Land Rover revamps its big SUVs

Selling Land Rovers in the current economic climate can't be an easy task, but the company hopes a completely revised range will tempt customers back into its showrooms. The 2010 line-up is headed by a revised Range Rover, the quintessential off-roader getting a new 5.0-litre supercharged V8 powerplant that produces 510bhp. Despite the substantial hike in power the Range Rover's flagship engine sees economy improvements of 7.3% and emissions reductions of 7.4%, though 19mpg and 348g/km on the combined cycles still aren't exactly planet-friendly numbers.

Other improvements include subtle interior and exterior styling revisions, new technology like a dual-view centre console that allows the driver and passenger to view different outputs and a surround camera system to help with manoeuvring. The Range Rover's more athletic Range Rover Sport and down and dirty Land Rover Discovery relatives haven't been forgotten either, both benefitting from a revised engine line up with improved power, economy and emissions.

The key change to the line up is the addition of a new twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel to the range. It can return over 30mpg in both vehicles on the official combined consumption cycle. Other changes to all the new models include a revised Terrain Response system that reduces body roll while in the extreme rock-crawling mode and a smoother transition from standstill to rolling on the hill descent control system. Both are likely to be indispensible around Knightsbridge.

Visually all benefit from revised styling inside and out, while equipment levels and option availability are also improved across the range. The new models will be on sale in September, Land Rover dealers sure to have their fingers crossed that there's an economic upturn before then.

Kyle Fortune