Latest ‘Disco’ receives Ingenium I4 diesel

The latest generation of Land Rover Discovery, D5, continues to make use of Ford Motor Company’s 3-litre V6 diesel engine made at Dagenham, heralding continued production of that engine for some time to come.

It also sees continuance of Ford’s gasoline V6 engine but new on the scene is the Wolverhampton-built Ingenium I4 also diesel engine.

Significantly, the D5 ‘Disco’ makes use of a lightweight monocoque body construction made up of 85 per cent aluminium – 43 per cent recycled – and is a significant 480kg lighter than before.

Land Rover says its innovative aluminium full-sized SUV platform “provides the perfect basis for New Discovery, delivering a lightweight but durable architecture that contributes to lower CO₂ emissions and improved fuel economy, as well as enhancing its dynamic abilities.”

Alex Heslop, chief product engineer, comments: “New Discovery has been designed and engineered around our full-sized SUV architecture to ensure we have built-in, world-beating all-terrain capability. The flexible monocoque construction also gave us the chance to develop a versatile, spacious seating solution like no other.”

Further engineering innovations see more extensive use of high-strength aluminium within the crash structure, while the entire bodyside of the vehicle is pressed as a one-piece aluminium panel, meaning fewer joints, reduced complexity and improved structural integrity.

As well as improving strength and efficiency, the aluminium structure has been key to providing enhanced sustainability, with up to 50 per cent of the sheet aluminium used in New Discovery’s body manufactured from recycled aluminium.

In combination with lighter chassis components, simplified exhaust and driveline systems, more efficient seat designs and revised wheel and tyre sizes all contribute to enhanced efficiency. Additional advanced lightweight chassis components include a magnesium cross vehicle beam that supports the instrument panel inside the vehicle as well as a high-precision lightweight casting supporting the grille and front-end components.

The seat structures are made of lightweight high-strength steel while the underside of the vehicle is pressed from a single piece of aluminium for greater structural integrity. As result of these weight saving measures, New Discovery weighs from 2115kg (EU unladen SD4).

Suspension architecture is mounted on “optimised” steel front and rear sub-frames. These provide high levels of stiffness for enhanced steering response, chassis performance and greater refinement. The subframes are also designed to withstand off-road impacts while providing additional protection to the chassis and powertrain systems.

Land Rover claims the fully independent suspension uses a wide-spaced double-wishbone layout at the front and an advanced multi-link layout with an integral link at the rear. The integral link allows engineers to achieve stiffer damping when necessary for superior body control without compromising comfort and impact absorption.

Land Rover says New Discovery “is powered by a selection of JaguarLandRover’s efficient four- and six-cylinder diesel and petrol engines. Leading the way is the 2-litre Ingenium diesel powerplant, which delivers enhanced fuel economy and CO₂ emissions without sacrificing the strong torque output customers expect from vehicles wearing the Discovery badge.”

The company adds that “The aluminium Ingenium engine features lightweight construction with stiff cylinder blocks and decoupled injectors, which ensure low levels of vibration and noise intrusion, enhancing the relaxed character that is such a core part of the Discovery family.”

All engines are paired with ZF’s eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox.

The company notes that with 240PS and 500Nm of torque the new Sd4 Ingenium engine delivers strong performance, powering New Discovery from 0-100km/h in 8.3s (0-60mile/h in 8.0s) – with comparable performance compared to the outgoing Discovery 3.0-litre V6 diesel. Despite this hike, the new four-cylinder unit provides competitive CO₂ emissions of 171g/km and is capable of 43.5mile/gal.

“This UK-built Ingenium engine brings new levels of diesel comfort to the Discovery family thanks to a range of advanced features. Dual-isolated engine mounts and further optimised transmission mounts combine with variable cam timing on the exhaust side and twin balancer shafts for the upmost refinement,” claims Land Rover.

It is the first JLR engine to feature series sequential turbo technology.

The 258PS 3-litre V6 Dagenham-built diesel engine, badged Td6m features low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), a two-stage oil pump and revised fuel-injector nozzle for improved responses, refinement and efficiency.

Land Rover claims a seven per cent reduction in CO₂ emissions over the previous 256PS Discovery TDV6; down from 203g/km to 189g/km, and is capable of up to 39.2 mile/gal (7.2l/100 km). Torque is unchanged at 600 Nm (440 lbft).

Acceleration from 0-100km/h takes 8.1s (0-60mile/h in 7.7s) – a reduction of 1.3s. With a significant 600Nm of torque on offer, the new Td6 diesel delivers relaxed cruising refinement and towering all-terrain capability.

Land Rover’s 3-litre V6 gasoline engine, built at Bridgend, the Si6, of 340PS develops 450Nm of torque and accelerates the car from 0-100km/h in 7.1s (0-60mile/h in 6.9s).