Or L30 development to be factually correct.... in a book that Santa brought...

The odd little interesting snippet, like how at the start of the project BMW did not see what was needed off road wise above their X5 project. Mainly as off roading was illegal in Germany. In order to get the point across, BMW sent their top Engineering chap to Eastnor Castle with an early E53 X5 prototype. Roger Crathorne took him round in an existing LR product, and at the end of the run, the BMW guy said he wasn't even going to bother getting the X5 off the truck, as it wasn't engineered for that.

It was also stated that the car would launch with 2 engine variants, which it did, and that the 6.0 V12 petrol and the 3.9 V8 twin turbo diesel would follow in due course. That never happened of course as BMW sold to Ford.

After sale to Ford, BMW agreed to finish work on the project but it's thought management told them to only do what was necessary under the agreement. BMW said the lower powered diesel unit would be supplied. Land Rover always expected the more powerful setup as in the then launched X5. They were told it was never the case.

Also due to the sale to Ford, David Sneath said it never got the locking rear diff, or air jacks for changing wheels that were always planned.

BMW insisted on the saddle fuel tank to aid handling. LR didn't want it.

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

James Taylor's or Mike Gould's?

Both are excellent. They are must-reads for us all really!  l=Oo\________/oO=l l:OolΞΞΞΞΞΞΞloO:l

Current
RANGE ROVER Vogue 4.4L SDV8 - 2013 - Indus Silver, on Almond.
RANGE ROVER Vogue 4.4L V8 - 2002 - ex-2003 G4 Challenge Event Vehicle, Stage 3: Australia
RANGE ROVER HSE 4.4L V8 - 2004 - one-of-one Overfinch
RANGE ROVER P38a 4.0L V8 - 1999 - ex-2000 TReK Event Vehicle: South Africa

Previous:
RANGE ROVER Vogue 4.4L TDV8 - 2012 - RANGE ROVER 3.6L TDV8 x3 - RANGE ROVER Td6 x1 - RANGE ROVER Classic 3.5L V8 x1

Seconded -sounds like an interesting read. I have several books but don't recall that info? Any chance of a pic of the front cover?

Cheers  405 AB exec seats Baltic and Cirrus
93 RR Classic efi

Remember it's easier to get forgiveness than permission!

Gone in order:
4.4 TDV8 SE - gone to a good home
93 Classic hard dash Plymouth Blue
03 L322 Oslo Blue
2000 Disco TD5 ES Epsom Green
98 P38 Rioja Red
89 Classic Cairngorm Brown

James' (loaded with fascinating info and insiders details and lots of archives)

http://www.amazon.com/Range-Rover-Years-4x4-icon/dp/1847971849

Thanks Disco - I have the anniversary guide but don't recall the stuff MJD refers too. I have noticed quite a bit or repetition in some books. I appreciate they are all talking about the same subject but its almost 'cut and paste' sometimes!!

This book is also a very interesting read. I appreciate it is about Classics but does give a very interesting insight into the development of the car which leads us to what we have today.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1783180...d_i=266239

 405 AB exec seats Baltic and Cirrus
93 RR Classic efi

Remember it's easier to get forgiveness than permission!

Gone in order:
4.4 TDV8 SE - gone to a good home
93 Classic hard dash Plymouth Blue
03 L322 Oslo Blue
2000 Disco TD5 ES Epsom Green
98 P38 Rioja Red
89 Classic Cairngorm Brown

Thanks Ajacs, about the "First Fifty", does it cover much L322 development and all?
tx l=Oo\________/oO=l l:OolΞΞΞΞΞΞΞloO:l

Current
RANGE ROVER Vogue 4.4L SDV8 - 2013 - Indus Silver, on Almond.
RANGE ROVER Vogue 4.4L V8 - 2002 - ex-2003 G4 Challenge Event Vehicle, Stage 3: Australia
RANGE ROVER HSE 4.4L V8 - 2004 - one-of-one Overfinch
RANGE ROVER P38a 4.0L V8 - 1999 - ex-2000 TReK Event Vehicle: South Africa

Previous:
RANGE ROVER Vogue 4.4L TDV8 - 2012 - RANGE ROVER 3.6L TDV8 x3 - RANGE ROVER Td6 x1 - RANGE ROVER Classic 3.5L V8 x1

No its just the Classic but still very interesting.

(Don't want to discuss this anymore incase Stan thinks I'm trying to infiltratrte the forum with anther model you trying to get me into trouble?) 405 AB exec seats Baltic and Cirrus
93 RR Classic efi

Remember it's easier to get forgiveness than permission!

Gone in order:
4.4 TDV8 SE - gone to a good home
93 Classic hard dash Plymouth Blue
03 L322 Oslo Blue
2000 Disco TD5 ES Epsom Green
98 P38 Rioja Red
89 Classic Cairngorm Brown

It's the James Taylor book.

I got the Mike Gould book at a previous Santa visit.

I can also recommend them both.

I've not read others, but did wonder if they were any good.....

And it also said the the TD6 most likely ended up with the GM gearbox due to production volume constraints at ZF  2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

I have the James Taylor book in my loo for those long wait visits Really great book. Present :2008 TDV8 HSE
Gone Audi A5 2.7TDI
Gone Discovery 3 HSE
Gone Mercedes CLK
Gone Range Rover 2.5 DSE

I've just bought the James Taylor Range Rover book and Amazon have very kindly sent me two copies! Anyone interested in a copy?

Yep I am.

Can you pm me the price and how you want paying?

Cheers 405 AB exec seats Baltic and Cirrus
93 RR Classic efi

Remember it's easier to get forgiveness than permission!

Gone in order:
4.4 TDV8 SE - gone to a good home
93 Classic hard dash Plymouth Blue
03 L322 Oslo Blue
2000 Disco TD5 ES Epsom Green
98 P38 Rioja Red
89 Classic Cairngorm Brown

Thanks Paul

Just Paypal'd you.

Cheers 405 AB exec seats Baltic and Cirrus
93 RR Classic efi

Remember it's easier to get forgiveness than permission!

Gone in order:
4.4 TDV8 SE - gone to a good home
93 Classic hard dash Plymouth Blue
03 L322 Oslo Blue
2000 Disco TD5 ES Epsom Green
98 P38 Rioja Red
89 Classic Cairngorm Brown

I also have a brand new spare copy of James Taylor's book. PM me if interested  SDV8 AB MY 2019
SDV8 VSE MY 2015 - Gone
5.0 S/C AB MY 2010 - Gone
4.2 S/C VSE MY 2006 - Gone

Hi, Do you still have a spare book?

Yep, still have a spare  SDV8 AB MY 2019
SDV8 VSE MY 2015 - Gone
5.0 S/C AB MY 2010 - Gone
4.2 S/C VSE MY 2006 - Gone