Getting your player ready...
The driver sits high in the tall, upright 2014 Land Rover LR4 SUV, surrounded by premium leather and in control of top-performing four-wheel-drive technology.
New power highlights the LR4 this year; a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine has replaced the 5-liter V-8 and an 8-speed automatic transmission sits in place of the former 6-speed. The V-6 churns out 340 horsepower and 332 lb.-ft. of torque, and the transmission offers normal, sport and manual-shift modes with paddleshift capability. Gear selection is with the handy rotary dial on the center console and response to the various terrain situations is with the push of a button for normal driving or for grass, snow, mud or rock-crawling. Adding efficiency to the new V-6 is a stop-start feature which quickly shuts down the engine at stoplights, then shudders to a restart when the brake is released. A 50/50 split of city/highway driving, including a 120-mile road cruise, resulted in overall average of 17.3 miles per gallon. The LR4’s EPA estimate is 14/19. It rides on Continental 4X4 Contact 255/55R19 tires. Few 4-by-4s offer the mix of rugged offroad prowess and interior luxury as does a Land Rover or Range Rover product. The LR4’s rear cargo area is accessed from a split assymetrical tailgate. Two small seats lift from the cargo floor to offer limited third-row seating.An 825-watt Meridian surround sound with 17 speakers, dual sunroofs, navigation and two-speed transfer box pushed price of the LR4 to $62,895. The LR4’s beautiful almond/arabica leather finish is trimmed in walnut wood. The LR4 is built in Solihull, England. The 113.6-inch wheelbase for the big, tough LR4 is exceeded only by the flagship Range Rover’s 115 inches and 122.9 for the long-wheelbase version among Land Rover products. The Range Rover Sport sits on a wheelbase of 108 inches and the LR2 and Evoque 104.7.
