Land Rover is finally about to offer a diesel option for its Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models here in the U.S. At an event on the eve of this week’s 2015 Detroit Auto Show, the British automaker confirmed that its 2016 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport will be available with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 diesel engine, helping to boost fuel economy by around 32 percent compared to the supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 gasoline engine already on offer.

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The diesel engine will be offered in a new HSE Td6 variant, which will join the rest of the 2016 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models in showrooms this fall. EPA-rated figures are yet to be released but Land Rover predicts both the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport will return around 22/28 mpg city/highway and 25 mpg combined. And on a full tank of diesel, total range should increase to about 658 miles, a gain of 3.3 percent for the Range Rover and 8 percent for the Range Rover Sport. An eight-speed automatic will remain standard.

Peak output is a stout 254 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque, with the latter available from just 1,750 rpm. This high torque output at relatively low revs makes the diesel engine well suited to towing heavy loads and off-roading where reaching maximum torque at a lower gear is extremely beneficial.

HSE Td6 badge fitted to Land Rover's diesel-powered Range Rover

HSE Td6 badge fitted to Land Rover's diesel-powered Range Rover

And despite having 100 hp less than the gasoline V-6, the diesel’s low-end torque helps deliver comparable acceleration figures. The diesel-equipped Range Rover Sport will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds and the Range Rover will do it in 7.4 seconds. That compares with 6.9 and 7.1 seconds respectively for the gasoline-equipped models. Top speed is 130 mph for both. Of course, if outright performance is your preference, may we suggest taking a look at the 550-hp Range Rover Sport SVR.

Land Rover engineers are currently testing the diesel-equipped Range Rover and Range Rover Sport on U.S. soil to ensure they will be able to handle all of our local climate and terrain conditions, including conditions at sea level right up to altitudes of 14,000 feet. By the time sales have begun, the test fleet will have completed one million test miles.

We also have some good news for fans of Land Rover’s other models: the automaker has confirmed that diesel technology will be available in the U.S. across its lineup of vehicles in the coming years.

For more from the Detroit Auto Show, head to our dedicated hub.

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