1988 Range Rover Turbo D

Chassis number: SALLHAME7EA320235

Registration number: E330 VYD

Engine type: 2.4 Turbo D

Gearbox type: 4 Speed

Vehicle spec:
In April 1986, Land Rover launched the new diesel-engined version of the first-generation Range Rover at the Turin Motor Show. Following extensive evaluation of various externally manufactured engines, the company had chosen the 4-cylinder 2.4 litre made by VM of Italy. The bhp and torque were not wildly dissimilar to the carburettor version of the 3.5 V8, and acceleration was only fractionally slower.

But when the Turbo D was reviewed by Chris Goffey on ‘Top Gear’ it was hammered and the Turbo D gained an unfortunate reputation, even though it was subsequently demonstrated that the car tested by the BBC had two faults that directly impacted its performance. In fact, it went on to be a real sales success in the countries it was designed for.

Registered on 1 January 1988, this Ascot Green Turbo D was cherished by its first owners and maintained fastidiously, until they reluctantly decided to replace it. Keen to see it go to somewhere that would preserve it for posterity, they approached the Collection and Philip took the train down to Somerset to collect it.

In performance terms it actually has better acceleration than Land Rover's own 200Tdi engine that eventually replaced it, although the VM is rather more agricultural by comparison. In 2018 we drove it to Solihull with the Collection’s famous Beaver Bullet for a reunion with the Bullet team members.