I have just ordered a 5.0 AB SC and wondered if anyone else has moved away from diesel for their MY18 order?

This would have been my first Range Rover after coming off an M5 - see other thread.
Fancied doing the RR thing and the PHEV company car tax situation made it an interesting choice for running it that way primarily. It seemed like there wouldn't be much compromise based on pre-leaked spec - plenty of power, range performance doable for day to day commute - everything is heading down the electric/hybrid route - so it seemed like a good time to make the switch.

I was about to become a convert - but sadly you can't specify 22 inch alloys or deployable sidesteps in the UK - apparently due to weight issues/compatibility at this time. As soon as they get this worked out though....all over it.

Might be ordering g a 2018, depends if my 2017 is fixed by the end of October or rejected.

But I’m sticking with the 4.4 diesel, it’s a great engine with good economy on a run (have seen 40.odd MPG on more than one occasion.) falls down on town use/short runs though, but it’s not my first choice of car if I’m going into town or just a short run.

Have had hybrids in the past and frankly (Lexus) was very disappointing as for the electric to work the battery had to have enough charge. Which it only got from the petrol engine running. So on the 5 mile crawl to the office it ran at low 30 mpg petrol and electric hardly ever kicked in. So my dream of a free commute was shattered.

PHEV should resolve the issues though, but at this stage I’m not convinced.

adamfawsitt wrote:

I have just ordered a 5.0 AB SC and wondered if anyone else has moved away from diesel for their MY18 order?

We've pre ordered a P400e, but we don't know the prices for the new models yet. If we've had a similar car-tax regime like you're having in the UK, Germany, Sweden etc, I would of course have choosen the SDV8 version.

I know that my next car will almost certainly be electric to some extent, but that’s because it’s a large number of years away. Given the choice between another SDV8 and an unproven PHEV, I’d definitely go the diesel route if I had to choose again now.

I was convinced I wanted the PHEV. Phoned the dealer where I had my order pre-agreed with a discount. He reneged on the discount. Offered a token amount off the price. Then no deployable side steps. I wanted these. So now not sure at all. Might wait until the discounts are back (different dealer) and see if the electric disability ramps are added back on to the PHEV spec.

Wise choice Adam. I was always for the 4.4v8 but now there is just to much negativity around Diesels.
So if it was my £100k plus it would be the 5.0SC now.

Cayman,

What is your concern about diesels that makes the 5.0SC so attractive? Depreciation or perceived additional taxes perhaps? With half the MPG, half the distance per tank and twice as many visits to the pumps compared to the 4.4 it’s unclear why it’s a good choice?

I could understand choosing the 5.0SC if journeys are short and annual mileage is low. Otherwise the 4.4 still beats it hands down for MPG and overall performance. MY23 D350 HSE
On my 7th RR plus various other JLR vehicles

PHEV would be great but I cannot get my head around a 4cyl full fat and am loathe to give up my 22in wheels....

Phil. wrote:

I could understand choosing the 5.0SC if ....... Otherwise the 4.4 still beats it hands down for overall performance.

Phil. wrote:

Cayman,

What is your concern about diesels that makes the 5.0SC so attractive? Depreciation or perceived additional taxes perhaps? With half the MPG, half the distance per tank and twice as many visits to the pumps compared to the 4.4 it’s unclear why it’s a good choice?

I could understand choosing the 5.0SC if journeys are short and annual mileage is low. Otherwise the 4.4 still beats it hands down for MPG and overall performance.

Cayman,

If you’re only doing low miles then experiencing SC ownership is certainly worth it! Just be prepared to add extra time to fill up on long journeys

I read recently that the comparative price of used diesel cars is holding up better than petrol, so I don’t think the ‘diesel is devil’ message has reached the used market yet. However, that could change if government changes taxes.

MPx,

The additional 100NM of torque at lower revs makes the delivery of the 4.4 performance far more relaxed than the SC. And are you really going to use or notice the 1s 0-60 difference very often? MY23 D350 HSE
On my 7th RR plus various other JLR vehicles

Never been lucky enough to drive a 405 so I may well be out of date. But have done plenty in all types of 322 and its like chalk and cheese to me. Completely accept that the oil burner is fine for a relaxed drive, incl when towing, but I haven't found any conditions when the 4.4 was "better" than a 5.0 SC other than at the fuel pumps. Anything you can do in the diesel you can do faster and with less lag in the SC, but it will do slow and serene just as well if that's your bag. Mike - MPx

2017 5.0 V8 Supercharged SVAutobigraphy Dynamic SVO Palette Grey (2021-...)
2012 5.0 V8 Supercharged Autoboigraphy Orkney Grey (2017-2021)
2007 4.2 V8 Supercharged Vogue SE Tonga Green (2012-2017)
2002 4.4 V8 Vogue Bonnatti Grey (2008-2012)

To provide a comparison, I had my 322 4.4 re-mapped by JE engineering which considerably increases the torque and acceleration. Compared to the standard set up it feels as if you are being thrown down the road on a wave of torque. The standard 405 4.4 has a similar performance delivery to the re-mapped 322 4.4. Something I tested back to back. MY23 D350 HSE
On my 7th RR plus various other JLR vehicles