Review: Land Rover L322 Range Rover Vogue (2005-12)

Review: Land Rover L322.I Range Rover Vogue (2005-09)

Overview

Released in August 2005, the Land Rover L322 Series I (L322.I) Range Rover Vogue was a five-seat, four-wheel drive wagon. Manufactured in Solihull, England, the L322 Range Rover Vogue range initially consisted of the 2.9 Td6, 4.4 V8 and Supercharged 4.2 V8 variants. In 2007, the 2.9 Td6 was replaced by the 3.6 TDV8.

Engines

Of the 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;
• The 3.6-litre V8 turbo-diesel engine had common rail direct injection (with piezo injectors and maximum pressure of 1650 bar), double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, compression ratio of 17.3:1;
• The 4.4-litre Jaguar AJV8 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; and,
• The 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine had an Eaton supercharger, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 9.1:1.

A six-speed automatic transmission was fitted as standard across the range.

Dimensions

Replacing the L322 Range Rover , the L322 Range Rover Vogue was 4971 mm long, 2009 mm wide, 1902 mm tall and had a 2880 mm long wheelbase.

Suspension

The L322 Range Rover Vogue 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.

4WD system

The L322 Range Rover Vogue’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). From 2007, the 4WD system was revised with a lockable centre differential and Land Rover’s ‘Terrain Response’ system (see ‘January 2007 update’, below).

The Range Rover Vogue was also fitted with hill descent control.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment included dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags for front and rear occupants, ABS, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, cornering brake control, rollover stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. From 2007, the Range Rover Vogue was also fitted with driver and front passenger knee airbags.

Features

Initially, standard features for the Range Rover 2.9 Td6 and 4.4 V8 included 19-inch alloy wheels, an eleven speaker Harman/Kardon sound system with a six-disc CD player, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, satellite navigation system with touchscreen, leather seats, power adjustable front seats, cruise control with speed alert, front fog lights, bi-xenon headlights with washers, reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, split and folding rear seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, power folding mirrors with automatic dipping on reverse, power adjustable steering column (height and reach), power sunroof, driver memory settings (steering column, seat position, mirrors), cargo cover, trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser

The Range Rover Supercharged 4.2 V8 was further equipped with 20-inch alloy wheels with Brembo four-piston front brake calipers, a fourteen speaker Harman Kardon Logic7 surround sound system, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, directional headlights, electrochromatic door mirrors and ski bag. Visually, the Supercharged 4.2 V8 was distinguished by its mesh grille.

January 2007: Range Rover Vogue update

From January 2007, the Range Rover Vogue was updated and fitted with stiffer anti-roll bars and air springs which claimed to reduce bodyroll by 50 per cent. Inside, there were additional storages, improved surface finishes, a revised dashboard and a more effective air conditioning system; an ‘acoustic’ laminated windscreen also reduced cabin noise levels. Visual changes were limited to a slightly revised grille.

The post-2007 Range Rover Vogue was also fitted with a lockable centre differential and Land Rover’s ‘Terrain Response’ system which enabled the driver to select one of five terrain settings: 1) general; 2) grass/gravel/snow; 3) mud and ruts; 4) sand; and 5) rock crawl. For each setting, the system adjusted the differential locking ratio, traction control system, hill descent control, anti-lock system and suspension height.

Standard features were extended to include a Brembo four-piston front brake calipers, a power adjustable front passenger seat, voice recognition, a TV tuner (analogue and digital), power-operated park brake and heated front windscreen. The 3.6 TDV8 Luxury was similarly equipped to the Supercharged 4.2 V8; these variants were further equipped with ventilated front seats, a six-disc CD/DVD player with rear screen, wireless headphones and Land Rover’s Venture Cam (a wireless external camera which was linked to the touch screen). The 4.2 Supercharged was further equipped with an electronic rear differential and could be identified by its diamond-mesh grille and side vents.

Range Rover Vogue Autobiography editions

In November 2008, ‘Autobiography’ editions of the 3.6 TDV8 and Supercharged 4.2 V8 variants were released. The Autobiography editions featured semi-aniline leather-lined doors, fascia, centre console and floor mats; there were also 20-inch diamond-turned twin-seven spoke alloy wheels, new front seat designs with contrast stitching, ‘Diamond mesh’ grille and side vents, stainless steel pedals and special acoustic and ‘acoustic’ and ‘climate’ glass for the windscreen and front side windows to reduce noise and heat.

Brochure

• Brochure: Land Rover L322.I Range Rover Vogue (January 2008)

Review: Land Rover L322.II Range Rover Vogue (2009-12)

Overview

Released in September 2009, the L322 Series II (L322.II) Range Rover Vogue introduced a revised range, interior and cosmetic updates. The 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine was replaced by a 5.0-litre direct-injection unit which powered the 5.0 V8 and Supercharged 5.0 V8 variants. For the 4.4 TDV8 variant, a 4.4-litre twin-turbo diesel V8 engine was also introduced, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 4WD ‘Terrain Response’ system was also improved with sand, rock-crawl and hill descent settings.

Visually, the L322.II Range Rover Vogue could be identified by its new head- and tail-lights with LED elements, new grille and bumpers. Inside, there was a 12.3-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) LCD panel, replacing the conventional instrument clusters, and new switchgear.

Safety equipment

Compared to its L322.I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the L322.II Range Rover Vogue was extended to include trailer stability control, while the electronic stability control and rollover stability control systems were also enhanced.

Features

Standard features were extended with an upgraded navigation system, additional auxiliary inputs (USB/iPod) and a proximity key; the braking system was also upgraded with 360 mm ventilated front discs with twin piston sliding calipers and 350 mm ventilated rear discs with aluminium single piston sliding calipers.

The Luxury editions were further equipped with fourteen speaker Harman Kardon Logic7 surround sound system, Oxford leather seats, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, directional headlights, Venture Cam, rear seat DVD player with twin rear seat monitors and wireless headphones, automatically dipping door mirrors on reverse, ski bag, woodgrain interior trim and ‘climate’ front and side glass

The Autobiography editions were distinguished by their 20-inch Diamond-turned alloy wheels, semi-aniline leather upholstery, luxury seats (front and rear), leather headlining and dashboard, a dual-view touchscreen which utilised ‘Parallax Barrier’ technology to simultaneously display different content to the driver and front passenger, electronic rear differential and ‘Adaptive Dynamics’ electronic damper control, which utilised continually adjustable damper valves and predictive technology to optimise damper settings.

The Autobiography editions were also fitted with a ‘Vision Assist’ package which included blind spot monitoring, automatic high beam assist, a reverse ‘Tow Assist’ function and a surround camera system which utilised five digital cameras to relay an almost 360-degree view to the touchscreen.

The Supercharged 5.0 V8 variant was fitted with a Brembo braking package consistingn of 380 mm ventilated front discs with six-piston opposed action monoblack calipers and 365 mm ventilated rear discs with single-piston sliding calipers.

Range Rover Vogue: Supercharged 5.0 V8 Autobiography Black

In October 2010, the Supercharged 5.0 V8 was released in an Autobiography Black edition; the Autobiography Black was distinguished by its Barolo Black paint finish, modified front grille with ‘Titan’ mesh and a chrome/black edging combination, unique mesh side vents with chrome bars and a black surround, ‘Autobiography Black’ decals, black doorhandles and illuminated doorsill tread plates.

November 2010: Range Rover Vogue update

In November 2010, the Range Rover Vogue range was expanded with the introduction of the 4.4 TDV8, powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbo diesel V8 mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission (with steering wheel gearshift paddles). Furthermore, the ‘Terrain Response’ 4WD system was upgraded to include hill start assist and gradient acceleration control.

October 2011: Range Rover Vogue update

In October 2011, the Range Rover Vogue received cosmetic updates and could be identified by its 20-inch V-spoke alloy wheels, gloss black head- and tail-light backing plates, black radiator grille surround, body-coloured side vents and door handles. Furthermore, the range was expanded with a 5.0 V8 Luxury model and new option packs (‘Vogue Silver’ and ‘Vogue Black’).

Brochures

• Brochure: Land Rover L322.II Range Rover Vogue (July 2009)
• Brochure: Land Rover L322.II Range Rover Vogue (July 2010)
• Brochure: Land Rover L322 Range Rover Vogue (August 2011)

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Land Rover L322 Range Rover Vogue