In the evolution of car and engine names, there have been some interesting decisions made when choosing monikers. However, none quite so appropriate as the Thor edition of the Land Rover V8. 

Named after the all-powerful Norse god, the engine delivers far more efficiency than its predecessors. It all comes down to the intake and petrol injection system used in the engine and how it is controlled with an engine control unit (ECU).

The ECU is the brain of the car, a computer that monitors sensor data and manages the engine performance, including efficiency and fuel injection.

What ECU is used in the Land Rover V8?

The type of ECU in earlier versions of the Rover V8 was a GEMS Lucas. The Generic Engine Management System (GEMS) was built by Lucas Automotive, a British automotive parts manufacturer. 

It was first manufactured and used on Land Rovers in 1996 for the Rover P38A engine. This is still the most frequently seen control unit in older petrol models. 

Why was the Thor V8 engine different?

The GEMS in the 4.0 litre V8 engine was replaced by a new system in 1999, borrowed from BMW. Using the arguably more reliable Bosch Motronic technology for the engine management system, it allowed for greater fuel efficiency.

The new engine also included a distinctive intake manifold, with parts curved like bananas, that set it apart from the previous block. 

The Thor V8 engine delivered power as well as miles per gallon, although on paper it delivered slightly less horsepower than the GEMS engine. 

It gave 188bhp compared to 190bhp for the 4.0 litre engine; the torque management made it feel more powerful. 

Today, more V8 engines are running on GEMS than the Bosch Motronic system because more were manufactured. This makes a Thor V8 engine a welcome but much rarer sight for Land Rover enthusiasts.