L322 engines

Between 2002 and 2012 the L322 was offered with seven main engines from three different sources: BMW and Jaguar on petrol, Ford/Land Rover on diesel. The mix reflects the car's history, designed under BMW but built under Ford. Engine choice has a large effect on how an L322 drives, its running costs and its common faults, so the full range is worth knowing before buying.

A Range Rover L322 4.4 V8 Vogue · Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Full engine comparison

Figures are typical Range Rover (L322) outputs; they vary slightly by market and model year. Power quoted in metric/SAE horsepower as published by Land Rover.

Power at a glance

■ petrol NA   ■ supercharged   ■ diesel   ■ Td6

Full table

Petrol engines in detail

4.4 V8: BMW M62TUB44 (2002-2005)

The launch petrol engine, supplied complete by BMW after the Ford takeover. An all-aluminium 4,398 cc V8 with single-VANOS?VANOS: BMW's variable valve timing system, which adjusts camshaft phasing for better torque, economy and emissions. variable intake timing, a single-row timing chain and an Alusil block. In the L322 it produced about 210 kW and 440 Nm, with a revised sump for ground clearance. Smooth but not especially powerful in a 2.4-tonne car, and the weakest of the petrols on outright reliability (Nikasil-era concerns aside, the M62 itself is sturdy but the surrounding BMW electronics age less well). Full page »

4.4 V8: Jaguar AJ41 (2006-2009)

With the 2006 facelift the BMW V8 was replaced by Jaguar's 4,394 cc AJ-V8 (AJ41), making about 227 kW and 440 Nm. It uses variable cam phasing and a torque-based, drive-by-wire management system. This is the engine most owners and specialists rate as the most solid of all L322 units: 320,000 km is commonly reported with regular oil changes and occasional injector cleaning, and the 2007-2009 cars do not suffer the timing-chain tensioner problems of the later 5.0. Full page »

4.2 V8 Supercharged: Jaguar AJ34S (2006-2009)

The performance petrol: a 4,196 cc Jaguar V8 with an Eaton supercharger?supercharger: A belt-driven air compressor that forces more air into the engine for big extra power, with no turbo lag., producing about 294 kW and 560 Nm. 0-100 km/h drops to roughly 7.5 seconds. Strong and refined, but thirstier and more complex than the naturally aspirated 4.4; the supercharger, intercooler system and higher loads add maintenance. Full page »

5.0 V8 & 5.0 V8 Supercharged: Jaguar AJ133 (2010-2012)

The 2010 facelift introduced Jaguar's all-new direct-injection 5.0-litre AJ133. Naturally aspirated it makes 276 kW / 510 Nm; supercharged, a substantial 375 kW / 625 Nm. More powerful and no thirstier than before, but the early (2010-early 2012) engines are known for timing-chain tensioner and guide wear if oil changes were neglected; Land Rover fitted revised parts later in 2012. Direct injection can also lead to carbon build-up over high mileage. Full page »

Diesel engines in detail

3.0 Td6: BMW M57D30 (2002-2006)

The launch diesel: BMW's well-regarded 3.0-litre inline-six turbodiesel (the 2.9-litre-derived version), making about 130 kW and 390 Nm. Smooth and economical, and the engine itself is robust (chip-tuned to ~154 kW without drama by many owners). The weak points in this car are not really the engine but the GM 5L40-E gearbox and the turbo, both of which can need attention from around 150,000 km, plus the low-pressure fuel pump and injectors at higher mileage. Full page »

3.6 TDV8: AJD-V8 "Lion" (2007-2010)

For 2007 the six-cylinder diesel was replaced by the 3.6-litre twin-turbo V8 developed by Ford and Land Rover at Dagenham and Gaydon. It makes 200 kW and a hefty 640 Nm at just 2,000 rpm, cutting 0-100 km/h to about 8.6 seconds despite a 2.75-tonne kerb weight. Widely praised as one of the most refined diesels of its era. Key things to watch: the plastic coolant crossover pipe under the inlet manifold, the turbos (an engine-out job to replace), timing-chain tensioners and alternators. Full page »

4.4 TDV8: AJD-V8 "Lion" (2011-2012)

The final and most capable diesel: a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 making 230 kW and a huge 700 Nm from just 1,500 rpm, paired with the eight-speed ZF 8HP70. From 2011 the turbochargers were supplied by Honeywell to address reliability issues seen on the 3.6 setup. The strongest-pulling and most relaxed L322 to drive, and a favourite for towing. Full page »

Which engine should I choose?

For a direct head-to-head of the two most popular choices, see 4.4 V8 petrol vs 4.4 TDV8 diesel. For the wider year-and-engine decision, see best L322 to buy.

Gearbox pairings

» More on the gearboxes  |  ↑ Back to top