No more confusion at the pump

Land Rover has announced that the new 2007 Range Rover TDV8 will be the first ever vehicle to offer a system which prevents filling the diesel tank with conventional petrol. The 'petrol fuel guard system' as it is called, helps prevent drivers filling the diesel vehicle with petrol by incorporating a mechanical shutter into the vehicle's diesel filler head which automatically prevents petrol being dispensed.

Unleaded petrol dispensers are thinner than the diesel fillers and go deeper down the neck of the vehicle's fuel tank, thereby activating the shutter when the system detects the petrol nozzle.

Land Rover's chief programme engineer Paul Walker claims the new TDV8 engine is so powerful and refined that there is a greater danger of the driver mistaking the vehicle for a petrol-powered derivative. I, on the other hand, remain convinced that his innovative solution is more of a gimmick than anything else, especially when its only available on a vehicle which costs between £54,000 and £75,000. But if you're into gadetry and big luxury trucks, the 2007 Range Rover goes on sale this week.