375-horsepower LR-V8 and 6-speed transmission

The Land Rover LR4’s 5.0-liter LR-V8 with direct fuel injection and torque-activated Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) develops 375 hp and 375 lb.-ft. torque and meets the stringent ULEV2 (ultra low emissions vehicle) regulations. Cam profile switching and a variable-length inlet manifold optimize power and torque across the engine speed range, yielding exceptional responsiveness at all speeds and helping make the LR4 an excellent tow vehicle. (Maximum towing capacity is 7,716 lbs. with a braked trailer.) The LR4 can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in a brisk 7.5 seconds (0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds).

Engineered for rugged off-road travel, the LR-V8 has a deep, pressure die-cast oil pan to accommodate the extreme tilting angles the LR4 can negotiate. Belt drives are waterproofed, as are the alternator, air conditioning compressor, power steering pump and starter motor. With the use of 5W-20 semi-synthetic oil, normal service intervals are extended to 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 12 months.

The powerful LR-V8 is coupled to a 6-speed adaptive automatic transmission with CommandShift™ featuring Normal, Sport and Manual shift modes. The transmission sends power to all four wheels through an electronically controlled 2-speed transfer case with shift-on-the-move capability.

Trailer Stability Assist helps make towing a trailer safer. This technology detects trailer oscillations by monitoring key vehicle behaviors, such as unwanted steering movements and slight vehicle swing in response to trailer behavior. In such situations, the system can initiate engine torque reduction and braking interventions to bring the towing back under control.

Enhanced Terrain Response

Further enhancements to Terrain Response bolster the LR4’s considerable off-road capability. Terrain Response optimizes the vehicle set-up for virtually all on-road or off-road driving situations, with five driver-selectable settings to suit different conditions: General Driving; Grass/Gravel/Snow, Sand; Mud and Ruts, and Rock Crawl. For 2011, this vehicle control system gains new Hill Start Assist and Gradient Acceleration Control.

Hill Start Assist helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when moving from a standstill on an incline. This feature, which works automatically and transparently, momentarily holds brake pressure when the driver’s foot moves from the brake pedal to the accelerator. Gradient Acceleration Control is designed to provide an extra measure of safety on severe inclines when the driver does not have Hill Descent Control engaged.

By pressurizing the brake system, GAC slows the vehicle to a limit determined by the throttle position when descending a slope in Drive or Reverse. Otherwise – such as when descending while facing up the gradient with Drive selected – GAC restricts speed to 3 mph (5 km/h) for up to 20 seconds, enabling the driver to regain control.

Hill Descent Control system integrates Gradient Release Control, which restricts the initial rate of acceleration when descending very steep inclines. This action helps to support vehicle control when braking is released at extreme angles.

Luxurious interior

The Land Rover LR4’s soft, elegant interior complements the vehicle’s signature architectural theme, combining smooth, flowing surfaces with easy-to-use controls. The console is inclined towards the driver, and all models feature a steering wheel with switches to access driver information and operate the audio system, cruise control and steering wheel heating (if so equipped).

Leather seating, dual-zone automatic climate control and a power tilt-and-slide sunroof are among the LR4’s standard amenities. A choice of natural-finish woods, along with stitched and wrapped fascia, door casings and center console add to the LR4’s handcrafted feel. The available white LED mood lighting casts subtle halos around the metal-plated interior door handles and pockets, as wells the dashboard and center console area.

In all LR4 models, a 5-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) driver information LCD screen within the instrument cluster displays key information in a clean, simple and user-friendly manner. A hard-drive navigation system, part of the HSE and HSE LUX packages, provides fast route calculation. The “towards guidance” feature supplements the junction map and icon-based information with details of the actual road signage seen by the driver along the route.

Seeing beyond eyesight

The 2011 Land Rover LR4 offers convenient and helpful systems to enhance safety and security. The Vision Assist Package offered for HSE and HSE LUX includes xenon HID headlamps (already standard on HSE LUX); Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS; swiveling headlights); Automatic High Beam Assist (AHBA) and the Surround Camera System.

Automatic High Beam Assist can automatically switch on high beam headlights where external light levels are below the system’s threshold. Importantly, the system can also detect traffic ahead, and in a split second will automatically switch back to the low beams to avoid dazzling other drivers.
Five digital cameras make up the Surround Camera System, relaying to the touch-screen a near 360-degree view from the vehicle. The cameras, which support easier parking, towing and off-road maneuvering, function immediately as the vehicle is started, and have options for selecting and zooming in to assist with close quarter parking and with towing.

The “tow assist” function (selected from the touch screen menu) helps the driver execute accurate towing maneuvers. The wide views from the side cameras give a clear picture of the reversing trailer. Guide lines overlaid on the rear camera image illustrate both the vehicle and trailer’s trajectory. These line move with steering inputs, making it easier for the driver to predict where the trailer will move to before reversing. Specific characteristics such as type of trailer, number of axles and width guides can be fed into the system to further fine-tune guidance.

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Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true 'breadth of capability' across the model range. Defender, LR2 (Freelander 2), LR4 (Discovery 4), Range Rover Sport and Range Rover each define the world's 4x4 sectors, with 78% of this model range exported to over 140 countries. Land Rover employs 8,500 people and supports a further 40,000 jobs supported in the supply chain.

Land Rover takes its responsibility to the environment seriously. Emissions have been cut with all new models and, together with Jaguar, it is investing £800m on technology specifically aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Also, since September 2006, carbon dioxide generated by Land Rover manufacturing activities and UK customer vehicle use has been balanced through an industry leading offset program run by Climate Care.