Test drive Land Rover Discovery LR3 2004 - 2009 SUV

His own head

Land Rover Discovery 3
The first Lend Rover Discovery appeared in 1989, in 1998, the second generation model replaced it. Discovery 3 debuted in the spring of 2004 in New York.
In Europe, it is sold with a 2.7 liter turbodiesel (V6, 190 hp) and a 4.4 liter gasoline engine (V8, 295 hp). A less powerful 4.0 liter gasoline engine (V6, 213 hp) is also intended for the United States.
Gearboxes: 6-speed mechanical (only with diesel) or automatic.
Three configuration options: S (only for diesel), as well as SE and HSE.
Price: from $ 52 900 to 71 900.

Once upon a time there were three brothers
The first, like the ancestors, was the farmer rude, rustic, but hardworking and hardy. The second went out into the middle class learned good manners, applied, although on occasion he did not shun and get boots from the pantry. The third, unexpectedly, unexpectedly, broke into the higher light of the yacht, tricks, a tuxedo with a butterfly and diamond cufflinks. He was not shy about his origin, even flaunted them, although he remembered the tribal farm only from the photographs. And so three branches grew from the root of the land-rover simple, like a shovel, a professional defender, a universal discovery and a luxury ranger. The latest, fourth escape of Salun Frilender frolic on the floor.
And so the change of the Discovery model took a step steps higher, closely approaching the rangju in dimensions, power, equipment and ... price. The main qualitative change is that, having preserved the frame structure, the new disco received completely independent pendants of all wheels.
I will not command the parade
In the spacious frame of the windshield, a picture of a winter beach in a thaw arose: shallow, but heavy wet snow on top of loose sand. What would this be turned on until it is bogged down? According to the mind, it would be necessary to reduce the gear in the handout and all the locks are. However, the Third Discovery himself knows everything Terrein Response system optimizes the engine settings, transmission and suspension depending on external conditions. Your business is to set them: normal coating, grass/gravel/snow, dirt/potholes, sand, stones. My case is not provided, so I choose the second mode, it is still listed as a universal off -road. On the 7-inch touch display, I immediately read the recommendations: turn on the reduced gear and increase the road clearance.
The handout here is what you need with a low line of 2.93. Adjustable air suspension, except for the ability to sit down for 50 mm with landing
ke-loading, gives an off-road advantage: one movement and instead of standard 185 mm under the bottom already 240 mm. With differential locks is more difficult. In the rear inter -circle, it is placed for a surcharge of $ 700: alas, it is not on this car. But on the Interssevo it is turned on if necessary only by automation.
The better the all -terrain vehicle
The longest to dig out it! I am a gas-gas gas with him and he does not want. He floats on his hubs in a snow-sand mess, occasionally grunting with brakes and accumulating the blocking of the central differential of the tramphnic control, and the engine holds the motor, and the electronic locks are braking wheels ready to cereal. Everyone got up. Now back along the rut and again back and forth, back and forth, breaking through three to four meters at a time. Electronics does not allow to sink and lie on the bottom. I try to switch the modes, but I don’t feel a big difference only the permissible degree of slipping.
Maybe turn off the electronics completely? Now the hands are untied, but there are no insurance or slip, desperately roaring the engine and letting out the wheels, or by the way, discovery 3, even empty, weighs two and a half tons, so instead of a shovel it is better to carry boots in the trunk to go behind tractor.
Gentlemen prefer diesel
At the gas station, a guy in a blue uniform half -affirmingly asks: ninety -fifth? You should have seen his eyes when you heard in response: diesel fuel. They literally read: was it worth it to fall off a lot of money for such a handsome man to bother in the right rows and save on fuel?
And here, my friend, you are only partly right. To be precise, a lot of money is $ 61,900 for a diesel discovery in the top equipment HSE: bixenon, air suspension, a complete set of electronics, six airbags, rain and light sensors, separate climate and cruise control and much more. Yes, additional equipment for more than nine thousand. Total $ 71,000 for a test car.
As for rubbing in the right -wing rows, a diesel modification with an automatic machine for almost two decibels quieter than a gasoline dependence here is logarithmic, therefore, for example, the difference of 6 dB means a double decrease in the noise level!
The working volume of the V-shaped six is \u200b\u200bquite modest for such a heavy car only 2.7 liters. However, thanks to the four valves on the cylinder, the turbocharger with variable geometry and intercooler, the motor develops 190 hp, and its specific power is greater than that of a gasoline eight, 70 hp. from a liter versus 67. However, to trample the accelerator in order to meet the passport 12.8 s during acceleration to hundreds I do not want excellent sound insulation, soft suspension, comfortable chairs, barely noticeable switching of a quick machine gun will calm down even an avid racer. The element of the discovery is quick uniform run to distant distances along good (and not so) roads. Although it is not worth it to relax at all a light steering wheel requires attentive handling, given the high center of gravity and the validity of the disc. The reaction to a sharp turn of the steering wheel is peculiar: first, the chassis slips aside, and the body moves straight for some time, leaning more and more, and, finally, with a noticeable roll leaves after. Honestly, I did not notice the intervention of the active softening system of the ARM roll.
But about fuel savings everything is true: the average consumption, including off -road and metropolitan traffic jams, is only 18.7 l/100 km. An excellent result!
Another important factor in the discovery is largely appreciated for excellent off -road qualities, and it is the diesel unit with a good torque below that allows them to be realized most fully. It is not surprised that even in Russia about 60% of orders falls on the diesel version. Only now it is sinful to deprive Jeeper of the opportunity to test his strength, converting all smart electronics.

SUMMARY
Discovery 3 makes an unnecessary ability to ride off -road for the driver. But do Lend Rovers love for this?
+ The painful diesel, magnificent sound insulation, comfortable suspension, the possibility of clearance, effective brakes, spacious interior, good visibility, rich equipment, a full -fledged third row of seats, high fuel efficiency.
- Small reactive effect on the steering wheel, significant rolls in the bend, reproach on irregularities, the lack of forced blocking, a non -informative dashboard, an overloaded central console, simple glass windows, uncomfortable access to the trunk.
 
 

 
Yuri Nechetov
Photo: George Sadkov
 

A source: The magazine "Driving"