Thread: L494 Diesel engines

Originally Posted by Peter E

...So the second question is, to have similar performance should I be looking at a D300 Dynamic SE, rather than the D250 ?

Only you can answer that I guess. Can relate my own experience when going through the same question when I purchased an L461 recently when coming from a D4.

I own a D4 with the 3.0 V6 engine (Not sure how that relates to your L494 V6, same engine but probably different state of tune). I tow a lot with the D4, but fairly light stuff compared to some. When towing (or around town) I have found I have never wanted for more grunt from the D4. So with the L461 went with the D250 engine which has similar output and torque to the D4 but is ~200Kg (I think) lighter. Predictably the L461 D250 gets off the mark and accelerates better than the D4. So for me it is a bit of a step up in performance.

The other consideration is $. Since I was basically happy with the performance of the D4 I didn't think the additional ~14k for the higher output D300 engine (plus a bit extra cosmetic bling that it comes with) was worth it.

Yes the L461 is a mild hybrid. It has 48V belt driven 'starter / generator' which handles hot starts (the 'starter') and I think provides a little extra boost to the engine at times but for very short periods only, ie getting off the mark at the lights etc. Cold starts are handled by a 12v conventional starter motor. The 48v system is recharged by regenerative braking (the 'generator') which can also then provide some charging to the 12V system via a DC/DC convertor.

Originally Posted by Peter E

Also interested whether the D300 is basically the same engine as the SDV6 or are there fundamental differences...

They are not the same engine. The SDV6 is... well a 3.0 V6. The D250, D300 & D350 are 3.0 inline engines.

Originally Posted by Peter E

I just find information on these different diesel V6 variants a bit light on and confusing, so any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I find it confusing also. When the D4 was first introduced it was offered with 2 engines, 2.7 V6 and a 3.0 V6. At the time, the 2.7 V6 was referred to as the TDV6 (as per the D3 which had the same 2.7 V6 engine) and the 3.0 V6 was referred to the SDV6. Over time the engine choice was removed and you only got a choice of a 3.0 V6 but with 2 different states of tune. I think the lower state of tune was then confusingly referred to as the TDV6 and the higher state of tune as the SDV6. I think the RRS may have gone through a similar confusing engine evolution.

That's my understanding but like I said it confuses me too so if some one says contrary, wouldn't surprise me.

There is another L494 Diesel engine............