New Land Rover options
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THE 110 LAND ROVER announced at the Geneva Motor Show this week offers new levels of ride handling and comfort. As an addition to the existing Land Rover range it is available in the same five body options of the 109in wheelbase model which accounts for 70 per cent of the company's worldwide sales.
The 110 differs greatly, however, from the 109 in the chassis, drive and suspension specifications. Functional changes in the bodyshell include a larger one-piece front-screen surrounded by an aluminium frame. An angled sliding glass panel in the front doors gives a larger opening and improved ventilation. There is cosmetic change in a new radiator grille with the headlight surrounds.
Glass-reinforced-polyurethane spats over the wheel arches are not an attempt to customise the new Land Rover. The wheel track has been widened by 11 per cent to improve stability, while body width has not altered. Covering the wheels, the spats, held in position by plastic rivets, are pliable and knock resistant.
The body is mounted on a more robust Range Rover-type box section chassis catering for payloads up to 1.35 tonnes.
Since its inception 35 years ago the Land Rover has incorporated aluminium body panels in its construction and their corrosion-resistant properties are evident by the number of ageing vehicles still in operation. Now aluminium is also being used for the windscreen surrounds and in the top part of the doors.
The chassis is constructed by robot welders, which it's claimed ensures a consistently high quality of production as well as being more efficient and cost effective.
As with past generations of Land Rover, the chassis is able to provide the basis for special purpose conversions such as fire tenders and ambulances as well as the standard passengercarrying and pick-up versions.
Coil springs fitted front and rear and used in conjunction with hydraulic dampers account for the marked improvement in ride comfort and road handling.
On the County Station Wagon self-levelling rear-suspension comprising a gas-filled and oildamped strut which is selfenergising is a feature not offered on other models as standard.
While keeping the vehicle on an even plain under different load conditions this device does not restrict vertical wheel movement, which is 180mm (7in) front and 210mm (8.25in) rear. These are increases of 50 and 25 per cent respectively over the Series 111's leaf springs.
The most powerful of the three engine options is a 3.5-litre V8 petrol unit rated at 85kW(114bhp). This gives a torque output of 251Nm (185 Ibft) — a power increase of 25 per cent over the Series 111 version.
Available only with permanent four-wheel drive, this engine is matched to a direct top fourspeed gearbox. With a compression ratio of 8.13 to 1, it is designed to run on low octane petrol.
Increased power is also given to the 2,286cc four-cylinder engine now rated at 55kW(74bhp) with 163Nm (121 Ibft) of torque. Its diesel counterpart provides a more modest 45kW(60bhp) power output and 140Nm (103Ibft) of torque.
The five-speed box with overdrive top (which is a stronger version of the LT77 u fitted to Rover and Jaguar cars is used with both of the fourcylinder engines and is expect to reduce fuel consumption by up to 10 per cent.
First used in the Range ROVE automatic, the LT23OR transfe box provides a centre differential lock as well as a lower range of gears sufficient cope with gradients of 40 degrees.
Permanent four-wheel drive standard for all models and is claimed to be just as econornii as two-wheel drive. But for roi work, for those who want a choice, a delete-option on fou cylinder models includes free. wheeling front hubs.
The cross country potential is enhanced, not only by extra spring movement but also by the good ground clearance of 216mm (8.5in), th approach angle of 50° and the departure angle of 35°.
For the first time, powerassisted steering is included al Land Rover option. Disc-brake fitted to the front axle will improve on and off-road reliability, and redesigned leverage for the drum transmission park brake will improve its performance.