Is the Range Rover V8 a Ford engine?
The Range Rover V8 is not a Ford engine.
Context: Range Rover’s V8 lineup has evolved from Rover’s original V8 design to Jaguar Land Rover’s AJ-V8 family. Ford owned Jaguar and, for a period, Land Rover as part of its Premier Automotive Group, but the Range Rover V8s were developed in-house by Rover/JLR and are not Ford-branded modular V8 engines.
Historical overview of Range Rover V8 engines
Below is a concise timeline of the major V8 powerplants used in Range Rover models over the years.
- Rover V8 family (3.5 L): The original V8 used in the classic Range Rover starting in the 1970s, based on the Buick/Buick-based 215 aluminum V8 design. This engine is not related to Ford’s modular V8 lineup.
- Rover V8 variants (4.0–4.6 L): In the 1990s, Range Rover models employed larger Rover-designed V8s (4.0 L and 4.6 L variants) as the line matured into modern luxury SUV territory. These were still Rover/JLR developments rather than Ford engines.
- Jaguar Land Rover AJ‑V8 family (4.2 L and 5.0 L): After engineering alignment with Jaguar, Range Rover adopted the AJ‑V8 family in the 2000s, including 4.2 L and later 5.0 L variants, built by Jaguar Land Rover.
- 5.0 L Supercharged V8: Introduced in the early 2010s, this is part of the AJ‑V8 lineage (a higher-performance development of the same family) and powers many late-model Range Rovers and Range Rover Sports.
These entries illustrate that Range Rover’s V8s come from Rover/JLR’s own engineering programs and Jaguar Land Rover’s engine families, not from Ford’s modular V8 line.
Ford ownership context and engine development
From the 1990s through the late 2000s, Ford owned Jaguar and, for a period, Land Rover as part of its Premier Automotive Group. This ownership arrangement fostered collaboration and shared components across brands, but it did not convert Range Rover’s V8 lineup into Ford-branded engines. The Range Rover V8s remained products of Rover’s and later Jaguar Land Rover’s in‑house engineering ecosystems, including the AJ‑V8 family developed under JLR stewardship.
In 2008, Jaguar Land Rover was sold to Tata Motors, ending Ford’s direct ownership role. Since then, Range Rover has continued to use V8s developed by Jaguar Land Rover, including the 5.0 L variants, as part of the broader JLR engine lineup.
Common questions and clarifications
One common misconception is that because Ford once owned Jaguar Land Rover, Range Rover engines must be Ford. In reality, the V8s used in Range Rover lineage originate from Rover’s own V8 family and later from Jaguar Land Rover’s AJ‑V8 family, with Ford’s involvement limited to ownership and corporate coordination rather than engine design or branding.
Summary
In short, the Range Rover V8 is not a Ford engine. Its lineage traces back to Rover’s V8 designs and later to Jaguar Land Rover’s AJ‑V8 family, with Ford’s role historically as an owner and collaborator rather than as the engine supplier. Today’s Range Rover V8s are products of Jaguar Land Rover’s engineering programs and continue to reflect the brand’s British engineering heritage.
Does Land Rover still use Ford parts?
Yes, Land Rover previously used Ford parts and platforms while it was owned by Ford, and some shared components and engines are still in use today. Although Ford sold Land Rover to Tata Motors in 2008, the legacy of that shared engineering period continues in some models.
Shared platforms and engines
- Platforms: Land Rover's Freelander 2 used the Ford EUCD platform, and other later models have been derived from it, such as the D8 platform used for the Evoque and Discovery Sport.
- Engines:
- The 2.2-liter diesel engine in the Freelander 2 was made by Ford under their Duratorq line.
- The Freelander 2 also used a Ford-sourced inline-6 petrol engine.
- The 4.4L V8 engine found in some Land Rover models, like the LR3, was largely developed under Ford's ownership.
- Component sharing: Ford and Land Rover also shared parts like the 4.0L V6 engine in some Explorer models.
The current situation
- No longer a current relationship: Land Rover is no longer owned by Ford and is now part of Tata Motors' Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) company.
- Ongoing legacy: Despite the sale, some Land Rover models continue to use platforms and components developed during the time it was under Ford ownership, although newer models have their own distinct engineering.
Does Range Rover use Ford engines?
Yes, for many years Range Rover used Ford-designed and produced engines, particularly the JLR AJD-V6/V8 “Lion” diesel engines and some V-6 and V-8 gasoline engines. However, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), which owns Range Rover, has phased out most Ford engines and now builds its own engines, like the Ingenium line, to replace them.
- Shared history: When Ford sold Land Rover to Tata Motors in 2008, Jaguar Land Rover had an agreement with Ford to continue using Ford-produced engines.
- Engine examples: This included the 3.6L TDV8 Lion diesel and the 4.4L TDV8 which were based on Ford's designs. Some earlier models also used Ford platforms and engines.
- Transition to in-house engines: Over time, JLR invested in its own engine production, introducing its own engines to replace the Ford-supplied ones.
- Current status: As of 2015, JLR started phasing out Ford engines and the last Ford diesel engines were retired around 2021.
- Ongoing connection: Even with the transition, some legacy parts and technologies may still have a connection to their time under Ford's ownership.
Does Ford make a Range Rover?
No, a Range Rover is not a Ford, though the brand was owned by Ford from 2000 to 2008. Ford sold both Land Rover and Jaguar to Tata Motors, an Indian company, in 2008. Today, Range Rover is a sub-brand of Jaguar Land Rover, which is owned by Tata Motors.
- Current ownership: Range Rover is part of Jaguar Land Rover, owned by Tata Motors.
- Past ownership: Ford owned Land Rover (including the Range Rover brand) from 2000 to 2008.
- Ford's legacy: While no longer owned by Ford, some Land Rover models still have engineering components that trace back to their time under Ford's ownership.
Is Range Rover a part of Ford?
No, Ford does not own Range Rover. Range Rover is a model line from the brand Land Rover, which is owned by the Indian company Tata Motors. Ford previously owned both Jaguar and Land Rover, but sold them to Tata Motors in 2008.
- Current ownership: Range Rover is a product of Land Rover, and both are part of the larger company Jaguar Land Rover, which is owned by Tata Motors.
- Past ownership: Ford Motor Company bought Jaguar and Land Rover in 2000, but sold them to Tata Motors in 2008.
- Brand relationship: Range Rover is a specific model within the Land Rover brand, not a separate company.
