Test drive Land Rover Discovery LR3 2004 - 2009 SUV

Knight of a green oval

Land Rover Discovery III can be of any color, provided that this color is not black! The anthracite block, casting on the faces of a dark blue, absorbed the nuances of the original style, which, according to the plan of designers, Land Rover should make the famous model of certainly recognizable and bring it to the category of image things. And if so, we will leave disputes about the form in the end, let's talk better about the content.

The first thing you note, getting out of the clogged parking is a great visibility in all directions and an unexpectedly small radius of turn. When driving on most modern SUVs, problems arise with addiction to dimensions, but not in the case of new Disco.

On it, at least from the first minutes you can go to amateur jeep-trial or to pass practical exams in the traffic police. Remember your first diagonal parking? I am sure that on Land Rover this heartbreaking operation would be jokingly: in addition to perfectly felt dimensions, a full-time park-acting forward and backward would help him. On the off -road, it can be turned off so as not to exhaust yourself and passengers with a squeak from each bush. However, you still have to get to off-road ...

Almost any test begins with asphalt, and every second - with a traffic jam. That's when there is time to evaluate a high landing, the comfort of the driver’s place, the climatic installation and the audio system. The first pair was on top, and the second somewhat disappointed. If in order, then the picture is as follows ... The ergonomic parameters of all left -handed Land Rover at all times were, let's say, specific. You probably know them - well, at least according to our tests. A very high landing shifted to the door of the chair, the pedal block shifted to the central console. The chubby steering wheel, a kind of algorithm for turning on light and wastors/cleaners of glass ... With each new model, the situation changed for the better, finally becoming perfect - that is, in this case more familiar - on the Range Rover L322. The new Discovery, preserving the positive aspects, got rid of everything from everything that most considered the disadvantages.

I have listed them above and now I can mention the virtues with a clear conscience. The high landing, which the British call Comand Position, allows you to feel like the king of the road - and not only it. Sitting almost vertically, on rough terrain you can, for example, stick out the window and see what is happening under the front and rear wheels. I did not have enough with my growth noticeably higher than the average only adjustment in distance to the pedals, but very little - a couple of centimeters. In addition, the car that we went to the test was not equipped with all the possible adjustments to the driver’s chair - from additional joys of life, only a lumbar background and a change in the level of the pillow, mostly its rear edge were present. If it were possible to raise the front, then there is nothing to find fault at all.

I could not configure in accordance with my own tastes and the heating system. In automatic mode, all the heat went to the feet, and almost cold air blew on the windshield. But the lobby is equipped with autonomous heating, the thin threads of which are visible only if you know where to look for them. By the way, about the promised advertisement of the chic audio system Harmann-Kardon with 14 speakers-in our car there was a mediocre level of the CD-resort with six columns. Of course, the sensitivity of the receiver was sufficient, but the Linn Records disk lost its famous sensual shades at medium frequencies. Okay, we will wait for the top version of the Land Rover Discovery III, where we are already heard by the hi-end there.

The dual impression was left by the behavior of the new Land Rover on public roads. Having marveled at one time by the striking beaming of the previous generation Discovery when passing turns, we were waiting for even more firmly holding posture from the new model. In fact, it turned out that with a much more confident course stability, the fireplane’s rolls were subjectively more. Or the speed is higher? One way or another, if the driver has enough courage not to pay attention to the rolls, in the turns of Discovery III is simply invincible. Sorry for the banality, but except with the BMW X5 to compare it, perhaps, there is nothing to. It seems that even Range Rover does not write a quick curve so clearly. And the Lexus RX300 and Volvo XC90 are not at all nearby!

Direct Land Rover holds fabulously - at least 80 km/h, at least 160. Differences only in the whistle of wind. Neither the sound of the motor, nor the instantaneous fuel consumption at speeds close to maximum are annoyed. And what a dispersal! What is the elasticity of the new diesel! Yes, I forgot to say: our Disco was armed with the latest V6 turbodiesel, which is being visited in bestsellers in Russia. I was still thinking when I heard this: why? It seems that our people have never been fond of with kerosene ... I know that some even refused to acquire Land Rover II due to a too sluggish diesel power unit. Eh, they would ride them on the new Disco! We would have discarded all doubts as I about the future success of the version with the 190-horsepower TDV6. Honestly, I have never met such a quiet, soft and fast diesel engine! Even the magnificent BMW and Toyota engines are not so good ... Let's see what it will be capable of off -road.

In the meantime, we are flying to the control site for controllability in critical modes, noting the comfort of the suspension and a clear operation of an automatic 6-speed box along the way. The machine has two additional modes - sports and pseudo -wing. At the first, the motor switches exactly from the maximum of torque to the beginning of the power of power, and the second allows you to fully slow down the engine. However, Discovery brakes work so clearly that there is practically no need for this. At low speeds, the brake system grip first even scares: it seems that he barely touched the pedal, and the car is already dead! And you’ll press the gas a little - and jumps forward like a preceded one. Dressure is the upper class! However, here is the promised site, covered with a snowball, under which ice with asphalt bald spots.

The new Land Rover Discovery is equipped with a dynamic stabilization system - as we thought, disconnected. But it turned out that the DSC strictly monitors the driver and the car, even being formally de-activated, and intervenes in the situation where the presumptuous driver will shift the steering wheel too much or overlap at speed. In any case, Disco demonstrates a clear insufficient rotation that turns into uniform demolition if the turn is delayed. It is virtually impossible to disrupt in the skidding of this unflappable British. Only at the output of the turn, if you shift the steering wheel a couple of times, it hints at something similar to the skid, but here the electronics does not doze off: after he strangled the motor, it hides the trajectory. The fact that the DSC is so carefully monitors the behavior of the car is commendable in this case, because the figure of the highest aerobatics called ears, alas, no one canceled, but any car can be put, especially so high ...

The most interesting part of the test took place, of course, on the off -road, and the Terran Response innovative system was a catalyst, which, in fact, controls all the mechanisms of the car in certain modes. The control unit is closed to the engine, gearbox, pneumatic suspension, handout, differentials and anti -industrial systems. Perhaps it would be worth even mounting a small electric shock in the driver’s seat so that he does not forget to switch to low when it requires a dull display of the device. I did not forget.

Five modes, or rather, five options for traffic conditions are laid as basic and reflected on the icons of Terrain Response switch. Land Rover experts analyzed dozens of possible coatings and situations that the owner of the new Discovery may encounter. Having adjusted them to the features of a particular car, they received software templates that allow the best way to dispose of the off -road potential of Disco III, which is already good.

Built on the frame integrated into the body, Land Rover Discovery III, despite the increase in size, including the wheelbase, and the presence of a completely independent suspension, remains a very passable and potentially resilient car. In versions with air suspension, the road clearance can be increased to 240 mm, and the angles of entry and the congress are not worse than the predecessor. The sick place of all Land Rover, except perhaps the short -drawn Defender, is a long rear overhang. No matter how you take care, but you will have to attach a gas tank at a serious crossbar. The tail of the Discovery III can calmly trample the slopes without fear of damaging. There he now has a reserve, or rather, a dock. I myself, moving through a narrow, but deep ditch, thoroughly printed to its slope at the exit. It’s very slippery, and no matter how you try to move smoothly, but it still turns out faster down. The blow was tangible.

With a fright, I jumped out to look at the bumper torn to the meat and did not find any damage at all, only a dirty trace on the rubber of the spare wheel. But the front number honestly tore off ... However, from below the Land Rover Discovery III is so well protected that only the spent nerve cells had to be sorry. Oddly enough, there were no problems with the so -called longitudinal traffic angle. Simply put, we have never touched the belly of a belly, as well as thresholds. The snow was shallow, and the dirt was completely frozen, so we could not find out how this independent suspension behaves in comparison with that unreasonable bridge.

Since it was snowing almost everywhere, we used mainly Grass-Gravel-Snow, corresponding to the most slippery coatings. You know, riding it is a continuous pleasure. The diesel turned out to be approximately a burden, and the reducing gear of the handout - 2.93: 1 - allowed not to worry about the lack of traction. Diagonal hanging, I switched to Rock -Crawling - a rock climbing mode. The motor began to respond to the gas pedal much more lively, the anti -industrial system did not allow the wheels to turn out at all, and the electronic hand brake helped a lot to move at the largest angles of the attack. It is very comfortable! The car just rides at an incredible angle, completely not straining. Any other SUV would already save, and this one crawls and crawls. He doubted, pulled the handicraft key to himself with his finger - and you can at least go out, look around, the system holds dead. Then he pressed the gas pedal, the engine scored, Land Rover shuddered - and the brake automatically released. Now no one will move on the handbrake! More precisely, now everyone can move on a handbrake, he will turn off his own ...

Having tried the rest of the Terrain Response modes, we came to the conclusion that the device allows us to enjoy off -road driving without tension, without the usual expectation that we were about to make a quieter of the radio for a second, and ready - got stuck. It is a pity that there was no dirt and dry sand, but the time will come and we will get to them.

Speaking of the salon, I did not mention its fantastic transformation and a proprietary chip - a full -size third row of seats. Getting a full -fledged seven -seater salon on an actually frame car of this size is a serious challenge to competitors! We settled down in the back together quite comfortably, except that the knees touched the back of the second row. Both seats are equipped with three -point safety belts, and even side pillows for the back passengers and individual control panels of the audio system with the ability to connect head phones were found in the options. In our car, on the site of the pillows there were a decent size of the roll. In general, there are plenty of places for storing road trifles in Land Rover Discovery III. Only a double glove compartment and an immense console box that are worth it! But in the trunk you do not walk around, the floor as such is not, you won’t hide anything under it - this is not the floor, but the back of the third row.

Finally, about potential competitors. In terms of equipment and functionality to Land Rover Discovery III, the Volkswagen Touareg, Porsche Cayenne S, Toyota Prado and, oddly enough, Range Rover, is closest. On the asphalt with Disco, any of them can argue, but on real off -road, perhaps only the last two. However, only madmen and we can drive His Majesty Range for $ 100,000 per intersection, and Prado, alas, does not have a seven -seater version, its diesel diesel is worse, and controllability to the level of our subject does not. Touareg and Porsche are basically armed no worse than Land Rover, but both are not too hardy, but the second, not only is there no diesel engine, but it is sharpened more under the asphalt. If we take into account the price range in which our subject performs, from $ 53,000 to $ 72,000, it can be assumed that the diesel Land Rover Discovery III, located in its lower segment, will be the most interesting offer on the Russian market of SUVs for a long time. And the fuel consumption in combined mode on average did not exceed 13 liters per 100 km. In my opinion, very good ...

About the external

It seems that Land Rover Discovery III was designed not by a car artist, but by an architect. Such monumentality blows from only one car known to me, which recently noted a quarter -century anniversary. True, if the echoes of the Great Empire are visible in it, then our character has some Hellenic proportions. Even the famous double arc was preserved, taking the counting from Rolls-Royce and forming the convex lines of the floor and roofs of Land and Range Rover cars. The similarity of the new Disco with Range Rover is more apparent, and even then only in front. In addition, Range will be updated this year, and then there will be even more differences.

At the same time, it should be noted that the monumentalism of the Land Rover Discovery is concise. Its appearance is not overloaded with details, and the silhouette makes us recall more about practicality than about the fantasies of the designer. It is obvious that such characteristic decor elements as the roof raised in the area of \u200b\u200bthe rear seats, a wide hood with clear corners, the original fifth door, through which it is really convenient to load the luggage, as well as massive bumpers and wide doors, carry out designer, and not Artistic charge. After all, as you know, the designer should first of all think how to make it convenient, and even after - how to do beautifully. However, in the case of Disco III, it seems to me, both of them managed ...

The history of the model

For the first time, Discovery was shown at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1989. Then they talked about him as about ... a family SUV. To some extent, it was true. Being quite spacious for five, and later for seven people, this car remained a real SUV, which in turn was triumphantly confirmed during Camel Trophy. First, a 3-door version of the car, which borrowed from Range Rover, part of the chassis, engines and transmission, a year later, the model row was complemented by a 5-door version. The car used the well-deserved 3.5-liter eights and a new 2.5-liter turbodiesel with direct injection. The last update of the classic Discovery occurred in 2002, when it received new lighting devices and blocking in a hand -out box, cleaned in 1998 at the next restyling. In any case, for the joy of fans of the model, the main features of the Land Rover Discovery throughout these years remained unchanged. However, continuity is clearly visible in the new model.

MOTOR

For Land Rover Discovery III, three engines are provided. Basin 6-cylinder V-shaped 4.0-liter, developing 215 liters. p., developed by Ford, V8 with a volume of 4.4 liters and a capacity of 295 liters. with. It was taken from Jaguar and finalized, and the turbodiesel was designed by the Peugeot-Citroen concern with the participation of Ford, Jaguar and Land Rover and is also pretty modified. All engines are modernized taking into account use on the SUV. The electrical equipment is raised as high as possible, the oil fence is organized so that it is uninterrupted at any angles of work, increased dust and moisture protection. Diesel and V-shaped eight are delivered to the Russian market.

Integrated Body-Frame

From below, Land Rover Discovery III is very similar to a corporate relative - the latest generation Ford Explorer. However, there are a lot of differences, only circuit schemes and configuration of some elements are close. For example, a platform with a frame integrated into the body is unique. Actually integration means that in the design process of both the body and the frame were calculated as a whole, in which the power parts of the corps seemed to pass into the reinforced areas of the frame. The crushing zones and the places where communications pass are also combined, mechanical nodes are attached. In addition, the body panels surround the frame from three sides, it is practically not visible. As a result, it turns out that it is she who takes prolonged loads on the off -road, increasing endurance, and the overall stiffness of the structure is useful on the road, improving controllability and increasing safety.

Terran Response

Asphalt. The reactions to the accelerator pedal are determined by driving manner, the start from the first gear. The differentials are free, the suspension is at an average level.
Slippery coating. The reaction to the pedal is stretched. Start from the second or third gear. Differentials operate automatically. HDC is turned on, the installations of tracts control are changed. Suspension at the maximum level with reduced gear.
Track. Stretched gas reaction. Differentials in combat readiness. Reducing gear and high suspension are recommended.
Sand. Aggressive acceleration, later gear shift. The ABS, DSC and ETC installations are changed - for example, slipping and blocking the wheels during braking are allowed.
Stones. Mandatory inclusion of low transmission and installation of the maximum suspension level. Soft reaction to gas. Differentials are blocked when necessary. We turn on the descent from the hill, slipping is not allowed.

Text: Igor Gubar
 

A source: Magazine 4x4 [02/2005]