Test drive Land Rover Discovery LR3 2004 - 2009 SUV

Black and black

If you do not live in Russia and not on Belgrav Square in London, then the SUV is likely to buy just to drive off -road. So think manufacturers and sellers of these machines. Therefore, they consider the main type of engine to the tragic and economical diesel. As it turned out, this typical feature of the European SUV is quite compatible with the typical features of the SUV for the Russian market: that is, black, tinted glass and xenon headlights.
In the well -groomed West, full -fledged, honest SUVs are actively bought. At first glance, this is strange. Where do they go by car of high patency every day with lowering gears, locks, body -lifting devices, etc. Even to a high -mountain alpine shelter or a lake lost in the forest, in most cases, a normal asphalt road will bring. By the way, it is usually impossible to move off it: the green does not dare, the fines are crazy. It is possible to evaluate the charms of a full -fledged off -road transmission only in a juper reservation.
In Russia, everything is easier. The SUV is practical and logical for us. But if the need for it were exhausted by everyday needs, then there would be enough army UAZ. The craving for comfort and the desire to simplify the life of the owner and the driver made a large SUV something like a uniform. It is customary to wear jackets and tuxedos in society there there. And here it is customary to leave for a cruise or Kayen. Or on something else, large and all-wheel drive. This is called the rules of good tone, and discussing them is a much less meaningful occupation than to follow them or to violate the conscious.
Without candles. The choice of diesel can be considered a mild violation of Russian traditions: after all, everyone knows that it is necessary to bring down on a large car, and the first question to the owner of a new car from people of varying degrees of acquaintance - how many horses?. The diesel horses are usually less than that of a gasoline engine. So the objects of our attention also look modest: if the length of the car is close to five meters, then the number of horsepower should begin with the number 2. And here Land Rover is 190, and Nissan has 174. However, it is more important to twist the off -road. The moment and turns at which its maximum is achieved. And here the engine with ignition is more competitive compared to gasoline. No wonder Nissan sells Pathfinder in Europe only with diesel. More than 400 nm at 2000 rpm for a gasoline engine - the result is almost unrealistic. And for a diesel - a common thing. At the same time, the diesel can almost not lag behind the gasoline engine in dynamics: by choosing the Discovery 3 with diesel six, we lost only 15 km/h in maximum speed and saved (if they bought it) about six thousand cu - About 10 percent.
Purely form. Both Nissan and Land Rover are very fond of their cars. So much so that they can release the same model for decades. True, the British gradually get used to the generally accepted rhythm of generations, and Discovery 3 appeared only six years after the debut of the second. And the Nissan Pathfinder has replaced the produced 12 years Terrano II. The exterior is quite adequate to the degree of novelty. Nissan finally brought to Europe his modern and very fashionable style, which has long lived on American models. Pathfinder resembles the hit of Russian gray dealers Nissan Armada on a 7/8 scale and in design, in general, it is also a copy of the older brother.
Land Rover acted more radically: the new Disco is not only painted from scratch, but also, it seems, made by designers who had not previously been engaged in cars. In this case, this is a compliment: the appearance of the machine is clear and functional, which is usually a consequence of the uncomplicity of memory and imagination of the authors with stereotypes. Everything that is possible is done in the form of straight lines, straight angles and circles. It resembles the works of Bauhaus designers, who have not gone out of fashion for nearly a century.
Different simplicity. The task of making a simple Land Rover car set the task of the designers. True, this simplicity is noticeable only in the control process - if you look into the description of the design, then the picture will look quite the opposite. That is, usually for any modern model at a price of $ 50,000 ABS, PBS, DSC, and t.D. etc. In fact, the driver will have to deal with ordinary pedals and steering wheel. It is only necessary to remember that between the seats there is a handle that needs to be set the movement mode. Choose one of five - an ordinary road, sand, slope, rocky surface and something else there. The Terrain Response system regulates everything itself: from the response of the motor to press the gas pedal to the transmission mode. Well, sometimes when moving along the slope, you will need to press the yellow button next to the handle. For connoisseurs of their own off -road experience, there is also a button for turning on a low stage in the distribution. If a car with a pneumatic suspension, you can participate in management by adjusting the road clearance.
In natural conditions for the Moscow SUV - that is, on the street - Discovery proves that it is quite suitable for the role of a representative machine. The rear seat, however, is harsh, but the suspension provides exceptional comfort. And the motor, contrary to the traditional reputation of diesel, is quite fast and also very quiet. It is quite possible to give out for gasoline.
Pathfinder in design is simpler than Discovery. Electronics here are also flooded, but you can only choose the operating mode of all -wheel drive. From a simple rear to full (distribution of torque 50:50, if anyone is interested) with a blocking of the center differential and a reduced step in the hand. True, we also had to choose programs - we got a version with mechanics. But I didn’t have to regret it: a pleasant engine roar, a lower landing and almost passenger the design of the instrument panel together gives just a very sports impression, and the meshka here is it. If there weren’t two more rows of seats behind the back, it would be possible to present Pathfinder as an off -road compartment. The sensations are quite comparable. Including from the suspension: it is noticeably tougher than that of Disco, and causes mixed memories of sports models, and do not laugh - about trucks.
We discovered the predictable difference by burying the cars in the sand. Nissan demanded to recall the basics of off -road movement and show the ability to handle pedals. Land Rover proven that those who programmed Terrain Response are not in vain received a salary: the best results were achieved after transferring the box to a purely automatic mode, then the departure operation was limited to pressing the gas pedal. So that the driver does not feel completely abandoned, for example, to him show on the display in the instrument shield the direction of rotation of the front wheels. When driving in the mud, the car goes anywhere, so this information will not hurt. And if there was a large color display by car, we would be shown a cartoon depicting the chassis in real time.
The theme of round and direct became the main one and inside Discovery 3. The powerful parallelepiped of the console is erected above the wide panel, on which not only the transmission lever, but also modest handles and Terran Response buttons, suspensions, handouts and parking brakes are located - it is here, according to the current fashion , electric. The fundamental structure of the structure helps not to forget that we are going in a wide and prestigious machine, and the modesty of control devices is about the degree of its automation. The dimensions of the console made it possible to pour enough buttons and handles on it so that the champion in the layout of solitaires is not required to master the filling.
Climate control is included in the standard completion of almost all versions, only in the cheapest one will have to pay $ 300 for it. Special thanks to the Russian owners will say Land Rover for the windshield with electric heating. Like Pathfinder, Discovery can be seven -seater - an additional series of seats with related devices (backlighting and inflating curtains) will cost $ 1920. At the same time, the middle series of seats will consist of not two, but of the three sections. However, it is convenient and in five -seater - seats fold quite easily.
Disco definitely wins from behind: the door of his trunk from two parts opens a more convenient opening than a whole Nissan hatch with a folding glass.

Pathfinder makes a neutral impression. It is made in a moderate modern style, without sharp designer frills. Everything is quite functional, except for the fact that the messenger here is though two, but both are quite small. It would probably be better to combine them into one, but large. If you love the Japanese, you will not be disappointed. If you do not like, you can take a step to at least carry them calmly. As usual, Nissan in recent years, designers treat Japanese traditions without former dogmatism and more often think about style. But something sacred remains: the steering column is regulated only by the angle of inclination. Because in Japan and the States it is believed that if you also need a longitudinal rudder, then you are sitting wrong. On the central display, among other things, a color picture is displayed from the rear view television camera. There are also parking sensors, lateral mirrors also help - they look down when the rear gear is turned on. All this is very pleasant if you consider that with the posterior visibility the problems here, like most SUVs. The Intelligent Key chip key is good-it can not be removed from the pocket at all (well, except to open the locks of locks), the motor starts up by turning the handle on the console. If the key is lost when the engine is turned on, you can go further. The main thing is not to jam.

Text Valery Chusov, Sergey Sorokin photo Andrey Danilov

Cars were provided by Nissan Motor Rus, (095) 961-2131 LLC, and the Artex trading company, (095) 105-7105.

Nissan Pathfinder le
 
Turbodiesel engine, 4-cylinder, in order
Working volume (cubic cub) 2488
Power (L.S. at rpm) 174 at 4000
Moment (Nm at rpm) 403 at 2000
The rear drive, automatically -bootable full
Gearbox 6-speed mechanical
Length/width/height (mm) 4740/1850/1783-1865 (taking into account the trunk)
Wheel base (mm) 2850
Equipped mass (kg) 2275
Maximum speed (km/h) 175
Acceleration to 100 km/h (c) 11.5
Fuel consumption (city/highway, l/100 km) 11.5/7.6
Price in Moscow $ 54 750

Land Rover Discovery SE
 
Turbodiesel engine, 6-cylinder, V-shaped
Working volume (cubic cub) 2720
Power (L.S. at rpm) 190 at 4000
Moment (nm at rpm) 440 at 1900
The permanent drive is complete
The gearbox is 6-speed-automatic
Length/width/height (mm) 4835/2009/1887 (minimum --1837)
Wheel base (mm) 2885
Mass weight (kg) from 2504
Maximum speed (km/h) 180
Acceleration to 100 km/h (c) 12.8
Fuel consumption (city/highway, l/100 km) 13.2/8.7
The price in Moscow from $ 59,000, tested car- $ 61,598

Land Rover designers and designers decided to adhere to the simplest forms wherever possible. Therefore, straight and circles prevail in the forms. The unconventionality of this style for cars makes it especially luxurious. The desire for maximum remoteness of the owner from technology is noticeable even with an open hood: the battery can be found only knowing exactly where he is. The worse is that with the same difficulties, the search for towing eyelessness is associated.
The circles and direct became the basis of the molding and the main controls of the main off -road systems: Terrain Response handles, the steps of the distribution, pneumatic suspension, as well as buttons to maintain speed on the slope.
Pathfinder looks more light in proportions and details. A qualitatively made interior honestly admits to us in its Japanese-American origin, although the machine is made in Spain. You can be glad to be divided into three parts of the middle row of seats and a display, which displays the image from the rear view camera, accompanied by marks of three car colors indicating the distance. It is strange that in such a well -thought -out car, the volume of the audio system does not increase with speed growth: the engine sounds pleasant, but loudly.
 
 
 
 

A source: "Autopilot"