Land Rover Discovery - improving the good

For some models, serious facelifts are not needed. Land Rover felt that small adjustments would be enough to keep Discovery successful in attracting customers.

Land Rover Discovery 4 has been offered since 2009. In fact, the car is much older - this is a revision of the "troika", the release of which began in 2004. Despite the years that have passed, the massive SUV still looks attractive, so the redesign that took place before the start of production of the 2014 model year should not have been huge.

The front bumper has undergone the greatest changes. It features new headlights with LED daytime running lights. The grille, bumper and wheel pattern have also been updated. For the first time in history, the name Discovery appeared on the edge of the hood - we previously saw the Land Rover lettering there.

The trunk lid has also been cleaned up. You will not find the number 4 next to the Discovery inscription. The engine version has also been removed. Symbols TDV6, SDV6 and SCV6 hit the front door. The petrol version of the SCV6 has 340 hp. and 450 Nm. In the 3.0 TDV6 diesel, the driver has a choice of 211 hp. and 520 Nm. An alternative is a three-liter diesel SDV6 with a capacity of 256 hp. and 600 Nm.

Land Rover, following the current trend, took care of reducing fuel consumption. The Discovery received a Stop-Start system and the naturally aspirated 5.0 V8 was replaced with a mechanically supercharged 3.0 V6. The 6-speed transmission version of the engine will no longer be offered. For the refreshed Discovery, only 8-speed ZF automatics are provided.

The newly introduced 3.0 V6 S/C engine ran under the hood of the Discovery under test. Despite the afterburner, he felt best at medium and high speeds. The maximum torque (450 Nm) is available in the range of 3500-5000 rpm, and the full power (340 hp) of the engine is produced at 6500 rpm. The device is distinguished by a high culture of work and a pleasant sound to the ear. Average fuel consumption clearly depends on driving style and speed - a large frontal area means that at speeds above 100 km / h, fuel consumption begins to skyrocket. Land Rover claims an average of 11,5 l/100 km. The value homologated for the US market seems to be closer to the truth - 14,1 l / 100 km.

The 3.0 SDV6 diesel variant has the best fuel-performance ratio. Land Rover says 8 l/100 km, which at 256 hp, 600 Nm and 2570 kg curb weight is a real achievement. In some markets, including the UK, the 3.0 SDV6 is the only version of the engine available. No wonder - he fits perfectly into the character of Disco.

The manufacturer is aware of the fact that the exclusive nature and value of the Land Rover Discovery actually discourages most of the model's users from driving on paved roads. Thus, the gearbox becomes an unnecessary fixture, adding weight and combustion. When configuring the updated Discovery, you can choose a drive without a gearbox. The vehicle weight will be reduced by 18 kg. Of course, the driving force will still be distributed to all wheels. For maximum neutral handling, the TorSen center differential sends 58% of the torque to the rear axle.

The changes don't mean the refreshed Land Rover has lost its off-road character. With the geared version, you can try to force difficult obstacles. Air suspension is standard. At the touch of a button on the center console, the ground clearance quickly rises from 185mm to 240mm off-road. The design of the oil pump ensures proper engine lubrication at inclinations up to 45 degrees. On the other hand, the drive unit equipment - belts, alternators, starters, air conditioning compressors and power steering pumps were protected from water.

The new Wade Sensing system makes it easier to overcome water obstacles. Electronics displays the silhouette of the car and the current draft on the screen of the multimedia system. The red line marks the maximum fording depth, which is 700 mm with increasing ground clearance.

The Disco gearbox has an actively lockable center differential. There is also a locking rear "differential". The undercarriage is controlled by the Terrain Response system. It has five modes - Auto, Gravel and Snow, Sand, Mud and Rock Crawling (the latter is only available on Discovery with a gear). Individual programs change the settings of the engine, transmission, air suspension and ABS and ESP systems. The closure of the differentials also changes. All this in order for the car to overcome the obstacle as efficiently as possible. The driver needs to be aware of the off-road tire limit, as well as the vehicle weight exceeding 2,5 tons. On loose sand, in swampy mud or snow-covered snow, the laws of physics cannot be outwitted even by the most advanced electronics.

Under the body of the Land Rover Discovery is the frame. The solution works well in the field, but adds weight to the machine. It is possible that the next generation of Disco will receive a self-supporting aluminum body - a solution that has already been used in the new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. The significant weight of the Discovery currently in production affects the accuracy of the car's handling and how it responds to commands given on the steering wheel. The Land Rover is no match for the German SUVs, but it doesn't drive too bad either. The air suspension fights for the maximum possible traction. At the same time, it effectively absorbs all shocks and vibrations - even riding on damaged tracks is a pleasure. The huge body as well as the high driving position make it easier to see the road and give you a sense of security that you will not experience in a traditional passenger car.

The massive lines of the Land Rover Discovery are reminiscent of one of the last vintage off-road vehicles. Simplicity also reigns in the cabin. The cabin was not overloaded with decorations. The designers decided that the angular elements are best combined with leather and wood. A large number of buttons on the center console, green cab lighting, simple indicators, a not very sophisticated on-board computer or a screen of a multimedia system with a not very high resolution may not be the latest fashion, but the Discovery's off-road character.

A 4,83-meter body and a 2,89-meter wheelbase made it possible to design a spacious interior. Discovery is available in 5- and 7-seater versions. The extra row of seats is functional. The amount of head and legroom is not significantly different from that available in the second row. The position of the seats affects the capacity of the luggage compartment. With all passengers on board, Discovery can carry 280 liters. With the third row of seats folded down, the trunk volume increases to 1260 liters, available up to 2558 liters.

The updated Discovery will be offered with an audio system designed by Meridian. Until now, optional audio has been branded as Harman Kardon. The base system consists of eight 380W loudspeakers. Meridian Surround already has 17 speakers and 825W of power. The list of additional equipment also includes systems for monitoring blind spots and warning of the possibility of a collision when reversing from a parking space, as well as a set of cameras to facilitate maneuvering or driving in the field - as part of the upgrade, the work with the camera is simplified.

The Land Rover Discovery is not a cheap car. The basic version starts from almost 240 3,5 zlotys. The very long and interesting list of options makes it easy to spend tens of thousands more on add-ons. There will be many people interested in purchasing a Land Rover Discovery. The strength of the British roadster lies in its versatility. This is a large and comfortable machine that can cope with any road, moves smoothly across the field and can withstand trailers weighing up to tons.