Review: Land Rover L322 Range Rover (2002-05)

Overview

Released in August 2002, the Land Rover L322 Range Rover was a five-seat, four-wheel drive wagon. Manufactured in Solihull, England, the L322 Range Rover range consisted of two variants – the 2.9 Td6 and 4.4 V8 – and three editions: SE, HSE and Vogue. In 2005, the L322 Range Rover was replaced by the L322 Range Rover Vogue . 

Engines

Of the BMW-sourced engines,

• The 2.9-litre M57 D29 inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine had high pressure injection, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 18.0:1; and,
• The 4.4-litre M62 V8 petrol engine had sequential fuel injection, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, a single row timing chain, variable valve timing (BMW’s VANOS) and a compression ratio of 10.0:1.

Both engines were mated to five-speed automatic transmissions.

Suspension

The L322 Range Rover had a monocoque chassis with MacPherson strut front suspension and double wishbone rear suspension. The suspension, however, included air springs with electronically operated valves in pneumatic lines to link adjacent air springs. In the event that a wheel on one side of the vehicle was raised when driving off-road, the pneumatic valves would open to force the adjacent wheel downwards, thereby simulating the action of a live axle.

Dimensions

The L322 Range Rover was 4950 mm long, 2009 mm wide, 1863 mm tall and had a 2880 mm long wheelbase.

4WD system

The L322 Range Rover’s permanent four-wheel drive system consisted of a Torsen T-2 centre differential and a chain-driven transfer case which enabled ‘hi’ and ‘lo’ gear ratios to be engaged while driving. In normal conditions, the Torsen T-2 (Type B) differential provided a 50:50 front/rear torque split, but up to 65 per cent of the engine’s torque could be directed to either axle in the event that a loss of traction was anticipated (i.e. it was a preventative or pro-active system).

The Range Rover was also fitted with hill descent control.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Range Rover Vogue included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, cornering brake control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , the Range Rover 2.9 Td6 received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 29.87. In the frontal offset crash test, protection from serious chest and leg injury was marginal for the driver.

Features

Standard features for the Range Rover Td6 SE included 18-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system with CD player, climate control air conditioning, leather seats, power adjustable front seats, front fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, power adjustable steering column (for height and reach), trip computer, alarm and immobiliser.

The Range Rover HSE was further equipped with an eleven speaker sound system with a six-disc in-dash CD player.

The Range Rover Vogue was distinguished by its 19-inch alloy wheels, twelve speaker stereo, satellite navigation system, heated front and rear seats, bi-xenon headlights with washers and wipers, rear parking sensors, a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, power folding mirrors, a power sunroof and memory settings for the driver’s seat and steering column.

In Australia, a limited number of Td6 HSE Vogues were delivered which, relative to the 4.4 V8 Vogue, omitted the heated seats, heated steering wheel and memory settings for the driver’s seat and steering column.

October 2004: Range Rover update

In October 2004, the Range Rover was updated with the introduction of the ‘MOST’ fibre-optic network. Features for the Vogue were extended to include a VGA touch screen interface, an upgraded Harman/Kardon Logic7 surround sound system and automatic headlights.

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Land Rover L322 Range Rover