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Range Rover to Receive Aston Martin V12 Power?

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Khatir Soltani

Land Rover Capable of Making Most Powerful SUV

Just as the new year began, Land Rover announced that it would be revamping the Range Rover lineup for 2006 to include a new

Insider reports say that Land Rover doesn't think 400-hp is enough for its new upcoming top level Range Rover. (Photo: Land Rover)
performance engine to act as its range-topper. A 400-horsepower 4.2-liter V8, borrowed from fellow Premium Auto Group (PAG) member Jaguar, will help propel Land Rover into the performance sport utility scene when it debuts in its 2006 lineup.

But insider reports suggest that the difference between power available in the smaller Range Rover Sport and the full-size Range Rover isn't great enough, and that company heads just aren't satisfied with the power versus price combination.

Even though 400-horsepower should be adequate to turn any SUV, including the

Where could Land Rover turn for additional power, given that it's already used Jaguar's finest to attain its upcoming position? (Photo: Land Rover)
2.4-ton Range Rover, into a land-bound missile, it will forever live in the shadows of two other SSUVs (Super Sport Utility Vehicles), the limited edition 450-horsepower VW Touareg W12 Sport and the twin-turbocharged 500-horsepower Porsche Cayenne with the Tequipment package.

Let's also not forget the upcoming AMG-tuned Mercedes ML, the Audi Q7 and the next generation BMW X5. But where could Land Rover turn for additional power, given that it's already used Jaguar's finest to attain its upcoming position? Believe it or not, Aston Martin (also a PAG member), Britain's finest sports car maker, is the next stop.

Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada