Test Drive Land Rover Discovery LR4 since 2009 SUV
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 4
About some things, the British gentleman will never speak, although this does not mean that he does not think about them. But we, I believe, can afford to call things with your own names. So, Land Rover Discovery 4 impressions of the first test. The Land Rover Discovery 4 Test was arranged directly in the United Kingdom, or rather in Scotland. The impressions are fabulous, for nothing that everything is not on the other side of the road. In addition, now I know how to improve Discovery 4 and why it is impossible to do this.
Numbers inspired
How to explain to you all the charm of DISCO 4, if in essence it is the deepest modernization of the previous model? If even externally, they are so similar that the person of the uninitiated can a sinful matter of thinking about a simple restyling?
Here I will allow myself incorrect comparisons exclusively for the benefit of the case. You know, some men are definitely not gentlemen at first glance easily determine the size of the lady breast. Meanwhile, the person inexperienced can, for example, do not distinguish the first size from the second. However, the third number with the previous ones do not confuse this is already quite a big bust. And the fourth rushes in eyes even to those who pretend that he is absolutely uninteresting to him. With Discovery exactly the same story. The one 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 the fourth, even though they are the third and look like a completely different story.
I think Land Rover did everything right. In a complex for car industry, while others are thinking about the release of simplified versions, the British are engaged in perfectionism. They soothed Discovery 3 so that now fully talk about the new generation. Moreover, the external changes are minimal lines of steel slightly stricter, the front bumper made more streamlined. And so that the model is not confused with the predecessor, it received LED headlights and rear lights. Vorious it looks very impressive. Eight liters for two
Machines that waited for us in Edinburgh were equipped with new engines: diesel 3.0-liter with two turbocharger or gasoline 5-liter V8. I have never traveled in countries with left-hand traffic and therefore hurried to sit behind the right steering wheel so that the fear sprouts in the root. And already leaving the parking lot, wondered: what did you get for the motor now? Lungs, barely noticeable vibrations allowed to assume that diesel. But at idle the engine worked very quietly, and when accepted, the situation did not change much. It turned out, after all, it, 3.0 with two superchargers and adski 600 nm of torque. Very modern, high-tech unit. But to say that Disco 4 began to fly with him just like Range Rover Sport with turbodiesel V8, it is impossible. And yet it is a great-educated, respectable motor: smooth traction in the entire range and, as a result, confident overclocking at any speed. A hundred makes 9.6 seconds that for a large heavy machine is quite good.
The main timbre The second new engine, gasoline V8, seemed more inspiring me. And it's not even that he accelerates the car to hundreds faster, for 7.9 seconds. Focus in sound: When overclocking, this 5-liter atmospheric makes muffled, but still a displays a distinguishable noble muttering. Yes, this is not a screeching of hundreds of Bavarian piglets, not a Japanese vacuum cleaner in the voice of the British V8, the real, aristocratic breed is heard. True, I bring to choose between gasoline and diesel, I still take the second dynamics more than enough, and fuel consumption / stroke is noticeably less / more. In addition, the intercelvice interval at V6 TD 3.0 is 25,000 km, and the preheating is included in the basic configuration, which cannot but not like.
In general, the new motors of the fourth Discovery can be taught for a long time. Their technical description looks like a poem. For example, TD V6 3.0 does not have a feedback of fuel to the tank, because its power system supplies exactly so much fuel as needed. Piezooruforsunks are drowning deep into the block so as not to annoy with their clicks at idle. And the V8 is equipped with a direct injection, and in each nozzle several holes to make sputtering more efficient. And this is not all. So inhibit and summarize: new engines bring a feeling of deep satisfaction, but not adrenaline. And it is right. Yes, by the way, both motors have attachments and drive belts isolated from water from entering water.
Want to drive? Buy Sport
All in the new Discovery is configured to comfort. The new 6-speed automatic transmission and truth works solely gently. The pneumatic suspension is now included in the basechart, and if you do not put the optical 20-inch wheels, the move will be quite smooth. However, the handling also worked seriously. The brake system really became more efficient due to the discs of the larger diameter and floating calipers of two-stage front and single-passive rear. During the test, I sharply beat the brakes several times so as not to slip the desired turn, and remained them very pleased.
And now about what critics deserves. Trying to defeat the laws of physics, British engineers were violently over the suspension. They reduced the distance between the center of the suspension roll and the center of the severity of the car (by 42 mm in front and 62 mm at the rear). They put a new transverse stability stabilizer, new shock absorbers and sleeves. However, in fast steep turns on narrow Scottish roads, Discovery 4 still rolls, reminding: the guy, we are not behind it. If you want to drive, buy Range Rover Sport. Of course, for SUV, the rolls are not great, but now I will not wait to arrange Disco 4 full-time bet with some of the competitors. I believe that in turns one German may well die.
However, much more interesting: can someone be able to extinguish with the new Discovery on off-road.
Higher than the belt
Traditionally, for Land Rover, the off-road part of the test was impressed. What is characteristic, in photographs the scale of off-Round is not reflected and you will have to believe me for word. Directly during the test, the water in the rivers rose and brodes were almost over the edge of the hood, and many of my not very sophisticated colleagues easily allowed and overhanging the hood of the wave. And nothing, no problems. According to TTX, the depth of the overcome of the brude is unprecedented 700 mm at the maximum level of lifting of the pneumatic suspension. However, I was most struck by a deep, already rolled out the previous groups of a clay rut with a turn on the rise. I expected from the car at least a light zaminka, and he passed this place as if nothing had happened. And it was wound into the highway, asphalt rubber. Honestly, after that, the descent on the slippery slope and the overwriting through a coastal bridge bridge with diagonal hanging was not impressed. Here, however, you must admit that all these things with a few success could have been done and the previous model. And independent suspension with pneumatic elements, and the downward transmission 2.93: 1 was before. As well as an off-road electronic system Terrain Response and a Hill Descent Control helping system. However, the last two have improved. Let me remind you that Terrain Response, in contrast to analogs, is able to work in different modes, they choose the driver depending on the conditions. The degree of permissible slip of the wheels, the stroke of the pedal of gas, engine control, the suspension level is its entire department. So, in the current generation, she added another position of the sand. And the program of stones / small stroke has improved to minimize rolls probably when driving on large boulders. Alas, we have a sand during the presentation
it was with this scott with a deficit, and noticeable improvements in the program for stones I will not lie, I did not have enough opportunity to feel. But clearly observed more efficient operation of Hill Descent Control. This system now monitors the smoothness of the brake release. Because before, how was it? The driver before the descent could remove the foot from the pedal too sharply, and before the electronics began to slow down the wheels, the car had time to accelerate a little. And now the computer itself monitors the movement down to start smoothly. Tactile memory
If an externally fourth DISCO is not very different from the third, then in almost everything changed inside. Chairs, instrument panel, central console, finishing materials All new. According to the director of the LR design of Jerry McGogen (Gerry McGovernment), this time was paid 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 nubuck, which was finished with the steering wheel, I remember the touch still. Now I remember him every time it is difficult for me, and the idea that such steering wheel is in the world, heats my soul.
A truly luxurious salon, comfortable high landing, a lot of space for the rear passengers: What else can you want from the interior? Amenities for the transport of goods? The second row of seats is folded into the smooth floor (for particularly meticulous, I will explain that it does it in parts, in the proportion of 35/30/35). More passed? There is an optional package 7 SEAT worth 83,000 rubles, which includes two additional seats in the trunk, until the pores of the hiding in the floor, and the air conditioner for the rear passengers. Although, to be honest, I do not know why you need a dear, luxury car seven seats with a complete absence of a place for things. Go to a large company in a conceptual journey Likega? To meet at the airport of business partners, and to transport their suitcases to hire a taxi? However, apparently, someone else needs this option, since it remains in the list.
By the way, the interior with an improved leather finishing option (85,000 rubles), a cooled box in the armrest (13,000 rubles), and a heated steering wheel (5000 rubles), also are also offered as options. But, on the other hand, the mass of useful and pleasant is a standard package including a leather interior, HARMAN / KARDON audio system with eight speakers, door opening system and starting the engine without a key. All this is truly fine, but what I do not understand, so this is why this cool salon is a real SUV. Or is it implied that the crew will not need to leave the car and get dirty, because she will drive it everywhere where necessary? But we know with you that it does not happen
You can, but not need
So, Land Rover Discovery, the Immortal, as Duncan Maclaud, was revealed to us among the green hills of Scotland. However, he came not one at the same time, he was given to try out the updated Range Rover Sport, which we will tell about in the next room. And this very sport, having an almost the same suspension as the hero of this article, does not raise in turns due to the special electronic system. Why did Disco 4 not equipped with something like that, did not bring him to perfection? Yes, because it would become very expensive and began to compete with RR Sport. So it is better to make a car, but no need. And nobody or the consumer or the manufacturer. Especially since he is already good from this test drive, I still have a pleasant aftertaste, as from a weathered Scotland whiskey.
Posted by: Savva Safonov, photo Land Rover
A source: 4x4 magazine [November / 2009]
