SEDONA, Ariz. — Range Rovers are sold around the world, and fully half of them are equipped with diesel engines. In the Queen’s motherland, that number soars to fully 90 percent. Now, for the first time, the folks at Jaguar/Land Rover are introducing diesel powertrains to the U.S. market. Both the 2016 Land Rover Range Rover and Range Rover Sport can now be purchased with a 3.0-liter turbo diesel engine.

It develops 254 horsepower and, more importantly, a massive 440 lb-ft of torque, connected to a quick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. It promises 32 percent fuel efficiency over the V-6 gasoline engine by delivering a combined 25 miles per gallon.



It’s known as the Td6; I’ve driven it and I can tell you it’s nothing short of spectacular. I’m talking about the diesel engine performance here, but the same can be said of the Range Rover itself, which is as close to a perfect a vehicle as one can get.

Recently, Land Rover execs and engineers introduced the diesel-powered Range Rovers for media to drive both on and off-road in Sedona. They acknowledged that the timing of their diesel introduction was less than desirable, given the Volkswagen diesel emissions cheating scandal, cheap gasoline, and that buyers seldom use the vehicle to tow a boat or trailer, where having massive amounts of torque from a diesel engine is automotive nirvana. About 15 to 20 percent of buyers are expected to choose the optional diesel engine.

But Land Rover execs know their buyers couldn’t care less about towing capacity, improved fuel economy, reliability ratings or that they’ll shell out an additional $1,500 to get the diesel.

All that doesn’t matter to the kind of person who gets on a waiting list at the Land Rover dealership for the privilege of paying around a hundred grand for the “specialness” of owning and driving a Range Rover.

Ever sit in a Range Rover and inhale the intoxicating fumes of its top-grain Semi-Aniline perforated leather, with contrasting piping on the seats? Caressed the real Macassar wood veneer, or listened to symphony-hall like instruments on the Meridian audio system? Or enjoyed the yard-long list of high-tech electronic assists, amenities and world-class off-road creds?

It’s for those same reasons you’ll opt to include the whisper quiet diesel — because it’s about the empowerment that comes with the seduction of owning and driving the finest of British luxury. Royalty must be served.

Vital Stats

Base Price: $86,450
Price as Tested: $104,825
Seating: 4
Engine: 3.0-Liter Turbocharged V6 Diesel
Horsepower: 254 Horsepower
Transmission: 8-Speed automatic
Fuel Economy: 22-MPG City – 29-MPG Highway

Fab Features

Powerful, quiet, fuel-efficient diesel engine
World-class luxury
Simply marvelous

— Jim Prueter