setting off in soft sand can always be a bit of a struggle; apply just a little too much throttle and you dig yourself into a nice little ditch. Not what you want to do when you're in the desert. So, we were back in the LR3 once again. Handbrake off, sand mode on, into drive and smash the accelerator to the floor. Predictably the wheels dug into the soft sand, but getting out was just a matter of easing off the throttle and juggling the steering wheel. It was that simple.
Once back to the starting point it was time to put the LR4 through its paces. It was a slightly different procedure this time though. Handbrake on (this tells the 4's computer that you're launching off), sand mode on, into drive, hammer the accelerator and off you go. The power was applied smoothly so there was no scrambling for traction as the LR4 went hurtling over the dune.
The new LR4 isn't just a prettier face, loaded with gadgetry — it is a proper off-roading machine, built for purpose.
Gadgets galore
Naturally, no makeover is complete without the inclusion of new gadgets. Sure enough, the 2010 Landy and Rangey, er, range boasts some amazing gizmos.
For a start, the instrument panel doesn't have conventional dials. It is replaced by an LCD screen which displays not only the speedometer and odometer, but also some of the dynamic off-road information, such as front wheels position, differential lock and ride height.
The new touch screen in the centre console allows access to the sat-nav, climate control, the audio entertainment system (with iPod connectivity) and optional TV. But the coolest has to be the dual view feature, which allows the driver to view, say the sat-nav, while the passenger watches TV. The image is crystal clear and there is no ghosting at all. Really impressive, this.
Another cool bit of kit is the Valet lock system. A quick punch of a four digit code and all your infotainment systems are locked along with the glove-box; a perfectly suited option to our hotel happy region.
The last demo of the day was of the optional surround cameras, which provide a 360-degree outside view with the aid of five adjustable lenses. For this exercise, we had to negotiate a course, with no frontal vision, relying solely on the camera feeds on the LCD, a map and a carful of understandably nervous passengers.
The four of us traversed the course, some notably slower than others, but not one of us squashed a cone, went off course or ran over Mike, the instructor.
The all-new Land Rover range genuinely deserves the "all-new" tag. It boasts technology that's both innovative and unique, while the new powertrain offers better fuel economy and greater performance. This really isn't a case of reheated leftovers.
Model 2010 LR4
Engine: 5.0-litre V8 Transmission Six-speed automatic
Max power: 375bhp @ 6,500rpm
Max torque: 508Nm @ 3,500rpm
Top speed: 210kph
0-100kph: 7.2sec
Price: Dh255,000
UAE friendly
Plus: Design changes, refinement, cool technology
Minus: Nothing we could find
