What's this about?
Having announced the 2015 models in July Land Rover has made some more improvements to the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. These are the first vehicles to get the All-Terrain Progress Control (ATPC), plus improved six-cylinder diesel engines and an optional head-up display.
All-Terrain Progress Control?
Designed to complement the all-wheel drive set-up ATPC continually adjusts vehicle settings to maintain traction and keep going in all conditions. The system allows the driver to input a set speed that can be reached and maintained without any pedal input once the brake is released.
Isn't that risky?
You can't set ATPC to 60mph and sit back as your Range Rover charges off cross-country at breakneck speed; the maximum setting is 19mph. Land Rover says the system is designed for situations where a constant, low speed is desired. Range Rover TDV6, Range Rover Sport SDV6 (excluding the hybrid) and V8 supercharged models can be specified with ATPC.
What about the diesel engines?
There are two variants of the 3.0-litre, six-cylinder turbodiesel: one with improved economy and the other with more power. For the Range Rover TDV6 the twin turbochargers are replaced by a single turbo with ball bearings. In addition there is low pressure Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), a two-stage oil pump and revised injector nozzles. Maximum power output remains the same at 258hp, but with a claimed 8.5 per cent increase in fuel efficiency; up to 40.9mpg is possible on the combined cycle. Range Rover Sport SDV6 models use a twin-turbo set-up with the other improvements and a different calibration to deliver 306hp and 40.4mpg.
Anything else?
The optional Head-up Display provides key information in the driver's eye-line. Speed, gear, navigation and traffic sign recognition can be included in the display.
John Lambert - 15 Nov 2014