Range Rover, sharing Denver Auto Show space with British stablemate Jaguar toward the back of the Colorado Convention Center, displayed its first-ever diesel engine for the North American market.
For a week, I’ve enjoyed performance of the 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel in the 2016 Range Rover Sport Td6; the same engine is available in the full-size Range Rover. It produces 254 horsepower and 440 lb.-ft. of torque.
The outstanding SUV offroaders this year are an answer to a long-asked question, “When will the Land Rover company (which builds the Range Rovers) add a diesel to its power sources?”
In promoting their new diesel-powered products, the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport join competitors BMW X5 and X3, Mercedes GL, Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7 and Q5 and Jeep Grand Cherokee, models which have offered diesel engines for some time.
Electric-powered cars, gas/electric hybrids and plug-in hybrids were plentiful at the show.
Majority of the cars, trucks and SUV crossovers, of course, were those with refined internal-combustion engines.
The Denver Auto Show is the greatest collection of all-new and concept automobiles ever seen in this city. It opened Wednesday evening, March 16, at the Colorado Convention Center and continued through Sunday, March 20.
More than 500 new models representing 36 makes were displayed on the 500,000-square-foot convention floor. The event also featured allied and aftermarket accessory exhibitors.
The show was organized by the Paragon Group and presented by the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association (CADA). Donnie Chrismer of Sterling represented the CADA as auto show chairman. Assisting as honorary chairpersons for the show were John and Paige Elway.
Among stars of the show were the Lincoln Continental concept, which will arrive in the showrooms later this spring; the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, which will replace the longtime minivan standardbearer Chrysler Town & Country; and Cadillac’s new crossover, the XT5.
Hyundai showed off its 2017 version of the little Elantra in contrast to the unveiling of the high-end ’17 Audi R8 Coupe.
Exotic models were on display from Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche and Maserati.
Camp Jeep, a popular show attraction the past several years, has undergone a 20 to 25 percent expansion in floor space, according to Tim Jackson, head of the CADA. The four-wheel-drive Jeeps, in the past, have climbed simulated hills and rocky terrains. “This year, they hauled in dirt and boulders and logs to create real-life mountain-climbing scene,” said Jackson.
Much as another V-6 turbodiesel has done for the Ram 1500 pickup the past two years, the Range Rover’s Td6 diesel has pushed the English-built SUV far ahead of its field of gasoline-powered competitors.
The Range Rover Sport Td6 carries an EPA estimate of 22/29 miles per gallon; my travels produced an overall average of 26 mpg. Cruising range is 650 miles.
The Range Rover’s diesel is an excellent performer, though it occasionally, after stopping at an intersection light, shudders for a second or two before engaging its normally strong power. Otherwise, it performs quietly and smoothly.
The turbodiesel engine adds $1,500 to the cost of the Range Rover Sport; a dozen or more other SUV-enhancing amenities push its sticker out of the $70,000s into the $80s.
Not the least ($1,850) is the 825-watt, 19-speaker Meridian surround-sound audio delivering a “live concert” inside the cabin’s luxurious setting. There are climate seats in front, heated seats in the back row, a heated steering wheel, adaptive headlights which automatically dim to oncoming traffic, and blind-spot monitor.
With lane-departure warning, all-terrain control, sliding panoramic roof, adaptive cruise, 20-inch style wheels, a front cooler console compartment and shadow zebrano wood trim, it all adds up to an $84,260 SUV package from the Land Rover builders.
The Range Rover Sport’s air suspension system features an automatic height access which lowers the vehicle when the transmission is place in Park for improved entry and exit. The vehicle returns to optimal ride height at a speed of 9 miles per hour.
Cargo space in the Range Rover Sport is almost 28 cubic feet. It rides on Goodyear Eagle 255/55R20 tires.
Gasoline engines available are 3.0-liter V-6 supercharged and 5.0-liter V-8 supercharged.