Test drive Land Rover Discovery LR3 2004 - 2009 SUV

Center of gravity

Discovery 3 has become the embodiment of so many new ideas and solutions that it is simply unbearable to pull with a story about it. Therefore, without any preface, we will move on to the case, that is, to the technical and technological surprises of the L319 project, as this outstanding car is officially called at the plant in Solikhalla.
 
Integrated riddle
 
It was impossible to understand what Integrated Body-Frame. Until now, we have known three schemes for building an SUV: with a frame that carries a body and Body-Frame, when a frame from an open profile was welded directly to the floor of the body. And here is a new technology. Actually, it is not so revolutionary: a similar scheme was used in the fifties to build large American sedans. But the decisions used now, and even on the SUV, claim the world championship. If very briefly, then Integrated Body -Frame is understood as translated - an integrated frame into the body. Yes, the new Discovery is a frame machine! However, if it usually looks like a sandwich, where a raw body is placed on a frame-halb, then in the case of L319 the design is more like a pie, where the filling is surrounded on three sides is surrounded by a dough-bush. Moreover, both of them exactly repeat the configuration of each other ... In fact, it is sometimes more difficult to explain than to understand! But I hope you have caught the essence.
 
Why was it necessary to fence the garden, complicating the technology and the rise in price of production? Everything is very simple: this scheme allows you to maintain endurance with a frame design, safety and rigidity of the carrier body. The body, which designers call an isolated monocock, is designed almost as bearing, with the same crushing zones, power elements of the case, developed spars, thresholds and a floor of a complex configuration. However, it is very light. Most of the power elements are made of highly alloyed steel, and some of the most loaded, of high -strength alloys. By the way, there are only two aluminum parts - the hood and the back door panel. The body is completely galvanized, and where alloys are used, measures are taken to exclude the formation of galvanic couples.
 
The frame is also not at all simple. It is done using hydraulic forming, which allows to achieve high accuracy, small weight, progressive profile and high strength. The front part in the collision is deformed in a predictable way, and its spatial structure does not allow low -seat cars to wedge in the accident under the bumper. The elements of the suspension and steering are attached to the frame without additional subframes, which improves the running characteristics on the asphalt. The rear half axes pass through the frame through special oval holes carved by a laser. This protects the drive and allows you to more rationally use the space under the floor in the back of the machine. There, for example, a spare wheel is now located. The whole process of designing the chassis was carried out using computer modeling with virtual simulation of processes occurring in different situations. So it was possible to obtain the optimal configuration of structural elements in the shortest possible time.
 
Fundamentals of independence
 
The suspension of the new Discovery is completely independent, on double transverse levers in the front and behind. Schematically, the suspension is similar to the latest models used on Jaguar. This, by the way, indicates its advantages on the asphalt. However, it is not afraid of off -road: the maximum front suspension stroke is 255 mm, and the rear 330, in combination with the cross -circuit of the connection of pneumatic elements, they provide sufficient articulation in the crossed terrain. Within geometric patency, of course.
 
The road characteristics of the suspension can be called outstanding, including thanks to the original rubber bushings of large diameter with progressive characteristics. They extinguish resonant fluctuations and at the same time accurately convey control efforts. In the section, the bushings resemble a cross, while horizontal and vertical elements have different elastic properties. In addition, they do not use rubber, but a special multicomponent material. The suspension is equipped with stabilizers of the anti -stability, the hinges of which allow them to change their position during the operation of pneumo elements. These elements themselves are interconnected according to the cross circuit, similar to the one that is used on Range Rover. For example, when one wheel is hit by an obstacle, the suspension control unit analyzes the characteristics of the landscape and pumps the air from the compressed pneumo element to the element of the opposite side. Thus, the work of an unreasonable bridge is simulated and maximum contact with the surface is ensured. On the asphalt, the system is inactive and the suspension works as independent.
 
The springs are standard equipment, and the pneumatic suspension is included in the option. The Terran Response system is associated with the pneumo element control unit - another know -how new Discovery.
 
Our answer is off -road
 
We, we argued: do Terran Response need a system in principle? Isn't it more correct to learn how to drive off -road than to trust soulless electronics? Before answering this question, you need to figure out how this system acts. I must say that Terrain Response fully works only on cars with a pneumatic suspension and an automatic gearbox. The essence of its actions is that the pilot can choose one of the five modes of movement embedded in the electronic brain, and the other system will do the rest itself. These modes correspond to the probable conditions in which Land Rover can be operated: road, grass-gravel, that is, slippery coating, mud-pellet, sand, and stones. In general, the experts carefully analyzed fifty different surface options, the parameters of which, like the algorithms of the actions of experienced drivers, were optimized and reduced to these groups. Thus, the owner of the Discovery as a result of the rotation of the handle located on the console between the seats may be an off-road for once! Of course, this is an exaggeration. However, if feedback is established between the pilot and the system, then Terran Response during use becomes at the same time as a teacher. That's what is interesting!
 
Information about all modes of suspension, transmission, drive, and even steering is displayed on the large screen on the front panel of the cabin. In real time, it displays the body level relative to the horizon, the angle of rotation of the wheels, the degree of blocking of differentials. Sensors, executive elements, control node and the central brain of the car are interconnected by a high -speed tire of data transmission, which allows the entire system to work quickly and harmoniously. We were demonstrated by Terran Response at a small artificial training ground. The one saw is impressive! The car itself raises the body, blocks both differentials and includes a lowering gear on stones or stretches the gas pedal on slippery coating, preventing the slippage. And he does it quite quickly. The transition from mode to regime is limited only by the air pumping rate in the suspension pneumatic elements. On the spring Discovery, as we have already said, Terran Response is not installed, and on versions with a manual box it works partially. That is, recommendations are displayed on the display, say, switch to a lower gear, turn on the lowered, and the system copes with the suspension and locks.
 
In addition, Terrain Response independently includes the descent system from the hill, if necessary, and also sets the optimal descent speed for specific conditions. Road clearance can be automatically increased when the bottom is touched (even short -term). The sensitivity of the electronic gas pedal is changing, and therefore the transmission of the torque to the wheels. Terran Response controls both ABS, almost turning it off on the sand, and a dynamic stabilization system, activating the DSC to maximum sensitivity on slippery coating. In other words, all the systems and mechanisms of the SUV are subordinate to it. By the way, if any of the blocks or sensors fails, the car will go to manual control.
 
Jaguar's heart
 
For Disco 3, three engines are prepared. The main ones will be a 4.4-liter gasoline V8 and a 2.7-liter V6 turbodiesel. In addition, for some markets, a 4.0-liter gasoline V6 is offered. We have already written enough about V8, so we will not linger on it. The turbocharged diesel with Common-Rail technology has been developed jointly by Ford, Land Rover, Jaguar, but mainly Peugeot Citroen PSA. A similar motor has recently debuted at the Jaguar X-Type Estate station wagon and was approved. For Discovery, the motor was a little modernized, as a result of which it develops 190 liters. With. at 4000 rpm, and torque is 440 nm at 1900 rpm. In this case, the curve of the moment does not contain obvious failures throughout its entire length.
This was achieved by a 16-valve technology, a turbine with variable geometric characteristics, as well as a combined intake manifold. The degree of compression is small and equal to 17.3: 1. The lower the indicator, the higher the reliability, less noise and vibration. In the fuel supply system, nozzles of a new design are used, developed and manufactured by Siemens. Instead of solenoids, they use piezo elements. A spraying hole with a diameter of human hair, the highest accuracy and speed, the use of three pilot, one main and one burning injections make it possible to achieve excellent engine characteristics, including economic and environmental ones.
 
With gasoline engines in the standard and with diesel, as an option, a smart six -speed automatic ZF automatic box is joined. She is well known, reliable and modern. Sports and pseudoral regimes are provided. When moving on reduced gear, the machine gun is held from switching, if a manual mode is selected, which prevents undesirable transfers of gears in difficult road conditions. The box analyzes the movement mode and driving manner and automatically selects the optimal algorithm. It is also associated with the Terran Response system, which, when activated, fully controls all switching.
 
The mechanical gearbox, which is installed only with a diesel engine, also has six gears and is also made on ZF. The sensors built into the checkpoint use Terran Response and the electronic parking brake system.
 
Unshakable
 
The drive of the new Discovery is constant full, otherwise it could not be. Intersose differential planetar, blocked automatically and widely using a multi -disc coupery and servo drive. The posterior inter -axle differential is also blocked. Reducing gearbox is 2.93: 1. Many SUVs will envy such a transmitted number. The handout is easier than a 30 kg used on the previous Discovery. Switching between the lower and upper rows of gears occurs using an electric drive. It is located so as not to reduce the road clearance, and protected from water and dirt. Differential blocking also has an electric drive that receives commands from the electronic unit and Terran Response system. The rear blocked E-Diff differential is included in additional equipment, in the standard it is free. The control system for its blocking is connected to the brain gearbox.
 
Amphitheater for seven
 
Developing the Disco 3 salon, engineers and designers tried to provide equal comfort for all its passengers. Even in the third row, two adults tall people can sit. At least I am there without problems there, and I have an 187 cm height, and in any other SUV this class I could not get a job.
 
When designing the salon, they focused on the requirements of consumers of both sexes and various age groups. The main task was to create a comfortable and expensive interior, ergonomic and safe. You can choose a five- and seven-seater Discovery options. The seats can be leather or fabric, the front seats with electric or mechanical adjustments. In any case, Land Rover will be convenient. The preserved command position of the driver is successfully combined with the passenger location of the control and management organs. Planting has become more convenient, the driver’s place can be very accurately adjusted for yourself, adjusting not only the chair, but also the steering wheel, and in a fairly wide range. All three rows are located at different levels with an increase to the third row - the amphitheater. So sitting from behind will travel more fun!
 
If there are two rows of seats in the car, then the second folds in a ratio of 45:65, and if three, then in three parts. The rear seats are cleaned on the floor, forming an even platform. The luggage compartment may thus significantly increase. As an example, we were shown that you can lay in Discovery 3. These are four bicycles, if there are two, three pairs of skiing and two bags. Moreover, it is not difficult to load things thanks to the folding asymmetric half of the fifth door.
 
Smart light
 
Another very interesting novelty of Disco 3 became adaptive headlights of the head light. Actually, Land Rover offers three lighting options for this car ... In the simplest, these will be ordinary halogen lamps, in a more expensive - bixenon, and in the third - adaptive. We will tell you a little more about them. The AFS adaptive head lighting system consists of two parts: bixenon headlights, the case of which can be rotated in a horizontal and vertical plane, and additional fixed headlights, the luminous flux of which is directed to the sides, at an angle of 45 degrees to the axis of the car. Analyzing the information received from the sensors of the steering position, the speed of movement, the suspension level, transmission transmission, the AFS control unit turns the headlights, providing optimal road lighting, the less speed, the greater the turning angle. At the smallest speeds and the largest corners, additional headlights are included, luminous almost in the side. AFS changes the angle of inclination of the headlights automatically depending on the load, when accelerating or braking.
 
Design
 
You can talk about the stylistic solution of the new Discovery for a long time, especially if you delve into all the details. In fact, its style is based on two main ideas: it must maintain family features and its shape should be functional. But in addition to the recognition of the silhouette, the designers had to solve the problem of the proportions of a strongly elongated Discovery. Moreover, if its length almost did not change, then the wheelbase increased by as many as 14 inches! To avoid the impression of steel sausages, the artists had to play with light lines and break the strip walking along the lower edge of the hood and continuing at the blocks of the rear lights. A clean door leaf makes a car higher and shorter. If you roll up on Disco 3 to the Range Rover, it will become obvious that their overall dimensions are almost the same, although the older brother, of course, is somewhat more massive.
 
Once again about the main
 
I could describe the new Discovery for a very long time, it turned out so interesting! However, the place allotted to me ends, and, I believe, it is worth briefly summed up. So, this is the first completely new car created by Land Rover after a merger with Ford Motor. He passed the longest test test before the release: from Nürburgring to the Australian deserts, from the swamps of Canada to the narrow streets of Tokyo. The base of the car is the new Integrated Body-Frame technology with a strong frame. Independent suspension of all wheels on springs or pneumo elements. A very low center of gravity.
 
Three V-shaped engines, including the Common-Rail diesel. Patent technology for maximizing the Terran Response off -road abilities. Interactive on -board computer with a lot of feedback capabilities. High -precision navigation with GPS, laid cards and binding to the coordinate grid. Harmann-Kardon high-quality audio system with 14 speakers, a subwoofer built into the back door and individual control for each passenger. Adaptive system of head light. A seven -seater salon with three full -fledged rows of seats. Two large hatches. Original architecture of the rear door with convenient access to the luggage compartment. Additional measures to protect pedestrians and cars in a collision. An electric system of four interconnected data transfer networks ...
 
It seems to be carried away again! The new Land Rover Discovery really attracts to itself like a magnet, and there is no doubt in its commercial success. A spoonful of tar is usually left under the final, and this tar is not really so bitter. For all my inquiries, what can additionally be done with the car for a qualitative increase in its cross-country ability, the engineers just shrugged: the arches should not be cut, you can’t lift the lift, it will be possible to lift the suspensions ... Nearby there was Disco 3, prepared for G4 Challenge, and I asked a man from Land Rover Expierence, how he differs from the standard, except for obvious things - Shnorkel, winch, trunk and color. Protection, wheels, a full -sized stock that ate a couple of degrees of the corner of the congress, a special bag of shelves in the luggage compartment, ”he answered. “And for extreme jeepers, we have Defender,” the expert explained patiently, like a child. *Two, but he is right! Within its territory, the new Discovery is invincible, and beyond its borders there are specially grown breeds for this ...
 

Source: Magazine 4x4