Bit confused about the V6 SC

Can't find it on the LR UK website or on here but just been offered one here as an ex-demo ? have they stopped making it or is it just not available in the UK which would seem strange

I guess the performance will be better vs the SDV6 but wonder how much impact on fuel, quite a lot I'd guess and is it worth it.

The ex demo is 6 months old with 2k on the clock, it's a Dynamic HSE at around £60k which seems reasonable

Yes, not available in the UK where we have the choice of an under-powered V6 diesel, an over-priced V8 diesel with only marginal improvement in performance numbers (though probably a better drive) and a thirsty hard to obtain super-charged V8 petrol.

The SC V6 is found in Jaguars I think or maybe a normally aspirated version of it. It's also the entry level engine in the US.

I think the car you are being offered would be an interesting alternative to the SDV6 but supercharged engines tend to be thirsty because of the power lost running the supercharger (belt driven off the crankshaft); that's why turbo-charging finds favour over supercharging because the energy required to run the turbo-charger is essentially free, the residual cylinder pressure at the end of the combustion cycle. All the engine sees is a higher back pressure in the exhaust compared with a free-flowing exhaust.

What's nice about supercharged engines (if this is important to you) is the exhaust can be tuned to provide a very appealing noise where noise is always muted in comparison in a turbo-charged engine. I have a supercharged 5 litre Mercedes which sounds like a Spitfire when you accelerate. However, superchargers are falling out of favour because of the fuel consumption and we can bet LR will move entirely to turbocharging at some point, unfortunately. Mark

SVR in Estoril Blue

Thanks for that comprehensive reply, clears it up at least.

I think a test drive is required

Underpowered? The SDV6 has more than enough power for me! Arrived: MY16 A/B SDV6 in Aruba, Ivory interior, piano black trim, black panoramic roof, spare wheel, blind spot monitoring, mudlaps and more...

Gone but not forgotten:
2014 RRS2 SDV6 HSE in Loire Blue
2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE in Santorini Black

That's only because you're not manly enough for a V8 Chris.

Underpowered? Well, the SDV6 has about 290 bhp; the lower cost (though probably the same by the time you've spec'd it up), Porsche Cayenne Diesel S has 380 bhp, so if the RRS is to compete with its most obvious rival, it's short on power. Of course, not everyone buys a Range Rover Sport for the Sport... Mark

SVR in Estoril Blue

Last edited by Mark_N on Thu May 29 2014 10:44pm. Edited 1 time in total

I don't I'd bother with the V8, if I wanted power I would go straight for the Supercharged. Arrived: MY16 A/B SDV6 in Aruba, Ivory interior, piano black trim, black panoramic roof, spare wheel, blind spot monitoring, mudlaps and more...

Gone but not forgotten:
2014 RRS2 SDV6 HSE in Loire Blue
2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE in Santorini Black

Good point!

Must admit that after I tracked down the stats on this engine I was surprised that it's not that much quicker than the SDV6 although I expect it's more responsive and has a nicer sound, wonder if the extra fuel is worth it ?

Having a test drive of it today, Chile Red HSE Dynamic ex-demo.

Let you know how it compares to the SDV6 that I drove a few weeks back.

What surprises me is that the SDV8 is as expensive as it is and, like you, the power is as low as it is, though it has the highest torque of all so good for towing your yacht...

For me, the SC is the way to go, fab exhaust note and real performance. Depends on your priorities of course but in the UK, they are the same price. Mark

SVR in Estoril Blue

OK so had a long test drive in the 3.0 V6 SC today, country roads, estates and highway. It's quite a different animal vs the SDV6 and I'm not sure how but it seemed even smoother, made my D4 seem like a tractor

It revs well although you do need to squeeze the accelerator hard to get things really moving. More responsive than the diesel but then it should be in order to make up for the extra fuel being used. Now we can read the stats all day long but i would say it felt about another 20% quicker overall, so something yes but not black and white, I guess the 5.0 is on another planet.

As this car is ex-demo and still in use I took the liberty to check the average fuel consumption, this showed 11.1 ltrs/100 or in old language 21mpg which was better that I had expected.

Overall the car felt slightly more nimble and lighter than the SDV6 which I guess is just down to the power availability, it seemed more eager.

Tough decision now, said I'll decide tonight !!!

The SDV6 is a fantastic engine, which offers power, mid range pick up and economy.

If you want something faster then don't buy a Land Rover.......lol

Jim

The SDV6 is the engine you have so I suspect you'd say that.

Have you driven the others ?

That's the great things about forums

jim4244 wrote:

The SDV6 is a fantastic engine, which offers power, mid range pick up and economy.

Compared to a Defender, maybe... Mark

SVR in Estoril Blue

 Arrived: MY16 A/B SDV6 in Aruba, Ivory interior, piano black trim, black panoramic roof, spare wheel, blind spot monitoring, mudlaps and more...

Gone but not forgotten:
2014 RRS2 SDV6 HSE in Loire Blue
2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE in Santorini Black