Test drive Land Rover Discovery LR3 2004 - 2009 SUV

Armed forces

Real alternate people as soldiers: they must impeccably fulfill the task using the entire combat arsenal and professional skills. The preparation of the warrior from different continents was checked by Maxim Sachkov. Photo: Alexander Kulnev.
American special forces
One of the tactical principles of fighting to intimidate the enemy. The type of Hammer inspires, if not horror, then at least respect. A tall, broad -shouldered, with a sparkling grin of the radiator grille and huge wheels, ready to crush everyone and everything that arose in the way. But is this enough to win the battle?
Despite the impressive dimensions, the inner world of Hammer is full of weaknesses. The seat fidgeted for a long time, trying to get rid of me. Finally found an acceptable position remained only to push the steering wheel. Surrendered! In an ascetic soldier's set there is no adjustment of the steering column in the longitudinal direction.
Achieved with a minus sign with such a car width to make a driver a driver tight! The front seats are spread out in the corners, and the bulky console was invariably occupied in the middle of the space in the middle. Governing bodies are a source of strong emotions! I searched for a long time how to turn on the brushes. I even wanted to stop, but I did not find an emergency gang that merged with a steering column, and even covered the hub of the steering wheel! To open the door, rummage under the armrest there is a handle hidden there. By the way, at the exit it makes sense to remember the adjustments of the pillow and back of the seat by pressing the corresponding button. When you pull out the key, the chair is helpful, simplifying the landing, but does not return back.
I'll try to describe the visibility. Imagine that you are in a helmet, while you cannot twist your head. For ahead, you have to look through a narrow gap slightly wider than the tank embrasure. True, the life of the sitting at the wheel is a little simplified by the far away the front racks, which practically do not interfere in the corners, and large external mirrors. However, trips to the road at an angle of 45 a serious test. He turned his head in vain, rested on a massive central rack, behind which it was quite possible to hide the car and not one. It is even more painful to park the already mediocre rear review partially blocks the reserve. In general, like a brave soldier, the direction is only forward.
The warrior attacks briskly, despite three -ton uniforms. It is not only well prepared physically (after all under the hood of a 6.0-liter 320-horsepower engine), but also well armed. The four -speed box works clearly, as the legendary automatic rifle M16 softly and timely shoots the gears, without delay passes to a reduced one. Wheels in high -profile tires are not terrible even serious obstacles, some of the blows from which the energy -intensive suspension takes on. Although perfectly smooth out the relief, her body is not able to disturb the kicks and shocks.
It is not easy for Hammer to change the course first with a stitched with slurred feedback you try to feel the trajectory, then you are afraid of deep rolls. Well, you feel the true severity of uniforms best when braking. An amazingly long -term pedal has to be pressed almost to the floor!
British marine
Elegant, fit, with a strict military bearing, a native of the foggy Albion against the backdrop of an overseas colleague looks like a smart recruit. However, the impression is changing in the Discovery cabin. There is more space above your head than in Hammer about the cylinder I do not know, and the helmet can definitely not be removed. Huge glasses visually increase the inner volume. True, the width does not particularly allow puffy doors upholstery and the central console. I tried to adjust the seat, the hand stuck between the pillow and the armrest. But the range of adjustments is comparable to the length of the tunnel under the La Channel. Judging by the location of the seat memory buttons, they must be pressed before you took a place behind the wheel. Perhaps this is a delicate English humor.
The seats are the exact opposite of Hammer: tough, with pronounced side supports and lumbar subpoor. There is no desire to fall apart and crunch in such chips, rather to sit straight, like a pole, and ask for oatmeal? Although, having mastered a little behind the wheel, you begin to demand a pillow more authentic and a more tenacious upholstery that can hold the body in corners and on the road.
The English soldier is used to comfort. For example, in the discovery of the only test trinity, the armrests of the front seats can be adjusted along the angle of inclination. The seats of the second and third row are formed separately without unnecessary ceremonies. One movement is down on the gallery, but the trunk has become several times more.
But there is something to complain about. For example, to aesthetic, but absolutely non-appropriate bibikapes-strips. Or to small electronic displays on the dashboard, which have to peer into. Maybe it was worth it to display part of the information on a large central screen?
Discovery rushes into the battle faster than opponents. The engine is easily untwisted, and the 6-ship automatic shoots quickly and almost without return. But it is in no hurry to reload. It is worth releasing the accelerator pedal, and then put it on the floor again, the box hangs for a while in search of the desired transmission. Therefore, it is better to shoot single. Put the selector into manual mode and eliminate two transmissions down the collective mind will allow you to win precious time.
Unlike an American, Discovery is well maneuvering. He reacts rather obediently and briskly to the driver’s commands of a tight and accurate steering wheel sets the desired course, and a car with small rolls changes direction. You even start to start a little to go through the next turn faster, but at the first signs of sliding, the stabilization system intervenes in the process, recalling that this is still a well-trained soldier, and not a professional athlete. For good behavior in corners, you have to pay with comfort a dense suspension often shares with the driver impressions of irregularities.
Japanese samurai
Toyota-Land Cruiser 200 is not endowed with a bright appearance of the form more functional than elegant and intricate. Close your eyes and try to name at least a few bright distinguishing features. Does not work? The power of a real samurai in the inner world is natural. Let's look at?
The seats after the discovery seem a little flat, but the back and legs quickly find the right position, the side supports do not grind the sides, and the range of electrical adjustments is suitable even the most non -standard figures. By the way, the steering column, unlike opponents, also move electric drives in two directions in the Land of Kruzer.
It is easy to control the space on the sides and in front of the hood from the driver's seat. Large external mirrors and a rear view camera come to the help, which not only displays the picture on the display, but also draws possible paths for maneuvers.
Japanese warriors were not born ideal, they strove for perfection all their lives. So Toyota has yet to polish some details. For example, a sin of a car sold in Russia does not know Russian, especially since they offer as many as ten (!) Other languages. True, to speak, in our opinion, Geisha, living in the imprisonment of the instrument panel, is already able to learn to write. In addition, I would transfer the headlight washer key to look for the instrument panel every time it is inconvenient, and it is unsafe.
At the wheel, you can calmly meditate the suspension inaudibly and gently fulfills all the irregularities, the engine quickly and smoothly accelerates the heavy car, and the machine carefully smoothes all the steps. True, he has something to learn from the old warrior: they knew how to expose the sword so fast that the enemy did not have time to see him. In Kick Dawn mode, the box is guided by the mind, not reflexes, including lowered with a slight delay.
Like a martial arts master, smoothly and accurately performing training exercises, the two hundredth reacts to the actions of the driver precisely and without unnecessary sharpness. The steering wheel is easier than the discovery, and the rolls are deeper, but the all -terrain vehicle willingly enters the turn and confidently holds the trajectory. And the stabilization system behaves more restrained, allowing a little to leave the course. If the driver does not take any action, she will gently correct the error, instructively reporting the driver a warning signal.
Hammer, brought up in a military family, lives hard in peacetime. He would have a saber and a horse and have to ride on public roads. In such conditions, the warrior is beyond the power to compete with Discovery and Land Cruiser. Indeed, in modern expensive all -terrain vehicles they value not only cross -country ability, but also comfort. And in this regard, it is very difficult to defeat Toyota. _x0008_
Hummer H2
The civic version of the descendant of the Army All -Racer H1 debuted in the fall of 2002. Since mid-summer 2003, a car has been assembled at the Kaliningrad enterprise Autotor.
Gasoline engine 6.0 l (321 hp)
Gearbox 4-speed machine
Configurations Base, Adventure, Luxury
The price of basic versions is 2 347 7002 580 000 rubles.
_x0007_ + excellent cross -country ability that attracts attention.
- poor review, mediocre behavior on the road, excessive fuel consumption.
General assessment 7.6
Wheel tank. It will pass through the fields, in swamps, and peeps on the asphalt to scare others.
Land Rover Discovery 3
The first generation saw the light in 1989. After 9 years, it was replaced by a new model, and in 2004 they presented the current Discovery-3.
Gasoline engines 4.4 l (295 hp), diesel 2.7 l (200 hp)
Gearboxes 6-speed mechanics and automatic
Set of configuration s, se, hse
The price of basic versions is 1 420 0001 880 000 rubles.
_x0007_ + good cross -country ability, tenacious brakes, good accelerated dynamics.
- Has all -wheel drive, a noisy engine.
General assessment 8.2
Pigger, shod in swamp boots with computer control.
Toyota Land Cruiser 200
A large alternate with an index 200 has replaced the popular model Land Cruiser 100. Since the end of 2007, it has been sold in Russia.
Gasoline engines 4.7 l (288 hp), diesel 4.5 l (235 hp)
Gearboxes 5- and 6-speed machines
Employment luxury
Price 2,200,0002 212 000 rubles.
+ Excellent smoothness, good cross-country ability, excellent noise and vibro-insulation.
- Unperemitted menu of the on -board computer, a close seat of the third row.
General assessment 8.7
The Japanese remedy for bad roads, both asphalt and swampy.
March-cut
Checking special qualities began on lifts of great steepness. True, quickly and completed the tendency of all cars provided. With the lowered nearby, they did not climb, but accelerated into the coolest 60 percent rise.
We abandoned the impassable lancers for specially prepared cars in toothy tires and not sparkling with delicate metallic. And the owners hardly dare to torment expensive cars in a broken rut or arable land.
A reasonable off -road with steep hills and blurry spring lanes Trinity withstood dignity, but she delivered different impressions. You feel most confident in, of course, in Hammer. Perhaps due to impressive dimensions, wide ruts and tank mass. Although the latter can play a cruel joke. Often, passing a complex segment does not manage to literally sink in the mud. And then it begins to slowly choose the good of it from it, there is a painful engine, a powerful reducing transmission and blocking of the rear differential.
Discovery helps to make it off -road with TerRain Respons: according to the selected program (sand, snow, etc.), it sets the appropriate settings for the engine, transmission and air suspension. It will not work to deal with such intelligence in one fell swoop. Opponents have already slipped through the next site, and the driver of the Lend Rover was still sitting over the textbook.
There are also enough electronic assistants in Toyota, but to communicate with them you will not have to climb into the dictionary. We need a lowering to turn the toggle switch, the slip of the button prevented the slip. And if you feel uncertain, use the services of the Crowl Control device, which will maintain speed, and the driver will only have to set the direction.
Maxim Sachkov: Hammer car is specific for originals. Its opponents are quite suitable for everyday use. At the same time, it is understood that at least occasionally you move off the asphalt and have a stably high income.
 
Maxim Sachkov
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A source: The magazine "Driving"