Should Land Rover Bring Fuel-Efficient Diesel LR3 to North America?

European Discovery TDV6 Gets Jaguar-Derived V6 Diesel

With fuel costs escalating to the point that most consumers are feeling a significant pinch in their budgets, buying

Although large SUVs are currently selling well, increasing gas prices will no doubt reduce their market dominance. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

patterns are starting to show smaller SUVs rising in popularity. Large SUVs are still selling fairly well, however, but long-term extortion at the pump will no doubt reduce their market dominance in the U.S. especially.

How will this reflect on Land Rover's V8-powered LR3 - the long awaited upgrade to the Discovery? The Ford Motor Company owned British brand has done well with its 5- and 7-seat sport utility in North America over the last decade, but after two generations its perceived quality isn't quite up to scratch and

The minds at North American Land Rover must seriously be thinking of bringing the diesel version of the LR3 stateside. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

reliability near the bottom of the heap.

The new redesigned 2005 LR3 sports is all-new from the ground up, including its powerful 4.2-liter V8 engine derived from Ford sibling Jaguar. While the new engine improves performance while reducing emissions and fuel consumption, the vehicle's large size and resultantly substantial curb weight still make it a gas guzzler.

North American Land Rover product planners must now be thinking seriously about importing the diesel version of the LR3 (still sold as the Discovery in other markets), which would not only improve the SUV's fuel economy but also reduce emissions while making it a better off-road vehicle.