The New Defender: Diesel vs Petrol

I just noticed the P300 is not an option on the Australian configurator. So that is one non-starter confirmed.

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Originally Posted by scarry

Maybe aftermarket,if not, it won’t be in my driveway.
Some say run a 20” and go oversize,to get more sidewall,but that’s not what I want to do.

The diesels in my opinion are a bit lacking,the vehicle will be almost as heavy as my D4.

And going by D5 reports,with same Diesel engine,fuel economy not fantastic.
In fact it’s very similar to a late model D4,8apeed,with a heap less power and torque.

The smaller diesel will probably not sell well and be dropped,as happened with D5.

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The diesels have pretty much gone back to D3 TDV6 levels of torque but acceleration performance is on par with the V8 so maybe we are underestimating how they will perform.

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Originally Posted by DiscoDB

The diesels have pretty much gone back to D3 TDV6 levels of torque but acceleration performance is on par with the V8 so maybe we are underestimating how they will perform.

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Yes we may be underestimating them,the torque and power curves would be good to see,and compare them to the TDV6.

But the 2.7 D3/4 was easily tuned,as mine is,but I doubt that can be done to the smaller engines,although we will have to wait and see.They may have been ‘tuned ‘ as far as they can go by the manufacturer.

Maybe someone with a D5 that runs the 240 diesel will tune in.

The D240 engine in the Range Rover Velar has 500Nm - same as the SD4 in the 2019 Discovery Sport. Both have the same power.

So it appears the Defender D240 has been de-tuned at the bottom end of the rev range to bring the torque back down to 430Nm and the D200 further de-tuned at the top end to reduce the max power.

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Originally Posted by DiscoDB

Interested in people’s views on the initial engine choices and what you would pick.

Normally I would go for Diesel over Petrol any day but with diesels getting smaller and more complicated when it comes to emission controls I am not so sure these days. Would have been nice if they had included a 3L 6 cyl Diesel option from the start but maybe this will come later.

As it is at present, the 3L petrol engine is looking like a great option.

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Why do you think Diesels are more complex than Petrols? I don't think they have anything thats too different between them these days.

D200 looks reundant to me. Cant see a reason to have it in the line up apart from having a dutuned option to charge for the D240.

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Originally Posted by Xtreme

Naturally the most powerful motor is appealing but (& I'm thinking of a touring vehicle) does one need that much power & torque at the cost of a 20% reduction in available range?

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The P400 would be my choice of that lot. With increased size comes low down power/torque. That lugability that big engines have when the're down low in the revs and off boost. I guess with that engine a long range fuel tank would be coming with it also. :lol2:

Actually, the 6cyl diesel would be my choice. Hopefully if it turns up it will be a good motor.

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Originally Posted by Xtreme

Naturally the most powerful motor is appealing but (& I'm thinking of a touring vehicle) does one need that much power & torque at the cost of a 20% reduction in available range?

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And that’s just on-road. My biggest concern would be its range off-road.

I’d much rather have a diesel touring vehicle, so for me I think it would be the D240.

Cheers,
Jon

I’ve seen no comments about storage space in the new Defenders, but I believe the P400 loses the rear storage compartment to batteries and their controller.

Lack of a decent storage space is one of my main gripes about my 7 seat D5, but if I go travelling I’ll probably remove the 3rd row seats.

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Originally Posted by Slunnie

Why do you think Diesels are more complex than Petrols? I don't think they have anything thats too different between them these days.

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Particularly this Ingenium petrol 6.

Its direct injected,as most are,but its also turbo and supercharged,so seems highly complicated.

Coupled with a small fuel tank,not much of a tug.

Its not an engine design like,for example,the V8 in the Y62.

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Originally Posted by scarry

Particularly this Ingenium petrol 6.

Its direct injected,as most are,but its also turbo and supercharged,so seems highly complicated.

Coupled with a small fuel tank,not much of a tug.

Its not an engine design like,for example,the V8 in the Y62.

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Ahhh, I didn't realise it was turbo and supercharged.

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Originally Posted by RobA

Having checked the configurator in Oz and UK the short answer is no it seems. Reason being rim and tyre size seems directly linked to engine capacity which is no great surprise. Nothing on the diesel 6 yet but expect the same is my view.

Yes petrol 6 looks OK if you don't tow a lot nor drive a fully loaded car around all the time. IMHO the 4cyl diesel would be fine for general touring and the odd Simpson crossing etc. As well as fitting probably most people's needs for a daily drive as well. Whereas we travel 3-5 months each year towing our AOR camper (2500kg) so diesel 6 is what we are waiting for.

We have specced what we want, less the diesel, and are waiting for indicative pricing to come back. I drove an LC200 VX yesterday just to refresh my memory and that experience keeps me on this side of the fence ATM

Rob

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Out of curiosity how heavy is your van, what is towing it and what economy are you getting?