Land Rover Discovery LR4 test drive since 2009 SUV
Land Rover Discovery 4
The British gentleman will never talk about some things, although this does not mean that he does not think about them. But you and I believe, can afford to call a spade a spade. So, Land Rover Discovery 4 Impressions of the first dough. The Land Rover Discovery 4 test was arranged directly in the United Kingdom, or rather in Scotland. Impressions are fabulous, for nothing that they all go on the wrong side of the road. In addition, now I know how to improve Discovery 4 and why it is impossible to do this.
The numbers inspired
How to explain to you all the charm of Disco 4, if in fact this is the deepest modernization of the previous model? If even outwardly they are so similar that a uninitiated person can think about simple restyling in a sinful thing?
Here I will allow myself incorrect comparisons exclusively for the benefit of the case. You know, some men, of course, are not gentlemen at first glance easily determine what size the lady has the chest. Meanwhile, an inexperienced person may, for example, not distinguish the first size from the second. However, the third number with the previous ones will not confuse this rather large bust. And the fourth is striking even to those who pretend that such things are absolutely uninteresting to him. With Discovery exactly the same story. Anyone who is not in the subject may not notice the difference between the first and second generation, but the third generation of Disco is clearly recognizable.
And the number is fourth, although they are with the third and a completely different story is already similar.
I think Land Rover did everything right. At a difficult time for the car industry, while others are thinking about the release of simplified versions, the British are engaged in perfectionism. They so polished the Discovery 3, which now they are right about the new generation. Moreover, the outer changes are a little stricter, the front bumper made more streamlined. And so that the model is not confused with the predecessor, she received LED headlights and rear lights. It looks lively lively. Eight liters for two
The cars that were waiting for us in Edinburgh were equipped with new engines: a diesel 3.0-liter with two turbochargers or 5-liter V8 gasoline. I had never traveled in countries with left -hand traffic and therefore hastened to sit down at the right steering wheel in order to fundamentally strangle the sprouts of fear. And already leaving the parking lot, he wondered: what kind of motor I got now? Light, barely noticeable vibrations suggested that diesel. But at idle, the engine worked very quietly, and during acceleration the situation did not change much. It turned out, after all, he, 3.0 with two supercharges and hellish 600 nm of torque. Very modern, high -tech unit. But it is impossible to say that Disco 4 began to fly in the same way as Range Rover Sport with a turbodiesel V8. Nevertheless, this is a well -mannered, respectable motor: even craving in the entire range and, as a result, confident acceleration at any speed. It makes a hundred in 9.6 seconds, which is not bad for a large heavy car.
The main thing is timbre The second new engine, gasoline V8, seemed to me more inspiring. And the point is not that he disperses the car to a hundred faster, in 7.9 seconds. Focus in the sound: during acceleration, this 5-liter atmosphere emits muffled, but still reporting, distinguishable noble murmur. Yes, this is not a screech of hundreds of Bavarian piglets to you, not the howl of a Japanese vacuum cleaner in the voice of the British V8 is heard a real, aristocratic breed. True, I will choose to choose between gasoline and diesel, I will still take the second dynamics more than enough, and fuel consumption/stroke is noticeably less/larger. In addition, the interval interval of the V6 TD 3.0 is 25,000 km, and the pre -heating is included in the basic package, which cannot but like it.
In general, about the new engines of the fourth Discovery can be talked for a long time. Their technical description looks like a poem. For example, TD V6 3.0 does not have a reverse fuel supply to the tank, because its power system supplies exactly as much fuel as necessary. Piezoformsuks, on the other hand, are deeply drowned in the block so that they do not annoy with their clicks at idle. And the V8 is equipped with direct injection, and in each nozzle there are several holes to make spraying more effective. And this is not all. So we slow down and summarize: new engines bring the driver a sense of deep satisfaction, but not adrenaline. And it is right. Yes, by the way, both engines have hanging equipment and drive belts are isolated from water.
Do you want to drive? Buy Sport
Everything in the new Discovery is in comfort. The new 6-speed automatic transmission really works extremely softly. The pneumatic suspension is now included in the basic combination, and if you do not put the optional 20-inch wheels, the move will be quite smooth. However, controllability also seriously worked on control. The brake system has really become more effective due to the larger disks and floating calipers of two -piston -piston in front and parbulus from behind. During the test, I shook the brakes several times so as not to slip the right turn, and I was very pleased with them.
And now about what deserves criticism. Trying to defeat the laws of physics, British engineers fiercely conjured over the suspension. They reduced the distance between the center of the suspension roll and the center of the car severity (by 42 mm in front and 62 mm behind). They put a new reptile stability stabilizer, new shock absorbers and bushings. However, in fast cool turns on narrow Scottish roads, Discovery 4 is still crazy, recalling: guy, we are not here here. If you want to drive, buy Range Rover Sport. Of course, the rolls are not large for the SUV, but now I can’t wait to arrange a DISCO 4 confrontation with any of the competitors. I believe that in corners one German may well devote him.
However, something else is much more interesting: whether someone can compete with the new Discovery on the road.
Higher than one waist
Traditionally, for Land Rover, the off -road part of the test was impressive. Typically, in the photographs the scale of off-road is not reflected and you will have to take my word. During the test, the water in the rivers rose and the fords were almost along the edge of the hood, and many of my not particularly sophisticated colleagues easily allowed the hood of the hood in a wave. And nothing, no problem. According to the TS, the depth of overcoming Brod is unprecedentedly large 700 mm at the maximum level of pneumatic suspension lifting. However, I was most struck by the deep, already rolled up by previous groups, a clay track with a turn on the rise. I expected at least a light hitch from the car, and he went through this place as if nothing had happened. Moreover, he was shod in highway, asphalt tires. Honestly, after that, the descent along the slippery slope and the creeping through the sloping log bridge with diagonal hanging was no longer impressed. Here, however, we must admit that all these pieces could have done the previous model with no less success. And an independent suspension with pneumo elements, and a lowering gear 2.93: 1 was with him before. As well as an off -road electronic system Terrain Response and the Hill Descent Control descent system. However, the last two improved. Let me remind you that Terrain Response, unlike analogues, is able to work in different modes. They are selected by the driver depending on the conditions. The degree of acceptable wheel slipping, gas pedal, engine control, suspension level is all its department. So, in the current generation she was added another position of sand. And the Stones/Small course improved the program in order to minimize probably the rolls when moving along large boulders. Alas, the sand does not have sand during the presentation
the Scotts had a shortage with this, and I will not lie noticeable improvements in the stones program, did not have enough opportunity to feel. But the more effective work of Hill Descent Control was clearly observed. This system itself now monitors the smoothness of the release of the brake. Because before, how was it? The driver before the descent could too sharply remove the leg from the pedal, and before the electronics began to slow down the wheels, the car managed to accelerate a little. And now the computer itself makes sure that the downward movement begins smoothly. Tactile memory
If outwardly the fourth Disco is not very different from the third, then almost everything has changed inside. Chairs, instrument panel, central console, finishing materials everything is new. According to LR Director in the design of Jerry McGovern, this time this time paid special attention to the seams and surfaces in order to bring tactile sensations from communication with Disco to a new level. No matter how pathetic it sounds, he is right. Cool plastics, excellent skin. And the nubuk that the steering wheel is trimmed, I still remember the touch. Now I remember him every time it is difficult for me, and the thought that such rudders are in the world warms my soul.
A truly luxurious salon, a comfortable high landing, a lot of space for the rear passengers: what else can you want from the interior? Amenities for transporting goods? The second row of seats is formed in an even floor (for the especially meticulous I will explain that he does this in parts, in the proportion of 35/30/35). Greater passenger capacity? There is an optional 7 SEAT package worth 83,000 rubles, which includes two additional seats in the trunk, for the time being hidden in the floor, and air conditioning for the rear passengers. Although, frankly, I don’t know why the road, a luxurious car, seven seats in the complete absence of a space for things. Go a big company on a conceptual trip light? Meet business partners at the airport, and to hire a taxi to transport their suitcases? However, apparently, someone is still needed, since it remains on the list.
By the way, as options, in particular, a salon with an improved leather decoration version (85,000 rubles), cooled boxing in an armrest (13,000 rubles), a heated steering wheel (5000 rubles) and much more are also offered. But, on the other hand, the mass of useful and pleasant is included in the standard equipment including a leather interior, Harman/Kardon audio system with eight speakers, a door opening system and starting an engine without a key. All this is truly beautiful, but what I do not understand is why a real SUV is such a cool salon. Or is it implied that the crew will not need to leave the car and get dirty, because it will pass everywhere where necessary? But we know that it doesn’t happen
It is possible, but not necessary
So, Land Rover Discovery, immortal, like Duncan Maclaud, was revealed to us among the green hills of Scotland. However, he came not one at the same time was given to try out the updated Range Rover Sport, which we will talk about in the next issue. And this same Sport, having almost the same suspension as the hero of this article, is not at all fraudsted in turns thanks to a special electronic system. Why didn’t Disco 4 equipped something like that, did not bring it to perfection? Yes, because it would become much more expensive and, in running qualities, would begin to compete with RR Sport. So it was better to make a car, but not necessary. Moreover, no one to the consumer or the manufacturer. Moreover, he is already good from this test drive, I still have a pleasant aftertaste, as from the aged Scotlan whiskey.
Author: Savva Safonov, photo Land Rover
Source: Magazine 4x4 [November /2009]
