Test Drive Land Rover Discovery LR3 2004 - 2009 SUV

Century current and century passed?

You do not remember who for the first time shared sacrifice on real and parquet? And who enriched Russian with the word jeep? Today, cars are changing too quickly - the language and terminology do not sleep behind them.
A real sacrifice is now not a jean or UAZ, but, undoubtedly, a solid car with a frame, dependent pendants in front and behind, a spacious body and, perhaps with a diesel engine. Such as Nissan Patrol GR /\u003e Nissan Patrol.
But now other solutions have become popular: permanent four-wheel drive, independent suspension of all wheels, pneumatic racks for changing the road lumen, carrying the body and transformed salon. On this path, the Volkswagen Taureg and Land Rover Discovery 3 went, although in the latter did not refuse a separate frame. Is the time of classic oscidences expired?
 
Nissan Patrol - Historical Heritage
The car recently changed the appearance again, but his essence remained the same. The driver of the patrol does not have to refer to electronic devices - the front axle and reduced gear are included with an additional lever on the transmission tunnel. Even the automatic front wheels clutches have the position of forced blocking - any automation can freeze, break and do not work for a dozen reasons, and with mechanics in any case will not be left without a full drive.
In the back bridge, also a mechanical blocking - no differentials of increased friction capable only on road feats. It is by definition is needed on long-tie sacrifice, prone to diagonal hanging. However, to post Nissan Patrol GR /\u003e patrol is not as easy - a disconnected transverse stability stabilizer gives an additional degree of freedom by the rear axle, but only up to 20 km / h - until it affects the handling.
Winter Moscow streets are cleared, but in the courtyards there is snow and rolled icy gaunes. Exit to the street with a lively movement, we perform on the rear drive - with a rigidly connected front, the turn is repaired at a right corner on a solid coating. The gap between the machines in the stream is great, but not so much to slow.
The rear wheels are broken into the slip, but instead of a turning start Nissan Patrol GR /\u003e patrol lazily crawls on the road. Refusing the maneuver is already late - I think I apologize to those who were forced to slow down. Next time we will start on a full drive. By the way, the full or rear dilemma once again stands on the highway, when there will have to overcome the high bars from the snow, going to overtaking between the rolled bands of the asphalt.
Despite the solid size, Nissan Patrol GR /\u003e Nissan Patrol confidently feels like an urban street: the radius of rotation is small, and the impressive rectangular hood gives the driver a clear idea of \u200b\u200bthe dimensions. Overview Back Worse - the wiper is only on one door sash, and the sector cleaned to them is small.
The impressive patrol dimensions do not guarantee space in the workplace. A large and shoulder driver will fit here without much comfort. The seat until it stops back, but the shoulder of the body is in the front of the body - it looks like a man landing with a growing 195 cm and weighing 130 kg. Driver 185/100 is better, although it complains about the closeness. Only standard 176/72 is posted without comments. Nomouder - Body developed almost ten years ago.
With a solid weight of Nissan Patrol GR /\u003e, Nissan Patrol is capable of accelerated. But to spin the engine above 4000 revolutions there is no point, the acceleration weakens long before this feature. It is difficult to make a mistake with the choice of transfer - the lever has a big move and clear inclusion, however, it is not so easy to switch to quickly. On the icing road, Nissan in the rear-wheel drive is easily disappeared into the skid with a sharp supply of gas. But thanks to the long database and the large mass, the process develops slowly, and it is easy to pay off at the very beginning. With a connected front Nissan Patrol GR /\u003e, the patrol acquires the stability of the locomotive and its own nervousness - standard behavior for the machine without inter-axis differential.
Nissan's phenomenal energy intensity was said quite a few. At the same time, the car does not seem tough, although for the most severe road waves there is enough share of his abilities. However, the feeling of unsresprising masses is not going anywhere, and the concussion of bridges on rough pothuses are felt literally. Fortunately, to the hand of the driver, these oscillations do not reach - their hydraulic tape and damper in the steering control.
The road on which no one went from autumn waiting for a 40-centimeter layer of snow, waits until we estimate the car's passability. It is not possible to overcome the virgin on the first reduced transmission - it is burned. On the second case it is better, if you maintain the engine speed between 2500 and 3500. It is necessary to drain turns like a diesel engine with a manual gearbox, forcing the retreat and again pierce the road. More loose snow allows you to go to the third gear and move markedly faster. In the deepest places, block the rear differential and again beat the rut - to push the impressive tree of snow by the car is not forces. In such conditions, the bumper acts as a kind of indicator - if the snow lies above the license plate, it is impossible to overcome it in any mode.
An attempt to enter over with overclocking - and ... the car fills up, stubbornly touches three wheels (there is no lock in the front bridge). But there was no problem with pulling out - the back is a beautiful towing eye, in front of the bumper, a powerful hook.
 
Volkswagen Touareg - Celebration of Technology
The first thing body in the upper position - and under the car. Is the road clearance of 300 mm? What did it say (though, on another occasion) Stanislavsky? The result is interesting - in the center of the car under a concave shield that protects the motor compartment, really 300 mm, but under the spars - 275. The secret is simple - in German standards, the road clearance is measured on an arc connecting the wheels and the lower part of the machine. We also count any detail, located from the wheel further 100 mm, so that we will be 275 mm. However, it's great! The angles of entry and the congress are also considerable.
Strictly speaking, Volkswagen Touareg with ordinary and pneumatic suspension - two completely different cars. The latter is able to adjust the ground clearance, maintain the body level, regardless of the load, as well as change damping shock absorbers (Sport / Comfort / Auto). Differences in the settings are easily tangible: in a comfortable car does not pay attention to small irregularities, but with noticeable delay reacts to the steering wheel. Sports - Make Tourareg Copy Road Profile, but add responsiveness. However, the most important thing is the ability to adjust the road lumen within 140 mm (+85 mm / -55 mm). This gives a good increase in the passability and even a gain in the maximum speed - a car with a pneumatic suspension faster than its spring fellow with the same engine 5 km / h - due to squatting at high speed.
For this test, we wanted to get a 2.5-liter diesel engine with a pneumatic suspension, but they could not get such a thing. When choosing a pneumatic suspension or diesel? The suspension seemed more interesting. Formally, diesel taouareg is the most affordable, but the cost of additional equipment for such a machine is higher than for gasoline. So, the most expensive position is a pneumatic suspension with traffic control - for a diesel engine costs $ 3530 against $ 3240 for gasoline. It is not by chance that gasoline V6 became a favorite of buyers.
The interior of the taguega in German strict and immaculately functional. The range of seat adjustment will suit the owners of the most impressive figures, and at the same time the designers did not sacrifice the spacious space in the back seat. True, in contrast to its competitors, Volkswagen does not offer a seven-bed option.
Rerep by the head of the taguega from the small trains, its solidity you feel in every movement, but on the background of the opponents, it seems quite passenger, despite 2.3 tons of the curb weight. After all, the rivals exceeded 2.5 tons!
Volkswagen did not upset on a slippery track. When exercising on handling, the built-in ESP did not allow to develop a drift, successfully filling us into a rotation by selective rotation of the wheels. However, and with the disconnected electronics it is quite possible to cut down. It is only worth remembering that the side sliding is not alone alone a solid car.
Time to raise the virgin and climb for taways - choose a reduced transmission with the inter-axis differential lock, the suspension is to Off Road. Now under the protection of the engine compartment 255 mm.
In the same way with rivals, Taureg moves well forward, only occasionally demanding returning to overcoming a deeper snow area with overclocking. We act carefully - there are no problems, but if you get involved more, I can not return to the touareg. But grab the cable and the shovel is still early - we translate the suspension to the most upper position and dismissed without help.
Automatic with manual mode in the snow for good - you can accurately pick up the mode of movement depending on the resistance. Forced to move on the pre-selected Nissan Patrol GR /\u003e transmission patrol does not sleep.
 
Land Rover Discovery 3 - Down with Tradition!
The design for a long time was built on the same chassis as the first-generation Ranj Rover - a massive frame, the engine V8, a leading pedigree from Biuik, a dependent suspension and a wheelbase of 100 inches. The English school of southeth people had its canons - blocking only the inter-axis differential and huge moves of the wheels. It will not be great exaggeration to say that the first dyskovery could cross the axes in almost 45 degrees. True, they demonstrated on the highway not brilliant manners.
Today, the owner of Land-Rover is Ford, and the current discovery became like a construction of the Explorer and Expedition - he has a separate frame with independent suspension wheels. More than 1 billion dollars were spent on the development of the third discovery. The task was not just transferring the Ledrovrovsky style to a new platform, but also to prepare the base for the company's new developments.
The appearance of Discovery 3 digitally contrasts with most classmates: large flat surfaces, strict lines and face - style techno in its best manifestation. His dignity - durability: Even after a decade, the car will remain original and memorable. At the same time, all the branded elements of the Land Rometer, including a stepped roof line, are stored.
Inside it became more logic, but the Land Rover also recognizable. Commander landing, plump (even overly) bagel, many shelves and pockets on the front panel. The driver's armchair does not have the greatest adjustment along the length, but a huge height - even with a modest growth, you can rest over the head of the ceiling. The seat cushion is too horizontal - with a high landing sliding it. But the review is great.
On the move Discovery attracts not only good, despite the mass, dynamics, but also unexpectedly a quiet engine. Guess that under the hood of diesel, it is possible only when it starts or outside the car (by name). The motor in combination with a six-speed automaton is canceled with a lively urban movement, and with overtakers on the track. The electronic DSC stabilization system helps keep coursework stability. To pass the turns in the drift, it can be turned off, but it does not give full control over the burden.
In general, comfort is a keyword in the discovery characteristic. The car is not built on the driver of a driver's vanity, but to move from one point to another. What if we carry this path is not on asphalt?
In the raised mood of the road cleavery 3 road lumen is limited to 230 mm under the outlet system near the rear wheels. Low hangs and a full-size spare wheel, but under the front axle impressive 270 mm. In the middle position of the suspension, the ground clearance of the Land Rometer is only 185 mm - not thick!
Snowy virgin is given discovery with difficulty - it is quite capable of moving along the rival rivals, but to pave its own - an unbearable task. An attempt to escape into leaders from overclocking is also doomed to failure. Back to the rod - only on the cable. By the way, it is not easy to attach it - towing eyes are hidden under plastic covers with rotating locks. You can unscrew them with a screwdriver or coin, but in the cold we broke two locks
Raisin all-wheel drive transmission Discovery - in the System of Terrene Respons: It automatically adjusts the operation of the transmission for different conditions: asphalt, snow / ice, dirt, sand, crossed terrain. By the way, what to turn on in a snowy virgin knee, guess? Sand mode! It is he who best else allows you to move with a controlled slip. At the same time, a warning and a wish to use the appropriate level of suspension, direct or reduced (2.93!) Transmission will appear on the dashboard. Do you still think it's easier than two levers and pairs of buttons?
The saturation of electronics is welcome, but so far glitches are clearly found in the machine software. In our instance, the automatic wiper brushes did not want to turn off until the car stops, and the bucking in the snow lit the engine malfunction, which, however, after an hour went out
A separate story requires a discovery salon - transformation capabilities are so diverse that even a simple listing will take too much space. Briefly - the seats not only the third, but also the second row is completely or individually, forming a flat floor. A complaints are rather connected with the contour of the seats and a small height of pillows. They are difficult to explain, since the size of the cabin and doorways does not impose restrictions. There is even a place for a luggage shelf twisting into the roll.
 
BOTTOM UP
So, the Land Rover finally became an aristocrathip, Nissan Patrol GR /\u003e Nissan Patrol in deep snow lost to Volkswagenu-taireg What to do this jejer - shoot? Care UAZ Patriot? No, life is not completed until iron bumpers with winches, spacers, high springs, long shock absorbers and toothy thirty third wheels have disappeared. Guess how this outfit is suitable from the trinity?
 
Nissan Patrol
The sixth generation of the car is released since 1999. Last Modernization - in 2004.
Engines: gasoline 4.8 l (245 hp), turbodiesel 3.0 l (160 hp)
Transmission:
The 5-speed automatic for gasoline engine, 4-speed automatic and 5-speed mechanical for diesel.
Hardware: Luxury and Elegance.
Price: $ 50 300-63 500.

SUMMARY
Nissan Patrol is an unsurpassed car for heavy roads and not the worst trucker. But still look the car with a machine gun
+ Verified design, spacious salon, large trunk, high permeability, protected units, high energy intensity and suspension strokes, rich standard equipment.
- Limited smoothness, plug-in full drive, non-optimal engine characteristic, poor review back, lack of working configuration on the Russian market.
 
Volkswagen Touareg.
Released since 2002.
Engines: gasoline 3.2-6.0 l (241-450 hp), turbodiesel rails 2.5-5.0 l (174-313 hp).
Transmission: 6-speed mechanical (for 3.2 liters and 2,5d), in other cases 6-speed automatic.
Completenment: individual choice.
Price: from $ 47,000.

SUMMARY
Volkswagen Touareg - Master for all hands. Good in the city, on the highway and will not leave the off-road. I wonder how reliable is it?
+ Excellent behavior on the road, adjustable smoothness and lumen, individual equipment, excellent operation of a six-speed automaton, high permeability in the snow and rut.
- Extremely expensive additional equipment, no full-size spare, limited interior transformation capabilities, modest basic equipment.

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 3
The Discovery model appeared in 1989, from 1998 released the second generation, the third debuted in the spring of 2004 in New York.
Engines: gasoline 4.4 l (295 hp), turbodiesel 2.7 liters (190 hp).
Gearboxes: 6-speed mechanical (only with diesel) or 6-speed automatic.
Options for configuration: S (diesel only), SE and HSE.
Price: $ 52,900- $ 71 900.

SUMMARY
Land Rover Discovery 3 - Legends are handed over to the library. But the style will accurately live, until the soughs in Europe do not prohibit finally
+ High smoothness, spacious transformable interior, low noise, memorable appearance, powerful dyeshel, good visibility.
- Weak reactive effect on the steering wheel, non-informative pedals, insufficient road clearance, significant rolls in turn, routing on irregularities, complex transmission control.
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Anatoly Fomin
Photo: Konstantin Yakubov
 

A source: Journal "Behind the wheel"