There are times when a vehicle evolves so much from one generation to the next that it not only achieves a new level of competence and capability, but it also outgrows its old name. This is what happened when Land Rover set about redeveloping its mid-range LR3 – an SUV that became so improved that the company decided it needed a brand new moniker. Enter the 2010 Land Rover LR4.
Though the appellation may suggest incremental change, the differences between the LR4 and its predecessor are ample. The LR4 benefits from a long-awaited exterior refresh that helps put the styling stamp of Land Rover’s new parent company on one of its most popular offerings. LED taillights bring the small truck into the 21st century, and a new front fascia highlights a body design that is more fluid and fresh than that of the LR3. Standard 19-inch wheels combine with a sportier front bumper to suggest speed and an aerodynamic capability that gives the LR4 a slicker feel.
Additional improvements can be found directly behind that new front bumper in the form of a 5.0-liter V8 engine. This fierce powerplant is carved out of a hunk of aluminum and uses technologies such as direct injection, four variable camshafts and a variable-length inlet manifold in order to produce a more than adequate 375 hp and 375 lb/ft of torque. This 25 percent increase in power over the older 4.4-liter design hasn’t been accomplished at the expense of the environment – the LR4 is rated as an Ultra-
Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV). A six-speed automatic transmission, which can lock up its clutch at lower speeds than before, guarantees fuel efficiency of 12 mpg city and 17 mpg highway. It also helps the LR4 deliver smooth and seemingly effortless acceleration as the vehicle does the zero-to-60 mph run in just 7.9 seconds without upsetting vehicle occupants or showing any signs of straining.
Improving on the award-winning LR3’s off-road systems design certainly was no simple task, but the engineers at Land Rover have worked overtime to update these driver’s aids that help set the LR4 apart from other sport utility vehicles once the pavement disappears. The SUV’s Terrain Response System (TRS) allows the driver to prepare the suspension and chassis for a number of different surfaces including gravel, mud, rock crawling and a new setting for sand that includes something called “sand launch control.” This feature prevents the vehicle from being trapped on the beach or in the desert by independently managing wheel slip in situations involving loose sand. In addition, a revised rock crawl algorithm enables drivers to use the brake pedal at very low speeds to help modulate the LR4’s stability when moving from rock to rock. Of course, all of these improvements occur within the shadow of Land Rover’s already very impressive, full-time four-wheel drive system.
Opening any of the doors on the Land Rover LR4 reveals that designers were also quite busy improving the passenger compartment of the midsize SUV. The entire interior has been upgraded with mostly plastic trim replaced by leather, wood or both. Control surfaces have also been simplified, clearing the dash of any cluttered switches or buttons and creating a more peaceful and serene atmosphere behind the wheel. Premium leather seats and ambient LED lighting are just two of the touches that help to make the LR4’s cockpit a classy proposition. Three rows of seating means no one has to be left behind on any outdoor excursion. A navigation system, an interface for portable audio players and HD radio are some other improvements made to the vehicle.
Finally, Land Rover has taken steps to improve the active safety of the LR4. Almost 360 degrees of video camera coverage make it simpler to spot obstacles, whether climbing from one boulder to another or attempting to park on a crowded street. The vehicle’s high-beam headlights automatically switch on and off depending upon the level of ambient light surrounding them, and a configurable tow assist feature actually shows drivers the projected trajectory of a trailer while reversing. A trailer stability feature also intervenes should any excessive swinging action develop during towing.
The 2010 Land Rover LR4 is a vehicle that fully realizes the dream of a modern Land Rover without infringing on the heritage that has made this brand one of the most sought after premium all-terrain vehicles.
